Where do Everton need to strengthen in January?

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Everton have now won three games in a row as their Premier League season begins to gather momentum.

So how can Everton build on this renewed optimism and fine form and where do they need to prioritise any spending in January?

I think the one area of the team that need the most attention when the transfer window opens in the New Year is to improve options up front.

The Blues probably need to look again at possible centre-forwards to reinforce an attack that is growing in confidence and potency but is still not settled.

Although they both scored on Sunday, neither Cenk Tosun or Dominic Calvert-Lewin have truly convinced yet, playing at centre-forward.

Recently Everton have been experimenting with playing Richarlison in a more advanced central attacking position.

The results have been generally encouraging with the Brazilian starlet scoring at Leicester City. Although he had more of a struggle last Sunday against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

It is a move that does have merit and long-term it could be the answer. However is it worth the Blues strengthening the options up front and if so who could Everton look at in January?

Given the way that the Toffees are playing now under Marco Silva, adopting a pressing high-tempo game, then the type of forward who might ideally fit that approach is someone like Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.

Firmino is a very effective player in a pressing game, which is the way Liverpool also play. While Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane tend to get most of the attention and praise, Firmino is key to the dynamic and interchangeable nature of the Reds attack.

He does a lot of really good work creating space and opportunities for his forward partners to shine with his tactical awareness and technical ability. But players like the Brazil international are not commonly available.

One player who is a little under the radar but might be a possible answer to improving the Blues centre-forward choices is the Bournemouth striker Joshua King.

King has been a solidly productive Premier League forward over the past few seasons scoring 34 goals in just over 100 appearances including 4 again so far this season.

The Norway international is strong in the air, holds the ball up well, is versatile and although his goals record is not outstanding he does regularly contribute in that respect too.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

He is also part of an attacking positive team at Bournemouth where the emphasis is on playing on the front foot and seeking to win games.

One player who has apparently been tenuously linked with a move to Goodison Park is the Borussia Monchengladbach forward Thorgen Hazard.

The brother of Chelsea’s brilliant Eden Hazard, the 25-year-old has been outstanding this campaign for the Bundesliga side.

But he is primarily a wide attacking player rather than a centre-forward. And Everton have plenty of wide attacking options already with Theo Walcott, Ademola Lookman, Bernard and Richarlison.