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Everton: 3 players who need to step up in absence of James Rodriguez

By Parth Jhaveri

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: James Rodriguez of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on October 03, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: James Rodriguez of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on October 03, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Everton, Bernard,
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Bernard of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 19, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Bernard can orchestrate some of the Everton attacks.

2. Bernard

With even Richarlison out Bernard may be given a chance to play on the left flank. James Rodriguez is the chief creator of the team but Bernard too possesses skills to be the creative outlet for the team.

Now that the imagination will be missing via the right flank, considering Iwobi is more of energetic, taking defenders on kind of a player, Bernard is a chance creator. His two games in the EFL Cup has seen him play in a more central role behind a striker.

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Especially, in the Fleetwood game, Bernard played almost as a No.10 with a lot of the attacks flowing through him. The diminutive figure has pace and the skill to thread splitting through balls while also taking on defenders. He is more suited to drift inwards, more towards the goal area rather than sticking to the touchline.

James too likes to drift inside and either creates a goal scoring opportunity for himself or play the cross field ball. Bernard could do the same but from the opposite flank. A lot is being spoken and discussed about the Brazilian’s future recently, if he’s able to put up an inspiring display, Bernard could put some of these talks to rest.

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