Joshua King made his Everton debut against Leeds United.
Everton managed to sign Joshua King on loan from AFC Bournemouth at the eleventh hour, boosting the depth in the attacking department. The departures of Cenk Tosun and Anthony Gordon on loan had made the forward department vulnerable and screaming for reinforcements.
The arrival of Joshua King bolsters the attack and provides Everton with more than one option in the centre forward role. Had the Toffees failed to sign a striker, they would have been left with Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the only traditional No.9. Carlo Ancelotti is extremely happy with the arrival of King.
"We let Cenk Tosun go to Turkey, we let Anthony (Gordon) go to have experience and improve his knowledge at Preston and we needed a provider for the position up front. I think Josh King is a really good profile for us. We were looking at him in the summer and we had a possibility to have him. The squad is quite complete in this moment. I am satisfied with the squad we have at this moment. (via Sky Sports)"
The Everton number 11 made his first appearance for the Royal Blues against Leeds United coming on as a substitute, in the culminating stages of the game. His versatility is his greatest strength and that is why he gives a plethora of options to Ancelotti.
Everton have had the problem of a weak bench.
1. A super sub
In the recent defeat to Newcastle United, Everton had one of the weakest bench strengths of all season. The problem of not having decisive options off the bench has plagued Everton throughout the season. Everton do not possess a game changer on the bench who can come and change the course of the game.
Against Newcastle, Everton’s bench consisted of Robin Olsen, Joao Virginia, Rom Davies, Anthony Gordon, Ben Godfrey, Andre Gomes, Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny. Cenk Tosun and Bernard were not in the squad as they were trying to facilitate a move away from Goodison Park. The Toffees housed just one attacking option in Gordon who despite all promise and flair, is still evolving and is not a game changer.
The arrival of Joshua King ensures Everton have a player who can create some sort of positive impact off the bench. One can count on King to do so. Ancelotti continues to use a 4-2-3-1 with Dominic Calvert-Lewin spearheading the attack. King can enter the game as a substitute and try to exploit a worn and tired defence with his pace and power. He’s quick, versatile and can run down the channels. The Norwegian tremendously enhances the quality on the bench.
King is capable of playing as a winger as well as a secondary striker.
2. A secondary striker in a two striker formation
The previous season, since taking over in December, Ancelotti deployed his side in a 4-4-2 with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison upfront. This season, the preferred formation has been 4-2-3-1 but King’s availability gives Ancelotti to tweak with more shapes. If the need arises, the 29 year old forward can adjust into a two striker formation which allows Richarlison to stay wide on the left side of midfield.
Calvert-Lewin and King have different characteristics which can work well against defences. King has the ability to drop as a secondary striker and stay close to midfield which allows DCL to stay forward and make maximum use of his instinctive nature and dangerous movements.
3. A winger in the front line
By this point, it is very clear that King’s versatility reigns supreme. He’s not only a traditional No.9 but has the capability to even play as a winger on either of the wings. In the worst case scenario if Richarlison or Alex Iwobi cannot play on the flanks, King will do the job for Ancelotti. He may not produce flabbergasting results but he will do enough.
Last term with AFC Bournemouth, King played 10 out of 26 games as a left winger, scoring three goals and providing three assists. In fact, statistically, he posted best numbers from the left wing as compared to playing as a centre forward or a secondary striker.
He is an all-round player with traits that can help Everton massively in chasing their ambition. When Carlo Ancelotti stated that King’s arrival completes the team, his protestations do not seem wrong.