Everton: Exit from the Carabao Cup may have a sliver lining for the Toffees

Although winning a major trophy after 26 years would’ve been a great spectacle for the Everton fans, the Merseyside faithful should be okay with not going through to the next round in the Carabao Cup as this year’s 4th round (round of 16) includes teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

In this Covid-19 era the players are being utilized rigorously because of which there is a fear of injuries as well as fatigue. Last season, the games were non-stop, from league football to European competitions to the domestic cups and then the delayed 2020 European Championship. These players are also human and need an appropriate amount of rest if they are to play at their level best.

For a team like Everton, it is important that the players are fit throughout the season and there is enough squad depth for each position in case anyone is injured. Everton have had terrible luck with injuries as key first team personnel are out due to injuries.

The Toffees have wafer thin squad depth at the moment and are playing with the bare minimum. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jordan Pickford, Richarlison, Seamus Coleman, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are out of the team. It seems like a blessing in disguise that the Toffees don’t have to play another few fixtures of the Carabao cup and will have to focus only on the Premier League for now.

Carabao Cup exit may not be that bad for Everton

This season will see the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations starting in January 2022 and after the season is over the prestigious FIFA World Cup 2022 will begin in November 2022. Another year packed with fixtures all over. If Everton are to challenge for a European spot this season, it is crucial that the entire squad is there to help them achieve that goal.

Not winning a trophy is definitely a blow for the Merseyside faithful but there is a sliver lining that shouldn’t be ignored. If Everton were to defeat QPR, that would mean that in the best case scenario there would be 4 more games to be played to reach the final including a 2 legged semi-final tie.

The FA Cup provides another opportunity at silverware, the last trophy that Everton had won, the 1995 FA Cup. The fans shouldn’t lose hope just yet rather look at the positive side of things, focusing on the Premier League and solidifying their position in the top 10 of the Premier League standings come Christmas. After the 3-0 away defeat to Aston Villa, Everton slipped from the 4th place to 6th with 10 points after 5 games in the Premier League.

Everton face Norwich City next in the league, looking to turn their form around after 2 consecutive defeats to Aston Villa and QPR respectively.