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Everton travel to Chelsea in a seemingly permanent crisis

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Kai Havertz of Chelsea is challenged by Michael Keane and Andre Gomes of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2021 in London, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Kai Havertz of Chelsea is challenged by Michael Keane and Andre Gomes of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2021 in London, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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After their latest defeat at Crystal Palace, Everton return to London again on Thursday night to face Chelsea with the club now trapped in what feels like a permanent crisis.

Sunday’s loss in South London marked the moment when a change of manager became necessary at Everton and I think inevitable as this situation surely annot be allowed to continue.

It seems inpossible for the current crisis to be allowed to ferment and drag this club and team into a potentially disasterous relegation battle.

Rafa Benitez appears to be a dead-duck of a manager who has now finally lost any residual support amongst Toffees’ fans, particularly after his substitution of Richarlison on Sunday, which infuriated the travelling support.

And, it also looks as though the players too have lost faith in him and his methods, although that wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

At Palace, Benitez once again failed to recognise the need to switch to a 4-3-3 type of formation and instead once more selected and set-up the team in the wrong way.

It failed, and the Blues meekly surrended to a side they should have been confident of not only matching but also beating.

It was ridiculous to see Everton concede possession and the initiative to the home team and hope for a few counter-attacking chances as if the Eagles were Manchester City.

And given the defensive weakenesses of this Toffees’ team standing off your opponents and letting them dictate the pace and tempo of a game and attack you constantly, doesn’t seem a particularly effective strategy at the moment.

As it turned out, even Palace had enough to break down this craven strategy, although the fact that Blues’ players are always ready to make unforced individual errors certainly helps.

So, now Everton face a Chelsea side who will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing such a poor and demoralised team at Stamford Bridge.

It is almost impossible to imagine that this game will be anything other than a severe hiding for the away team.

If this match was at Goodison Park maybe there would be a chance for Everton to get something from it, maybe. But, the Toffees’ haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since the 1994-95 season. I wouldn’t put any money on that changing this week.

As for the side he will pick to play Chelsea, midfielder Allan might not make it on Thursday and Benitez claimed he had to substitute his fellow Brazilian Richarlison for a calf problem against Palace so we don’t know yet if he will be available either. More potential absences that this side can ill-afford.

I guess Benitez will continue with his variations of a 4-2-3-1 formation and will look to defend deeply with players behind the ball again. Or, will he finally respond to the losses and make some necessary changes like trying to match Chelsea in midfield?

Assuming the Blues’ lose and by a few goals, where on earth does the club go from there, and how can Benitez possibly keep his job after so many defeats? Failure to act might well cost Everton the chance to salvage anything from this season.