Marco’s Next Steps: Marco Silva’s Everton to Do List

Marco Silva has made an impressive start to his Everton career but what are the next steps to make the Toffees top 6 challengers? The Street End takes a look at the challenges ahead for Silva and Brands at Goodison Park.

Step 1: Solve the Centre Back Dilemma

Marco Silva has a defensive dilemma for this weekend’s game against Cardiff City. Yerry Mina finally played for the full 90 minutes against Chelsea and was very strong against an impressive attacking team. The Columbian international slotted in seamlessly alongside the resurgent Michael Keane and was pivotal in the 0-0 draw. His height and physical presence added much needed stability at set pieces and he was comfortable with the ball at his feet. Sky awarded him the Man of the Match award but will the Columbian start against Cardiff?

Mina was in the side because Kurt Zouma was ineligible to play against his parent club. Zouma has also been very impressive for Everton this season. He earned a recall to the France squad alongside his compatriot, Lucas Digne and has formed an effective partnership with Michael Keane. The Frenchman has blistering pace and complements Keane and Mina who are the strong centre back type. Could Marco Silva drop Mina for Zouma? Is Michael Keane the man to step down? Does Marco Silva employ a back 3? We will find out his thinking at Cardiff this weekend.

Step 2: Prune the Squad

Marco Silva has another opportunity to prune his squad in the January transfer window, which will likely see the exit of a few more players. Morgan Schneiderlin, Oumar Niasse and Mason Holgate are likely to leave the club, either permanently or on loan. Holgate has found himself 5^th choice centre back in recent weeks and may leave on loan initially in January. Morgan Schneiderlin and Oumar Niasse have both failed to make the bench since earlier in the season and are strong candidates to leave Goodison this January. The international pair are behind Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert Lewin in the Everton pecking order.

Cenk Tosun has also been rumoured to return to Besiktas this winter although he has gain maintained that his future is with Everton. The Turkish international is popular with the fans but lacks the pace to be a top class striker. It remains to be seen how patient he will be whilst warming the bench at Goodison.

Step 3: Loan Out Youngsters

Kieran Dowell and Beni Baningime could also leave Goodison on loan this January. Dowell has failed to break into the first team and may return to the Championship to play more football. Baningime appeared at left back in the game against Gor Mahia but will look for more first team football as the season progresses. Baningime showed flashes of brilliance last season but needs a consistent run of first team football. Jonjoe Kenny could also be a candidate to go on loan but is likely to stay and learn from Seamus Coleman. There have been no murmurs of unhappiness from Leighton Baines but he may look for first team football in January. The squad will look very different on the 1^st February.

Step 4: Fill in the Gaps

Marco Silva and Marcel Brands did a great job last summer but there are still gaps in the squad. Everton have never replaced Romelu Lukaku, despite the impact that Richarlison has made this season. At his best, the Belgian was a formidable presence up front, whose pace and power helped him lead the line. He was a guaranteed twenty goal a season striker and neither Cenk Tosun nor Dominic Calvert Lewin can fill that role at the moment. Richarlison is dangerous and can play across all four forward positions. A top class centre forward with pace, power or both could be the difference between Everton being also rans or top 6 contenders.

The arrival of Andre Gomes has brought class to midfield and the best out of Idrissa Gueye but the long term future of the position is unclear. Tom Davies is still only 20 years old and it is hoped that he can be the long term solution in at centre midfield. The rest from first team football will do him good and allow him to develop in training, away from the pressure of the Goodison pitch. Davies can learn from training and playing alongside Gomes and hopefully come back a better player. James McCarthy’s future is unclear after his horror injury last season and with Gana turning 30 next year, Everton may look to the future at centre midfield.

Theo Walcott started the season well but has come in for some criticism over the last few weeks. The former England international has been off the boil and looks to be the latest target of the Goodison boo boys. Everton have been linked with Andrija Zivkovic from Benfica over the last few weeks, a hint that Silva may not be happy with his right wing options. Henry Onyekuru prefers playing on the left and may not qualify for a work permit next season. He was an unused substitute for Nigeria this week. Hirving Lozano was the man at the top of many Evertonian’s wish list this summer and the Mexican has stated his interest in playing in the Premier League. Silva may look at this position in January although summer is the more likely time of year for a transfer.

Step 5: Win at a Top 6 Side

The 0-0 draw at Chelsea was an improvement on last season’s performance for Everton, who lost 2 nil there in 2017. It still wasn’t a win. Everton haven’t won at a top 6 side since Brian Oviedo’s winner against David Moyes Manchester United in 2013. That was the only win at one of the top 6 since 2011, ironically under Moyes. It could be argued that Everton have been playing catch up in terms of squad investment over the years. Much has been made of the figures that Everton have spent since Farhad Moshiri’s arrival. They are still a long way behind the spending of those top 6 sides over the last 20 years.

The good news is that Marco Silva has Everton playing for a win at those top 6 sides. Everton were the better side against Arsenal until the 2 goals (one offside) put them to the sword. The game at Old Trafford was evenly balanced until Jon Moss’ intervention (again!) The Chelsea performance showed that Everton can mix it with the big boys. This promise needs to become a reality. The arrival of a clinical centre forward could be the difference that pushes Everton over the line in these games. It is encouraging that we are having a go at these teams and playing without fear. Marco Silva knows that it is essential that Everton do the same at Anfield on the 2^nd December.

What do you think of Marco Silva’s to do List? Is there anything you would add? Let us know in the comments below. Did you miss our article on his achievements so far? You can find it here.