Everton aren’t starting the new season in the best of health as they currently have the longest injury list in The Premier Legaue.
Mercifully they have a home tie against new boys Watford to ease them into the season.
What’s more Romelu Lukaku should be fit after a minor injury – he hit 4 goals in 5 games in pre-season.
The returning Gerard Deulofeu should also make the squad after a similarly light knock.
So Everton still have a pretty strong squad to pick from and all the pointers suggest that John Stones, the subject of intense transfer speculation of late, will be on that team sheet.
The defence has been a very strong suit for Everton of late with Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and Phil Jagielka likely to line up alongside the brilliant young Englishman.
Further forward Everton have options.
James McCarthy should start and we are going to pop Gareth Barry alongside him in a 4-2-3-1.
Pienaar, Besic and Aiden McGeady are currently injured.
But with Deulofeu, Barkley and Mirallas behind Romelu Lukaku, it’s a side that could give anyone a game.
So here is our best pick for the opener.
Everton fans: let’s have your elevens.
Lucas Mendes
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Robles, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Cleverley, Mirallas, Barkley, Deulofeu e Lukaku.
Toist
Aug 3, 2015 at 10:23 pm
Howard
Coleman stones. Jags. Baines
McCarthy Barry
Mirallas Barkley Oman
Lukaku
jonesy1878
Aug 3, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Back 4 picks itself….Joel is not to be allowed between the sticks as long as Howard can even be propped up between them!. He’ll save more unconscious that Robles will fully alert.
Barry has done his job and is now a bit part actor….with responsibility to pass on his experience. Cleverly alongside McCarthy. Cleverly is one of two bright spots from the whole close season….the other is Tyias Browning….any man willing to jump in front of an onrushing Duncan Ferguson and steal the big mans headed goal on his testimonial match is going to be a player!.
Barclays head still isnt quite right….he’s still getting basic stuff wrong and making bad choices….for the moment I’d put Osman in behind Lukaku with the Mirallas and Deulofeu is playing that system. I’d be more tempted, at home and against Watford, to go 4-4-2 and put McAleny in alongside big Rom. For me then:
——————————-Howard——————————–
————————————————————————-
Coleman———Stones—————Jags—————Baines
————————————————————————-
———————McCarthy——–Cleverly———————–
Mirallas—————————————————–Deulofeu
————————————————————————–
——————-Lukaku————–McAleny———————-
Bench: Robles, Browning, Oviedo, Barkley, Naismith