Everton News

Opinion: Marco Silva could drop 30-year-old against Man City, defender may replace him

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Djibril Sidibe started at right-back ahead of Seamus Coleman in Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday and may have given Marco Silva a lot to ponder ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City. The 27-year-old joined Everton on loan from AS Monaco and has gone on to make just two appearances for his new club – both in the EFL Cup.

Sidibe left an impression on his manager and may be given an opportunity to prove his worth on the weekend. Coleman has been a regular at right-back, but he’s been heavily criticised by supporters this season and may be given a rest. As per WhoScored, the 30-year-old has given away more fouls (5) than he has made tackles (3) while whipping in just two accurate crosses in six games.

Silva even admitted to the Liverpool Echo that Sidibe is “pushing” Coleman for a starting place, saying: “He is pushing, he is pushing. You are talking about an experienced player.  He didn’t do the pre-season with us but he is the type of player who you don’t have doubts about his quality.  He’s been champion of the world, he has played at a high, high level in the Champions League, all these things.

“If you can see him playing in some games in pre-season then it is a little bit different but he is pushing, he is pushing. He always come here to work hard and get his space in the team. Seamus knows he has a player there trying to get his place in the starting XI, trying to get his place, so it is good for us.”

Some fans want to see Sidibe starting ahead of Coleman against City, as Everton have shipped nine goals in their last four league games and haven’t managed a clean sheet for more than a month. The Toffees have also lost three of their last four matches, so what do they have to lose?

Read Crippy Cooke’s previous article

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.