The answer to Everton’s midfield problems

This morning we looked at potential targets in attack, so have a look at that here if you haven’t already. But one position we need to improve is our midfield.

We currently have seven “first-team” midfielders, some of them need to leave and at the start of the month, we released Fabian Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson and desperately need to replace both of them even though they didn’t play much last year.

When Lampard came in we played a 433 with Delph playing just in front of the defence as a 6 allowing Allan, Doucouré or Iwobi to press from midfield, something which became apparent in home games vs Chelsea and Manchester United in particular with Iwobi impressing the most.

Delph who has spent more time talking about the COVID vaccine being a conspiracy than playing for Everton, like mentioned before has been released from his contract. (FINALLY!) So we desperately need a new number 6.

Another position we need is that of a number 8. Someone that can take the ball from the middle of the pitch and create chances and pop up with a few goals as well. Iwobi looks like he could be that player next season, however, that remains to be unseen. Dele Alli was brought in, in January and burst onto the scene as that type of player, but again, Everton are yet to see anything from Ali. However if his 45 minutes vs Palace at home are anything to go by, then he also could be the answer.

So who could we look to bring in? Jordan Veretout was floated around last month but here are a few more;

Oleksandr Zinchenko was rumoured to be linked with a move away in the middle of June. The Ukraine international who plays primarily left-back for City plays as a box-to-box for his country. The left-back for Ukraine is, Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, so if Zinchenko was to make a move from Manchester to Merseyside, he will have an immediate bond with his fellow countryman. – [LiverpoolEcho]

Morgan Gibbs-White who was on loan at Sheffield United last season from Wolves has been rumoured with a switch to the blues. Gibbs-White who has worked under Kevin Thelwell before has a price tag of £25-30M and I do not think that a move would be wise considering our financial difficulties. [DailyMail]

Harry Winks. The Spurs midfielder was apparently offered as part of the Richarlison deal, but Everton needed money. Since then he has been offered on loan, with Tottenham wanting an obligation to buy the midfielder whereas Everton only want an option to buy. On loan might not be a bad option as Winks is a good passer of the ball, but I am not convinced. [GiveMeSport]

Jesse Lingard. The attacking midfielder, someone that could play wide or behind the striker was always going to be linked now he is a free agent. According to the DailyMail, Lingard is asking for wages close to £150k p/week, and with no transfer fee needed this is something Everton could potentially offer, however, I do not believe Thelwell or Lampard would offer such a wage as he would become the best-paid player at the club in the process.

Who would you like to see come in?

Who do you think we should move on?

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