With just a few days until the new season kicks off, it’s time to take a look at the squad available to Sean Dyche, starting with the fullback and goalkeeper situation.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford: Surprisingly for some, England’s number 1 signed a new long term deal with the club last season and spoke glowingly about his feelings towards it. Ever present in the Premier League last season, his consistency will again be important given the lack of gametime of his backups.
In recent seasons, Pickford has added a calmness to his game that has seen him produce his best work on a regular basis. His contributions have been crucial in keeping us in the league for the last two seasons and there’s nothing to suggest that won’t continue.
Joao Virginia: Despite having been at the club since 2018 and having seemingly spent the last few decades on loan, Virginia is still only 23. It is to be hoped that one positive of our inability to recruit as we would like is an opportunity for the young Portugese to continue to grow into first team contention following the departure of Asmir Begovic.
Andy Lonergan: Hopefully, we never have to see a player who’s nearly 40 and who’s official club bio lists being Preston’s player of the year over a decade ago as one of his best achievements.
Fullbacks
Nathan Patterson: A big season for the young Scotsman. Having impressed at international level and shown glimpses of what he is capable of in the last two seasons, Patterson now needs to get on the field consistently.
Injury has hampered his ability to nail down a first team place, limiting him to 19 league appearances since joining from Rangers. A fine take-down and pass in the friendly against Wigan underlined his attacking credentials.
Ashley Young: An underwhelming first signing of the summer,. The 38 year old’s acqusition can, however, be seen through a sensible lens. Young managed 20 appearances for a Villa side that were the form team in the second half of the season.
His relentless professionalism would suggest he can wring another year out of his body and his versatility gives the manger multiple options. Hopefully can provide some presence and leadership in the dressing room also.
Vitalii Mykolenko: A player in need of a big season. At the start of his Everton career, the Ukrainian looked solid at the back and limited going forward. The latter has not developed and the former seems to have gone backward.
It was hoped that the combined coaching efforts of Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole would bring the best out of Mykolenko but now we need Young to provide some guidance. It should be noted that the situation back at home can’t be helping, but the Goodison crowd were losing patience at the end of last season.
Seamus Coleman: What more can be said about a man who has given his professional career in service of Everton and enjoys universal respect? It was a measure of the man that his last act of last season was an attempt to rally the fans whilst being carried off on a stretcher.
The club captain sits just one game short of 400 for the club and is still our first choice right back. A stat that says more about the club than the player. He was still contributing last season, chipping in with a fantastic goal against Leeds.