Everton manager Sean Dyche has suggested that it may be too early to start with an attacking duo of Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Dyche insists that it is a formation being looked at for ‘down the line’, though admitted that it is ‘still early’ for that combination.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference via Everton’s official YouTube channel ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brentford, Dyche was asked about the potential partnership of £26m signing Beto and DCL recently back from injury, stating:
“It’s still early for that combination, you only get so many training hours, but we’re certainly looking down that line.
Sometimes you’re waiting for it to naturally happen, sometimes you’re coaching it.
Beto is new to the Premier League, remember, it takes a bit of time to get that cohesion. Equally if Dom’s coming in, we’ve got to look at that cohesion. Sometimes these things snap in, sometimes they need a bit of work.”
Everton fans want to see a 4-4-2 with Beto and DCL
The Everton boss has operated with scant options in attack since his January appointment and now has a relatively decent threat upfront, with Calvert-Lewin fit again.
Indeed, the England international has been in and out of the Everton side in the early stages of the campaign but has now recovered from the injury sustained following the collision with Emiliano Martinez at Villa Park.
Beto has already got off the mark in an Everton shirt, scoring the winner in a 2-1 League Cup win at Doncaster Rovers, but was totally isolated during his Goodison Park debut against Arsenal last weekend.
Dyche admitted during his press conference that he does ‘like’ to play two upfront when possible, but a partnership is only going to blossom if it is given time to do so on the pitch.
With just two Premier League goals scored in the opening five games of the season, an attacking change in formation would be a welcome sight.