Everton’s struggles this season could largely be put down to injury issues endured over the opening months.
Sean Dyche has finally seen his squad return to almost full fitness as the Toffees get set to head into the New Year.
Although Everton have been able to pull some positive results out of the bag in recent weeks, they remain lingering around the bottom three.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 13 |  West HamWest Ham | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 30 | -7 | 23 |
| 14 |  Man UtdManchester United | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 22 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 17 |
| 16 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 17 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 40 | -11 | 15 |
But the signs have been encouraging and The Friedkin Group are working on progressing the club with some lucrative off-field deals.
It is now time for Everton to kick on in the league and there could be some tactical changes in store with Dyche needing more from his attackers.
And there is one player who has now urged the 53-year-old to select him as he looks to help turn around Everton’s record in front of goal.
Youssef Chermiti suggests new Everton tactic for Sean Dyche
After suffering a serious injury during the summer, Youssef Chermiti has returned to Everton action but is awaiting his first start of the season.
Chermiti has made the matchday squad over the last two games against Chelsea and Manchester City.
He has now suggested how Dyche could adapt his starting XI by playing two up front with the Portuguese striker now he has returned.
“I can extend the line, run beyond. But I can do both. I can also play with my team-mates as I’m a creative player,” he told The Athletic.
“If I play with him, Beto is more for the box so I can be deeper than him. If I play with Dom (Calvert-Lewin) then we can change because we’re more similar.”
People behind-the-scenes at Everton have been excited to see Chermiti return from injury following an impressive start to pre-season over the summer.
But the injury has set the £15m signing Chermiti back significantly and he now faces a real fight to earn a spot in the starting XI.
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Chermiti wants to stay at Everton in January
Given his lack of game time, Chermiti’s future at Everton has been questioned, but the Toffees are keen to keep him at the club.
However, he told The Athletic that he is keen to stick around on Merseyside in an attempt to prove to the Everton fans what he is capable of.
“We haven’t spoken about my future yet, so I don’t know,” he said.
“We’ll see what happens in January. I’m ready to play again. My target is still the same — get more minutes, score goals and make the Toffees happy.”
Having mentioned his ability to play alongside his compatriot, the opportunity may not arise with Beto wanting to leave Everton in January.
But this could well offer Chermiti an improved shot at making an impression on the starting XI.
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