35-year-old done, free up £15m ace: 3 positions Everton must strengthen in January

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Everton may well look to add to their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.

After a dreadful start to the new season, Everton have finally found some decent form in recent weeks. However, Sean Dyche will still be keen to bolster his options with some new signings in the winter transfer window.

Everton focused their investments on improving their attacking options in the recent summer transfer window. The Toffees paid £26 million to sign striker Beto from Udinese, whilst fellow Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti also arrived in a £15 million deal.

Meanwhile, Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma both arrived at Goodison Park on season-long loan deals. The only non-attacking transfer was the capture of 38-year-old veteran full-back Ashley Young on a free transfer.

This focus on acquiring further firepower has left Everton short on options in other areas of the pitch. Dyche would be wise to try and address these issues in the January transfer window, with whatever funds he may have available to him.

Three positions Everton should strengthen in January

Right-back

Whilst Young can function on either flank, he should not be relied upon to perform week in, week out at this stage of his career. With 35-year-old Seamus Coleman injured and also coming towards the end of his career, a long-term option, who can compete for game time with Nathan Patterson, would be a wise addition.

Centre-back

In James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Keane, and Ben Godfey, Everton have four centre-backs to call on. However, Keane has lost his place in the starting XI and is in dreadful form, and Dyche clearly has no faith in Godfrey who has played just one minute of Premier League football so far this season.

Should Branthwaite or Tarkowski suffer a serious injury, that could spell big trouble for the Toffees’ hopes of top flight survival. The Merseyside outfit should take measures to protect themselves against this in January.

Right winger

Danjuma, Harrison, and Dwight McNeil are all at their best when operating on the left flank. James Garner has been utilised on the right at times this season, but the £15 million former Manchester United ace is most comfortable in the middle of the park. 

A natural right-winger would free up the 22-year-old to operate in his preferred role and should also improve the standard of service being provided for the likes of Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.