Everton’s goalscoring issues have been a feature that has plagued them for years now.
Last season in particular though, they felt worse than ever.
It was fortunate that Everton manager Sean Dyche had managed to forge a steadfast and solid backline, as they would only score 40 Premier League goals all campaign. Only rock-bottom Sheffield United scored less.
This season has seen some steps made towards solving that, but there remain a few who still need to step up their goalscoring game.
Michael Keane thinks he is one of Everton’s top finishers
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO after their win, naturally, they sought to speak to one of their heroes from that afternoon.
It marked just the club’s second Premier League win of the campaign, and a precious one at that, with Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane both finding the net with fine finishes to separate the sides.
The latter would discuss his prowess in front of goal, and when asked about his lethal finishing, the £80k-a-week centre-back stated: ‘It was a tough angle, but I knew I could get a good strike on it and that’s all I focused on; trying to hit the roof of the net because I think that’s hard for keepers from that angle. I’m not sure about best finisher at the club but I’d say I’m up there!
‘There’s a few who can strike the ball really well and luckily I managed to do that. I think a lot of it is just technique from growing up, coming through and working on all different kinds of finishes – right foot, left foot. “When you get in those positions, you’ve got to be calm and not rash, I focus on getting a good strike on the ball. It’s important to set yourself and make sure you connect well.’
However, he assured fans that he would not want to be a striker permanently, admitting: ‘In terms of being a striker myself, not really, no. It sounds good and I feel like I’d enjoy it, but in reality, I’m not sure I could do that role.
‘It’s a really hard role to play and putting chances away is only one part of it. You look at all the work Dom (Dominic Calvert-Lewin) does, there’s no way I could do that.’
Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled vs Ipswich Town
Whilst Keane touches on Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s prowess in front of goal, it’s fair to say the 27-year-old had a tough time at Portman Road on Saturday.
After all, whilst it only took Keane one half chance to find the net, lasering home a left-footed scorcher from a tight angle, his compatriot instead squandered two big chances, failing to finish past the goalkeeper.
This has become a bit of a worrying theme of the season, with the former Sheffield United man scoring just twice in the Premier League from the seven big chances he has been afforded.
If Calvert-Lewin wants to leave Everton, and is refusing to sign a new, financially appropriate deal, perhaps with performances like this Dan Friedkin might be more inclined to simply let him depart.
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