Everton have now completed their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Sean Dyche‘s side returned to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon for their final friendly against Serie A giants Roma where they secured a 1-1 draw.
For the Toffees, it has been an encouraging summer with the performances picking up on the pitch over the last couple of weeks.
Kevin Thelwell has also been a busy man having brought in four new faces at Everton this summer with time for more to arrive.
And it is one of those new arrivals which has really impressed during the course of the summer and against Roma, in particular.
Summer signing impresses once again for Everton
Everton set out with some positions that definitely needed addressing this summer and they have done a good job in trying to cover them in the market.
The front line was certainly an area of concern to which they have added Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille.
And then there have been additions across the park Everton adding the likes of Jake O’Brien and Jesper Lindstrom to their squad.
But it is their other summer signing which has shown his worth once again during the draw against Roma at Goodison.
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Writing from the game, Liverpool Echo journalist Connor O’Neill was left seriously impressed with the performance of summer signing Tim Iroegbunam.
The 21-year-old midfielder arrived from Aston Villa earlier in the summer before Amadou Onana made the £50m move in the other direction.
And he has not taken any time in settling in to life at Goodison Park with the midfielder seriously impressing after coming on late in the game against Roma.
“Harrison Armstrong and Beto replace Iroegbunam and Calvert-Lewin. The former Aston Villa man has been outstanding this evening. Everton look to have a player on their hands,” said O’Neill.
Considering how little time he actually played on Saturday, it was quite the impression which Iroegbunam made.
Tim Iroegbunam should be replacing Amadou Onana
Having offloaded Onana just a couple of weeks ago, Everton now have a decision on their hands as to whether they should enter back into the market.
Everton are showing an interest in Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips with Thelwell plotting a potential loan deal.
However, Everton could already be staring their replacement in the eyes having seen just how big of an impact Iroegbunam has had this summer.
The 21-year-old has played a significant role for the Toffees this pre-season and Dyche will have been able to get a good look at him.
Any signings made now may not be done in time to earn themselves a spot in the starting XI for the game on Saturday against Brighton & Hove Albion.
This could well present the opportunity for Iroegbunam to earn himself his competitive debut next week.
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