Everton are finally back in action again today, with their FA Cup journey seemingly dominating their January thus far.
Luton Town is the opponent for today, and the hosts will be hoping to avenge September’s disastrous 2-1 defeat and progress into the fifth round.
Having already seen this torrid campaign likened to Joe Royle’s 1995 ‘Dogs of War’ term, a run in the cup would be integral to maintaining positivity despite the relegation troubles that persist.
However, Sean Dyche has a very tough task ahead of him, selecting a side from the threadbare bunch he has been left with.
Injuries and absences have left him light in key areas, and he is facing something of a striking crisis up front. The latter is what will worry him more than anything in the long term.
Who could Everton start up front vs Luton Town?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin made a triumphant return to fitness earlier in the season, and seemed like the answer to their longstanding prayers for a fully fit and useful number nine.
However, with his confidence lacking, the goals have been in short supply.
His last one, which marked just his fourth for the season, came back in October.
Meanwhile, Beto also only has three goals to his name this campaign, although admittedly has been reduced largely to substitute appearances. But even those have looked laboured and uninterested in recent weeks, commanding deserved criticism.
These two strikers have had chances to cement their starting spot and failed to take it, but one man yet to be given his opportunity to shine is Youssef Chermiti.
Perhaps now, in what would be just his second-ever start for the Toffees, the Portuguese teenager might be worth a go.
How good is Youssef Chermiti?
Well, he could hardly do much worse than the two ahead of him in the pecking order.
After all, a striker’s job is to score goals, and the benchmark has hardly been set very high by Calvert-Lewin and Beto.
So, the 19-year-old would be entering a pressure-free environment, which could allow him to thrive and recapture some of the form that led Everton to unload £15m on him.
As one for the future, most of the fanbase have been happy to remain patient with his development. However, seeing him poke him in midweek against Benfica for the U21s offered a glimpse of the predatory instinct Dyche’s side have been lacking.
Especially given last season, he would score three and assist two in the Portuguese top flight, cementing his capability within a highly-rated European division and his value as a ‘superb prospect’ in the eyes of Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.
As aforementioned, he can hardly do much worse, and should he actually thrive against the Hatters, it could solve Dyche’s biggest problem.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
