Merlin Rohl gave an outstanding performance last night in Everton’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City, which may prove very unhelpful for one of his teammates.
Everton played out a thrilling match with City that ended in agonising fashion with Jeremy Doku scoring right at the death.
The Toffees showed tremendous character in the second-half to get to 3-1 after going in 1-0 down at half-time.
Who was your Man of the Match as Everton settle for a point? 🤝
But David Moyes’ side couldn’t see the game out. Erling Haaland got it back to 3-2, and Doku then equalised in the 97th minute.
In isolation it’s a good result for Everton. But the context of the game means it is undoubtedly a big opportunity missed.
But there were positives to take – and Merlin Rohl was certainly one.
However, his performance may be a worry for Tyrique George.
Merlin Rohl just did Tyrique George no favours for Everton
Rohl was deployed on the right by Moyes last night.
It was something no one saw coming, as the team sheet suggested that it’d be a three-man midfield, with Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall potentially as inside forwards.
But Rohl did play out wide, and he did a very good job despite being thrown in at the deep end.
What was particularly impressive was his athleticism.
A few times he burst away from City players, leaving them trailing in his wake. He absolutely burned past Marc Guehi in the first-half, and he was instrumental in creating Everton’s third goal scored by Thierno Barry.
He also looked to come inside at times to try and help James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam.
It was a tireless display from the German, who also offered attacking threat. After the game, both Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher felt Rohl had a ‘very good’ outing.
And one now has to wonder what this means for Tyrique George.
Moyes recently suggest George would get opportunities, but the manager is still reluctant to start him despite some positive cameos.
That Moyes chose to start Rohl in a wide position last night instead of George was potentially quite telling.
And that Rohl actually shone now gives George a bit of a problem, if he’s hoping to secure a permanent move after his loan.
Everton have the option to do that, but it’s unlikely they will if he continues to struggle for opportunities.
And that may well be the case with Rohl emerging as a genuine option to play out wide.
How do you even begin to explain that? 😫
Everton have conceded late on AGAIN… 😡
It’s a real shame, because George does look lively when he plays and his directness and unpredictability are handy traits.
But he had Dwight McNeil ahead of him and now Rohl has emerged out of the blue.
If Everton are to spend north of £20 million on him, he’ll need a big last few weeks.
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