Opinion

Predicting Everton’s starting XI next season including shock £25m signing and ‘special’ academy gem

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Everton’s starting line-up could look very different next season.

There will be a number of high-profile Everton departures in the summer as several players are entering the final few months of their contracts.

Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Chelsea loanee Armando Broja could all leave.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is likely to depart on a free transfer, whilst the other aforementioned first-teamers may not get be rewarded with extensions.

Anyhow, Moyes has insisted that new contracts won’t be discussed until Everton are safe, which looks almost inevitable as they reside 15 points clear of the bottom three.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
12 BrentfordBrentford31 12 6 13 51 47 4 42
13 Man UtdManchester United31 10 8 13 37 41 -4 38
14 TottenhamTottenham31 11 4 16 58 45 13 37
15 EvertonEverton31 7 14 10 33 38 -5 35
16 West HamWest Ham31 9 8 14 35 52 -17 35
17 WolvesWolves31 9 5 17 43 59 -16 32
18 IpswichIpswich31 4 8 19 31 65 -34 20

The Friedkin Group plan to give Moyes a substantial budget and the club’s recruitment team are already plotting their summer transfer business.

So, with all of that said, we’ve tried to predict what Everton’s starting 11 will look like next season, once the transfer window has slammed shut.

Everton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
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Everton’s starting XI next season

Goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford

Jordan Pickford retains his spot in goal as expected and will likely be Everton’s number one for at least another three or four years.

Pickford is still only 31 and has plenty to offer.

Right-back – Nathan Patterson

Coleman and Young are both well past their peak years and whilst they’ve been exceptional servants for the club, it’s time to find a long-term successor.

Jake O’Brien has filled in really well, but clearly, it’s not his best position, so perhaps Nathan Patterson could finally get his opportunity to shine..

Patterson started against Arsenal at the weekend after a long injury layoff and looked comfortable, despite operating out of position at left-back.

Centre-back – Jake O’Brien

With Patterson nicking his spot at right-back, O’Brien will be moved back into his favoured position at the heart of the back four.

It’s understood Moyes sees O’Brien’s future at centre-back, with his aerial qualities needed in both boxes.

Centre-back – Maxime Esteve

The first new signing of the team is Maxime Esteve, who could join in a £30m deal from Championship outfit Burnley.

Moyes has personally been scouting Esteve this season as he may have to prepare for life without Jarrad Branthwaite.

Branthwaite is considering leaving Goodison Park as he aims to get into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup next year.

Left-back – Dennis Cirkin

Moyes could continue his Championship recruitment spree with Sunderland’s attacking left-back Dennis Cirkin.

Everton considered replacing Vitaliy Mykolenko in January, but ultimately decided to keep their powder dry for a big spend this summer.

The Toffees have been keeping close tabs on Cirkin.

Central midfielder – Dan Neil

A double-deal involving Cirkin and Dan Neil may be agreed, if indeed Sunderland fail to go up via the playoffs.

The Friedkin Group are eyeing Dan Neil for Roma and Everton, so there’s a difficult decision brewing which won’t be able to please both Moyes and Claudio Ranieiri’s successor.

Central midfielder – Harrison Armstrong

Everton have extremely high hopes for Harrison Armstrong, who is currently enjoying a very productive loan spell at Derby County.

Asmir Begovic is certain Armstrong will be ‘special’ and after excelling in the second tier, it’s the right time to make the step up to Moyes’ first team.

Attacking midfielder – Iliman Ndiaye

Iliman Ndiaye has aspirations to be the best player in the world and whilst he’s still some way short of that, it shows his elite mentality.

Iliman Ndiaye is comfortably one of Everton’s best signings over the last decade and will be able to operate more centrally next term.

Right winger – Rayan Cherki

Rayan Cherki could be plying his trade off Everton’s right flank next term if the Friedkin’s manage to pull off a shock £25m transfer.

Cherki has been linked with a move to Merseyside and prefers a switch to the Premier League over La Liga, with Real Madrid showing an interest.

So, it’s certainly a doable deal.

Left winger – Dwight McNeil

Dwight McNeil assumes his usual spot in the starting XI, but this time as a touchline winger to feed balls into the new centre-forward.

McNeil will be crucial under Moyes next term, as long as he can stay fit.

Striker – Liam Delap

Rouding off Everton’s new look team is Liam Delap, who would be a real statement signing for the Friedkin’s.

Everton are monitoring Delap’s situation ahead of the window opening at the start of June, though, it will indeed be a difficult deal to do.

Manchester United and Liverpool are among the interested suitors, with a £40m price tag mooted for the 12-goal striker.