Sean Dyche can fix Ashley Young issue by shifting Everton ace into surprise role

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Everton’s operations in the summer window were shrewd and intelligent, making cut-price deals to bolster key areas of the squad.

With the impending points deduction they were set to face, that was likely made even more important.

However, of all the business they conducted, few would have predicted that the free transfer of Ashley Young would prove to be the most problematic.

The 38-year-old seemingly marked a wise move for a side counting the pennies, as a solid backup capable of playing in numerous roles.

However, for whatever reason Sean Dyche continues to persist with starting the ageing dud, who is seemingly found out in every other match nowadays.

Sunday was no different, with his clumsy challenge allowing Manchester United to score a second from the spot and essentially kill off the game. His torrid showing only adds to the many already endured, with his 6.43 average rating an abysmal figure for the division.

Something has to change, and if he is intent on snubbing Nathan Patterson, and if Seamus Coleman is deemed not quite up to full fitness, then perhaps James Garner could actually be his best option.

How good is James Garner?

Although enjoying a true breakthrough year with the Toffees, starring in the engine room, over the summer the £15m man actually excelled at right-back with England’s U21 setup.

With the creative intelligence to push forward and attack, but the steel and bite necessary to maintain his defensive responsibilities, the attributes were already in place for success. Dyche has even come out to brand him a ‘nark’ in recent weeks, as if to support the latter notion.

The 22-year-old featured in all six matches for his nation as they won the U21 European Championship.

Perhaps he could now reprise that role for Everton, given the creative license Dyche seems to be affording his full-backs in recent weeks. Vitaliy Mykolenko scored twice in as many matches recently, and Garner too could benefit from that freedom.

Given that, in the congested midfield he is still averaging 1.3 key passes, 2.5 tackles and 4.6 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League, these figures could skyrocket in the space he would be afforded at right-back, via Sofascore.

It could then allow Amadou Onana back into the side to start behind Idrissa Gana Gueye, as a hard-working defensive foundation for the rest of the team to thrive.

Although Patterson marks the smarter option, given his youth, energy, and the fact it is his natural position, if Dyche remains enamoured with starting Young over the Scotsman, then at least Garner poses another alternative to keep the former Aston Villa man on the bench.