Everton’s pre-season is now concluded, and therefore the Premier League campaign is nearly upon us.
The Toffees kickstart their new season at home to Brighton and Hove Albion, a difficult task to predict given they have just appointed a new manager, the youngest ever permanent head coach in the Premier League’s history.
A man who will be desperate to get off to a good start, Sean Dyche will likely do all he can to spoil the German’s party, and selecting the right team will go a long way towards promoting that.
There is one particular role which the 53-year-old simply cannot overlook next week though, as it could prove all important in their bid for opening-day success.
Abdoulaye Doucoure cannot start vs Brighton
The player in question who should be dropped is Abdoulaye Doucoure, despite the midfield powerhouse developing into something of an Everton ‘hero’ in the eyes of the fans and journalist Chris Beesley.
With his relegation heroics fresh in the mind, nobody will want him expunged from action altogether, but it cannot be denied that this summer has seen a stronger alternative make the move to Goodison Park.
So, despite his £20m price tag and importance within Dyche’s system, it is the £15m Iliman Ndiaye who should likely be preferred.
Just comparing their most recent respective performances against AS Roma should offer enough proof, with Doucoure failing to show up completely, running down blind alleyways and misplacing simple passes.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool ECHO wrote the following about Everton’s new Senegalese shadow striker: ‘Iliam Ndiaye has come on and changed the game for Everton. He’s already hit the post and just helped Jack Harrison force Mile Svilar into a good save. His energy is something the Blues haven’t had for a while.’
Iliman Ndiaye has been on fire for Everton
Although it is still very early days, just the brief glimpses of Ndiaye in an Everton shirt should be enough to convince most that a starting place must be assured.
After all, he is like nothing the Toffees have had for years, boasting pace, dynamism, directness and skill in abundance, of which he exhibited all four traits against AS Roma.
Even though he was only afforded part of the second half to shine, there were countless moments of magic, including one neat roulette which afforded him space to strike the post from distance.
Another saw him exchange neat passes on the edge of his own penalty area before driving the bulk of the pitch before offloading.
He is a creative spark with a goal threat too, and although he is yet to score or assist in pre-season, he will be a key cog in Dyche’s side not before long.
Doucoure, who has flattered to deceive for six months now, surely cannot start in his place vs Brighton next Saturday.
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