Everton have invested well over the summer, but a poor start to the new season has fans fearing that these many new acquisitions might not be enough.
Especially given Sean Dyche’s apparent apprehension to hand them game time, with their opening-day defeat drawing particular scrutiny as the 53-year-old left Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom on the bench to start with, instead opting for three recognisable faces.
Many were justifiably frustrated, especially at his subsequent explanations, as it was felt like they would provide the difference in an attack that has looked limp and unthreatening for well over a year now.
One man’s absence in particular left Graeme Bailey ‘staggered’.
Jesper Lindstrom backed to have a great season for Everton
Speaking exclusively to Everton.News just ahead of yesterday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, a result that most expected, the revered transfer journalist turned his attention away from who the Toffees might bring in and instead focused on who they had already signed.
Naturally, the on-loan Napoli man was the subject of his affection, especially after he had touted Lindstrom as one of the signings of the summer.
Once again questioning his lack of game time, he spoke specifically about that result against Brighton and Hove Albion, claiming: ‘I’m not the only one to praise that [signing of Jesper Lindstrom]. There’s a few others who have even said signing of the summer, which shows you how exciting it was.
‘For him not to be involved was staggering really wasn’t it? It was a strange one.’
How did Jesper Lindstrom perform before joining Everton?
Given there is little sample size to go off for Lindstrom at Everton, having played just 90 minutes for the U21s thus far in his bid to get up to Premier League match fitness, it’s worth combing back through his short but successful career thus far to see just how he might fare.
His 30-minute cameo yesterday hardly gave us enough time to form a fair opinion.
Starting his playing days in his hometown of Brondby, one Danish football expert took us through Lindstrom’s career to today, highlighting just how impressive he has already been despite his youth.
The 24-year-old initially made a splash in Denmark, thus earning him a switch to Frankfurt, where he has enjoyed the best years of his career thus far.
There, he won the UEFA Europa League title in 2022, providing four assists throughout that European campaign including one in their infamous win over Barcelona.
Ten goal contributions in the Bundesliga marked a fine return too, before he went one step further the following season, scoring seven and assisting four whilst also scoring in the Champions League as well.
His side would bow out of the competition to Napoli, the side he would eventually join for £25m.
However, that would prove an ill-advised switch, with the managerial upheaval stuttering his once-promising career.
Last campaign, he was afforded just two Serie A starts.
Hopefully Dyche can soon realise the quality he has at his disposal and hand him the game time he deserves.
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