Predicted Everton XI v Wolves after Rafa Benitez press conference
Everton could be set to make a big change in attack against Wolves after Rafa Benitez offered an encouraging Friday afternoon update on Richarlison.
Benitez told those in attendance at his press conference [Everton YouTube account] that the 24-year-old Brazilian has been “training well” during the week as he edges towards full fitness following an extended injury lay-off.
He made his comeback in the 5-2 defeat to Watford last weekend as a goalscoring substitute and Benitez says he now has “confidence” that he can “maybe” start at Molineux on Monday.
That would be a welcome boost to the Blues who have failed to win their last three matches.
Benitez confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure remains out, but he kept his cards close to his chest on a number of other injury doubts.
One man who looks assured of a start in the West Midlands on Monday, however, is Jordan Pickford, despite shipping five to Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Indeed, despite the drubbing, the defence may stay exactly the same, with Benitez confirming that he is set to stick with a four-man defence.
That would see Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane and Lucas Digne all keep their places in the starting XI.
That’s because Yerry Mina appears to still be sidelined with the hamstring injury that saw him sit out the Watford defeat, with reliable Everton insider El Bobble sharing via his personal Twitter profile on Thursday evening that the Colombian has yet to partake in full training at Finch Farm ahead of Monday.
Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny appear to be out of favour under Benitez, so the defence should stay the same, despite the obvious frailties.
It’s the same in midfield with Jean-Philippe Gbamin remaining rooted to the bench for the last three games as he bids to make his injury comeback, and with no further updates on Andre Gomes or Fabian Delph, Allan and Tom Davies are likely to start in the middle once more.
Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray are easy picks in attack, while Richarlison will surely return to the starting XI for such a crucial game as Benitez bids to stop the rot.
The question is – who joins the trio in attack?
With his recent travails in front of goal, it may be time to take Venezuela star, Salomon Rondon, out of the firing line, and use Richarlison’s athleticism against Conor Coady at Molineux.
Anthony Gordon should therefore keep his starting spot, with Alex Iwobi kept on the bench and Dominic Calvert-Lewin still absent.
Here’s how we expect Everton to line up against Wolves on Monday evening…
In other Everton news, the Blues have made contact over this striker that Pep Guardiola called ‘Incredible’, and a January transfer is on the cards.
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