Michael Ball says Everton need a new right-back in January
Everton need a new right-back to compete with Seamus Coleman and add competition for places to the side according to pundit Michael Ball.
Coleman has been at the club for over ten years and is currently the captain and first-choice right-back at the club, but he’s got little competition in the position.
Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey have served as his understudy in recent seasons, but with no specialist cover in the position he has been unchallenged for his place in the team.
Speaking in his Liverpool Echo column, former Blues defender Ball believes that is something that needs to be addressed ‘imminently’ during the January transfer window.
“Everton have recently been linked with signing a new left-back in January but I think a lot of fans will want competition for right-back to share Seamus Coleman’s workload,” he said.
“He’s been a fantastic servant and is still a fantastic player but asking him to be 10/10 every week is going to be demanding.
“I feel a right-back is imminent to keep Seamus on his toes and give Everton more competition for places.
“If players drop form and they’re still getting picked week in, week out, they’re losing that competition. They’re losing that same sort of desire, subconsciously.
“They’re not going out there and not trying but sometimes if you look over to the bench and think, “This guy’s going to take my place”, it’ll get that extra per cent out of you to stay in the side.”
Priorities
Everton have got far bigger problems to worry about in their squad than replacing Coleman right now, who is one of their best and most consistent performers even still.
There is a much bigger need for some goalscoring help in the squad for when Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t available, some creativity in midfield and another central defender to help keep clean sheets.
Once they’ve got those covered, then they can look at things like upgrading positions that are already settled or adding competition for places.
The best way to attract the talent to provide that competition is to start winning games again, and there is no better time than now.
With one final game before 2022 is upon us, Everton need to win before looking at the transfer market and trying to improve their squad.
In other Everton news, Mark Lawrenson makes Everton vs Newcastle score prediction.