Joe Ellis

Thu 6 January 2022 10:21, UK

With Everton struggling to find any kind of form this season, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland has agreed with Match of the Day 2 pundit Jermaine Jenas on the core problem at Goodison Park.

After the Toffees’ 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, Jenas pointed out a glaring problem with Everton’s midfield that allowed the Seagulls to dominate the game.

Upon further analysis, Boyland has noticed the problem too and how it has been a recurring issue for Rafael Benitez.

“Space between midfield and defence is not a new issue for Benitez,” Boyland writes, “Whatever system he uses — most recently it has been a five-man backline — his preference is for a central pairing of Allan and Doucoure. They are the non-negotiables.

“The issue is that it is routinely being exploited. The prevalence of three-man midfields in the Premier League often leaves Everton outnumbered in a crucial part of the pitch.”

Stubbornness needs to stop

A problem that everyone has identified needs fixing immediately but there are no signs that Benitez is going to change his ways any time soon.

In the precarious position Everton are in at this point in the Premier League, they simply cannot afford to be picked apart as easily as they have been.

A switch to a three-man midfield is almost a requirement now with the gaping hole between defence and midfield an area where most Premier League sides are keen to penetrate.

Allan arrived at Goodison Park as the ideal player to operate in the number six role and did so under Carlo Ancelotti but Benitez has pushed the Brazilian forward.

Both he and his midfield partner Abdoulaye Doucoure have been attempting to press with their attack but any time the press is beaten, the defence is woefully exposed to the opposition attack.

Another midfield body could be the aim for Everton’s next January signing having already plugged gaps at both full-back positions.

In other Everton news, Darren Bent thinks appointing this Championship manager would be bonkers.