Frank Lampard’s best Everton XI when everyone is fit and available
At the end of the summer transfer window, the Everton squad was far stronger than it was at the start and fans were delighted about the business done.
Frank Lampard brought in James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre, Conor Coady, Dwight McNeil, Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Neal Maupay, while Richarlison, Dele Alli, Jonjoe Kenny and Andre Gomes were all allowed to leave [Transfermarkt].
So what does the strongest Everton lineup look like these days when everyone is fit and available? Goodison News takes a look..
In goal Jordan Pickford is without a doubt the number one goalkeeper at the club and his performances over the last 12-18 months have seen him cement his place with the national team too, so he will continue in the side.
Lampard has switched between a back three and a back four during his reign as manager, but most fans would be happier to see him take on the back four on a more regular basis and that’s what we’ve gone for with this team.
At left-back Vitalii Mykolenko is comfortably the first-choice in the position ahead of Vinagre, with his energy going up and down the flank in both directions key to the way the manager wants to play.
Nathan Patterson has established himself as first-choice on the right and his performances mean he must stay there, which means that Seamus Coleman must begin to phase out of the side now and play more of a supporting role.
In central defence though there would be a big decision to make, and the choice of going to four at the back would likely mean that summer signing Coady misses out.
Tarkowski has established himself as a Premier League defender in a back four over the years and Yerry Mina, while unreliable when it comes to fitness is arguably a better defender individually than Coady.
His pace and physicality would make him a better partner and they wouldn’t lose any leadership from the team, so it would be a justified decision.
In midfield Lampard has plenty of new faces to choose from and it’s possible that one will have to miss out because of the amazing form and performances from Alex Iwobi.
The Nigerian has become an integral part of the Toffees side under Lampard with his energy, pressing, ability to drive forward with the ball and pace making him essential on and off the ball.
Onana’s arrival from Lille has been a huge boost too, with his physical profile and technical abilities suiting the Premier League perfectly and complimenting Iwobi well.
Ideally a third body in the centre would be perfect, and that’s where fellow summer signing Garner can come in and provide balance. Much like the other two already named, Garner has a great mix of physical and technical attributes and combining them could give Everton the platform to dominate games.
In attack Anthony Gordon is the first name on the team sheet these days and that right wing role is perfect for him, especially being supported by Patterson.
Demarai Gray has been excellent on the left this season so far and his consistent performances mean that he is capable of playing there regularly, which means he deserves that spot in the team.
Up front, the team invested money in bringing Maupay into the squad, but if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit and available, he is almost certain to start games for Everton. His fitness is the issue, not his ability, but if fit he should start.
Everton Best XI: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Mina, Mykolenko; Garner, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Gray.