Jamie Carragher surprised by Everton line up for Leicester amid ‘massive problem’ verdict around Michael Keane
Everton have a “massive problem” of conceding too many goals since Michael Keane came into the team and Jamie Carragher is surprised he starts again vs Leicester.
Sean Dyche took previous starter Conor Coady out of the starting XI soon after taking over and replaced him with his former Turf Moor charge, but the defensive stats have suffered.
The Toffees boss has stuck with the same pairing with James Tarkowski and Keane on Monday night, but Carragher thinks it could be an issue.
Speaking live on Sky Sports ahead of kick off (1 May, 7.16pm) the former Liverpool defender said: “The big decision I would say he’s made, that I’m surprised he’s not changed tonight, is at centre-back.
“He came into the club when James Tarkowski and Conor Coady were playing at centre-back, he kept it there for four games… he brought Michael Keane in that he knew from Burnley to play alongside Tarkowski, we knew at some stage he would use the partnership.
“The goals conceded is a massive jump, they’ve conceding 18 in the nine games, two a game, it’s double what is was under Conor Coady.
“This is not a case of bring Conor Coady in and everything’s better… but at this moment they’re conceding too many goals and it’s a massive problem, and I thought whether it was Conor Coady or Yerry Mina they may actually come in tonight.”
Numbers don’t lie
It isn’t as black and white as Keane being bad and the alternative Everton options being better, as the defender’s strike against Tottenham was a big moment on 3 April in a strong performance.
And the wheels came off the defensive unit under Frank Lampard long before a change at manager was made.
But earlier this season Coady and Tarkowski had struck up a good relationship, and Mina is arguably the best centre-back at the club.
The Colombian appears to be on the way out but the usual issue with him is that he is never fit, so when he is and still can’t get a game it is a surprise.
Dyche had the benefit of the doubt when he delivered an important new-manager bounce, but the form has fallen away again and there is room to criticise his decisions.
He will hope, just as the fans will, that there is a better Everton defensive performance at the King Power, and there are no errors from Keane after the issue was brought to the fore, in what is a crucial game.