Beto ‘essential’ to Everton system despite ‘clumsy’ display v Nottingham Forest
Joe Thomas has suggested that Everton striker Beto will be essential to Sean Dyche’s system this season, despite a “clumsy” display against Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese forward made his first Premier League start since September at the City Ground after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out with injury, but failed to impress once again as he missed an excellent opportunity in the first half.
Despite his poor performance in front of goal, Liverpool Echo journalist Thomas has suggested that Beto’s main role will be to assist the players around him in the build-up and his presence in the frontline will be “essential” for the Toffees.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo (6 December) he said: “He looked clumsy at times on Saturday evening but that is to be expected for a player who has been out of the team for so long. But he did not lack heart, energy or desire and while he may not be as clinical as Calvert-Lewin, that isn’t the priority for Everton.
“A striker who occupies centre backs causes a nuisance and brings the midfielders behind him into play is essential. That striker scoring goals is a bonus if he can bring Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jack Harrison into the game, which Beto did.
“With Beto, DCL is no longer under the same pressure for a quick return because the summer signing maintains the integrity of Dyche’s plan.”
Goals a bonus
Last season, Everton struggled to score goals when Calvert-Lewin wasn’t fit as nobody within their side could find the net consistently. But this season the Toffees have managed to find goals from all over the pitch and have been less reliant on their striker to find the net.
However, when a forward arrives for a reasonable fee as Beto did this summer, there is an expectation from supporters that he should be finding the net more often, after all, he is still waiting for his first Premier League goal since joining from Udinese.
Beto is managing to replace Calvert-Lewin’s presence at the top of the pitch and battled well against the Forest defence to help the Toffees move up the pitch, but the Portuguese doesn’t have the clinical edge the Englishman possesses in the final third.
Hopefully, as he adapts to the Premier League, the goals will begin to flow and Everton can finally cash in on their bonus.
In other Everton news, Paul Brown has hit back over 777 Partners’ business plan after they got one projection wrong