Tim Ireogbunam debut, Jarrad Branthwaite deputy decided – Confirmed Everton XI v Brighton
Sean Dyche’s confirmed Everton XI for the Premier League opener against Brighton has been announced and he has opted to hand Tim Iroegbunam his debut in midfield.
The Aston Villa midfielder has impressed since his arrival from Aston Villa [i News, 12 August] and has forced his way into the manager’s plans despite the failure to replace Amadou Onana with Kalvin Phillips or other targets.
Star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is still at the club despite summer bids from Manchester United but is not fit to begin the campaign, with Dyche choosing to start Michael Keane over new signing Jake O’Brien.
The Irish defender is on the bench alongside fellow new arrivals Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye, while returning loanee Jack Harrison starts.
Vitalli Mykolenko is fit to start at left-back, with Keane partnering James Tarkowski, and Ashley Young completes a back four ahead of Jordan Pickford.
Iroegbunam joins Idrissa Gana Gueye in midfield with Harrison and Dwight McNeil on either side, behind Abdoulaye Doucouré and exit-linked striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.
Everton kick off final campaign at Goodison Park
It has been no small task to ensure the Toffees were still a Premier League outfit when they embarked on their final season at Goodison, and having done so Dyche will want to ensure his side does the historic home justice.
The sparkling new dock-side development awaits and despite ongoing uncertainty over the ownership situation, and the finances, Kevin Thelwell has managed to boost the staff with five signings this summer.
Fans might have felt easier to see O’Brien alongside Tarkowski rather than Keane who has proven himself error-prone in recent years, with the club looking to move him on this summer [i News, 12 August].
Mason Holgate and Neal Maupay have both made the bench despite also being in line to get offloaded, to demonstrate the squad is still thin in areas despite solid recruitment.
But after starting last season strongly yet showing an allergy to putting the ball in the net supporters will just want a result against the Seagulls to set the team on their way this season.
In other Everton news, a high-profile Toffees ace could still leave according to Paul Joyce’s latest update.
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