Why Merlin Rohl can prove difference-maker for Everton after return to side
There is a new lease of life around Everton at the moment.
After many years of fighting relegation, the Toffees have performed incredibly well under David Moyes this season.
Many new signings have gained praise for their impact at Everton, with Jack Grealish shining in an Everton shirt.
Whilst Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has excelled in midfield, Merlin Rohl could be the key man who changes the course of Everton‘s season.
Merlin Rohl can become huge difference-maker in Everton’s aspirations
Rohl joined Everton from Freiburg on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy for a fee worth £17.3m.
Having arrived on deadline day, Rohl suffered an early setback in his Everton career after sustaining an injury against Aston Villa.
However, after Everton fans were pleased with his return to action against Man City on Saturday, Rohl’s influence on the team could be hugely beneficial in the long term.
Rohl is an imposing presence in the centre of midfield, standing tall at 1.91m, and his physicality is exactly what the Hammers need.
With all Premier League teams relying on set-pieces more and more, he adds some much-needed height to the starting 11.
Despite the fact that he hasn’t started a match, Moyes is praying for Rohl to be fully fit, as the expectation is for him to replace Idrissa Gana Gueye in midfield.
The 23-year-old played a huge role for the Germany Under-21 in their run to the European Championship final this summer as his country lost out to England.
What will excite Everton supporters is that the German midfielder’s athleticism is something they haven’t seen in a while, and alongside his fellow new arrivals, his development could lead to the Toffees finishing in the top eight of the Premier League.
As highlighted by Sofascore stats, Rohl played predominantly as a more attack-minded midfielder for Freiburg last season, but was also used a few times in a deeper role.
Rohl might not be experienced at Premier League level, but as seen through the likes of Granit Xhaka, Sean Longstaff, and Joao Palhinha, imposing midfielders are having a huge say in their team’s overperformance this season.
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Merlin Rohl compliments James Garner perfectly
Rohl could add another dimension to Everton’s style of play, and James Garner seems like the perfect midfield partner that he could play alongside.
Garner’s composure and quality on the ball will allow for Rohl to make more late runs into the box as Everton look to up their conversion rate.
Whilst the Toffees sit 12th in the table, they have already faced Man City and Liverpool, and their performances in every match this season, apart from the opening day defeat to Leeds, have shown that they can push for a top-half finish.
If Rohl gets a consistent run of games and hits the ground running, then the 23-year-old could single-handedly win matches for Everton in both boxes.
Everton have an array of talent in their squad, yet Rohl has the potential to become their most influential midfielder.
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