Three Everton players who need to prove themselves in Premier League opener vs Crystal Palace
Everton's Premier League opener with Crystal Palace may be crucial for some players.
The Blues are looking to improve on their 13th-place finish last season, with five additions in the market.
They have made Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George's loans permanent, and signed Christian Norgaard, Hayden Hackney and Brennan Johnson.
David Moyes will hope to put a marker down against the UEFA Europa Conference League winners.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium clash on 22 August allows them to do that, if they can get one over on the Selhurst Park outfit.
Goodison News looks at three players who have to prove themselves in the contest.
Vitalii Mykolenko can't afford to slip up in Everton vs Crystal Palace
Vitalii Mykolenko needs to prove that he deserves the starting spot at left-back.
The Ukrainian signed a new contract in June, to the dismay of some supporters who wanted him to move on.
The 26-year-old needs to put in a solid performance against the Eagles, and put that criticism to bed.
Adam Aznou is waiting for his opportunity, and he has impressed in pre-season after a difficult first campaign in England.
The Moroccan played just once for the senior side last time around, an encouraging 34 minute cameo in the FA Cup loss to Sunderland.
If he can work his way into Moyes' plans, then he could trouble Mykolenko.
Harrison Armstrong needs to take his chance in Premier League opener
Harrison Armstrong has featured in all seven of the Blues' pre-season games, and he could find himself starting against Palace.
Injuries to James Garner and Christian Norgaard have left the Toffees short in the engine room, which may give him an opportunity.
If he fails to take it, then the boss may decide that the best solution is another loan away from Merseyside.
He was reportedly open to leaving on a temporary basis earlier in the window and that could be revisited depending on his showing.
Tyler Dibling needs to make the most of potential starting berth
Tyler Dibling could not win the trust of Moyes in the previous campaign, but he could be named in the starting line-up against Pierre Sage's side.
He started on the right-flank in the most recent friendly, the 1-1 draw with Lille, and that may suggest that he is the fittest option.
The former Southampton man played just 17 times for a total of 513 minutes last season after moving to L3.
He needs to step up this time around, and show Moyes that he can be a genuine candidate to start on the flanks.
If he can't do that, then it may bring his career on Merseyside into question.