This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Marco Silva needs to find a way to breathe new life into his midfield in order to kick-start Everton’s season and the answer lays with youngster Tom Davies.
On the chalkboard
Everton have struggled for form in front of goal this season, and whilst the blame could be laid at the door of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who has started all three games but is yet to find the net – there is a lack of creativity and energy from those who play behind him, as the lack of assists suggests.
Players like Glyfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Bernard are still yet to hit top form, with just one strike between them so far in the Premier League, but they have the quality to win matches for the Toffees – as Bernado evidenced against Watford – whereas Morgan Schneiderlin continues to underwhelm.
Everton dominated possession in away matches at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, yet only amassed a total of four shots on target from the two matches, both of which came against teams who could realistically finish in the lower end of the table.
They would, therefore, benefit hugely from energy in the middle of the pitch or a player who could provide direct passes to the frontman, which is what Schneiderlin has failed to do so far this season.
As per Wyscout, the Frenchman has only completed two successful passes into the opposition penalty area in his two matches this season, despite facing opposition whom Everton ought to be dominating.
Similarly, he has a long pass success rate of just 68%, which shows that Everton’s forward players are not getting the required service to apply pressure on the opposition, nor are they able to create goalscoring opportunities.
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What should Marco Silva do?
The news that summer signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin is to spend 12 weeks on the sidelines through injury is a big setback for Silva, but he still has Davies to call upon.
Davies first impressed for Everton because of his energy and guile in the middle, and if he can display that when given the opportunity he could displace Scheniderlin for the long-term.
Everton would be able to rely on Andre Gomes to act as the ball-playing midfielder whilst Davies could provide a more dynamic link between defence and attack, such is his ability to get around the pitch, albeit that would leave the engine room a little lightweight overall.
The 21-year-old deserves another run in the team to prove his ability, and he would certainly jump at the chance to impress.
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