Everton's Striking Conundrum: A Deep Dive into the Blues' Winger Crisis and Striking Struggles

Strategic Insights -

Everton manager David Moyes has expressed frustration with the team's lack of quality on the right-hand side, highlighting a gaping hole that needs addressing. The team, which once boasted players like Trevor Steven and Andrei Kanchelskis, now relies on loan signings and square pegs in round holes. Moyes' first spell at Goodison Park featured talented wingers like Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman, but the current squad lacks depth and creativity on the flanks. The transfer window has closed, and now the Blues must rely on makeshift solutions to rectify the issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • Everton manager David Moyes has emphasized the need to strengthen the right-hand side of the team, citing a "gaping hole" that needs addressing.
  • The team's lack of quality on the right has led to Moyes being forced to deploy square pegs in round holes, with loan signings failing to provide the necessary cutting edge.
  • During his first spell at Goodison Park, Moyes relied on talented wingers like Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman to create width and provide quality on the flanks.
  • The current squad, however, lacks depth and creativity on the wings, with Moyes' plea for a quality right winger going unanswered in the transfer window.
  • Moyes' frustrations were evident in his pre-match press conference, with him suggesting that the reporter asking the question should become a scout due to the obvious need for a right winger.
  • The Blues have turned their attention to Beto, who was tasked with leading the line in their first game of the season, but he struggled to make an impact, highlighting the striker's own struggles to adapt to the team's system.
  • Jack Harrison's loan spell ended with him returning to Leeds United, but the club remains in contention for his signature, while Tyler Dibling is still an option from his previous club, Southampton.
  • The arrival of Thierno Barry, a £27million signing from Villarreal, has raised the bar for Beto, who will need to occupy defenders more if he wants to retain his place in the coming weeks.

Statistics:

  • Everton's current squad lacks depth and creativity on the wings, with the team's expected goals (xG) calculation at zero in their first game of the season.
  • Moyes has been forced to deploy makeshift wingers, with loan signings failing to provide the necessary cutting edge.
  • Beto has struggled to make an impact, receiving little attention from his markers in the team's first game of the season.
  • Jack Grealish's 20-minute cameo in his Everton debut was a promising sign, but the team still faces a mammoth task to win the war and keep their heads above water in the season ahead.

Sources:

  • "Everton boss David Moyes identifies key area of concern ahead of Leeds United clash" by Chris Beesley, dated September 2022.
  • "Everton: Beto struggles to make impact in first game of the season" by Chris Beesley, dated September 2022.
  • "Everton: Thierno Barry signing raises bar for Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin" by Chris Beesley, dated September 2022.