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Marco Silva has fired a warning shot towards his struggling wingers, and it looks like the Toffees could be in for a very busy January transfer window.
Between the Lines
While last summer’s massive spending spree was an almost total disaster for Everton, every signing made by Silva has made an impact, and the boss is already looking at striker targets for January.
A proven goalscorer is clearly the priority, but it seems the gaffer could have other moves in mind as well, as his pre-Newcastle comments don’t sound good for Theo Walcott and Bernard.
“I think if you are aware of my other teams, it is normal that my wingers have to score more and more goals,” he said.
“I like my offensive midfielder to score goals, and Gylfi is doing that, and I am sure that Andre (Gomes) will arrive in the box more and score. In the last home game against Cardiff he had a chance to score.
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“Normally, with the mobility I like to put in my teams, goals are not just down to the striker. Sure, it is important for the striker score so we don’t always have, week by week, questions about the striker.”
Jurgen Klopp has made a career out of getting his wingers to cut inside and add goals, and Silva’s quest to do the same could have major effects at Goodison.
Bad news for Walcott?
Bernard and Walcott have just two Premier League goals between them, and Walcott in particular could be on the chopping block.
Fans are desperate to see more of Ademola Lookman, as the 21-year-old has looked absolutely lethal coming off the bench in recent weeks.
With Bernard, Lookman and possibly Richarlison all fighting for that spot on the left flank, the arrival of a new winger in January would probably be bad news for Walcott.
The Sam Allardyce signing has never had the end product to match his skill and speed, and if Silva wants his wingers to come inside and get on the scoresheet then Walcott is simply not the man for the job.
Freedom for Coleman and Digne
The quest to get the wingers scoring goals could also be good news for the full-backs, who will now have the freedom to bomb forward and create goals.
Seamus Coleman has had a rocky start to the campaign, but the Irish international is at his best when he is flying into the opposition box, and wingers drifting inside looking for goals will allow him the freedom to do this.
This is very similar to Klopp’s Liverpool system, where wingers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane almost play as extra strikers at times, allowing the likes of Andy Robertson to bomb forward and get assists.
So, Everton fans, do you think Silva is planning on replacing Walcott? What should be the priority in January? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…