2015-16 Premier League Season Preview: Everton
Welcome to theScore's 2015-16 preview of Everton. Transfer dealings, lineup projections, and everything else you need to know about the club's upcoming campaign.
Everton
Things can only get better for Everton, right?
Few could have seen the regression Roberto Martinez's men experienced last season when Everton fell 25 points off the 72-point pace they set the season before.
The team's woes can partly be blamed on various underachieving performances that saw Everton suffer a miserable period in the middle of the season - winning just two games during a 16-game stretch.
Everton, however, enters the new season with predominantly the same squad with the expectation of returning to its position as a top-10 club.
2014-15 Season
| Record (Points) | Finish | Goals For | Goals Against | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-11-15 (47) | 11th | 48 | 50 | Romelu Lukaku (10) |
Trophies Won: None
Expectations were high to begin Everton’s year following the promise of Champions League football from manager Roberto Martinez.
Those hopes faded quickly after a dreadful start to the season.
The first indication of a poor campaign was present on the opening day and continued for almost two months when Everton only registered four wins in the first four months.
The Merseyside club never seemed to find a groove as poor results continued to stack up, partly due to its inability to see-off some of the lesser teams - which became a weekly gripe among fans.
One of the few bright spots came late in the season when the Toffees put together a seven-match unbeaten run, only to see their season end with three straight losses and their lowest point total in 11 years.
Key Arrivals
- Gerard Deulofeu (from Barcelona)
- Tom Cleverley (from Manchester United)
- David Henen (from Olympiacos)
Two years after Gerard Deulofeu arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Barcelona, Everton secured the services of the gifted midfielder on a permanent basis shortly after the transfer window opened.
Look for the 21-year-old to eclipse the appearances he recorded during his first stint when he contributed in 25 games, primarily as a substitute.
Cleverley was also brought into the side following his loan spell with Aston Villa from Manchester United. Following his release from the Red Devils, Everton were quick to sign the former England international.
Key Departures
- Sylvain Distin (Bournemouth)
- Luke Garbutt (Fulham - loan)
- Francisco Junior (Wigan Athletic - loan)
- Jonjoe Kenny (Wigan Atheltic - loan)
- Antolin Alcaraz (released)
- George Green (Oldham Athletic)
Everton shouldn’t be impacted by the players who departed the club.
Distin, 37, is the only regular first team player to leave them, but his advanced age indicates his exit was mutual following six years with the Toffees.
The only other departures were loan deals, with Garbutt being one of the few players to have an impact last year when he filled in for the injured Leighton Baines late in the season.
Projected Starting Lineup: (4-4-2)
Tim Howard; Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, John Stones, Seamus Coleman; Ross Barkley, Gareth Barry, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu; Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas
There aren't many clubs in Britain that can match Everton’s talented back line. Besides injuries, it’s hard picturing a repeat of last year’s horrors with these four acting as the last line of defence.
It’s going to be a big year for the team’s youngsters, as John Stones will be tasked with an increased role at the tender age of 21, while Ross Barkley looks to rekindle the hopes around England about the heights he can reach following a somewhat disappointing season.
Bigger questions, however, will be asked of the forwards after the duo of Romelu Lukakau and Kevin Mirallas failed to live up to expectations in 2014-15. The Belgian forwards could be the difference between a repeat of last year’s eye-sore and a top-10 finish.
Player To Watch: Ross Barkley
Harry Kane did last season what many thought Ross Barkley would do, as the latter failed to come close to the Tottenham forward's stunning breakout year.
Perhaps the hype impacted the 20-year-old, especially after Everton boss Roberto Martinez revealed his hefty expectations when he predicted Barkley will one day become the best player England has ever seen.
Yet Barkley failed to consistently show the sublime play that previously grabbed headlines all over the country and earned him a call-up to the England national team.
Needless to say, like Everton as a whole, Barkley will have lofty expectations to live up to before he’s mentioned in debates regarding the country’s elite.
Keep One Eye On: John Stones
Three Questions
- Can Ross Barkley take the next step in his development and flourish into a dominant star?
- Is Everton's supporting cast capable of offsetting major injuries or is the club doomed once one or more of its key contributors go down?
- Is Roberto Martinez's job in danger if Everton is out of the top-seven by Christmas?
Trivial Matters
- Manager: Roberto Martinez
- Nickname: The Toffees
- Stadium: Goodison Park (Capacity: 40,221)