da bet nacional： There is real reason for optimism at Goodison Park this season, with Roberto Martinez’s Everton side looking like a dangerous and rounded side in their quest for a top-six Premier League finish in 2015-16.
da bet7k： The abilities of John Stones, James McCarthy, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku have been well documented, while the presence of this quartet gives the Merseyside outfit a strong core to the team.
However, despite this strong run of players centrally, it may well be the right selections on the flanks that dictates just how far this team can go under Martinez.
The full-back positions have an inevitability about them when everyone is fit, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman two of the most respected and dangerous attacking-minded players in the division in their roles.
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However, with a plethora of options at his disposal, Martinez needs to get a settled selection on the wings if Everton are to live up to their billing.
In recent weeks, despite the number of players competing for the two wide roles, the Spanish manager has opted to field two players that have had a telling impact.
Arouna Kone’s injury concerns are finally seemingly behind him, with the Ivorian forward coming good at the Goodison Park club. A hat-trick in last week’s 6-2 demolition of Sunderland proved the former Levante man’s goal threat, but it has been other parts of his game that have most stood out.
The way in which Kone links up with lone striker Lukaku has been of note this term and on his current form it looks like the African must start for the Toffees.
On the other flank, Gerard Deulofeu has had to bide his time but is now getting a run of games in Martinez’s starting XI. The former Barcelona winger’s speed and trickery on the ball have been key elements to his game during his time in England, with the once-capped Spain international possessing the individualism to score or do something of note.
That said, Deulofeu’s delivery and eye for a killer pass has been the most remarkable thing about his performances in recent weeks, with the Spaniard creating a number of goals for team-mates in recent weeks.
The gifted attacker’s defence-splitting pass to allow Lukaku to score against West Ham on Saturday was breathtaking, in a classic example of how much Deulofeu can add to the Everton team.
The balance of the current Everton attack looks good, but one of Martinez’s challenges will be to keep a host of other options in wide areas happy – even though they are not playing.
Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas, Aaron Lennon and Aiden McGeady are all in contention for a berth on the flanks, while when Baines returns there is a case to suggest Brendan Galloway could be used in midfield.
With Tom Cleverley and Steven Pienaar also set to return from injury, Everton have a plethora of wide midfield options that will create extreme competition for places.
If Martinez can get his selections right and make the most of this wealth of talent in wide positions, it could well be a really successful season for the club.
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