It was a season of struggle for Everton last term. Having survived a relegation battle during the 2021/22 campaign, the expectation from many was that the 2022/23 season would be a little less stressful. This wasn’t the case though and it might be the same sort of season this time around.
How the team did last season
The Toffees finished 17th, two points clear of the drop. A run of form after the heavy loss to Arsenal in early March saved them from playing Championship football this season.
Frank Lampard started the season in charge but was sacked in January after only managing to pick up three victories. Sean Dyche was appointed and he guided Everton to five wins in his 18 matches at the helm.
Only Southampton (6) and Leeds United (7) won fewer matches than the Toffees. After the 4-0 loss to Arsenal, Everton claimed 15 points from 13 matches and this run included wins over Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth. They also salvaged a 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in what was a must-not-lose match for Dyche’s men. That point was pivotal in keeping them in the English top-flight.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured for most of the season, Dwight McNeil, a summer signing from Burnley, finished as Everton’s top goalscorer in the Premier League with seven strikes to his name. However, it was Alex Iwobi who finished the season with the highest FotMob rating (7.27) having chipped in with seven assists across the campaign from a variety of positions.
What has happened during the summer?
Dyche is working with a limited budget and, at the time of writing, the blue half of Merseyside are yet to part with any money this summer.
Arnaut Danjuma, having turned down a move to Goodison Park at the 11th hour in January, signed on loan from Villarreal. If he can recapture the form he showed during his debut campaign in LaLiga, he could be a serious threat for the Toffees this term. The 26-year-old scored 10 goals in 23 appearances for Villarreal and finished the season with 16 in all competitions around the time he was linked with Barcelona.
Ashley Young has also joined Everton on a free transfer following the expiration of his Aston Villa contract. He will provide this squad with some experience as well as versatility.
Those in charge of recruitment decided not to make Conor Coady’s loan move into a permanent one while Tom Davies and Yerry Mina both left on free transfers. This is a bit of a blow to Everton’s squad with Mina being a key player for the Toffees, despite his injury record.
Moise Kean finally joined Juventus on a permanent basis following his loan stint in Turin while Ellis Simms was signed by Coventry.
According to reports, Demari Gray could be heading to Fulham too. He was one of the more consistent attackers last term.
What they should be aiming for next season?
It could be another difficult campaign for Everton. It more than likely will be.
They are yet to address serious weaknesses within their squad, though they have managed to keep hold of some key individuals. A lot will be contingent on Calvert-Lewin being fit and firing.
Safety should be priority number one and if they’re able to get off to a good start then a mid-table finish should be looked at as viable.
Prediction
18th
(Images from IMAGO)
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