Last season
Overall, it's another year of disappointment for the Goodison Park faithful, who felt that the 11th place return did not represent the potential of the squad - 13 points behind their city rivals. Though the club did reach the semi-finals of both the League and FA Cups, losing out narrowly to both Manchester clubs, Roberto Martinez was deemed surplus to requirements after poor league form.
Overall, it's another year of disappointment for the Goodison Park faithful, who felt that the 11th place return did not represent the potential of the squad - 13 points behind their city rivals. Though the club did reach the semi-finals of both the League and FA Cups, losing out narrowly to both Manchester clubs, Roberto Martinez was deemed surplus to requirements after poor league form.
Backroom setup
As mentioned, Martinez, who enjoyed an outstanding first season at Everton, finishing 5th, could not survive the second 11th place finish in two years. However, Bill Kenwright moved quickly to replace the Spaniard, bringing in Ronald Koeman from Southampton for an estimated fee of £5m. The Dutchman had enjoyed a hugely successful year at the Saints, and had demonstrated his ability to sign players with a relatively small budget, securing the signings of the likes of Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Fraser Forster.
In addition, the Toffees pulled off a coup, poaching the Leicester talent spotter Steve Walsh, behind some of the key individuals at the heart of their Premier League success: N'Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
As mentioned, Martinez, who enjoyed an outstanding first season at Everton, finishing 5th, could not survive the second 11th place finish in two years. However, Bill Kenwright moved quickly to replace the Spaniard, bringing in Ronald Koeman from Southampton for an estimated fee of £5m. The Dutchman had enjoyed a hugely successful year at the Saints, and had demonstrated his ability to sign players with a relatively small budget, securing the signings of the likes of Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Fraser Forster.
In addition, the Toffees pulled off a coup, poaching the Leicester talent spotter Steve Walsh, behind some of the key individuals at the heart of their Premier League success: N'Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
Pre-season
The Koeman era certainly got off to a strong start, with successive victories against Czech side Jablonec, Barnsley and the MK Dons, conceding just one goal and scoring seven. However, their pre-season has hit the buffers in recent matches, with two games in Dresden yielding a draw and a defeat to Real Betis and Dynamo Dresden respectively. However, Gerard Deulofeu's early form will have pleased Koeman, with three goals in four games putting him in a good place for the start of the season.
The final games will have done little to lighten the mood at Goodison. I think the best thing I can say about the Wayne Rooney testimonial is that Everton played in it, while they finished their pre-season with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Espanyol. With no win in four, it's hardly the form Everton will be looking for to start the year!
The Koeman era certainly got off to a strong start, with successive victories against Czech side Jablonec, Barnsley and the MK Dons, conceding just one goal and scoring seven. However, their pre-season has hit the buffers in recent matches, with two games in Dresden yielding a draw and a defeat to Real Betis and Dynamo Dresden respectively. However, Gerard Deulofeu's early form will have pleased Koeman, with three goals in four games putting him in a good place for the start of the season.
The final games will have done little to lighten the mood at Goodison. I think the best thing I can say about the Wayne Rooney testimonial is that Everton played in it, while they finished their pre-season with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Espanyol. With no win in four, it's hardly the form Everton will be looking for to start the year!
Squad and signings
Bubbling but not yet reached the boiling. With just the signings of Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg and Idrissa Gueye to show for their efforts so far in terms of first team players, I'm convinced that more will be coming over the next few weeks. There have been strong links to both Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie over recent days, which indicates their intention, but they will be keen to get something completed quickly to bed them in.
However, as with so many mid-table Premier League clubs, much will depend on the outgoings. To date, Everton have looked to clear out many of the ageing stars that have carried them through the last five seasons, with Tim Howard returning to America with the Colorado Rapids, and Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar all being shown the door. With John Stones also making a £47.5m switch to Manchester City, Everton now have plenty of funds to play with, so expect some fireworks over the coming weeks as the club look to take advantage.
Bubbling but not yet reached the boiling. With just the signings of Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg and Idrissa Gueye to show for their efforts so far in terms of first team players, I'm convinced that more will be coming over the next few weeks. There have been strong links to both Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie over recent days, which indicates their intention, but they will be keen to get something completed quickly to bed them in.
However, as with so many mid-table Premier League clubs, much will depend on the outgoings. To date, Everton have looked to clear out many of the ageing stars that have carried them through the last five seasons, with Tim Howard returning to America with the Colorado Rapids, and Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar all being shown the door. With John Stones also making a £47.5m switch to Manchester City, Everton now have plenty of funds to play with, so expect some fireworks over the coming weeks as the club look to take advantage.
Tactics
It will be interesting to see how Everton's on field play changes with the appointment of Koeman. There are certainly similarities with the Dutchman's Southampton side, with a number of flair midfielders and a big target man of a striker. We may see Ross Barkley given more freedom to become a Sadio Mane type attacking midfielder, while Lukaku will likely be given less balls to run onto and more heading to do as Lennon and Deulofeu look to whip crosses in. In addition, Baines and Coleman are likely to be given even more license to get forward to mirror Cedric and Bertrand for the Saints last year.
It will be interesting to see how Everton's on field play changes with the appointment of Koeman. There are certainly similarities with the Dutchman's Southampton side, with a number of flair midfielders and a big target man of a striker. We may see Ross Barkley given more freedom to become a Sadio Mane type attacking midfielder, while Lukaku will likely be given less balls to run onto and more heading to do as Lennon and Deulofeu look to whip crosses in. In addition, Baines and Coleman are likely to be given even more license to get forward to mirror Cedric and Bertrand for the Saints last year.
Predictions
There is no doubt that Everton have the talent to break into the top 10 consistently, and now they have a manager capable of taking them there. However, I would have to say that they need to make a couple of solid additions before their squad is complete - if they make them I may revise this, but I'm going in the lower reaches of the top 10 for the first Koeman season.
There is no doubt that Everton have the talent to break into the top 10 consistently, and now they have a manager capable of taking them there. However, I would have to say that they need to make a couple of solid additions before their squad is complete - if they make them I may revise this, but I'm going in the lower reaches of the top 10 for the first Koeman season.
Final position: 8th
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