Set to accomplish Everton’s first top-half finish since a fifth-place berth in 2014, Ronald Koeman must ensure his youthful Everton side can focus away from the comforts of Goodison Park.
A paltry four wins on the road this season will do little to please the Dutchman, increase his chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League, nor have fans believing they can taste European football once again.
While the Toffees appear to have been statistically similar in their performances at home and away this term, their failure to concentrate at set-pieces has culminated in a third of the goals conceded on their travels.
Building year on year in his south coast stint, Koeman had Southampton into sixth place within two years, playing some of the most attractive football in the league. While entertainment value has certainly arrived for those with season tickets, travelling fans haven’t had much to envisage that any European tours will be on the horizon.
Eight consecutive home Premier League wins towards the season’s conclusion have put the Toffees within touching distance of another European venture, as youngsters such as Mason Holgate, Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman have also forced their way into regular contention.
24-goal Romelu Lukaku will be a target for every top team in Europe this summer given the striker’s incredible form. Currently ousting Harry Kane, he is the outright favourite in the premier league betting to claim the golden boot come the season’s climax. However, should Koeman persuade the Belgian to stay, his side will need to muster more through balls for the striker to latch on to.
Everton this season only have an impressive Ross Barkley and Lukaku himself within the top 50 through-ball givers this term, not dominating the balls into the box statistics either. One man who could rectify this is prolific Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg.
Dolberg has experienced a breakthrough season in the Netherlands scoring 14 goals, with performances that have seen him push into the Danish national side.
While Koeman has allowed players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Holgate the opportunity to flourish, he would be sensible to continue a philosophy of trusting experienced heads within the Toffees starting line-up.
Arguably the most consistent player has been Welshman Ashley Williams, continuing his fine form from the European Championships. Not just a leader, Williams has made the third-most clearances of any Premier League player this season, yet also features as Koeman’s second-most passer of the ball.
Everton’s crop of young talent, seemingly integrating without problems at Goodison, should no doubt desire European football as a regularity in coming years, with Holgate ascertaining they should be aiming for Champions League football as soon as 2018.
Overall, the wily Dutchman needs to continue with a blend of youth and experience that has seen consistency and discipline develop in home games, but also target more sensible signings such as Morgan Schneiderlein whose performances have been somewhat under-rated.
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