Everton's 3-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv marked the end of the club's pre-season friendlies.
Work on fitness, tactics - and transfers - will continue with intensity this week as the Premier League season approaches. But after games against Arsenal, Minnesota United, Blackpool and Kyiv most of pre-season is behind the Blues and those outside of Finch Farm will next see the squad perform when Goodison Park hosts Chelsea on Saturday.
Pre-season has been a rollercoaster for Frank Lampard and his staff. The fixtures in the US were primarily about fitness but the defeats also exposed some of the squad's weaknesses. Back in the UK the wins over Blackpool and Kyiv offered glimpses of what his players are capable of and seven goals across the two games offered some much-needed attacking reassurances. Work remains to be done and the line-ups adopted by Lampard took on an experimental appearance at times. But after 360 minutes of action, here are some of the winners of Everton's pre-season so far.
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James Tarkowski
Few had doubts James Tarkowski would improve Everton once his signing was confirmed this summer. The centre back is a commanding presence and, based on the past five seasons, should offer valuable reliability in an area of the Blues' squad decimated by injuries last season.
His defence of junior teammate Stanley Mills in the final minutes of the friendly with Arsenal and his thunderous tackle on Kyiv's Denys Antyukh showcased the leadership and strength said to be among his main assets. But a welcome bonus has been his ability on the ball. Tarkowski came close to finding Anthony Gordon behind the Minnesota United back line, switched play to start the move for Everton's first against Blackpool - in which he also played Salomon Rondon in on goal, and produced the flighted ball that Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from against Kyiv. Everton need midfield reinforcements but there are early signs that Tarkowski has the vision and ability to offer some creativity from an unexpected source.
Nathan Patterson
The US games proved difficult for Everton's defence as the side's lack of fitness in comparison to their two opponents was clear and Lampard chose to make changes to his back line during both matches. Since returning to the UK, Patterson has shone. He was arguably Everton's most effective player against Blackpool, providing two assists as he repeatedly threatened down the right. He made a bright start against Kyiv too, showing for the ball and driving into space when an opportunity arose. Patterson is yet to play in the Premier League after a serious injury ruled him out for months following his January move to Merseyside but he will be well in contention for a starting place against Chelsea.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Abdoulaye Doucoure's contract expires at the end of this season, though the club has an option of extending it by a further 12 months. While in the US, Doucoure told the ECHO he is keen to commit his future to Everton and that initial discussions had not led to a breakthrough. Lampard would like to strengthen his midfield before the end of the current transfer window but, based on the four games of pre-season, Doucoure is currently an important component of the squad. Along with Patterson, Doucoure is the only outfield player to have started each of the four friendlies.
Billy Crellin
Billy Crellin is the only goalkeeper to have played during pre-season other than Jordan Pickford. The 22-year-old, who signed from Fleetwood Town earlier this year, kept a clean sheet in his half against Arsenal and conceded one of the four goals scored by Minnesota United. Veteran keeper Andy Lonergan made the bench against Kyiv - a game Asmir Begovic was again absent from. Begovic picked up an injury just before the Arsenal game and was set to be touch and go for the start of the season. If he is unavailable for the Chelsea game then Crellin could, in theory, start the season as Everton's back-up goalkeeper.
Dele Alli
Dele Alli's brace against Blackpool was a welcome sight as the former Tottenham Hotspur star re-discovered his shooting boots. Both goals came after what Lampard described as "trademark" Alli bursts into the box and followed his glaring miss against Minnesota United. What that miss and the two Blackpool goals highlighted was that Alli was getting into goalscoring positions. He also found pockets of space against Kyiv suggesting he could play a positive role in Everton's season.
Stanley Mills, Reece Welch and Lewis Warrington
All three academy talents have seen action during this pre-season. Stanley Mills and Lewis Warrington have played in all four games with the pair, and Reece Welch, being given 45 minutes against Arsenal in Baltimore. Lampard was full of praise for the youngsters, all of whom may stay on Merseyside this season rather than being loaned out.
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