Having secured their first Premier League victory of the season, Everton don’t resume action for almost a fortnight until they go to Southampton on October 1 but by the time that fixture comes around, there could be some significant selection dilemmas to contend with. Blues boss Frank Lampard will be monitoring his squad closely and may well decide to make changes to a winning team.
Having been ruled out with a thigh injury for the forthcoming international break that includes high-profile Nations League encounters against Italy and Germany for Gareth Southgate’s side, England number one Jordan Pickford could well be fit again for the trip to St Mary’s but if he has not fully recovered then Bosnia and Herzegovina international Asmir Begovic, himself a veteran of over 250 Premier League games, could again prove an able understudy having impressed when keeping a clean sheet against West Ham United, saving well from both Maxwel Cornet and Jarrod Bowen late on.
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Centre-back pair Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate could both be fit again by the time that Everton return to action but even if they are it seems unlikely that either will force their way back into the starting line-up straight away given the solid partnership that new boys James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have formed.
After long being a problem position for the Blues, suddenly Lampard finds himself with an array of options in midfield. Another couple of summer signings, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, along with the rejuvenated Alex Iwobi, currently find themselves as the incumbent trio in the centre of the park but others are pushing to be included such as the fit-again Abdoulaye Doucoure, who came off the bench against the Hammers; Tom Davies and other summer recruit, James Garner.
Up front there is finally a bit of competition too but Neal Maupay will be favourite to continue to spearhead the attack after netting his first goal for Everton against David Moyes’ side before making way for Salomon Rondon late on.
Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray interchanged flanks throughout the game last time out with the former being replaced by Dwight McNeil. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who hasn’t featured since suffered what Lampard described as a “freak” injury on the eve of the campaign, wasn’t risked against West Ham United but the Blues boss hopes to have his number nine back in contention by the time the team head down to the Hampshire coast.
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