View: No Branthwaite, DCL gets the nod - Everton best XI of the season so far

Everton have had a fairly poor season up until this point, with the Merseyside outfit currently sitting 16th in the Premier League.

Admittedly, in recent weeks, things have got somewhat better with the Toffees even going on an unbeaten run before that was abruptly brought to an end by fellow relegation battlers Southampton.

Sean Dyche has already found himself under some intense scrutiny but with The Friedkin Group set to take over at some point soon, it’s unlikely that any managerial changes will be occurring, for now at least.

Like every manager, the Englishman has had his favourites but if he wants to avoid being in a relegation battle by the end of the term, Dyche may have to start making some tough decisions.

With that in mind, Goodison News looks at Everton’s strongest starting line-up based off their first 11 top-flight matches.

Ashley Young and Dominic Calvert-Lewin get in for Everton

Jordan Pickford has been and will be the Toffees’ number-one for a long time. The Englishman does have the odd mistake in him here and there but in reality, without him in their starting XI, they’d be far worse off than what they currently find themselves.

Ashley Young and Vitalii Mykolenko are the full-backs who make the cut. The duo have been the Toffees’ regular pairing due to the injuries suffered by Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson this season. Young may nearly be 40 but he’s arguably been one of Dyche’s best defenders this term.

James Tarkowski has once again put in a solid shift for the Merseyside outfit with his experience helping keep their defensive line intact on more than one occasion.

Partnered alongside him is Michael Keane. The centre-back has had plenty of scrutiny thrown his way since the start of the season, but Jarrad Branthwaite simply has not been able to make himself fully fit and is potentially facing another spell out, so it is hard to include him right now.

In defensive midfield, we have both Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure. While the latter hasn’t often been deployed in a defensive role, due to the absences of Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner this season, the Frenchman inclusion makes the most sense, especially since Orel Mangala hasn’t yet hit the ground running.

On the right wing is Jesper Lindstrom. It’s taken some time for the Napoli loanee to make his way into the starting XI for Jack Harrison, but since he has been included, he’s opened up another attacking outlet for the team and has benefitted their performance tenfold.

Everton’s best player of the season by far has been Dwight McNeil. The attacking midfielder takes his number 10 role in the team after his performances across the season have often single-handedly won Everton some points.

Summer arrival Iliman Ndiaye is on the left, with the former Sheffield United man often being hailed as the Toffees’ second-best player after McNeil this term.

Last but not least, leading the line is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. There was a bit of a toss-up between himself and Beto regarding who’s getting into the best Xi but, as Beto hasn’t started many games and arguably hasn’t had as much of an impact on Everton’s performances, the Englishman just about gets the nod.

In other Everton news, the Toffees have been linked with a move for Arthur Melo as Juventus are willing to sell the Brazilian playmaker.

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