With the high-profile managerial shake-ups at Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea during the summer, perhaps it is understandable that Ronald Koeman’s switch from the dug out at Southampton to Goodison Park was met with rather muted press. Of course, Everton and Southampton fans had much to say on the matter, but on the whole the story was not headline news. Yet after four wins and a draw from the opening five games—their best start since the 1978-79 season—Everton sit pretty in second place in the table. Maybe it’s time to give Koeman his dues and look at his Everton revival.
When news of Koeman’s departure to Everton broke, Southampton fans could be forgiven for being rather upset. He had built on the good work of Mauricio Pochettino and Nigel Adkins in cementing Southampton’s position as a top ten Premier League team. With The Saints playing a good brand of football, it was therefore inevitable that rival clubs would come calling, and even more so that Koeman would be tempted.
Some were surprised that it was Everton by whom Koeman was tempted, questioning the logic in moving to a team that had finished five places and 16 points below his Southampton side. Well, it’s fair to say that no-one is questioning Koeman’s logic now.
It was widely accepted that Everton had underachieved last season, given the quality within the squad. After a strong first season under Roberto Martinez, which saw the Toffees finish fifth, the Toffees finished the next two seasons in 11th.
Despite a slick brand of football, progress had stagnated under the former Wigan boss, and the Everton board looked to the Southampton manager to get the best out of a talented squad. Koeman himself has obviously seen the potential, and has relished the opportunity to take Everton back to where their fans will feel they belong: the top six.
So far the manager is getting good performances out of all of his big players, namely Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku. His new signings have bedded in well, too, and although eyebrows were raised at big money moves for Swansea’s Ashley Williams and Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie, it would appear that Koeman has been quite astute. The capture of Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa for a rumoured £7.1 million has been one of the most astute pieces of business that any club has pulled off in recent years.
On the surface, it would seem strange to sign a midfield player from a team which finished bottom of the Premier League last season, amassing a measly 17 points, including only three wins. However, if you look a little deeper and do the research, you will find that Gueye was regularly producing top quality performances in a dismal team. Thus far, he has given a glimpse of what he can do in a stronger team.
As it stands, Gueye has made the most tackles thus far, 31 in only five games. That’s a staggering 62 per cent more than any other player. Only Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has completed more passes. The Senegal international is proving to be a key player in Koeman’s Everton revolution. Don’t be surprised if he goes on to be the best signing of the 2016-17 season. At £7.1 million, he is an absolute bargain in the current climate.
Another shrewd signing is the capture of Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham, another bargain at only £1 million. If it weren’t for some poor refereeing in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough, allowing Alvaro Negredo’s goal to stand despite the Boro striker heading the ‘keeper’s hands instead of the ball, thus forcing an own goal, then the Dutchman would have notched up three straight clean sheets.
Indeed, having conceded only three goals in the opening games, Everon have the second best defence in league, behind Tottenham Hotspur. No team have faced fewer shots on target, and though it is true that the stats don’t tell the whole story, it is looking like Everton are a hard outfit to break down this season. All this despite the £50 million sale of John Stones to Manchester City, which is looking more and more like a great piece of business for both teams.
The Toffees are scoring goals, too, with only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City scoring more so far. Only Manchester City have created more chances, and no other team have had more shots on target than the Blues’ 37. The return to form of Lukaku is a massive plus, and Evertonians will be hoping to see the big striker fulfil his huge potential this season.
Whether it be a change of formation, such as playing three at the back in the opening day draw against Tottenham, or making game changing substitutions, such as the half-time withdrawal of Barkley against Sunderland, Koeman is showing once more that he is a manager more than adept at planning for, and guiding players through football matches. He is extremely good at analysing opposition teams, looking for any weaknesses.
Under this tutelage Everton are improving game by game, and in current form Bournemouth will not be looking forward to the visit of the Toffees next weekend. Of course, there are tougher tests to come. However, a top six finish is a realistic aim, and who knows, perhaps a tilt at the top four for the coming seasons. Everton fans will be praying that Europe’s top clubs don’t come knocking for their new manager.
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