Premier League Countdown: Everton eye assault on top four
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The new Premier League season is now just one week away, so it’s time to think about how the upcoming campaign will shake out.
In the build-up to the new season we’re profiling each of the 20 top-flight clubs, from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Premier League new boys Brighton & Hove Albion.
Our next team in the spotlight is Everton…
There hasn’t been excitement like this on the blue half of Merseyside for quite some time.
Signings have been made, substantial money has been spent and in Ronald Koeman, the Toffees have a manager capable of marrying it all together.
And with young English talent running through the side, this really is an Everton team that whets the appetite.
Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford join a roster of under-25s including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies.
Romelu Lukaku may have left for Manchester United, but the prodigal son Wayne Rooney has returned after 13 years at Old Trafford.
The Goodison club will undoubtedly miss the Belgian’s goals and will hope new £23m man Davy Klaassen can help fill the void.
The Dutchman hit 18 goals in 52 appearances last season as Ajax finished runners up to Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
What the Blues do need to do is start picking up more points away from home.
In the past three seasons the Merseysiders have been consistently average on the road and an improvement will be required if they’re to mount a top four push.
Even getting into the top six won’t be easy this season, but Everton certainly have the ammunition and defensive capabilities to be major players if they can hit the ground running.
Everton – 2017-18
Key arrivals: Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Wayne Rooney
Key departures: Romelu Lukaku
Man to watch: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Title odds: 80/1
Best bet: Top Six finish @ 2/1
We say: Everton have got an excellent blend of quality, experience and youthfulness in all of the right areas. If Ronald Koeman can make it all work, the Toffees should fancy their chances of breaking the top six or even the top four.
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