We enter into the second round of the “Weird Eastern Sponsor Here” Cup unbeaten, 5 points from 9. In another world, we’d be flawless, sitting at the top of the table if not for questionable refereeing and general Everton bottling procedures. But still, we’re all still happy, aren’t we? Marco Silva’s Everton are looking like a far-cry from our worst fears a few months back, where it looked as if we’d be coming into this fixture with Sam Allardyce as manager.
That is a timeline I no longer want to pay any mind to.
Still, moving onto the fixture itself, Silva has some options for rotation, and some players who need a rest. Rotherham are a poor championship side, so we should get through this fixture relatively unscathed. I’d like to see Bernard given his first Everton start, and I’d also like to see us cement our centre-back partnership going forward, that being Zouma and Holgate, at least until Mina is fit and Keane is healthy again. This also provides an opportunity for Lucas Digne to cement his place in the team after a disastrous display from Leighton Baines last time out. On the other flank, Séamus Coleman or Jonjoe Kenny will do nicely for me.
The big choice is out wide, as Theo Walcott’s fitness still worries me, so I’d rather he not play too many games, and it looks like Ademola Lookman will be leaving, and I’m fine with that. We get Henry Onyekuru (with any luck) next season, so it’ll be a like for like replacement. For now, I wouldn’t mind seeing Sandro get a game, but if Silva elects to go with Bernard out wide rather than through the middle, that’s also fine.
Up front, Cenk Tosun has ran himself into the ground early on this season and has put in some incredible performances, so I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him rested entirely, to ensure he is fit for the visit of Huddersfield at the weekend. The same goes for Gylfi Sigurdsson, but replacing his versatility in midfield is not easy, and Tom Davies isn’t really good enough. Looking further back, Beni Baningime still isn’t quite fit and Morgan Schneiderlin remains injured, so Idrissa Gueye must start.
Lastly, I’d like to see João Virgínia get a game between the sticks. I’m an advocate for not messing about with a ‘keeper and a centre-back partnership, but Virgínia is an exciting prospect and to get him some senior game time is vital.
With all that in mind, my team would be:
João Virgínia – Séamus Coleman, Mason Holgate, Kurt Zouma, Lucas Digne – Idrissa Gana Gueye, Gylfi Sigurdsson – Sandro Ramírez, Bernard, Ademola Lookman – Oumar Niasse.
