As Koeman begins a new era at Everton, the Dutchman will have the tough task of deciding which players he’ll want to keep, and which he’ll look to move on.
Some may go this summer, 0r in January, but the 53-year-old will have a decision to make on four players who enter the final year of their contract.
Tyias Browning
The 22-year-old will feel unlucky not to have featured more than just seven times for Everton in the Premier League.
Following injuries in the defensive department last season, Browning saw himself involved briefly as Everton pushed aside Southampton convincingly at St. Mary’s. Just eight days later, Browning appeared again, but for 43 minutes this time, facing Manchester City. He then found himself heavily involved in Premier League games over the next few months, in which he completed a full 90 minutes in the Merseyside Derby.
Three weeks later he saw himself picked to start vs Norwich City in the League Cup, however, he was replaced by Ross Barkley in the second-half after an injury. He was then required to have knee surgery and subsequently missed the rest of the season.
Being able to play at both right back and centre back, I’d expect to see Browning given a new contract before it runs out next summer.
Conor McAleny
McAleny came through the Everton youth system, like Browning, and was touted to go onto big things. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
His progression was hindered whilst with the youth teams as he struggled with a number of injuries, and also missed half of the 2013/14 season from a leg fracture. Now, 23, McAleny has appeared just twice for Everton in the Premier League totalling just 15 minutes since signing his first professional contract in 2011.
Loans haven’t always been successful for McAleny, and it wasn’t until his third with Cardiff City that saw him score his first professional goal.
Five loan spells into his career, his short move to Wigan is his best to date. Playing 13 times and scoring four goals, McAleny helped the Latics to winning the League 1 title. However, McAleny’s progress hasn’t been what Everton expected, and now 23, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see what was first though.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see McAleny run out the last year of his contract whilst out on loan again this season.
Arouna Kone
Signed by former boss Roberto Martinez upon arrival, the 32-year-old hasn’t lived up to his £5million price tag.
The Ivorian has, however, found himself unlucky with injuries. The forward once missed 399 days from a knee injury – which he’d had trouble with in the past.
Returning over a year later, Kone made his first started in blue after making just five substitute appearances previously.
He disappointed; with just one goal and an assist in thirteen Premier League games. He also featured four times in the Europa League but failed to score.
Last season saw Kone feature more regularly, he featured heavily in the first-half of the season only missing one game, but scored just five times including a hat-trick vs Sunderland.
In the second half of the season, Kone faded from the first team picture, as he played only seven league games after the turn of the year. From these games, he didn’t manage to score.
Technically weak, and often thrown out on the left by Martinez, I wouldn’t expect to see Kone given much of a role under Koeman.
Gareth Barry
Signing for just £2million in 2014 after a season-long loan, Barry has proved to be a great signing.
Three seasons into his career with Everton, Barry, now 35, has missed just 16 Premier League games since his arrival.
Written off just a year ago, Barry was back to his best last season, landing himself two awards; Players Player of the season and Fans’ Player of the season, pipping Romelu Lukaku to the latter.
During the season, Barry surpassed David James’ 572 Premier League appearances, and now sits on 595, which could see him overtake Ryan Giggs’ record of 632 next season.
Authoritative and a big figure in the dressing room, it’s likely we’ll see Barry’s contract extended, even if it is for one year.
