Ahead of Everton’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, David Moyes should seriously consider playing his wildcard and starting an untested player this season.
After Everton’s defeat to Manchester City on the weekend, supporters were making the same complaints about the number nine position.
The lack of an outlet up front is proving to be an issue, with Thierno Barry and Beto struggling to make the grade.
Indeed, Moyes is left with no other choice but to start one or the other this weekend, but he can make a change just behind, which could provide the Toffees with more of a focal point to play off.
David Moyes should start Merlin Rohl vs Tottenham Hotspur
Merlin Rohl arrived from Freiburg on a season-long loan with an option to buy worth £17m in the summer transfer window.
Rohl is yet to make his first Premier League start for Everton, although this weekend would be the perfect opportunity to do so.
The 6ft 3 midfielder can play a number of positions, but German football expert Ruairidh Petre reckons he’s best suited to the number 10 role.
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Speaking exclusively to Everton News back in September, Petre said: “Most see Rohl as a natural central attacking midfielder, with his ability on the ball and comfort moving through defensive set-ups.”
If Moyes were to play Rohl just behind Barry or Beto, the German youth international would be able to use his physical attributes to bring others into play, taking a bit of pressure off the strikers to do that side of the game.
It’s the exact role Marouane Fellaini operated in under Moyes, so it’s certainly something the Scotsman should look at.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would be pushed deeper
Rohl would replace Dewsbury-Hall as the attacking midfielder, which would force the former Chelsea star into a deeper role.
Although, Dewsbury-Hall admitted earlier this week that he feels his best position is as a number eight anyway.
“I can play all positions in midfield, but I’d say my strongest point is probably in box-to-box, number eight,” he told Everton’s website.
When Idrissa Gana Gueye departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, Dewsbury-Hall will probably be required to come further back into midfield, so why not get ahead of the curve and implement those changes now?
It’s a good option for Moyes to think about, and it’ll certainly become more viable if Beto and Barry falter again this weekend.
Beto has netted just one league goal this season and Barry is still yet to get off the mark.