If there is one side other than the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City that have hit the ground running this season it’s Everton, and their supporters in the Transfer Tavern are absolutely delighted about it!
Despite a turbulent pre-season which saw a managerial change, key players linked with moves away and the difficult task of adding to their current crop, they’ve come out of the traps flying and plenty of credit must be sent in the direction of Ronald Koeman.
The former Southampton manager has really given the Toffees a new lease of life and seven points from three games isn’t bad at all.
And whilst the manager is right to take a cut of the credit here, it’s the players who have really stood up and shone. It’s been a really solid start and there are plenty of Everton fans who are feeling understandably optimistic for the season ahead.
So with that in mind, here’s the THREE Everton players that we believe are playing out of their skin…
Gareth Barry
Whilst we normally assume club captain’s to be amongst the most important players in a team, Gareth Barry is sometimes so unassuming, it’s hard to leave him out of this bracket.
But this season he’s started fantastically well, anchoring Everton midfield to great effect and using his experience to really hold the fort.
Was the match-winner against West Brom and despite now being in his mid-thirties, the former Aston Villa man is showing no signs of slowing up.
Idrissa Gueye
Another man who has seriously beefed up Everton’s midfield, summer signing Idrissa Gueye has come in and really settled alongside Gareth Barry.
You’d have feared for Villa last season had they not had Gueye in their side- he was fantastic, chasing down every loose ball and diving in for tackles. And he’s transferred that seemlessely to Goodison Park.
In the big games he’s a real match winner and whilst he’s not getting the headlines some of his colleagues do, he’s still doing great work for the team.
Mason Holgate
Young full-back Mason Holgate was only making his third Premier League appearance against Stoke City but looked every much the part as he filled in for Seamus Coleman following his injury.
He was solid in defence against the Potters and got forward on a handful of occasions. His pace fed Romelu Lukaku a few times on the right hand side and Stoke weren’t enjoying their afternoon against the England U20 man.
A fantastic start to the season for young Holgate with plenty more still to come. If he can continue this form, Coleman may struggle to get back in the side.
