Everton could soon have 'a decision to make over Yerry Mina', according to The Athletic's Patrick Boyland writes. 

The lowdown

Rafael Benitez currently has four senior centre-backs at his disposal - Mina, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate.

The former two have been his most commonly used partnership so far, but the Colombia international was left on the bench for Sunday's defeat against West Ham United after playing three games in seven days for his country.

He has won praise for his performances this season from the likes of Michael Ball, who called him 'fantastic' and a 'monster' when he's on form.

Boyland's colleague Greg O'Keeffe wrote recently that Everton could look on to offload one of their four central defensive options come next summer, although he believes Holgate looks the most vulnerable of that quartet.

The latest

Boyland believes that Mina has become 'increasingly important' to Everton's hopes, leaving Benitez and others at the club 'facing a dilemma' over the 27-year-old's future. His contract is up at the end of next season, so the club will 'soon' need to decide whether to offer him a new deal or look to cash in on him.

The journalist tweeted: "Everton have a decision to make over Yerry Mina. Two years left on his deal, future uncertain over the summer, but once again missed yesterday. He’s becoming increasingly important to the side’s hopes," in accompaniment to a link to a corresponding article for The Athletic.

Intriguingly, Mina was actually told during the summer that he would be free to leave Goodison Park 'if the right offer came in'.

The verdict

Benitez might want to put his own stamp on the Everton defence with a fresh face, but Holgate's relative lack of action suggests that he and not Mina might be the one to make way.

Everton should probably offer the Colombian a contract extension as reward for his impressive performances in blue.

Both Boyland and O'Keeffe cited the defender's injury issues as a concern, though, so perhaps Everton will wait to see how he holds up over the course of the campaign before making a final decision on his future.

In other news, some Everton fans blasted this man's performance against West Ham