Everton supporters have been significantly more upbeat in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their side kick off the Sam Allardyce era with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park, a result which took them into the top half of the Premier League.
The Toffees were seriously struggling under former boss Ronald Koeman and found themselves in the bottom three when the Dutchman was axed back in October, before caretaker boss David Unsworth led them to two league wins in their five league games after that to somewhat steady the ship. And new chief Allardyce would have been happy with what he saw from his side on Saturday as goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the Toffees a relatively routine 2-0 success over David Wagner’s Terriers, a result which moved the Merseyside outfit up to tenth in the division.
Thus, there have been many delighted Evertonians in the Tavern this week, many of whom are eagerly anticipating the new era under manager Allardyce, which continues on Thursday against Apollon Limassol before the small matter of a Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday.
In the meantime though, there has been plenty for our resident Toffees fans to discuss, not least recent reports suggesting that they have enquired about landing Arsenal outcast Theo Walcott in January.
The 28-year-old has struggled for regular gametime at the Emirates Stadium this term, and with a World Cup looming at the end of the campaign, the Englishman knows that he must be performing for his club to stand a chance of making Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad.
And Everton, alongside the likes of Southampton and West Ham, are reportedly interested in the forward, yet it is the Toffees who must beat the aforementioned duo to Walcott’s signature, as he is exactly the sort of player the Merseysiders have been missing so far this season.
And that’s because he has the pace in wide areas to get at defenders and unlock backlines, yet could also perform in a more central role if the Toffees are ever struggling.
Ultimately, Everton has seriously underachieved and underperformed so far this season, especially given they spent over £100 million during the summer. However, they spent much of that on three number tens, namely Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney, and Davy Klaassen, with Rooney arguably the only one to have performed so far.
And that’s because they are more often than not shoe-horned into unfamiliar positions – Sigurdsson has spent much time on the left-wing and Rooney up top, while Klaassen’s poor start has left him struggling to make the substitute’s bench.
And that shoe-horning comes from their lack of alternatives in the wide areas, which is something that Walcott’s arrival would certainly improve.
The England international has struggled with injury and form at times during his spell at Arsenal, but has still managed 107 goals and 75 assists in 393 games for the Gunners, and it was only last season that he scored 19 goals in just 37 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side to suggest that he remains a quality top-flight player.
And having that pace and willingness to take defenders on in the wide areas, giving the likes of Sigurdsson and Rooney someone to look for on the attack, is something Everton haven’t had this term. Yet Walcott would bring that extra dimension to their game, as well as give Allardyce an option in a more central role were it needed given his prior success in that position at the Emirates.
And with a World Cup to come in the summer, and Walcott arguably a way away from Southgate’s final 23, the 28-year-old knows that he has to perform in the second half of the campaign, and that could indeed bring the best out of him, and as such Everton could reap the rewards.
Thus, the Toffees must seek to beat Southampton and West Ham to the £18 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) in the New Year.
Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
