Everton’s first season under Ronald Koeman has gone down as a successful campaign and the fans in the Transfer Tavern are looking forward to the season’s finale against Arsenal today.
With Everton already assured of a seventh place finish and being unable to overhaul Manchester United ahead of them, the Toffees final game is meaningless to the league standings and the fans want to see some changes to the line-up as a result.
Our regular punters believe this afternoon’s clash with Arsenal is the perfect opportunity for Koeman to experiment his his starting line-up, handing opportunities to fringe players ahead of a crucial summer transfer window.
The landlord agrees that Everton should make some changes to give them something to play for this afternoon as he fears the game could end as a dead-rubber if Koeman sticks to his guns- but handing opportunities to some surprise names could spark an improved performances, as the two players mentioned by the fans would be pushing to assert themselves for more regular opportunities next season.
Matthew Pennington
The 22-year-old defender has reached the age where first-team football is necessary and he faces a big summer ahead as he looks to cement his spot in the Everton side, having made just three Premier League appearances for Ronald Koeman this season.
All three of those appearances came in a quick flurry of opportunities in early April, where Pennington impressed against Liverpool, Manchester United and Leicester City- even netting a consolation goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
If he doesn’t secure football ahead of next season, he could leave permanently.
Ademola Lookman
The attacking midfield is standing as the next teenage sensation at Goodison Park having excelled in the opportunities he has earned since sealing a move to Everton from League One outfit Charlton Athletic in January.
Since his move, Lookman has played 290 minutes of Premier League football, earning three starts, providing an instant impression on his debut against Manchester City where he scored seconds after coming onto the field in a 4-0 win.
That performance shows he’s capable of getting the best against the top-sides in the league but he needs to be tested further and today’s clash with Arsenal is the ideal opportunity, as the Toffees have nothing to play for.
