Everton fans in the Tavern are suffering sleepless nights as the Premier League season gets nearer to kicking off, which just over a week until the action gets underway. 

The Toffees’ superb transfer recruitment has been matched by their satisfying pre-season schedule, as of writing this, Ronald Koeman’s team have overcome two victories and draw before playing Spanish outfit Sevilla this weekend.

Our Tavern’s landlord feels, despite losing talisman Romelu Lukaku, the summer window has possibly been the most positive on the blue side of Merseyside for quite some time and the European nights may once again return to Goodison Park.

The supporters, however, must not get ahead of themselves and continue to stay focus with the new campaign on the horizon, and there’s plenty of problems for Koeman to solve between now and the opening encounter against Stoke City.

Positions to sort, his starting eleven, what formation to adopt; here are two dilemmas manager Ronald Koeman will have to come when choosing the team for Stoke….

Can summer signing Wayne Rooney still play as a striker?

The Football Transfer Tavern has seen somewhat of an exciting Everton pre-season where every player has been allowed the opportunity to showcase their talent, including boyhood club supporter Wayne Rooney.

Having rejoined his former side this summer the 31-year-old has seemingly revived his diminishing career by netting two goals in three Everton outings, including a 30-yard belter on his return to the Toffees.

Now Ronald Koeman must decide, just as fans by the bar have been discussing, whether or not Rooney can be a striker once again and if he does, then it would be ideal to play alongside fellow window arrival Sandro Ramirez.

Will Jordan Pickford be up for the challenge?

Of course, Koeman’s squad have also competed in a game for Europa League qualification and the team in that would suggest his starting eleven for the opener against Stoke City next weekend.

With Everton having splashed the best part of £25 million on rising England talent Jordan Pickford, you would expect the youngster be a certain starter but in the encounter with Ruzomberok, it was Dutchman Maarten Stekelenburg who got the nod.

This may just be the case where he gets European matches and Pickford will predominantly ply his trade in the Premier League but confusion in the tavern has turned into a debate.

Some fans are suggesting that after suffering relegation to the Championship last term with Sunderland, the 23-year-old may not be absolutely ready to play in an ambitious side challenging for the top six.

Everton supporters, do you feel these are two dilemmas Koeman needs to overcome to decide the starting eleven? Would you start Rooney up top? Is Jordan Pickford ready to be a regular starter? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!