--- title: "Two in, two out for Everton in January – Thoughts?" canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/two-in-two-out-for-everton-in-january-thoughts/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Steven Riley" section: "Everton" published: "2016-11-09T06:30:28Z" modified: "2016-11-09T06:30:28Z" --- # Two in, two out for Everton in January – Thoughts? **Despite a very good start to the Premier League season, Everton now seem at risk of falling backwards into mid-table obscurity, and the Everton fans here in the Transfer Tavern are a tad worried.** The Toffees have won four and drawn one of their opening five games and looked like outsiders for a Champions League spot. Since then they have won only one of their last six games, with the weekend’s 5-0 loss to Chelsea showing there is still much work to be done. New manager Ronald Koeman can point to the fact he’s still getting used to his squad after only taking charge of the club in mid-June. The Dutchman has added only a few players in Yannick Bolasie, Maarten Stekelenburg, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Ashley Williams. By January, the Dutchman should have an idea of which players he wants to go on with and who should be sold. Some players like striker Oumar Niasse seemed to have already been deemed surplus to requirements, but there is plenty more deadwood for Koeman to shift. Here are TWO players we think should be cut loose and TWO potential replacements… ## OUT – BRYAN OVIEDO ![bryan Oviedo](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bryan-Oviedo.jpg) While Leighton Baines has been absent from the Everton side with a hamstring injury, Bryan Oviedo has deputised. The Costa Rican hasn’t particularly impressed in the six games he’s started, with the Toffees only keeping one clean sheet in the six games he’s played. He was found wanting in the early stages against Chelsea and was substituted after only 35 minutes. It is clear that Koeman doesn’t trust Oviedo and with Baines struggling with injuries for the last couple of seasons, it would be wise to get a more solid left-back in. ## IN – JETRO WILLEMS ![willems](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/4774213.jpg) That left-back could well be Jetro Williams. The PSV defender is out of contract at the end of the season and therefore wouldn’t break the bank and it is highly possible he would want to work under a Dutch manager in a bigger league. The 22-year-old already has plenty of experience at the top levels after starting regularly in the Champions League for the last two seasons and making 21 appearances for the Dutch national side. Rather than being backup for Leighton Baines, Willems would probably be good enough to oust the 31-year-old for good. ## OUT – JAMES MCCARTHY ![jamesmccarthy](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JamesMcCarthy-.jpg) It seems like Ronald Koeman has made his mind up about James McCarthy already. Despite being a mainstay in Roberto Martinez’s side for the last two seasons, the Republic of Ireland has only started one Premier League game this season and played just 161 minutes. Everton would be wise to cash in on the 25-year-old, who could still do a job in the Premier League side and could [reportedly command a fee of £15m](https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/everton/everton-will-sell-james-mccarthy-in-january-for-15m). Those funds could be put towards another midfielder, or strengthening other areas of the squad. ## IN – AXEL WITSEL ![WitselITA](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/4810609.jpg) Everton were reportedly pursuing Axel Witsel in the summer but the move broke down. It was a shame at the Belgian midfielder is top class and would go some way to helping the Toffees break into Europe. 35-year-old Gareth Barry has done a god job anchoring the Everton midfield this season but only has a season or two more in him, while the 27-year-old Witsel could form a solid partnership with Idrissa Gueye for a few years yet. Like Willems, Witsel is out of contract next summer and therefore shouldn’t command a huge fee even if Koeman moved for him in January.