Everton are looking to embark on a new era under Roberto Martínez, one that will deliver consistent European adventures and hopefully some silverware. Is 2014/15 the year Everton can break into the top four again?
What happened last season
The loss of David Moyes to Manchester United was a blessing in disguise for Everton fans. Always competitive and overachieving under the Scot, but never brilliant, Everton weren’t going to sack a manager who had served them for 11 years.
Yet in replacing him with Roberto Martínez, they actually went for an upgrade.
The Spaniard is one of the brightest young managers in the game, and his time at Wigan and Swansea was full of dynamic play and forward-thinking tactics.
He improved Moyes’ Everton, building on an already solid defence and introducing the framework to allow players such as Ross Barkley to shine. His tendency to promote youth has paid off for the Liverpudlian club, and his astute loan signings of Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku added the necessary class to take the side to new levels.
They failed to make the top four, trailing off in the second half of the season, but thanks to Lukaku’s 15 goals they secured European football with a fifth-place finish.
What happened in the off-season
Martínez has kept his squad from last year intact, holding onto stars such as Leighton Baines and captain Phil Jagielka, and signing Gareth Barry and Lukaku on permanent deals.
Muhamed Bešić, who starred for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has also come on board from Ferencváros, and he will prove to be one of Everton’s best pieces of business in recent years.
The holding midfielder was a steal at just £4 million, and he has already given Everton fans a taste of the class, skill and composure he will bring to the side. Many see him as a very late replacement for Mikel Arteta, who left for Arsenal back in 2011, and he plays with more maturity than his 21 years might suggest.
The fact that owner Bill Kenwright, who while committed has always been frugal, has backed Martínez in the transfer market is a sign of just how much faith he has in the 41-year-old. The £28 million dished out for Lukaku is a record fee, and a clear indication that Kenwright is as serious as Martínez about leading the club into the Champions League.
Why Everton fans should be excited about the 2014/15 season
The groundwork has been laid for Everton to have another decent crack at the top four. They have retained the same squad, apart from Bešić’s arrival, and have had another full preseason under Martínez.
The Spaniard’s influence cannot be underestimated, he is destined for big things, and at the rate he’s going and with further investment, it’s not out of the question that he could achieve greatness at Everton.
The Toffees will always struggle to compete in terms of financial clout without foreign investment, but qualifying for the Champions League is a realistic aim with Martínez at the helm. However, further signings are necessary if they are to compete domestically and in Europe.
Lukaku’s signing was a major coup, and just why Chelsea and José Mourinho were willing to see him go is a mystery. But Everton fans will be delighted that the big unit is staying.
The main man that can carry Everton’s 2014/15 hopes
While Lukaku’s goals will be vital for Everton’s Champions League push this season, it’s youngster Ross Barkley who will be at the centre of their hopes and dreams.
The young England midfielder had a breakthrough season in 2013/14, and is one of the most exciting products to come out of the British Isles since Paul Gascoigne.
Martínez has nurtured him to perfection, throwing him in where Moyes would have been more cautious. He has placed a huge amount of faith in the Scouser, and has been paid back with interest.
Barkley has the ability to be one of the best, and under Martínez he has the best chance to fulfil his potential. The local lad has also just signed a new four-year deal, Martínez describing it as “the biggest news you can get” at the announcement.
Verdict – Fighting for Europe
Given their budget, Everton shouldn’t be anywhere near the top four. But with their ability to over-perform, they have been able to not only keep stars such as Baines, Barkley and Jagielka, but also attract talent such Lukaku, Bešić and Barry.
They have the foundations to improve this season, although a lack in depth and the added load of European football will likely see them fail to crack the top four.
Either way, they should be able to push for Europe once again this season.
Manager: Roberto Martínez
Home Ground: Goodison Park – 39,571
Nickname: The Toffees
Captain: Phil Jagielka
Players In: Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku, Muhamed Bešić, Brendan Galloway
Players Out: n/a
First five matches: Leicester City (A), Arsenal (H), Chelsea (H), West Brom (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Full Everton squad to compete in 2014
Goalkeeper: (24) Tim Howard, (1) Joel, (na) Jindrich Stanek.Defender: (32) Antolin Alcaraz, (3) Leighton Baines, (17) Muhamed (Besic), (23) Seamus Coleman, (15) Sylvain Distin, (34) Shane Duffy, (29) Luke Garbutt, (2) Tony Hibbert, (6) Phil Jagielka, (8) Bryan Oviedo, (38) Matthew Pennington, (26) John Stones.
Midfield: (20) Ross Barkley, (18) Gareth Barry, (4) Darron Gibson, (16) James McCarthy, (7) Aiden McGready, (11) Kevin Mirallas, (14) Steven Naismith, (21) Leon Osman, (22) Steven Pienaar.
Forwards: (9) Arouna Kone, (10) Romelu Lakaku, (35) Conor McAleny.
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