Everton suffered a 1-0 defeat against West Ham last Sunday. The game was always going to be a tight one between two teams with tactically savvy head coaches.
One thing that stood out from the home team’s point of view was their lack of attacking threat. Considering the amount of attacking talent at the disposal of Everton head coach Rafa Benitez, it was a surprise.
He's Brazilian, brilliant and back in full training! 💪@richarlison97 💙— Everton (@Everton) October 21, 2021
He's Brazilian, brilliant and back in full training! 💪@richarlison97 💙
However, when you consider that both the Merseysider’s first choice strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison were sidelined it was less of a shock.
The Toffees started with veteran Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon up front against the Hammers. The former Newcastle forward struggled to have an impact on the game, just like he has struggled to have an impact on most of the games he has started since his deadline day arrival.
It is not just upfront that the Toffees have a problem, as early this weekend they received the news that influential French central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure would be sidelined for possible the rest of the calendar year.
With fellow midfielders, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jean Philippe-Gbamin all struggling with fitness issues the loss of one of their players of the season is a big blow.
Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon for the Merseysider’s, who experienced a similar sort of issue towards the end of 2020, when both key central midfielders Allan and Doucoure picked up injuries and were sidelined for months.
Then there were the constant fitness issues of James Rodriguez, who recently departed.
This season the Toffees have already had to also deal with injuries to Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina. Rafa Benitez has been unable to select his first-choice starting line-up for much of the season.
The good news for the Toffees is that Richarlison is now back in training and is expected to play against Watford this weekend.
Everybody associated with the club will be hoping that the team can maintain a promising start to the campaign without the key figures of Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin until their return either at the end of the year or the beginning of 2022.