Everton v Stoke City - Match Preview As the start to the new season draws closer, as an Evertonian you don’t quite know what to expect. Stoke City are a tight unit that can defend well and will be difficult for Everton to open up. Offensively, they have players such as Xherdan Shaquiri who have caused problems at Goodison in the past. They have also added to that threat by signing Eric Choupo-Moting following his release from Bundesliga side Schalke a versatile player who can operate up top or on the flanks. His signing will help fill the void left by prized asset Marko Arnautovic who left to join West Ham earlier in the transfer window.
Stoke have been far from shy this transfer window, along with Eric Choupo- Mpting they have added Scotland Captain Darren Fletcher along with defenders Kurt Zouma and Josh Tymon with another, familiar face Bruno Martins Indi set to sign in the coming days.
Stoke aren’t the only side to add new faces; Everton have sent a message across the league by so far spending £99.9 million according to Sky Sports and with the imminent arrival of Gylfi Sigurdsson, that transfer could potentially make Everton’s spending spree reach just short of £150 million which would see them stay 4th as the biggest spenders this transfer window.
From a fans perspective, it would be nice to see the new faces play at Stoke, the likes of Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford are expected to start along with the return of local lad Wayne Rooney who comes back after a 13 year spell away from Everton and having a highly successful career with Manchester United. Spanish striker Sandro Ramirez whose energy and charisma has not gone unnoticed by the fans is another player pushing for a starting place against stoke.
There are a few injury concerns for the blues, Ramiro Funes Mori has picked up another knee problem which will see him on the side lines for several months linking Ronald Koeman with a transfer for a left sided defender. Yannick Bolasie remains out along with Seamus Coleman whilst James McCarthy also remains a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Pre-season has been a success for the blues, in terms of getting players fitness up to scratch as well as seeing hat youth are ready for the step up to the firs team after last seasons under 23 league win, many players have earned themselves a chance to show what they have at pre-season, the likes of Ademola Lookman, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert- Lewin look set to stay and fight for first team places whilst other u23 players have earned moves to Championship sides for more first team experience.
These players include Kieran Dowell who scored twice in pre season against Gor Mahia and FC Twente respectively who has signed for Nottingham Forrest, Matthew Pennington who has played in 7 Premier League games already for the blues has signed for Leeds on loan whilst Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning have joined Sunderland on loan along with former toffees men Darron Gibson, Bryan Oviedo and Aiden McGeady. Other key players from the under 23's title winning team also have loan moves, with Joe Williams joining Barnsley on a season long loan, and Antonee Robinson, joining Bolton Wanderers for 4 months.
New Everton signing, 20 year old Henry Onyekuru, joint top scorer in the Belgian league, awaits a work permit so will spend the season on loan at Belgian Champions Anderlecht. Henry is a player that would bring pace and goals to our team and is a signing I am sure you are all waiting to see.
The fixture list hasn’t been kind to Everton this season.
A European tie against Hajduk Split includes an away 2nd leg to a side highly regarded in Croatia. Either side of the 1st leg are 2 away games, involving Manchester City, then Chelsea. Add Spurs at home, then Manchester United away, and it's a tough run of fixtures.
With the games coming thick and fast, squad depth is key to tackle these games, which is a reason Ronald Koeman has put so much faith in youth during preseason, to help develop them for the future, and when called upon this campaign.
By Aaron Milne
