Everton manager David Moyes has been dealt a difficult hand when it comes to injuries this season. But their situation has drastically improved heading into the final months of the season.
The Toffees are now well-stacked in a host of different areas all over the pitch, particularly in midfield. And Moyes now has some difficult decisions to make in the middle of the park.
James Garner, Idrissa Gueye, Merlin Rohl, Tim Iroegbunam, and Harrison Armstrong are all serious midfield options for Moyes. The likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carlos Alcaraz have also been utilised in deeper positions this season.
Everton’s midfield options
James Garner and Idrissa Gueye
Garner has quickly developed into one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League. He’s undoubtedly enjoying the most impressive season of his senior career so far.
Gueye and Garner have been Moyes’ go-to partnership when both are fit this season. But, at the age of 36, Gueye is reaching the latter stages of his career. And there’s certainly an argument to suggest his best days are behind him.
What Gueye used to give you in midfield was a relentless ball-winner. The Senegalese international was never your progressive passer or ball-carrier, but you knew he’d cover every single blade of grass. And he’d be putting out fires all over the pitch.
Gueye’s issue now is that Garner is outperforming him in his best metrics. Garner has averaged 3.08 tackles per 90 minutes this season to Gueye’s 2.11. He also averages 1.5 interceptions per 90 to Gueye’s 1.09 and 5.48 duels won per 90 to Gueye’s 3.97.
Alongside that, Garner simply has more to his game outside of his off-the-ball abilities. The English midfielder has a higher pass completion percentage, attempts more forward passes, and creates more chances.
The argument in the middle of the park is now developing into who should be playing alongside Garner, and Gueye might not be the answer anymore.
Moyes has plenty of options to choose from in midfield, and it might be time for the Everton boss to try a different combination in order to get their form back on track.
Harrison Armstrong
Using Armstrong’s data during his short time at Everton would be slightly misleading. The young academy graduate has predominantly played in a more advanced role since his return from loan. So looking at his data from his spell at Preston North End will give us a better idea of what he’s capable of in a deeper role.
During his time at Preston, Armstrong played in a variety of roles. But he was often utilised in a deeper position, given freedom to drive with the ball up the pitch and get into the final third. Garner has been the protector for Everton this season, sitting deeper and providing defensive solidity in front of the back four. This would give someone like Armstrong the license to get forward.
At Preston, Armstrong completed more take-ons per 90 than both Garner and Gueye at Everton, while he also won more duels than the latter. Armstrong also averaged 2.07 touches inside the opposition box, comfortably more than both Garner and Gueye. With Everton struggling in the final third, having a midfielder capable of getting into the penalty area, but also the work-rate to get back and defend, could be exactly what they need.
Armstrong has a lack of Premier League experience and starting him in a deeper role might be a bit of a risk. But he’s certainly an option for Moyes.
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Tim Iroegbunam
Iroegbunam is another, like Garner, who has taken his game to another level this season. Garner and Iroegbunam are differing profiles, but they match up quite well in comparison to Everton’s other options.
Iroegbunam ranks higher than both Garner and Gueye for tackles. In fact the young midfielder has attempted the fifth-most in the Premier League this season. Iroegbunam has also averaged more interceptions, more aerial duels won, and more possessions won in the middle third than both Garner and Gueye.
The former Aston Villa midfielder doesn’t offer what Garner does in possession. But his off-the-ball ability is on par with, if not better than, Gueye this season. The youngster is also comfortable carrying the ball from deep, and he’s an all-action midfielder who offers more legs than Gueye in the middle of the park.
Everton are in a transition period. The Toffees are unlikely to get relegated and might struggle to get into Europe, so perhaps developing a young player like Iroegbunam is a better route to go down than sticking with a 36-year-old Gueye.
Alternative options
As mentioned, there are other options for Moyes in the middle of the park. Dewsbury-Hall has produced some impressive performances in a deeper role, but you do miss his creativity and goalscoring ability in the final third.
Rohl is still inexperienced in the Premier League, but he has shown glimpses of being exactly what Everton need in the middle. The German midfielder uses his long legs to glide with the ball from deep, but he has struggled at times in and out of possession.
Alcaraz is another, but he’s shown a lot of inconsistency in his time at the club. The Argentine is more comfortable further forward in the No.10, but it gives Everton the option to drop Dewsbury-Hall into a deeper role.
Moyes now has a headache in the middle of the park, and there’s certainly an argument to suggest that Gueye is no longer the answer.