da mrbet： Everton, with the quality they have at their disposal, are horribly underachieving in the first half of this campaign and Roberto Martinez will need to use the January window to full effect before his job begins to come under question.
da brdice： In the most open Premier League season to date, The Toffees are languishing in the middle of the table when a European position should easily be within their grasps. Sides like Stoke and Crystal Palace should not be outperforming this Everton squad and Martinez’s men should be, at the very least, competing with their Merseyside rivals – who are having another mediocre campaign.
The recent sale of Steven Naismith will give Martinez room for investment in the second half of the January window and could see the Toffees go on a rare spending spree.
Bill Kenwright is very supportive of his managers, but, even the most patient owner in England must be worried that the club aren’t progressing as they would have hoped under Martinez.
Here is an ideal XI for the Toffees come the end of January..
Joel Robles
Tim Howard’s criticism from the Everton fans has, understandably, become a level of rage now and Robles is finally deserving of his opportunity between the sticks.
Robles needs to prove he can be the future of Evertonian goalkeeping and the remainder of this season is the ideal chance to do just that. If he cannot prove himself, it might just be time to move for a new number 1.
Seamus Coleman
Having missed out on Sam Byram, Coleman can feel safe in his position at right-back but might be a bit surprised at his club chasing another right sided player.
The Irishman hasn’t been on top of his game so far this season but is still a class act.
John Stones
Stones has been linked with half of Europe’s biggest clubs this season, but Everton look like they will keep hold of their man until the summer at the very least.
His composure, and willingness to dribble out of trouble, has brought in criticism from some, but the youngster looks like he will be one of the best in the world in a couple of seasons.
Phil Jagielka
Funes Mori has impressed when required for the Toffees, but Jagielka still firmly remains the first choice centre back alongside John Stones and his experience is crucial in an Everton side than can be a little frenetic at times.
Leighton Baines
Baines has been exposed at times defensively this season, but the left-back is still a crucial threat down the left hand side for Martinez’s team.
His dead ball delivery is still providing a lot of opportunities for the side.
Muhamed Besic
As Gareth Barry gets gradually more pedestrian, Besic will finally begin to get more minutes in the centre of Everton’s midfield.
Besic will need to impress as Barry’s career comes to an end, but his form this season suggests he could become a favourite at Goodison.
James McCarthy
McCarthy, despite links with several other clubs, looks set to stay with the Toffees in this window and is an integral cog in the way that Martinez sets his side up.
His work rate and tenacious approach is important to break up play and allow the flair players in front of him the freedom they need to create.
Ross Barkley
Barkley is still battling to nail himself down a place in the first-team for Euro 16 this summer and that is going to be his main goal in the second half of the season.
As Dele Alli continues to impress for Spurs, Barkley will need to provide consistently from midfield if he is to start the opening game in France.
Andriy Yarmolenko
A long-term target of the Toffees, it is likely to take nearly as much money as it did for Romelu Lukaku if Yarmolenko is to be signed by Everton.
The winger is a regular goal threat and would provide more than adequate competition for Deulofeu and Mirallas.
Shane Long
In light of Charlie Austin’s transfer to Southampton, interest has grown from both Merseyside clubs in this ex-Hull striker.
Long’s energy and willingness to run the channels would make him an ideal replacement for Steven Naismith and could be great foil for Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku
Big Rom must be becoming increasingly frustrated with his side’s defence as, however well he plays, they manage to end up in mid-table.
Any side with a striker in the form of Lukaku are going to face interest from other sides, but the big Belgian must be thinking that a move could be best for his career.