Premier League Club By Club Preview: Everton

Last Season: 7th.
Everton rarely start their league campaign well and last season was no different. With a severe lack in creativity and somebody to finish off the chances when they did arrive all the way until January, Everton looked flat and rarely looked like a team managed by the strong motivator, David Moyes. In January, Everton signed Darron Gibson, Nikica Jelavic, Steven Pienaar and Landon Donovan on a short term loan to replace players like Louis Saha and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. This turned out to be an extremely good decision from David Moyes as Gibson scored the only goal in a victory over Manchester City and Nikica Jelavic led Everton to a 4-4 draw against Manchester United. These 2 games were, for me, Everton's best displays as they rocketed up the table. 7th was a very good display from Everton last season and to make it even sweeter, they finished above Merseyside rivals, Liverpool.


Manager: David Moyes

David Moyes is arguably the most patient manager to ever set foot in the Premier League. With a lack of funding each season he has never truly been given the opportunity to make Everton challenge with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea for a Champions League spot ever since he beat Liverpool to 4th spot in the 04/05 season. It has been questioned as to why Moyes has remained at Everton so long but now I feel he views them almost in the same regard as one views their child. David Moyes has lost a key player for a big sum of money almost every summer in recent years and having already lost injury-prone yet very talented, Jack Rodwell to Manchester City this summer, if rumours are correct he may have a lot of rebuilding to do should he lose Leighton Baines also.

Chances of Being Sacked: 2/10
I believe Everton Chairman, Bill Kenwright would not be as idiotic as to dismiss the man who has led Everton to a lot of success in recent years. Should things go drastically wrong this season, which I can't see happening, I think Everton would have the respect for Moyes to allow him to resign himself instead of forcing him out the door of Goodison Park. With no other manager around who can work miracles as well as Moyes, Everton aren't as appreciative as they should be of this Scottish managerial icon.

Captain: Phil Neville

At the age of 35 Phil Neville, who joined Everton for £3.5 million in August 2005, is only 27 appearances off a total of 300 for Everton. Having started his career at Manchester United, where he was part of the 'Fergie Fledglings', Phil Neville is one Everton player in particular who knows how to win. With 6 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups and a Champions League, Phil Neville brings a wealth of experience and extreme versatility to this current Everton squad. With the ability to play Right Back, Left Back, Defensive midfield and Central midfield Phil Neville is a perfect player for David Moyes' quite small squad. Known for his leadership ability on and off the field, having learned from players like his brother Gary and Irishman Roy Keane, Phil Neville is one player who may continue playing for years to come, should he avoid injury.

Summer 2012 Window:
IN:
Steven Pienaar (£4.5 million, from Tottenham)

Having returned to Everton on loan in January of last season, it became clear that Everton is the only Premier League club for Pienaar. With a good work ethic Pienaar suits the narrow play which Everton rely on as he cuts inside from wide areas and produces good passes for Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic. Pienaar is evidently a player who David Moyes regretted losing and it is down to this strong relationship between Moyes and the South African that Pienaar plays to his full potential at Everton.

Steven Naismith (Free, from Rangers)

Highly rated by people who have regularly watched him, Steven Naismith is a player who looks to have been well worth taking for the financially weak Everton, once he became available on a free transfer. Having worked with Everton's Nikica Jelavic prior to arriving at Everton, Naismith seems to me like the type who will perfectly complete a front trio which will involve himself, Pienaar and Jelavic. Having been out of action for the last nine months, David Moyes lowered expectations about his new signing.
“I don’t want too much heat on him. It’s one thing scoring in a pre-season friendly than scoring in the Premier League… I’m playing it down, he’s been out for nine months so we can’t expect him to be completely ready right at the start.” 
I see Naismith being one of this summer's coups and I think David Moyes was on to something when he took the gamble on the former Rangers star.
OUT:
Jack Rodwell (£15 million, to Manchester City)
Adam Forshaw (Undisclosed, to Brentford)
James Wallace (Undisclosed, to Tranmere Rovers)
Joao Silva (Undisclosed, to Levski Sofia)
James McFadden (released)
Marcus Hahnemann (released)
Joseph Yobo (Undisclosed, to Fenerbache)
                                          Possible XI
Injuries and players leaving the club, these are 2 things which Everton are getting used to and I can't see it not happening again, here's why:
Is Fergie the Bain in Everton's side? 
Having loaned out Fabio Da Silva, the only real cover for left back Patrice Evra, Fergie will be keen to add Baines. With the ability to score and set up goals as well, Baines would be a huge loss to Everton's side. However, Everton, who have already offloaded young star Jack Rodwell this summer, will be in more of a position to negotiate. With this power, Everton could seek between £15-20 million for Baines who Hodgson brought to Euro 2012 this summer. Should they lose Baines, Phil Neville may cover in this area or another signing will be necessary.

Is Ross too young? 
With experienced players such as captain Phil Neville and regular goal scorer Leon Osman vying for the Central midfield spot alongside Fellaini and Gibson, Ross Barkley who impressed for England's U-19s this summer, may not be Everton's first choice for the coming season. Having had his debut season in the Everton first team tampered by injuries, Barkley will be keen to show the form that had him linked with clubs like Manchester United last season and regain his first team place upon the departure of Rodwell.

Seamus isn't certain of his spot. 
Having started of his Everton senior career playing mainly down the right wing, Coleman may have to resort back into the position which he began at Everton, right back. With Everton adding wingers such as Steven Pienaar and Naismith this summer, Coleman who loves to attack opposition left backs, will have a better chance of starting games at right back, where Tony Hibbert spent last season playing whilst Coleman attempted to recover from injury. However, Coleman will not find it easy to dispatch fans' favourite, Hibbert from his place, with Hibbert having fought off competition from Heitinga for his right back slot in the past.

One To Watch: Magaye Gueye

Having arrived at Everton when he was 19, Magaye Gueye has had his first team opportunities limited over the last 2 seasons due to injury. Gueye, who was scouted for a long time by Everton, impressed during France U-19's 3-1 loss to the English U-19 side, scoring the French side's only goal. With very little pressure on Gueye this season, the striker who is well known for his pace, power and ability to play on either the left or through the centre in the Everton attack, may just cause an unexpected storm in the Premier League this season.

Prediction: 8th.
Having finished very well last season, Everton will be looking to continue their very good form at the start of this campaign. With a reliance on Jelavic for goals, Everton may struggle once the Croatian's form inevitably slows after his incredible first 6 months in England. However, should Everton sell Baines and add to their squad and provide cover for Jelavic to take all the pressure from his shoulders, I see the possibility of Everton qualifying for Europe this season. With cup runs essential this season, I hope Everton can have a very good campaign.