FIVE-POINT PLAN

1 REPLACE LUKAKU

That this is still an issue speaks volumes of the Toffees’ recent recruitment. It’s been two years and the club have yet to adequately replace the Belgian. Current options Dominic Calvert-lewin, Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse scored nine goals between them last season. If Everton hope to smash into the top six, they need more from this part of the pitch.

2 TRAVEL BETTER

That Everton need to do better away is nothing new. The club’s away form has been problematic for some time. In 2018-19, the Toffees managed just five victories on their travels, nowhere near enough for a club harbouring dreams of a top-four finish. They are particularly weak against the top six, notching up just a single victory away from home since David Moyes left the club for Manchester United in 2013.

3 KEEP GOODISON ROCKING

Towards the end of last season, efforts by a group of fans called The Originals 1878 did much to charge the atmosphere at Goodison Park. Although this year’s promised introduction of a singing section in the Gwladys Street End looks to keep the process going, both the club and the fans need to continue working hard to resurrect an atmosphere that has lost much of its bite in recent years.

4 END PICKFORD’S COCK-UPS

Jordan Pickford’s last-minute error in the Merseyside derby might be his most memorable mistake, but it wasn’t his only one. Despite being a huge talent, Pickford proved costly for Everton on several occasions last term. His erraticism and levels of concentration will have to improve if he is to realise his potential.

5 CONSISTENCY IS KEY

The Goodison Park faithful got to experience two very different Evertons last year: the exciting, high-pressing, attack-minded side of the autumn and the spring, and the hesitant, error-prone confidence void of the winter. Until the latter stops periodically appearing, which it has done for several seasons, Everton will remain a club of frustrated ambitions.