CARSON, CA – AUGUST 13: Goalkeeper Tim Howard
Hope #1: That Everton can find a replacement for Tim Howard.
After ten seasons at Goodison Park Tim Howard has finally left the building. The United States Men’s National Team goalkeeper finally bid adieu to Everton in the offseason (although his move had been planned since February) leaving a rather large hole to be filled.
Although one has to always be careful when measuring the value of U.S. players who play in the Premier League or in Europe (their efforts are often conflated to help pump a soccer culture that requires a pat on the back) make no mistake about it:
Howard was a very good Premier League player. His 414 appearances for Everton puts him in thirteenth place all-time in the club’s history and his 387 clean sheets is only best in the club’s record books by Neville Southall and Gordon West. If your work is being compared to Southall and West chances are that means you are a pretty good player.
So who will replace Howard between the pipes? As of right now it looks like Stekelenberg is Koeman’s first choice. The Dutch international made the start in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham last week and did not disappoint, making three critical saves to preserve the point. Stekelenberg is a good hand, a proven veteran who has experience at some of the top clubs in the world and should prove to be an asset for a club still trying to find itself.
Also keep an eye on Joel Robles during the League and FA Cup. Robles served as Howard’s backup for the past three seasons and despite some nervy moments showed his value for the Toffees in 2015-2016. Despite his impressive C/V (he won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2011-2012, the FA Cup with Wigan 2012-2013, and the under-21 European title with Spain in 2013) he has yet to really make an impression with a senior club side. With Koeman likely to rest Stekelenberg for club tournaments Robles will get his chance to shine and possibly earn a transfer out of Goodison.
telling </a>the media after Everton’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham, ” You see with Gerard, it is still not for 90 minutes. It’s all about the work rate of the player. Sometimes it’s difficult because for that creative player, sometimes you’re a little bit more sloppy in that aspect of football.”</p>
<p>When asked about Deulofeu missing a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the second half Koeman was a bit more succinct saying, “He needs to score. With those kind of chances, you have to.”</p>
<p>If Deulofeu is to realize his full potential it will be under Koeman. Koeman’s coaching C/V is littered with stays at some of the top attacking clubs in the world (Ajax, PSV, Valencia, Feyernoord, and Benfica). Furthermore, he has built up the reputation as being someone who can rebuild the careers of attackers. Look no further than his work at Southampton last season with Shane Long as proof that he can get the most out of his players.</p>
<p>Deulofeu has all of the tools to become one of the top attacking midfielders in the Premier League. Under Koeman he may just put it together.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/08/19/everton-fc-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">The big fear: That they do not have a replacement for Romelu Lukaku</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_417793" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-417793" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/08/19/everton-fc-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F08%2F591797806-everton-training-session-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">HALEWOOD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Romelu Lukaku during the Everton FC training session at Finch Farm on August 18, 2016 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>The big fear: That they do not have a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.</h3>
<p>At some point Romelu Lukaku will leave Everton. It might not be during this transfer window but in the near future the Belgian international will be gone. At that point The Toffees will be in trouble.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Lukaku has been the centerpiece of the Everton attack for the past three seasons, racking up 61 goals in 127 appearances. Although his form has not always been world-class his scoring touch has. There are very few players who have that combination of size, speed, and nose for the goal in the Premier League.</p>
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<p>Although he might not always get the credit Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the world right now and eventually at some point one of the power clubs in Europe will make Everton in an offer that they cannot refuse.</p>
<p>Looking at Everton’s lineup it is difficult to see who could pick up the slack if Lukaku were to leave. The most obvious choice would be Arouna Kone. But Kone has scored just eight goals in four seasons. While he has not had many minutes in recent seasons in the time that he has played he has not exactly looked like someone who could start on a consistent basis. He will also be 33 in November. Koeman and Everton seem to smitten with Ross Barkley but he is more of an attacking midfielder than a pure striker.</p>
<p>If Lukaku were to leave this season it would leave the Everton attack in tatters. Without a dependable replacement available on their roster and with it being so late in the transfer window losing Lukaku would squelch any hope that the club might have at finishing in the top ten and any chance of winning the FA or League Cup.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">