Stay in control of the latest Blues news with our Everton newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Leighton Baines is set to sign a new contract at Everton. Which means he looks certain to continue as the Blues number one left back.

Luke Skinner analyses just what that means for Everton’s other left-back contenders.

Today's Rumours:

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Bryan Oviedo

Since 2012, Bryan Oviedo has been an on/off player in an Everton shirt.

The Costa Rican offers pace and energy down the left hand side, which has led to numerous chances being created during his four years at the club.

A highlight of his time is the memorable winner he scored at Old Trafford in December 2013 which saw Everton win there for the first time in 21 years.

Naturally, Oviedo has become popular with the fan base - as evidenced through the terrace chant of ‘Oviedo baby.’

The threat of his delivery is also one that shouldn’t be underrated.

However when he has had the opportunity to challenge Baines, one major hindrance has been his injury record.

In January 2014 Bryan suffered a double leg-break at Stevenage in the FA Cup.

And since then his Everton career has been plagued by other injuries which has seen him make only 30 appearances in the last two seasons.

When he did play, Oviedo was vulnerable defensively.

His height, for one, is a cause for concern in terms of his heading ability.

Whilst on occasions recently, attackers have passed him by with ease.

It is fair to suggest, though, that he might have not been used in the right way under Ronald Koeman’s predecessor.

But the future for Oviedo still looks to be a bit part one.

Most likely he will only start in cup competitions or when there is a need for him at left back because of injury.

Even the wing positions in midfield look difficult for Oviedo to grab hold of.

Luke Garbutt

Garbutt came onto the scene properly during Everton’s 2014/15 season.

Most notable were the appearances he made in the Europa League away at Wolfsburg and against Young Boys.

Luke looked solid and a potential heir to Baines’ left back throne.

His set piece delivery was magnificent.

Nevertheless, having made only 12 appearances for the Blues, starting just eight times, it is difficult to analyse his output.

Now 23, it might be too late for Garbutt to make a significant impact at Everton.

Last season the full back was loaned to Fulham where the Blues hoped to see the player fulfil his potential.

Garbutt made 26 appearances for the Cottagers and scored one goal. But much of his time there was spent injured as well, coming off the bench late in games.

He found it difficult for him to establish himself and if he couldn’t grasp the opportunity fully at Fulham, it looks like it will be very difficult to do it at Everton.

For the future, Luke Garbutt may have to move on from Everton in order to benefit his career.

If he stayed he would probably make the majority, if not all of his appearances, for Everton’s Under 23 side.

Brendan Galloway

At the beginning of last season, Baines’s injury, just days before the opening league game against Watford, gave young Galloway the chance to impress.

And that he did.

A player who made his debut at the end of the 2014/15 season away at West Ham was, and still is, looked upon as a potential future star.

His confidence on the ball is outstanding and has seen the young prospect dubbed by some as the left footed John Stones.

However, Galloway has made his own name by holding his own in big games away at Arsenal and at Goodison in the Merseyside Derby.

On many other occasions Brendan made excellent challenges to demonstrate his defensive capabilities to go alongside his excellent ball control.

But is he a left-back?

It became quickly apparent that he is better suited at centre-back, a position he has played already in pre-season, as he looked uncomfortable at times bombing down the left hand side.

Despite not looking to have the physical prowess other centre backs have, Galloway reads the game exceptionally.

At the age of 20, the young starlet will only get stronger ahead of what looks to be a successful playing career.

It seems that in the future Galloway may be utilised as a centre half more often than he was under Roberto Martinez.

Many factors may result in this, from the competition for places at left back to the possibility of a 3-5-2 formation.

This also leads on to the possible scenario of whether Everton need to replace John Stones if he leaves.

Galloway, for sure, has the talent to do that and if Koeman can mould him in his own image, we may see the blossoming of another young star at Everton.