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Everton’s players are back in pre-season training this week but who exactly needs to get off to a flying start ahead of the 2015/16 campaign?

Arouna Kone

The Ivorian striker admitted himself that he can’t afford any more false starts at Everton and given that he’s netted just once in two seasons with the Blues, that’s probably something over an under-statement.

Kone often looked a threat at Wigan Athletic and finished with a credible return of 13 goals in all competitions in what was ultimately a relegation season at the DW Stadium.

It just hasn’t happened for him at Goodison though and he was hardly convincing in his early outings before injury cruelly struck as his touch looked loose and he actually missed an open goal in the game against Hull City in October 2013 when he suffered knee cartilage damage.

Kone became the 500th goalscorer in Everton’s history when he struck against Newcastle United at St James’ Park last December but unless there’s a dramatic improvement from the frontman who turns 32 before the year is out then that footnote will be his only real contribution to the Blues cause and that’s really not good enough for a £6million purchase.

Ross Barkley

A year ago the prodigious midfielder was being lauded as a new ‘Paul Gascoigne’ or ‘Michael Ballack’.

The boyhood Blue from Wavertree was tipped to perform miracles on the back of his trip to the World Cup finals with England but struggled with the weight of expectation on his shoulders as the team’s fortunes faltered last season.

In fairness, Barkley’s personal statistics seemed to suggest that he wasn’t doing an awful lot less than the previous campaign but a lack of highlight reel moments such as his spectacular goals against Newcastle and Manchester City the year before gave the impression of a player suffering with ‘second season syndrome.’

Barkley’s incredible ability ensures that he has the talent to bounce back strongly in the coming months but he needs to develop his decision-making skills quickly, learning when to pass and cutting out giving up possession cheaply in dangerous areas.

Aiden McGeady

Sunderland are being linked with a move for winger as Gerard Deulofeu’s return could push him further down the pecking order but if he does stick around then Evertonians are expecting much more given the box of tricks that the Republic of Ireland international possesses.

McGeady book-ended last season smartly with a wonder goal at Leicester City on the opening day and a great cross to provide Romelu Lukaku’s last-gasp winner at West Ham United on the final away match of the campaign but there was precious few other moments to crow about in between.

At 29, the former Celtic and Spartak Moscow wide man has to show he can cut it on a regular basis in the Premier League.

Tim Howard

Howard went into last season on the back of being an American national hero following his World Cup exploits with the USA in Brazil.

However, the long-time Blues number one didn’t enjoy a vintage campaign by his own stellar standards and when he was handed an instant recall after returning from injury in February there was even some outcry from sections of the club’s support that Joel Robles had been dropped after keeping three consecutive clean sheets.

As Neville Southall said about Howard last summer, when you get to your mid-30s – even as a goalkeeper – people are questioning whether you’re on the slide and the most consistent custodian at Goodison since Big Nev’s days will be under scrutiny from the start even if he did declare: “To hell with the criticism” last term.

Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway

After releasing both Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz, Everton have been linked to a series of centre-backs, some of which could command substantial fees.

Given that Phil Jagielka and John Stones are likely to remain the first choice partnership at the back, youngsters Browning and Galloway who both showed glimpses of their potential last season could step up to the plate if they impress over the summer and potentially save the club millions of pounds.

Despite featuring in full-back roles – Browning on the right earlier in the season at Liverpool and Manchester United and Galloway at the very end on the left against West Ham and Tottenham – the pair can both operate at centre-back and could prove to be handy squad players to provide cover in that area.

And another thing:

Leighton Baines has been an institution in the Blues left-back berth for many seasons and with Luke Garbutt expected to be loaned out next term he’s got at least one more year without a serious challenge to his place in the side.

Now the wrong side of 30, it’s inevitable that there will be some slowing down and he misses the regular link-up play down the left with old partner Steven Pienaar who has been blighted by injury.

However, as the best penalty-taker in the Premier League, Baines’ summer work might be best-served practising spot-kicks to get his mojo back from 12 yards.

Other EFC stories

Everton should give Manchester United short shrift if they bid for 'third choice' Seamus Coleman

Gerard Deulofeu kept a close eye on Blues in year away

Leighton Baines' bumpy ride to the top can inspire Luke Garbutt