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Paulo Fonseca has been regularly linked with the Everton manager’s job since Ronald Koeman was relieved of his duties in November. Since then his reputation within European football has gone from strength to strength, with Shakthar making the last 16 of the Champions league whilst playing some great football. In recent weeks he has been linked with Everton but also European heavyweights Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich.

Today I am looking at, IF appointed, how Paulo Fonseca would shape this current Everton side and what he might want to bring in to the club via the transfer market.

The Formation

Fonseca since becoming Shakthar manager has favoured a fluid 4-2-3-1 which in possession plays fast attacking football and without the ball presses to optimum efficiency.

Goalkeeper

Andrei Pyatov has been a stalwart at Shakhtar since he made his debut in 2007, since then he has gone on to make 350 appearance for the club. Though he can be quite mistake prone the Ukrainian is a solid keeper who when in possession can start attacks with short, medium or long range passing effectively. In a team that likes to start quick fluid attacks, having a goalkeeper who can start moves quickly with accurate passing is essential much like Ederson or Manuel Neuer do at their respective clubs

Everton’s current number 1 is Jordan Pickford, who even in a poor season for the club has stood out. Based on pure talent alone there aren’t many goalkeepers in the world who have as much talent as Pickford does at 23 but he isn’t the finished article by any means. Pickford can be a brilliant shot stopper but his decision making when it comes to pushing the ball out or coming for crosses or positioning still needs to be refined. With the ball at his feet though he is one of the best in world at his position, whether it short, medium or long range passes from floor or hand are no problem for Pickford.

Verdict: Pickford for Fonseca would represent a upgrade on Pyatov, all round he is a better goalkeeper and would give Fonseca the outlet in which to start his fast fluid attacks from, whilst also being a solid goalkeeper.

Full Back

At right back Fonseca chops and changes depending on the opponent, in Europe Fonseca preferred the defensively solid and more athletic Bohdan Butko, whereas in the league he has preferred the technically superb but declining Darijo Srna. At Left back no matter who the opponent is its Ismailly who gets the nod. The Brazilian is a key cog in Fonseca’s system constantly overlapping and stretching opponents which creates space for the forward players and also himself to do damage in final third.

Full backs are very important in Fonseca’s 4-2-3-1, when the team is in possession high up the pitch the overlapping full back creates a mismatch and leaves the defence stretched. This is very similar to how Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy play at Manchester City creating mismatches and stretching the defence to create space for the forward players to occupy and exploit.

Fonseca can be sure of one thing when it comes to full backs at Everton, Seamus Coleman is perfect for his system. The Irishman much like Ismailly on the left hand side creates havoc whether its overlapping or making diagonal runs off the wing to create confusion and space to maximum affect. The left hand side is more of a question mark, Leighton Baines has been absolutely fantastic since he signed for Everton, possibly the clubs best player in that time frame, however the end is nigh. Baines was a fantastic attacking full back capable over overlapping and creating, with his wand of a left foot but now due to age doesn’t seem to be able to get up and down the pitch which is key to Fonseca’s system. Defensively Baines was solid player but now can be a liability against quicker wingers

Everton realistically need a new Left Back, Baines hasn’t got many seasons left and if a Fonseca type does come in pace and dynamism are needed at Full Back to aid the teams attack. Phillip Max of Augsburg should be on many top clubs wish list, when it comes to buying a new left back but probably doesn’t fit Fonseca’s requirements of a full back as he isn’t the type to overlap or break the lines with dribbling, he is more of an old style left back who gets the ball in the box. Should Everton look to Shakhtar and try and sign Ismailly? I would say no based on the fact the Brazilian is 28 now and the club really needs to look to the future rather than another short term signing. My pick would be Aaron Martin of Espanyol, who has been on the radar of many of Europe’s top clubs this season. Quick and technical, the Spaniard gets up and down well can overlap, can dribble at pace and can create, he also fits the bill in that he is 20, will only get better and would be a wise investment for the club as he is only valued at 20 million euros.

Verdict: the right hand side is an improvement for Fonseca but to get best out of his system Left Back needs upgrading to maximise the systems potential

Centre Backs

Centre backs are an important cog for Fonseca both in keeping possession but also initiating quick counter attacks and of course defensively. Yaroslav Rakitskiy aswell as being solid and efficient defensively is the ball playing centre half, capable of 50 yard diagonal balls into space for Ismailly to run onto or neat interchanges to keep possession in his own half. His partner is less important in possession but is much more active in Shakthars pressing game, Ivan Ordets at 6’4 is your classic stopper centre half who goes to meet the ball whether heading the ball away or going out to cut off advancing attackers. In the press he picks up the 10 usually leaving Rakitskiy and Stepanenko to cover the advancing runners off the ball.

Everton’s centre back situation is a complete mess, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka, despite his resurgence, are coming to the end. Michael Keane, a marquee summer signing, has been exposed tactically away from the warm confines of Sean Dyche’s defensive system. Ramiro Funes Mori has been injured all season and Mason Holgate whilst developing still does not have the natural instinct of a centre back after spending the majority of his career at full back. Funes Mori could be used by Fonseca as he is comfortable both on the ball whilst also coming out of defence to defend in space.

Due to the importance of Centre backs in Fonseca system and the fact Everton have been woeful defensively this season, I would suggest 2 players need to be bought to replace the aging Williams and Jagielka. In terms of a Ball Playing centre back Alfie Mawson (Accurate Long and Short passer) Benjamin Pavard and Clement Lenglet should be considered all fit the mould of being able to initiate attacks whilst also being good solid defenders. For a stopper style centre back the club should look no further than Issa Diop, Jamal Lascelles and Harry Maguire (unlikely but fits the role perfectly) all big athletic centre backs comfortable in possession but solid foundation for defence to be built upon.

Verdict: In need of a major upgrade for defensive purposes aswell as to fit Fonseca’s proposed system.

Defensive Midfield/The Double Pivot

At Shakthar this position has the perfect combination in which to build the team’s possession game aswell as break down other team’s defensive lines. Taras Stepanenko is the deep lying midfielder of the two, who aswell as protecting the centre backs often drops in between the two when the team is in possession to give more options whilst also allowing the full backs to line up higher up the field ready to overlap at a moment’s notice. Fred is the box to box midfielder in the two and probably Shakthars most influential player, whether it carrying the ball and breaking the lines of defence with his dribbling or being the teams creative fulcrum in the final third, Fred can do it all. Whilst Stepanenko sits and covers for Ordets when he steps out Fred is heavily active in pressing the opponents midfielders higher up the pitch.

Again Everton midfield options are hit and miss. Wayne Rooney has been the team’s most effective performer but in reality can only play in certain games against teams that allow him time on the ball and due to his lack of legs the better teams in the league make him a passenger without the ball. Idrissa Gueye is N’Golo Kante light, he is energetic, a nuisance and wins the ball back at a high rate however unlike Kante he is very limited on the ball which has seen his influence diminish whilst playing next to Morgan Schneiderlin as he is asked to be a box to box midfielder which he cannot do. Schneiderlin has been a disaster, the player who was so smooth and efficient last season has given way to a lazy, disinterested liability who is current enemy number one of the Goodison faithful. Tom Davies who has a lot of raw talent that hasn’t been developed this season has suffered a sophomore slump but has all the qualities needed to become a good premier league midfielder.

This is the position that causes me the most trouble when it comes to assessing both Everton’s needs and Fonseca’s system needs. Morgan Schneiderlin would be perfect in the Stepanenko role and is a much more accomplished passer than the Ukrainian but will he be at the club beyond the summer and is he a lost cause mentally. Gueye and Rooney despite their obvious pluses don’t fit in Fonseca’s double pivot, Gueye isn’t disciplined enough to play Stepanenko’s role and isn’t good enough on ball to recreate Fred’s role. Rooney whilst having the range of passing required doesn’t have the legs to play as the box to box midfielder and leaves the team short defensively and in the pressing game. Tom Davies would need to be developed but he is both a good passer and fits the mould of a box to box midfielder but needs a lot of refinement to his game before being relied on regularly to do that role.

Fonseca may need to buy again to solve this issue but with money limited other positions may take priority. I do think Everton and Fonseca would need someone to fill the Fred role to a signing would be needed in that position. My candidates would be Jack Wilshere, who is available on Free transfer and when fit can do everything you require of a box to box midfielder he breaks the lines, can pick and pass and break up play. Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford would bring physicality to the role aswell as someone who can break the lines with dribbling and he can pick a pass aswell as chip in with goals. Fabian Ruiz of Betis can be the team’s creative fulcrum aswell as carry the ball and break the lines.

Verdict: Salvaging Schneiderlin or refining Gueye should solve one position whilst a new signing is required in the box to box role to enhance the teams attacking potential

Attacking Midfield

A Key in Shakthars attacking play this season is the fluidity and versatility of its three attacking midfielders who interchange all the time to create constant mismatches around the pitch. Marlos, Taison and Bernard can all play centrally or on either wing, are just as efficient with the ball as they are without. Though all 3 are natural number 10’s, in Fonseca’s system they occupy a variety of roles much like Silva and De Bruyne do for Pep’s City side. All three are fantastic dribblers which constantly opens up defences and creates panic as they advance on isolated defenders. All three also are heavily involved in the pressing game where there athleticism and football intelligence shine through.

Everton’s attacking midfielder options are much more rigid. Gylfi Sigurdsson who is versatile and very good technically, isn’t very creative from open play or dynamic enough to break the lines of defence with pace and flair. Yannick Bolasie is a classic winger type that likes to beat his full back and get the ball in the box, he lacks variety in his play and his decision making is woeful at best. Theo Walcott has pace and some flair but isn’t very versatile and his final ball is still what holds him back from being a top player. Nikola Vlasic is versatile can man all 3 positions and has the talent to play in the premier league but hasn’t been able to show much this season due to the constant change in management. Ademola Lookman is probably Everton’s most exciting player but is currently out on Loan at RB Leipzig and is still ironing out his decision making and consistency issues.

This another problem position for Everton in general and would be for Fonseca to fit to his favoured system. Sigurdsson whilst versatile, hardworking and good technically really lacks the dynamism and pace required to unlock stacked defences with the ball at his feet. Bolasie and Walcott are not versatile, they aren’t suited to interchanging roles and occupying a central spaces. Walcott has the pace to unlock defences but the fact he still plays as a right winger when most wingers who have his goal scoring prowess play as inside forward off the left suggest he can be quite limited. Bolasie lacks the football intelligence to play in a fluid attacking three like Fonseca wants to use. Lookman and Vlasic have most of the requirements needed to play in Fonseca’s system but needs developing in certain aspects of their game before being relied upon heavily. Henry Onyekuru and Kieran Dowell will be available to choose as of next season and both possess the necessary tools to be part of the attacking midfield but in both players there are questions that need to be answered.

Bernard is available on a free transfer and would add some much needed creativity and dynamism to the attacking midfield options, Everton currently possess and his familiarity with Fonseca’s system would be desirable. Norwich’s James Maddison is versatile, dynamic and creative and would fit Fonseca’s system well. Joaquin Correa would be another option from Sevilla, who is versatile, creative and intelligent. Manuel Lanzini would also be an option.

Verdict: Walcott and Sigurdsson would have to adapt but offer enough in the short term to be part of Fonseca’s plans. A signing would be welcome to add some more versatility, creativity and craft to the group. The development of Onyekuru, Lookman, Vlasic and Dowell will be key.

Centre Forward

To the surprise of many English fan the man leading Shakthars line is Facundo Ferrerya, who couldn’t get a sniff on loan at Newcastle. Hard working without possession he acts as a typical number 9 in the system running the channels, pressing highest up the pitch, holding up the ball then bringing in his more skilful and dynamic team mates and being a menace in and around the box.

Everton’s striking options though much maligned this season are actually promising. Cenk Tosun has settled now and is scoring goals in the premier league and while he not the type of player to create a goal out of nothing with the right service he can be very effective. Dominic Calvert Lewin has often been misused as a target man for most of the season, when his game is much more well rounded than that and has contributed to the cause despite being isolated on his own up front. Oumar Niasse has been miscast as a starter due to his goalscoring record but is much more suited to being an impact sub of the bench who can stretch tired defences late in games.

Fonseca would be in my opinion pleased to have Cenk Tosun leading the line in his system, he is a better version of Ferrerya, hardworking, instinctive, links play well and a menace in the box. Calvert Lewin could possibly benefit from a loan move away but due to his versatility and skill would be a useful complement/ change of pace to Tosun in Fonseca’s system. Oumar Niasse is that well suited to the system due to his raw technical ability but used right as a impact sub still has a role to play at the club under Fonseca.

One potential transfer target could be Maxi Gomez who has a Luis Suarez like workrate, is instinctive and good in the air, would also be perfectly suited to leading the line in Fonseca’s 4-2-3-1. Onyekuru and Walcott could also be used as change of pace options when playing on the counter.

Conclusion

Who knows if Paulo Fonseca will decide to come to Everton, as an Evertonian I can only hope but I think he would have a 2/3 year project on his hands to implement his style of play and get right players to make it work. There are some good building blocks already in place like Pickford, Coleman and Tosun, some good young layers to mould like Lookman, Dowell, Onyekuru and Davies into what fits his system and some good solid short term pieces like Sigurdsson and Walcott who whilst they may not be perfect fits offer enough to make it work. Some new signings are a must especially in at Centre back, Left back and Central midfield.

Potential Everton team under Fonseca