Everton, under the management of Sean Dyche, find themselves in a precarious situation after a string of six winless Premier League games.
The recent defeat against West Ham United, the club’s second loss in the last six outings, has increased the pressure on the team, especially with Luton Town closing the gap to just five points in the Championship. The Toffees are also facing the looming threat of a potential points deduction.
The defeat to West Ham, despite some chances created, highlighted certain individual performances that were below par. While striker Beto made a rare start and showed glimpses of his quality, midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure had a particularly tough game, raising questions about his recent form.
Doucoure, who has been an impressive figure for Everton this season with six goals, struggled against West Ham. His performance included being dispossessed three times, losing 100% of the 11 duels he contested, committing three fouls, and losing possession 15 times. These statistics, coupled with his recent goal drought of five league matches, suggest a dip in form for the combative midfielder.
Considering Doucoure’s recent struggles, there’s an argument to replace him with Andre Gomes, who has been steadily returning from injury setbacks. Gomes has made three starts since late December, with a notable performance in the FA Cup clash against Crystal Palace where he scored the winning goal.
In the recent appearance against West Ham, Gomes came off the bench for the final ten minutes, completing all ten of his attempted passes and showcasing a threat in the attacking third with two shots on target.
The Portuguese playmaker, who has endured a torrid spell with injuries, deserves a consistent run of minutes to regain form and contribute to Everton’s push for a higher standing in the league.
With Dyche facing the challenge of navigating Everton through a tough phase and considering Gomes’s positive impact in limited opportunities, the experienced midfielder could be a valuable asset in the remaining games of the season.
Additionally, offering Gomes a consistent run would provide him with the chance to stake his claim for a new contract, given that his current deal is set to expire in the summer. The decision to rotate and introduce Gomes against Manchester United could inject fresh energy into the midfield and potentially address some of the team’s recent struggles.