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Striker shortage leaves Ronald Koeman relying on Everton young guns
Ronald Koeman says Everton are a striker short after failing to land their number one target, believed to be Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud.
Koeman did not name Giroud, but it is understood the Frenchman was the player Everton felt they were going to sign before he committed his future to North London.
Now Koeman must rely on youngsters Sandro Ramirez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku, as well as opening the door for Oumar Niasse.
“I can not explain why, of course, but I thought we had got our option one,” said Koeman.
“I don't mention names, because it is not my job to do names, but I was really disappointed about that option one, because everybody thought we had him.”
Koeman said the alternatives were too expensive or unavailable.
“Sometimes if you are interested in a player and you know what they ask for that player it is ridiculous,” he said.
“You need to understand you have option two and option and three, and the right price for the right player is also what you have to look at.”
Koeman said there will have to patience with the youngsters who will be leading the line until January, at least.
He said: “We will give more opportunities and more chances to the strikers we have in the team. If we get our option one, then maybe it is more difficult for Dominic and Ramirez, but we have to understand Ramirez is 21 and Dominic is 20. Come on, it's the Premier League, not junior football and they need time to adapt and they need time to improve.
“It is important for them also to have more older players in the team and they can learn from them. You cannot expect that Ramirez is already that striker. The boy needs time. He's a quality player but he is 21.”
Everton face Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Saturday, Koeman admitting he will have to be tactically flexible without the target man he wanted.
“What we would like is to play in the same way as we did last season, but in several aspects maybe we need to do a little different,” he said.
“Maybe the system of the midfield and we can play with offensive full backs. That's also a solution. We try to find the best way for the team and for the players, what we have and that is different than it was last season.”