Jordan Pickford, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney… how could Everton line-up under Sam Allardyce?
With the Toffees struggling towards a genuine relegation battle this term, they may turn to a Allardyce to do what he does best
WHEN facing the prospect of Premier League relegation there are only two men you can hire, and Everton look set to appoint one of them.
Along with Tony Pulis, Sam Allardyce has a proud record in England’s top flight and has never been relegated.
The 63-year-old is out of work after resigning as Crystal Palace boss at the end of last season having kept the Eagles up.
Now he finally looks set to succeed Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park.
With that in mind, our friends at Football Whispers look at how the Toffees could line up under Big Sam.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
In a wholly disappointing season for the Blue half of Merseyside, the form of Pickford has been one of the few bright spots.
The England international starred for Sunderland under Allardyce last season, earning a £30m move to Goodison Park which made him the most expensive British goalkeeper ever.
Right-back: Mason Holgate
The full-backs in Allardyce’s teams must be strong, athletic and able to get forward if necessary. Former Barnsley prodigy Holgate meets that criteria perfectly.
The 21-year-old has only made 21 starts for the Toffees since arriving in August 2015 but he is quick, strong and comfortably ahead of Cuco Martina in the pecking order.
Centre-back: Michael Keane
Reportedly a Manchester United transfer target in the summer, the England international instead moved to Everton in a £25m deal.
And although the 24-year-old has struggled to replicate his Burnley form, he is the Toffees’ most reliable centre-back and the player Allardyce will want to build his defence around.
Centre-back: Phil Jagielka
At 35 the former England international is the elder statesman of this Everton side but he remains in an important part.
With Ashley Williams well short of form, the Manchester-born defender is the kind of muck-and-nettles centre-back Allardyce sides always have.
Left-back: Leighton Baines
One of several areas of the Toffees squad lacks is at left-back and while Baines is a reliable option, he is not as dynamic as he used to be.
Still, the 32-year-old has been a key part of this side since 2007, recently passing 300 league starts, and his know-how and set pieces will be vital.
Defensive midfield: Morgan Schneiderlin
Having impressed at Southampton, ex-United boss Louis van Gaal bought the elegant French midfielder in 2015 but he made just 25 top-flight starts in 18 months at Old Trafford.
Signed for £20m in January, the former Strasbourg man will provide the athleticism and power Allardyce craves in front of his back four.
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Defensive midfield: Idrissa Gueye
Scurrying around next to Schneiderlin will be former Aston Villa man Gueye.
There were some raised eyebrows when the Senegalese joined last summer but he has been hugely impressive.
In fact, so good has Gueye been that he averages more tackles per game than Chelsea’s one-man midfield, N’Golo Kante.
Right wing: Aaron Lennon
The signing of the former England winger went under the radar somewhat and Lennon’s time on Merseyside has seen him in and out of the side.
But in a squad which lacks genuine wide players and is woefully short of pace, the ex-Tottenham player has forced his way into the side and should start for Allardyce.
Attacking midfield: Gylfi Sigurdsson
After a lengthy pursuit the Toffees finally got their hands on one of the Premier League’s most sought-after playmakers in a £45m deal from Swansea.
But the club’s record signing has flattered to deceive and has not been helped by being played out of position.
Allardyce has a good record of getting the best from mavericks and the Icelander should be no different.
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Left wing: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Such is the lack of pace in wide areas, forward Calvert-Lewin has had to fill in down the left this season and that is likely to remain the case if Allardyce is appointed.
The England Under-20 cap is an exciting young talent and his pace and physicality make him a threat – even if he he is still raw.
Striker: Wayne Rooney
England and Man United’s all-time top scorer returned to Goodison Park this summer after 13 years away but Koeman moved the 31-year-old all over to fit him in.
While Rooney is no longer the striker he was, in a system with one No10 he is likely to miss out to Sigurdsson while the club’s other strikers have struggled for goals.