Everton players with points to prove this pre-season from Tyler Dibling to Thierno Barry
Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas takes a look at some of the most intriguing narratives of the club's pre-season
Everton’s pre-season will step up next week amid the build-up to the first friendly of the summer.
The first of the Blues stars returned from their off-season breaks on Friday and underwent testing at Finch Farm. Those involved in the World Cup will enjoy a staggered return but others, such as Jake O’Brien, will be back in the coming days.
With three signings already secured, the Blues’ business is well underway - and more signings are expected. Against that backdrop, there are several players who may feel they have a point to prove to David Moyes and his coaching staff as they jockey for opportunities through pre-season.
TYLER DIBLING
The most obvious of those is Tyler Dibling. The attacking midfielder was the most expensive arrival of last summer but failed to live up to the reputation he had built the season before at Southampton, when he emerged as one of the hottest talents in English football.
There are plenty of reasons for that. His youth and the challenge of settling so far from home will have been hurdles, along with the situation that presented itself at Everton. Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye started last season on the wings and began the season in fine form, limiting chances for Dibling. When he did get an opportunity, it was often late in games - or with a makeshift side around him. Everton rarely played with a specialist right back last season, both their strikers found the first half of the campaign difficult and Dibling’s first six starts came alongside five different attacking midfielders.
The England Under-21 international struggled to make an impact and the longer that went on, the harder it appeared to become for him. The hope is this summer will represent a chance for him to reset. He now knows the club and the area and Tyrique George’s return provides him with a friend to experience his efforts to break through with. Moyes’ comments fluctuated between praise and calls to work harder last season but hopefully he will find the most effective way to tap into Dibling’s talent and pressure-free minutes in pre-season will no doubt help. Everton need a right winger and Dibling has the talent - now is the time for him to start silencing any doubters from last season.
ADAM AZNOU
Adam Aznou is a complicated topic. He struggled when he replaced the injured Vitalii Mykolenko in the final pre-season friendly, against Roma - enough to make it understandable for Moyes to start the season by playing the likes of James Garner and Seamus Coleman in his slot.
Yet the continued failure to introduce him to the first team was peculiar, particularly given Mykolenko was often tasked with stepping out of his comfort zone upon his return to fitness. Defensive and physical concerns may have been legitimate but Aznou offered far more going forward - as was clear when he brought Everton back into the FA Cup third round tie with Sunderland. His positivity on the left wing saw him earn the penalty that forced extra time and that he played no further role last season only added to the sense of mystery over why he was signed.
Everton need competition and cover for Mykolenko and his handling last year suggests a loan move may be the most likely outcome for Aznou this summer. But there is a chance he could solve a problem if he can convince Moyes to give him a chance.
CARLOS ALCARAZ
Another player whose handling sparked questions was Carlos Alcaraz. The attacking midfielder fell behind Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall following his arrival from Chelsea and the 27-year-old’s form from that position made it tough for the Argentine to get a look in after his loan move from Flamengo was made permanent.
That his own injury problems coincided with Dewsbury-Hall’s hamstring setback did not help, but given Alcaraz’s repeated match-winning performances in the final months of the previous campaign, his limited use was unexpected - as was the shortness of his contract, which means he is already in his final 12 months, though the club has the option to extend that by a further year.
Everton’s midfield is suddenly very crowded, which may spell further problems for Alcaraz. The talent is there, though, as is the goodwill he has from Everton supporters who connected with him upon his arrival.
THIERNO BARRY
Finally, there is Thierno Barry. Barry emerged from last season with eight Premier League goals - a commendable return from his first season in English football. The problem was how he got there, though, with the 23-year-old taking an age to get off the mark and regularly spurning good chances. Some of his goals came from the tougher opportunities, however, and the feeling at Everton come the end of the season was that, while Moyes was open to improving his strike force, he did have something to work with should the market not provide any serious alternative options at the right price.
The interest displayed by RB Leipzig has only enhanced that view, with Blues chiefs seeing it as vindication that they are coming to the same positive conclusion about his potential following his performances thus far.
While Barry may have shown glimpses of promise, he will now need to show he can lead the line effectively, become more ruthless and, importantly, build bridges with a fanbase he understandably upset with his online activity post-Arsenal.
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