Everton will have enjoyed the timing of this World Cup-enforced break, which put an end to their three straight losses in all competitions.

The Toffees were left languishing just one point from safety, but with the domestic football hiatus, Frank Lampard will have been hard at work trying to fix his biggest issues.

Some, however, cannot be sorted on the training pitch. It will require further investment in January, and given their reported escape from FFP sanctions, they might once again look to spend this winter.

One of the biggest deals touted is that of Weston McKennie, who will seem like another benefit of this break as he impressed for his country at the World Cup.

However, what will frustrate the 44-year-old boss of the Merseyside outfit is that the transfer seems tied to Amadou Onana, who Juventus are keen on seeing go in the other direction.

Whether this portion of the deal could be avoided, it still is certain that the American midfielder would likely form a fine partnership in the engine room with the revitalised Alex Iwobi.

The Nigerian has been the paramount creative presence at Goodison Park this season, boasting five assists and a goal in the Premier League. He has already surpassed any of his previous seasons since his move from Arsenal.

Placing another offensive presence in McKennie beside him could fix Lampard’s big goalscoring problem with another asset in the midfield.

The £53k-per-week brute currently ranks in the top 10% for non-penalty goals, as well as the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty area.

He then combines this with a 13% goal conversion, using his “magic” that drew praise from James Horncastle.

In fact, the 24-year-old was actually dubbed “probably the best American player playing in Europe” by Massimiliano Allegri, clearly favouring him over the likes of Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna.

Pairing a player of his quality and pedigree to the red-hot form of Iwobi could be a recipe for saving Everton from another miserable relegation-battling season.