Everton begin their Group G Europa League campaign with a trip to Serie A side Atalanta on Thursday evening, and manager Ronald Koeman may well be considering ringing the changes following a disappointing performance at the weekend.
The Toffees were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Saturday, with a brace from Harry Kane and a goal from Christian Eriksen giving the visitors a comprehensive victory.
It was the Merseyside outfit’s second successive league defeat and with a tough looking-trip to leaders Manchester United to come on Sunday, the Dutchman may well be ready to utilise his squad in northern Italy.
Koeman’s men face Apollon Limassol and Lyon at Goodison Park next in Europe and he would love to pick up a positive result on the road going into those two clashes in order to boost his side’s chances of advancing from the group.
Here are three changes Everton should make for the clash against Atalanta…
Mason Holgate for Cuco Martina
With Martina struggling defensively in the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday and beginning to frustrate the Goodison Park faithful, Koeman may be ready to drop the summer signing to the substitutes’ bench and bring Mason Holgate in at right-back for the clash against Atalanta.
The 20-year-old would bring some pace to the position and that attribute could be vital at both ends of the pitch if the Toffees are planning to play a counter-attacking style in Bergamo.
With Seamus Coleman not yet ready to return to first team action, it would be a real opportunity for the England Under-21 international to stake his claim for a regular spot in the team.
Phil Jagielka for Ashley Williams
Like Martina, Williams struggled to deal with the Tottenham frontline at Goodison Park on Saturday and with the clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, Ronald Koeman could choose to rest the Welshman against Atalanta.
Everton reverted from a three-man defence against Chelsea to a back four against Spurs with Jagielka the man to lose his spot in the starting line-up, and he was an unused substitute in the 3-0 loss.
However, he may well return to partner Michael Keane at the heart of the defence in Italy, and he should bring some experience and much-needed composure with him on an important European night for the club.
Ademola Lookman for Davy Klaassen
With just one assist in six appearances for Everton following his summer move from Ajax, it seems as though Klaassen is taking some time to adjust to life with the Toffees.
The Netherlands international was sacrificed at half-time during the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and if Koeman is once again going to go with the 4-2-3-1 formation in Italy, he may well be better off bringing some pace into the attack.
Lookman certainly has that speed and directness but he has played just 143 minutes of football so far this season – all in the Europa League.
The 20-year-old may well be given the opportunity to impress again in Europe against Atalanta and he could play an important role on the counter attack, if that is how Koeman plans to set his team out against the Serie A outfit.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.