“I’m genuinely worried”- Richard Keys tells Sean Dyche what he must do at Everton after Brighton defeat
Everton will have been deeply disappointed with their 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday. The match presented a real opportunity to start the season on a positive note, and the way the game began suggested they might do just that. However, the lack of a clinical edge, which has plagued them for years, proved costly once again, as Brighton capitalized on their chances and surged into the lead.
The reaction to the defeat has been predictably intense, with a high-profile pundit stirring the pot with his recent remarks.
Richard Keys urges Sean Dyche to make significant changes at Everton
In a blog post, just days after Richard Keys and Andy Gray had a heated discussion about Everton’s loss, Keys once again offered a harsh critique of the Toffees. Reviewing the match, in which Brighton’s pace and direct approach left Everton bewildered as the game progressed, Keys pointed out several key issues he believes the team is facing. And rightly so, as a 3-0 defeat on the opening day warrants little praise, despite Everton’s spirited first-half performance.
He wrote: “But Everton? Wow. They looked so bad. They’ve got all the same problems as last season. Where are the goals going to come from? Where’s the energy? There’s no youth. No legs. Young’s sending-off was an accident waiting to happen. He’s a terrific pro who’s had a wonderful career – but playing at full-back at 39?
‘I’m genuinely worried for the Toffees. There’s so much trouble still looming off the field that I don’t know where they can find answers on it.'”
Should Everton start Roman Dixon against Spurs?
Keys’ call for more youth in the squad echoes the sentiments of many Everton fans, who criticized Dyche for leaving Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye, and Jesper Lindstrom out of the starting lineup on Saturday. Dyche explained this by saying they needed more time to adjust due to their lack of Premier League experience, yet he opted to start 21-year-old Tim Iroegbunam, who has only two Premier League starts to his name, in midfield.
Despite Dyche’s cautious approach to introducing new players, the shortage of options at right-back has led many to call for the rapid inclusion of Roman Dixon in the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur. With Ashley Young suspended and Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, and James Garner also unavailable, the 19-year-old Dixon, who recently signed a new contract with the club, is seen as a potential solution.
Dixon is highly regarded on Merseyside and is known for his exceptional pace, which has led many fans to push for his inclusion. However, it might be too soon to throw him into the deep end, especially against a player of Heung-min Son’s caliber. For a youngster with no senior experience, being tasked with marking Son could be overwhelming and potentially damaging.
While Dixon has a bright future ahead of him, possibly with Everton, it’s important to remember that development takes time. There’s no need to rush, and given that the season is still in its early stages, it seems unlikely that a manager like Dyche would take such a significant risk.
