Premier League 2016/17 preview: Everton – Ronald Koeman can adapt quickly, and he must

The appointment of Ronald Koeman as manager is a coup for Everton and the Dutchman can lead the club back up the table. Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters

With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at Everton.

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Roberto Martinez’s reign at Goodison Park began auspiciously and ended acrimoniously, with supporters calling for the head of an amiable man and a footballing purist who found it ever harder to ally style with substance.

His team had the talent to finish in the top six and, for the second successive year, ended in the bottom half. The majority in their fanbase would welcome more pragmatism if it yields better results.

In Ronald Koeman, they have another manager with passing principles but, crucially, one whose Southampton side had a better defensive record.

Luring a manager from a club who finished five places ahead of Everton represented a coup. It is a sign of their ambition and with a new billionaire majority shareholder, in Farhad Moshiri, Everton have the biggest transfer budget in their history.

In Steve Walsh, hired from Leicester City, they have a man with a track record of signing well, too. Yet they have been in limbo, waiting for buys to arrive and to discover if Romelu Lukaku and John Stones will go.

It renders it harder for Koeman to shape his own side — a goalkeeper and a central midfielder appear particular priorities — but he showed at Southampton he can adapt quickly and improve those he inherited.

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Key Man: Romelu Lukaku

If he stays. He has the talent to tempt the top teams but so far, they have let him stay at Everton. He delivered 25 goals for an underachieving team last season, but some on Merseyside question his attitude.

Pivotal Signing: Maarten Stekelenburg

If only because, apart from Swiss forward Shani Tarashaj, who Martinez signed, he is the only arrival so far. The Dutchman seems likely to be Koeman’s reserve goalkeeper, but may start the season in the side.

Point to Prove: Gareth Barry

Everton’s interest in Axel Witsel and Moussa Sissoko seems to suggest Koeman wants more athletic midfielders than the 35-year-old Barry. A favourite of Martinez’s may have to convince the newcomer of his case.

Crucial Factor: The home form

Everton only won six league games at Goodison Park last season, five of them against the bottom five teams. It explains why many on Merseyside turned on Martinez. Koeman has to give season ticket-holders more.

Predicted finish: 9th

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