With Rafa Benitez back in the premier league, he would be hoping to get off to a flying start with his new club. The former Newcastle United manager has been setting up his team in a four at the back-formation. It also enables his team to provide creativity from the extended areas, releasing his defenders out wide. In the previous season, Everton conceded 48 goals and ranked 10th in conceded goals. Many would hope for him to improve the defensive record as they conceded several sloppy goals. Although Rafa Benitez has had an awful time with strikers at Newcastle United but with Dominic Calvert Lewin upfront, things for Rafa could change. Everton’s start to the premier league season is excellent for Benitez to try different tactics and complete the squad.
Lucas Digne
The leading player to target for the upcoming season, whose price is 5.5 million who is fond of running up and down of that left side, would be of great value as he provided seven assists in the previous season. He is the player that the manager would want to move high up the pitch as he can make the difference and help the team score more goals. Although he has been given a downgrade in price, but that was more due to the fact that he missed eight games in the previous season. Lucas Digne produced an xA of 5.4 goals which was overperformed by 1.6 goals. Digne averaged 7.2 crosses per game, created 11 big chances, and had hit the woodwork four times in the 2020/21 season. As Benitez is also used to playing a system comprising three defenders at the back, this could also mean that Digne would be deployed as a wing-back and could be a threat in the opposition’s box.
Jordan Pickford
Pickford’s price is 5 million, and after his successful time at the Euros, he would be looking forward to starting the season in a similar fashion. His previous season was marvelous as he had a save percentage of 71.1% and ranked 12th amongst all the goalkeepers in terms of total saves. With Benitez as the head coach of Everton, many hope that their defense can improve by a substantial margin. Pickford conceded 128 shots on target, out of which he saved 90 and managed to make 2.9 saves per match. He is owned by 8% of the managers in the fantasy and is a great asset for the start of the new season.
Richarlison
Another player that, at some point of the season, will be targeted by a few managers. The player seems to get many chances but has not been able to convert them as he racked up an xG of 11.5 goals but only scored seven goals in the season. As Digne is moving up the field, this could mean that Richarlison would move inwards and would get more opportunities. Although Richarlison had missed ten big chances but if he can continue his current form in the premier league, he could be a great asset. Richarlison’s price is 7.5 million, which is 0.5 million lower than Dominic Calvert Lewin he could be a differential at some point in the upcoming season. With Richarlison out for the opening run of fixtures, Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend could make an impression in front of the manager. This could also mean that Alex Iwobi could add the minutes in his locker and take on the defenders and showcase his attacking prowess in front of goal.
Dominic Calvert Lewin
He is the player that put the premier league on fire with his goalscoring boots last season. His start to the previous campaign in the latest season was astonishing as he was scoring goals in every game, and there was no stopping him. His price is 8 million, and after he has scored 16 goals, it would be wrong to doubt him for the upcoming season as he has a great run of fixtures. Dom Cal delivered the same goals as his xG had accumulated, and scored all of his goals from inside the box. Dom Cal averages 2.54 shots per game, and 56.8 percent of them were on target. Although Benitez has not had a great time with the strikers but Dominic Calvert Lewin is the player that could change it all for him as he had a shooting accuracy of 63.9%. The combination between him and Digne looks to continue as Digne will continue to move further top and put in his delicious crosses in the box. As Dominic Calvert Lewin was part of the golden boot race and ended the season with 16 goals, he would hope to continue his spree under Rafa Benitez.
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