Silva looks to solve center back ‘problem’

When Everton took the field yesterday, there were plenty of lineup selections to be debated.

Cenk Tosun made his way back into the side at striker, and Ademola Lookman was given an opportunity to prove himself from a wide position.

Perhaps of the most curiosity to Everton fans, however, was Silva’s choice at center back.

Facing a run of three matches in 8 days, Marco Silva decided it was time to rotate his center backs again and paired Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina together for the first time.

This meant that Michael Keane was given his first rest since returning from a head injury suffered against Bournemouth, a match in which he scored, by the way.

The development at depth from the Toffees at this most important of positions stands in stark contrast to the wince-inducing choices the Blues have had on hand the past few seasons, and Marco SIlva does not take it for granted.

We are playing intense matches, three days before the Newcastle match for example which is why I chose Zouma and he played well like I expected.

Zouma, Mina and Keane have all played well this season, and its obvious that Silva is going to use the busy winter period as a chance to use his selection headache to his advantage.

With Zouma having lost his spot after being ineligible to play against his home club Chelsea and now fresh, Silva looked at how the season has played out and obviously has a plan in mind with Mina being asked to play his first stretch of games for the Blues.

It is a busy month for us and with everything it’s about managing the squad and being able to give rest to players if I feel we don’t lose too much. That was my feeling yesterday with the Zouma choice.

Mina didn’t play many games at the start of the season so it will be possible for him to carry on in the squad.

Of course, when there are plenty of matches on hand to spread around the minutes it is easier to rotate. Once the new year starts and the matches get more spaced out Silva will be left with tough decisions.

And he knows it.

It is good - but it is difficult as well. It is a good problem.

Good luck, coach.