5 Telling Stats from Everton’s 4-0 demolition at Chelsea

It was horrible. But did the numbers tell us anything we can learn from?

Let’s take a look….

Is Sidibe the Best RB We Can Get?

Frenchman completed just 66% of his passes at Chelsea

After registering a few assists earlier in the season, it seemed like it would be inevitable that Everton would exercise the £12 million buy option on Sidibe come the end of the season.

But the French internationals performances are becoming increasing erratic. At Stamford Bridge, he completed just 66% of his passes – only Richarlison, in a much more challenging role up front, completed less on the field.

Sidibe would be a good back-up option for Everton. But the Blues already have ample back-up in Seamus Coleman and, potentially, Jonjoe Kenny.

Right-back should be considered a key area to improve in the summer transfer window, and Sidibe shouldn’t be the solution.

DCL – Room for Improvement

Another big chance miss with the ball at his feet

25 minutes in, Everton were offered a route back into the game. Richarlison won back possession and played DCL in perfectly.

However, Everton’s top scorer fluffed the opportunity, scuffing the ball wide.

The 22-year-old may have amassed an impressive 13 goals to his name this season, there’s still a lot of work to do on his shooting.

The trouble is, while he’s mastering the art of poaching, there are lots of other big chances being wasted.

Seven of his 13 goals this season have come from inside the six-yard box, while only his charge down of De Gea has week has seen him score any further out than the penalty spot.

In one-on-one situations, DCL simply has to up his game if he wants to become a truly top striker.

Leaky

No clean sheet in last 14 away games

Not much else to say here, except.. yikes.

Sigurdsson Anonymous Again

0 chances created, shots and defensive actions

Gylfi Sigurdsson continues to keep his place in the Everton line-up despite contributing, essentially nothing.

And against Chelsea, he was more anonymous than ever…

Even with a lack of players available in the midfield positions, Sigurdsson shouldn’t be starting. Whether that means putting Bernard on the left and Gordon or Iwobi on the right, they really can’t do any less than Gylfi.

In 26 appearances this season, he’s scored once and provided two assists, having created just five big chances.

Under 26

Everton’s best players are under 26

When you look at the Everton team this season, Everton’s best players are Holgate, DCL, Digne, Gomes, Richarlison, Pickford (yes, Pickford), Mina. All of whom are 26 and under.

Although few of these players have really sparkled this campaign, they are the players the rest of the squad should be built around.

Indeed, with the exception of maybe Bernard, there’s barely a player over 27 that Everton can really rely on. So much for experience.

This youthful spine, though, is a credit to the work of Marcel Brands and should give Carlo Ancelotti something to build on in the summer.