Chelsea and Everton played out a fiercely-contested goalless draw when the two sides clashed in the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea had several solid chances to break the deadlock, with the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian coming close, but ultimately they were not at their best as they failed to find a way past the impressive Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal.
Here are four things we learned from the game.
4. Yerry Mina Looks Like a Good Signing
Yerry Mina made his first start for Everton since his arrival on transfer deadline-day this summer, and fans should be very excited with their new man.
Mina looked impressive at the heart of Everton’s defence, using his unique blend of speed and power to keep the likes of Alvaro Morata and Hazard at bay. He also looked composed with the ball at his feet and seemed eager to get involved at every possible chance.
He guided Everton to their third clean sheet of the season, and it looks as though it could be the first of many.
3. Chelsea Need to Find Another Goalscorer
Hazard is undoubtedly a superstar, but when he is not at his best, Chelsea regularly look as though they are going to struggle to find the back of the net.
Chelsea’s four main attacking alternatives – Pedro, Wilian, Morata and Olivier Giroud – all struggle to offer any consistent threat in front of goal. It speaks volumes of their attacking struggles when left-back Marcos Alonso is one of their most dangerous attacking options.
The Blues certainly had chances to score against Everton, but the squad lacks viable goalscoring threats. Liverpool’s front three are all prolific, whilst Manchester City boast at least five or six superb attackers. Maurizio Sarri needs to enter the transfer market to find some goalscorers.
2. Jorginho Is Not a Defensive Midfielder
Many have questioned Sarri’s use of N’Golo Kante this season, with the Frenchman moved into a more advanced role to accommodate Jorginho, who is instrumental to the way Sarri likes to play football.
However, with Kante’s defensive input reduced, the onus is on Jorginho to step up and replace him, and he simply can’t. Jorginho is not a defensive midfielder, especially when his impact is compared to that of Kante, who has emerged as one of the world’s finest defensive midfielders.
Jorginho was lucky to stay on the pitch after a dangerous challenge on Gylfi Sigurdsson was punished with just a yellow card. He is a competent defender, but Sarri should consider allowing Kante and Jorginho to switch roles whilst defending.
1. Richarlison Should Move Back to the Wing
Marco Silva has opted to field Richarlison as a striker in recent weeks, despite the Brazilian making a name for himself as a winger. He is a superb attacker, but Everton cannot rely on Richarlison as a long-term striking option.
You’d have been forgiven for not noticing that Richarlison was on the field against Chelsea, as the 21-year-old struggled to get involved in proceedings, let alone make an impact on the match.
With Cenk Tosun seemingly out of favour under Silva, Everton must move Richarlison back to the wing and either stick with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack, or find a new goalscorer in the transfer market.
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