Selection dilemmas are exclusively reserved for those teams who possess genuine strength in depth, so Marco Silva’s centre-back conundrum should be viewed as a positive problem to have.
Silva was brought into the club to install a new philosophy at Goodison Park, but his expertise stretch well beyond the promotion of silky, possession-based football. Michael Keane played with a sparsity of confidence and conviction last season which hinted that Burnley had taken Everton for a ride in the 2017 summer transfer window, but he has been a player reborn under the Portuguese manager’s tutelage.
His transformation both defensively and with the ball at his feet indicates that Silva’s labour on the training ground is beginning to bear fruit, but who exactly will partner Keane when Everton take on Cardiff this weekend remains to be seen.
Kurt Zouma has played alongside Keane for the majority of the season so far, but Yerry Mina was given his opportunity to prove himself against Chelsea prior to the international break due to Zouma’s ineligibility.
Pitting his wits against the likes of Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard and Willina, Mina passed a huge test with flying colours, and his performance has presented Silva with a selection dilemma ahead of Cardiff’s visit.
The dilemma facing Silva is one which appears difficult on paper as Zouma has been consistently excellent this season. On the other hand, Mina was solid at Stamford Bridge, but the nature of Zouma’s absence suggests that Silva must recall him to the starting eleven this weekend.
Zouma was absent based purely on the technicality of his loan agreement, and he would otherwise have been selected against Chelsea, so it would be incredibly unfair for Silva to leave him on the bench after the season he has had thus far.
Either way, it’s a healthy dilemma for Silva to have at this stage in the season, and the intense competition for a starting berth can only be a positive indicator for the season ahead.
Sky Sports‘ Ben Ground and Charlotte Marsh believe it ‘would be harsh on Zouma’, if he were to be left out this weekend. That conclusion perhaps understates the extent of quite how unjust it would be, and it will be intriguing to see how Silva responds to his first major selection dilemma since taking charge of the club.
Everton fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
