LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton, gives a thumbs up during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Everton may have a glaring issue with their inability to score at the moment, but in terms of positions that need bolstering, right-back stands out more than most.
After all, it is a role that has been sorely neglected by the Toffees’ recruitment team, having settled on Nathan Patterson as the long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, neither of whom have featured heavily this campaign.
Instead, the position has been shared between many players, with none stamping their claim with any quality or finesse.
Ben Godfrey deputised well very briefly, but his offensive deficiencies were glaringly obvious.
Meanwhile, Ashley Young does boast a fine whipped cross, but is far too unreliable as a defender to trust in such a role.
So, who could Sean Dyche possibly settle on to fix his right-back woes?
Who should Everton start at right-back?
Well, that aforementioned quartet are surely the frontrunners for the starting spot.
Even though Vitaliy Mykolenko is not the most athletic defender in the team, he will always be there for Dyche because he is the only left-back on the team and he does have a decent delivery.
Therefore, whoever starts on the other wing ought to be a good match for him.
Considering his preference for playing defensively and as an old-school fullback, it could be wise to take a chance on the right side. James Garner may consequently be a surprise choice in the form of a curveball.
What is James Garner’s quality?
The fact that the £15 million midfielder did play in that capacity for the England U21s and played well only serves to support such a theory.
He is combative, athletic, young and creative, fitting all the necessary criteria for a modern-day full-back.
Not to mention that by moving him out wide there would be little downturn in the engine room, as Idrissa Gana Gueye could easily slot into his vacancy alongside Amadou Onana. If anything that offers even more balance to then allow the Belgian to shine in move advanced positions.
This campaign has seen Garner impress massively for Everton, even if his recent form has waned. After all, he is recording an impressive 1.4 key passes per game as well as 0.9 successful crosses, whilst also chipping in with 2.5 tackles and 5.1 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
He clearly thrives in all the attributes needed to succeed at full-back, and with the balance of the team centred around directing the play down his side, he could turn into one of the club’s most influential players.
It is certainly a risk worth taking, to unleash him in a new role and desperately try to freshen up this tired-looking outfit.
