Everton have worked hard to reshape a squad that recorded the joint lowest equivalent points total in the club’s history last season and only stayed up in the Premier League with one game to spare but for all their improvements so far, the areas in which they’re short remain glaringly obvious.
A week ago, the Blues faced the daunting task of tackling Chelsea without a recognised striker and although Salomon Rondon – who netted just once in 20 Premier League outings – was back from suspension for their trip to Villa Park, Frank Lampard opted to retain Anthony Gordon as a false number nine.
As game and hard-working as the Everton home-grown hero was again in this unfamiliar role, it is far from an ideal way of utilising his talents. Gordon has been challenged by his manager to provide more goals and assists this term but merely being handed the number 10 jersey is not going to turn him into Romelu Lukaku overnight.
