Everton may need to replace left back Leighton Baines, according to Matt Le Tissier.
Pundit Matt Le Tissier has told The Debate that he thinks Everton left back Leighton Baines may need replacing, as his legs appear to have gone this season.
The Toffees have endured a dismal start to the season, winning just twice in the first ten Premier League fixtures, losing six times already – including the 5-2 home defeat to Arsenal, which proved to be Ronald Koeman’s final game in charge.
After Koeman’s sacking, Everton have turned to David Unsworth in a caretaker role, and he has lost twice in his first two games, with the Toffees in real trouble right now.
This isn’t how Everton fans expected their season to go; after splashing the cash on the likes of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson, as well as re-signing Wayne Rooney, Everton had huge expectations entering the season.
However, Everton now find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone, and when they do find a new manager, they will find a number of problems at Goodison Park.
The crippling lack of pace and goals in the final third has been well-documented this season, but Everton have struggled defensively too, often looking completely disorganised at the back.
No matter the combination, Everton haven’t been able to find the right mix in defence, and pundit Matt Le Tissier has now pointed out that the Toffees have a big problem with left back Leighton Baines.
Baines, 32, has been one of the Premier League’s top left backs ever since joining Everton from Wigan Athletic back in 2007, making almost 400 appearances for Everton whilst impressing with his attacking ability.
Now though, Le Tissier has told Sky Sports’ The Debate that he thinks Baines’ legs have gone this season, and Everton may need to bring in a young left back to replace him – whilst with Ashley Williams also struggling and Seamus Coleman out injured, Le Tissier believes Everton have been ‘an absolute shambles’ defensively.
“The back four, for me, is a huge problem at Everton,” said Le Tissier. “It wasn’t something that was addressed this summer. I’ve watched Leighton Baines play this season…I’m a massive fan of Leighton Baines, I think he’s been a fantastic full back, but his legs look like they’ve gone. Ashley Williams has had a shocking start to the season, you’ve got Seamus Coleman who has been out with his injury, and defensively they’ve been an absolute shambles,” he added.
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