Everton host West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, so HITC Sport have taken a look at a possible combined XI from the clubs – headlined by Declan Rice and Alex Iwobi.
Frank Lampard and David Moyes will be keen to use this week’s Goodison Park encounter as a springboard for their respective campaigns. The Toffees and the Irons have not had a faultless start to the season, with the Merseyside and London sides ranked 16th and 18th.
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Everton are also still chasing their first win of the 2022/23 Premier League season following four draws in six games. While West Ham sit inside the early drop zone after four defeats to one win and a draw, to leave the Hammers sat behind the Toffees only on goal difference.
Scoring goals has also been an issue for Everton and West Ham, with the clubs only striking three so far. Lampard has additionally only had two goalscorers with Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray, while Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Tomas Soucek have hit for Moyes.
Just two of those to score for either Everton or West Ham in the Premier League so far this term make HITC Sport’s combined XI, though. Injuries will also keep some stars out of this weekend’s meeting on Merseyside in their final encounter before the international break.
Lukasz Fabianski (GK): West Ham have advantage in goal ahead of Everton trip
West Ham have the edge between the sticks in our combined XI ahead of the Irons’ trip to Everton. Lukasz Fabianski has kept two clean sheets during his six Premier League outings so far this season. His efforts have also kept £7.75m signing Alphonse Areola on the bench.
Jordan Pickford would be the starting shot-stopper in a combined XI between Everton and West Ham if not for injury, though. The England international has captained the Toffees in their opening six top-flight matches, but is out for the rest of September with a thigh issue.
Nathan Patterson (RB): Rafa Benitez’s January transfer is now coming good
Rafa Benitez bought Nathan Patterson from Rangers for an initial £12m, plus £4m in add-ons, this January. Yet Everton were unable to see what the Scotland international offered after season-ending ankle surgery. But he has recovered to start the new season strongly.
Patterson has shown great energy through his Premier League appearances to charge up and down the right-flank. His willingness to push forward has been of great benefit to the Toffees’ attacks, while still competing for possession and snuffing moves at the other end.
Conor Coady (CB): Frank Lampard hired new defensive leader from Wolves
Everton hired Conor Coady on loan from Wolves with a £12m option to buy in August. His arrival at Goodison has afforded Lampard a new defensive leader, consistently keeping the Blues’ backline in order and vital to keeping the number of chances allowed to a minimum.
Kurt Zouma (CB): French enforcer repeatedly where it matters for West Ham
Kurt Zouma has repeatedly been where it matters at the back for West Ham this term. The Frenchman, often without falter, has been one of Moyes’ most reliable options over their early fixtures – offering a leader and commander in the air, constantly battling for the ball.
Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): Ukraine ace growing into Goodison Park role
Vitalii Mykolenko continues to grow into his role at Goodison Park following the Ukraine defender’s £17m January transfer from Dynamo Kyiv. He has been a steady presence for Lampard at left-back, but has not always stood up to his defensive duties through games.
Declan Rice (CM): England anchor is the heart of the Hammers’ engine room
Rice is the heart of England and the Hammers’ engine room, and an obvious selection for a combined XI of West Ham and Everton players. The 23-year-old captains the Hammers by example, snatching the possession and then driving the east London natives up the pitch.
Alex Iwobi (CM): Nigeria winger has been the surprise part of Lampard’s plans
Iwobi has been the surprise star in Lampard’s plans so far this season with his efforts from central midfield. The Nigeria winger has stepped up in the centre of the pitch with a flurry of defence-splitting passes, while also getting stuck in defensively and setting the tempo.
Amadou Onana (CM): Everton’s summer signing makes combined XI with West Ham
Amadou Onana looked on course to join West Ham this summer before Everton hijacked a deal with LOSC Lille. Lampard matched Moyes’ £34m bid to sign the Belgian international, who has shown why both clubs sought his services with some promising defensive games.
Jarrod Bowen (RW): West Ham winger still looking to recapture 2021/22 form
Jarrod Bowen is still looking to recapture the form he offered West Ham last term, and led to his England debut. The 25-year-old is still yet to get off the mark this season after hitting 12 and creating 12 goals. But he has threatened to break his duck and always presses well.
Michail Antonio (ST): Forward continues to lead the line for West Ham
Antonio continues to give Moyes a reliable attacking option with the Jamaica star’s ability to lead West Ham’s frontline. The 32-year-old does not always get the service he needs to hit the back of the net, but he is a match for any centre-back with his positioning and pace.
Anthony Gordon (LW): Everton reap the rewards of rebuffing Chelsea interest
Everton continue to reap the rewards of rebuffing Chelsea’s interest in Gordon in the later stages of the summer sales. Thomas Tuchel sought to take the Toffees talent to Stamford Bridge before his sacking, with Sky Sports citing a £60m offer for the German’s top target.
The 21-year-old has not appeared distracted by a summer of speculation surrounding his situation, though. Gordon has worked relentlessly on the Goodison Park wings and has led their attack in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence, while hitting two goals in six appearances.
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