Ashley Williams claims Ronald Koeman knows everything about defending

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Wales captain Williams joined Everton from Swansea City over the summer and is enjoying working under his new manager at Goodison Park.

Everton defender Ashley Williams has told EvertonTV that there is nothing that Toffees boss Ronald Koeman does not know about the art of defending.

Wales captain Williams moved to Goodison Park from Swansea City in a £12million transfer (as reported by the BBC) in August, on the back of an exceptional European Championship campaign with his national side in France, and the defender has enjoyed a promising start to life with his new club, with the Blues currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table.

Although Williams has only just begun working under the stewardship of former defender Koeman, who achieved legendary status during his playing career with Barcelona and the Netherlands, the 32-year-old has revealed that he is already picking the former Southampton manager’s brain and soaking up the wealth of knowledge he has to offer.

Speaking to EvertonTV, the former Stockport County stopper discussed his delight at being able to work alongside the acclaimed Dutchman, praising Koeman’s measureless pool of wisdom.

“He concentrates on the whole team, he doesn’t just specify defence.” Williams said.

“But playing in the same position he did, I can go to him with any question or query and he will know the answer or an answer, which is always nice as a player to have available to you.

“Someone like him, with so much experience, you feel secure with the knowledge that he’s giving you and you listen.

“You don’t question it, you just go out and do exactly what he’s asked you to do.”

A major criticism of Everton under former manager Roberto Martinez was that the Toffees’ defensive frailties meant that they were unable to close out games; with the Blues’ porous back-four always likely to allow the opposition back into a contest, much to the frustration of the Goodison Park crowd.

However, the summer arrivals of manager Koeman and defensive stalwart Williams have gone some way towards remedying the Toffees’ long-standing defensive woes.

Everton have conceded just eight goals from their opening 10 Premier League games this campaign, a marked improvement upon last season’s rearguard horror shows.

If the Blues are to mount a serious push for a European place then it is essential that they can shut up shop in the manner that they did during Sunday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham, and Williams’ colossal displays at the heart of the Toffees’ back-four are going to be pivotal in deciding Everton’s final league position.