Everton need to be looking for long-term successors to Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka (L) celebrates scoring with Matthew Pennington
Everton’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley on Sunday afternoon has ramped up the pressure on manager Ronald Koeman, who has issues all over the pitch.
Jeff Hendrick’s calm finish from a superb team move gave Burnley the win at Goodison Park, consigning Everton to their fourth defeat in just seven Premier League games this season.
Koeman’s side is not only struggling to score goals following Romelu Lukaku’s move to Manchester United, but there are also major issues defensively too.
Michael Keane has lost some confidence over the last month, whilst Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka are ageing, and struggling to really prove that they should partner Keane at the back.
Williams, 33, and Jagielka, 35, appear to be coming towards the end of their Premier League careers, and whilst summer signing Lewis Gibson has some potential, Koeman will be desperate for some more youth at the back.
Mason Holgate can fill in at centre back if needed, but the Toffees did loan Matthew Pennington out to Leeds United over the summer, with the move to Elland Road handing the 22-year-old a chance to play regular first-team football.
Given Leeds’ recent defensive frailties, which have seen them concede eight goals in their last three games, Pennington could be relied upon heavily by Thomas Christiansen this season, with Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson and Conor Shaughnessy his only other competition.
Pennington has earned praise from Leeds fans despite the 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, suggesting the was the only defender to come out of the game with any credit, and whilst Koeman will be happy that he is impressing, he will also be keen to see Pennington learn and grow from heavy defeats.
With an ageing back line including two struggling veterans, Koeman needs Pennington to develop and impress with Leeds, with the end goal of adding some youth to a faltering Everton back line when he returns to Goodison Park.
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