Everton lost heavily to Arsenal this weekend while their exciting young winger sat on the bench.
Everton are in dire straights and Ronald Koeman’s dismissal proves just how far they have fallen this season.
One thing Everton’s next boss should do, with instant affect, is to put his faith in Ademola Lookman; a player who was tailor-made to start against Arsenal’s makeshift back-line on Sunday but who instead watched on from the bench until 15 minutes from time.
Arsenal’s injury problems meant Per Mertesacker started for just the second time in the league this season and, while the German veteran did well, he was not facing the kind of pace that could have made his day considerably harder.
It was no secret that Mertesacker was starting against the Toffees, so Koeman should have thrown a curve ball by giving Lookman his first league start this season, answering the prayers of the Everton faithful in the process.
The England youngster has pace to burn and he could have given Mertesacker the run-around all afternoon, making space for the likes of Wayne Rooney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the process.
Things are clearly not working as they are and Everton would be better off taking some risks rather than relying on a bunch of players that are under-performing week in, week out.
It does not take a genius to see that pace was the best weapon against the ageing Arsenal defender, but Everton’s fastest player was wasted on the bench until the game was well beyond them.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
