Everton finished seventh in the Premier League in their first season with Ronald Koeman, and some of his dealings were excellent.
General view inside the stadium before the match – Goodison Park
While their season ended with a 3-1 defeat away at Arsenal, ultimately, Everton had a very strong Premier League season that saw them finish in seventh position – securing a spot in the Europa League by doing so.
Manager Ronald Koeman will want to improve the club’s away form next season as well as wanting to bring in some new players, and by and large, his recruitment at Goodison Park has been very good. Here are all of Everton’s first team signings graded from their contributions to the 2016/17 season.
Maarten Stekelenburg – C
The 34-year-old has had an indifferent campaign at Goodison Park, and only showed his true ability in flashes, rather than consistently. There were definitely some games to forget for the Netherlands international, such as home encounters to Chelsea and Manchester United, but was outstanding away at Manchester City and West Ham United. Overall a useful signing for Everton, even if their fans may have expected a bit more consistency from someone so experienced.
Idrissa Gueye – A
A complete revelation, and for £7.1m – as reported by Eurosport – possibly the bargain of the season. People – rightfully – go on about N’Golo Kante’s involvement for Chelsea, but Gueye is just as important to Everton as Kante is for the league champions, with his ability to break up play, stop attacks, and cleverly pass the ball. Gueye ultimately made 35 appearances for Everton in all competitions, and will be needed as the club seek to push on from seventh.
Everton’s Ashley Williams in action
Ashley Williams – B
Many eyebrows were raised when Swansea City agreed to sell Williams to Everton, considering he was their best defender, and their loss was certainly Everton’s gain. The Wales international was a mainstay in the side and featured in 36 of the club’s 38 Premier League fixtures, providing solidity and strength among the backline. Amazingly for a central defender, Wiliams claimed three assists in the 2016/17 season.
Yannick Bolasie – B
But for his serious injury, and Bolasie would have almost certainly got an A. After arriving from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, Bolasie was exceptional for Koeman’s side – scoring once and claiming four assists in just 13 Premier League appearances. Everton fans and teammates alike will be ecstatic when Bolasie returns from his knee injury, though there is still no time frame for his return.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – C
It was always going to be a big ask to expect an inexperienced youngster from the lower leagues to come in and be 100% from the off, but overall, Calvert-Lewin didn’t do badly. Despite playing the same amount of league matches in five months than he did in two years with Sheffield United, the forward has coped well with the step up in class and even got himself on the scoresheet in Everton’s 4-0 demolition of Hull City. There’s plenty more to come from the 20-year-old.
Everton’s Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Ademola Lookman – C
Similarly to Calvert-Lewin, Lookman coped with the step up in leagues very well after signing from Charlton Athletic in January – though the 19-year-old is slightly more experienced than Calvert-Lewis and had a taste of Championship football for a brief period before the Addicks’ relegation in the 2015/16 campaign. Lookman showed a lot of promise from his eight Premier League appearances, and scored on his debut against Manchester City. Everton fans will enjoy watching him grow at Goodison Park.
Morgan Schneiderlin – B
Even for a player of Schneiderlin’s quality, it can be difficult for a player to seamlessly slot into a new side’s midfield midway through a season, but that’s exactly what the France international did after arriving in January from Manchester United. The 27-year-old has provided a physical yet classy presence in the Toffees’ midfield, and even managed to score his first goal for Everton in a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, Schneiderlin will be integral to Everton’s fortunes next season, and was a tremendous signing.
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