Everton certainly have an issue to address at left-back.
Sam Allardyce’s quest to improve Everton’s fortunes is certainly going rather well so far, with the Toffees having taken four points from their first two Premier League games under their new manager, including a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to rivals Liverpool.
There is still much work for Allardyce to do, however, and it is certainly clear that Everton have a major problem at left-back.
Cuco Martina, who is much more suited to playing at right-back, has been filling in on the left side of the defence while Leighton Baines has been injured but the 28-year-old has endured a torrid time, frequently squandering possession and getting caught out of position.
Everton may well look to bring in a new left-back in January, when they will also be able to add Luke Garbutt to their Premier League squad, but here are three temporary solutions to the problem while Baines is out.
Jonjoe Kenny
Youngster Jonjoe Kenny has produced some excellent performances for Everton this season and has continued to develop throughout the campaign.
Although Kenny is much more comfortable on the right side of the defence, moving him to left-back and deploying Mason Holgate at right-back with Michael Keane or Phil Jagielka coming in at centre-back would negate the need to play Martina.
Mason Holgate
Holgate has demonstrated his versatility this season, playing at right-back and centre-back.
The 21-year-old also featured at left-back in the EFL Cup victory over Sunderland earlier in the campaign and is a potential option to fill in there for a short period.
Matty Foulds
Signed from Bury in 2016, Foulds is capable of playing at left-back or centre-back.
While it may represent something of a risk to throw him into the first-team, the 19-year-old would surely be a better option than Martina at left-back.
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