Centre-backs Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma both arrived at Everton on transfer deadline day.
Everton will be without club captain Phil Jagielka for their Premier League clash against Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The central defender will miss the Toffees’ next three games after he received a straight red card for a last-ditch challenge on Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker Diogo Jota in the season opener.
The absence of Jagielka gives manager Marco Silva a selection dilemma at centre-back, with Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, and summer signings Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma all options available to him.
Keane started alongside Jagielka in the Wolves’ game and will likely retain his place in the side, but the identity of his partner will probably depend on the readiness of Mina and Zouma. Both arrived at Goodison on transfer deadline day – Mina on a permanent deal from Barcelona, and Zouma on loan from Chelsea.
The arrival of the two 23-year-old defenders undoubtedly raises the quality of the centre-backs at the club and intensifies competition for places, which means it is vital Keane takes the opportunity that his captain’s suspension has provided him.
The ex-Burnley defender was underwhelming during his first season with the Toffees, but if he can string together a few good performances and form a good centre-back partnership with one of the new arrivals, he could claim a permanent starting spot – even when Jagielka returns.
Prior to the suspension, Keane would have been the favourite to give way for one of the summer signings, but he now has the chance to show Silva that he should be first choice moving forward.
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