Ronald Koeman’s Everton side have the sixth best defensive record in the whole of Europe.
Ronald Koeman’s work with Everton’s defence has paid dividends throughout 2017 to date.
Everton have conceded just seven goals in the ten matches that they have played in the calendar year to date – giving them the sixth best defensive record in Europe since the start of January.
Only Juventus, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Monaco and PSG have conceded fewer goals than Everton this year, with Koeman’s side proving to be a very difficult team to overcome.
The Toffees have lost just once in the Premier League in 2017, and they have climbed into European contention.
Last season, Everton’s defence proved to be their downfall – but their solidity is now proving to be the foundation for Koeman’s side’s success.
And Everton’s resilient defence, proves that Roberto Martinez’s comments about them were very premature.
Martinez claimed that Koeman hadn’t improved Everton’s defence just last month.
The Spanish boss, who departed Goodison Park last season, said to the Liverpool Echo: “I think as a fan you always want to see teams scoring goals and winning games.
“The only worry is that we had defensive frailties last year that cost us too many points.
“It (was) almost, the performance was going the right direction, you were doing everything right and then one action, you look fragile. And I can see the same things now. Three goals yesterday [against Bournemouth].”
Despite the blip against Bournemouth, Everton have kept seven clean sheets so far this year – proving that their defence should no longer be a concern.
And Martinez will simply have to come to the realisation that Koeman has unquestionably made Everton a more solid team than they ever were under his leadership.
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