Rooney among 3 Everton players with points to prove in 2017/18

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Which 3 Everton players have the most to prove in 2017/18?

There is a certain amount of justified excitement among Everton fans ahead of the 2017/18 season, with the club among the busiest in the Premier League in the transfer market this summer.

They may have lost topscorer Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, but the arrival of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Cuco Martina, Davy Klaassen, Wayne Rooney and Sandro Ramirez – with more expected – has more than softened the blow.

Wayne Rooney of Everton in action during the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round, First Leg match against MFK Ruzomberok.

However, there are still some among the Toffees squad who need to prove themselves to manager Ronald Koeman as the Merseyside outfit looks to break into the top six.

Wayne Rooney

A new signing at Goodison Park after returning to his boyhood club after 13 years with the Red Devils, the fact the 31-year-old was allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer despite still being under contract should show how far his stock has fallen in recent times.

Rooney scored eight goals in 39 appearances in all competitions last term and it remains to be seen whether he wants to rediscover his form as a striker this time around, or start drifting deeper to take up a midfield role.

Kevin Mirallas

Mirallas has done nothing wrong during his five years at the club, yet despite signing a new three-year contract in May, by June talkSPORT were linking the Belgian with a transfer away.

The reason? Koeman wants to concentrate on youth and the 29-year-old certainly has a tough task on his hands to keep ambitious young duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman from stealing his place.

Phil Jagielka of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s third goal against Leicester City.

Phil Jagielka

The captain played 27 matches last season as his opportunities became more limited and as Jagielka approaches his 35th birthday he was linked with a move away from Everton by talkSPORT.

A long-term injury to Ramiro Funes Mori now makes that unlikely, but with Keane now at the club and Ashley Williams also vying for a place at the back, the skipper has much to prove as others are writing him off.