The international break is finally over, thank goodness, as teams across the country assess the damage the ridiculous and needless busy schedule has done to their squads.
Everton will be up against one of the relegation favourites Fulham on Sunday as a free to air game on BBC Sport after the Premier League dropped the PPV shambles.
If this game was played a few weeks into the season no one would bat an eyelid as Everton would be firm favourites without a doubt.
They still are, due to the sheer quality difference on paper, however Fulham have showed they are capable of showing up in the Premier League after a torrid start and more importantly Everton have looked torrid themselves recently after losing three on the bounce.
So it begs the question, is this a must win match for Everton?
The short and simple answer is yes, Everton will not be taken seriously this season if they cannot bounce back after a poor run of form to beat a relegation side.
Fans will be holding onto the thought that the last three games have just been unlucky due to injuries and suspensions so they will not go into panic mode just yet but a loss to Fulham might just be a catalyst for that.
Anything but a win especially with Richarlison back after his three-game absence would more than likely be alarming, he was a big miss which may be a problem that Everton need to sort out.
The attacking threat with the Brazilian compared to without is worlds apart, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti cannot afford to rely so heavily on one player.
In his press conference Ancelotti addressed that saying: “ We didn’t lose because Richarlison wasn’t there. He’s a striker and the problem we had was that we didn’t defend properly.
“He’s really important for us, a top player and it’s important to have him.”
Richarlison played twice in the international break scoring once meaning there should be no problem with him slotting immediately back into the starting eleven as his match fitness won’t be lacking.
So the menacing front three of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez should be back and firing Ancelotti and the Everton faithful will hope.
James Rodriguez’s position has been questioned due to the fact the Colombian icon has started all of his games on the right hand side when it was thought his right wing days were behind him.
Ancelotti explained why in his press conference as the Italian said: “ His position is No. 10. It doesn’t matter if he’s on the right, his position is in front. It doesn’t matter if he’s in the centre of the pitch or a bit on the right.”
That settles that then but if transfer rumours are to be believed James might have to start playing as a proper winger as Real Madrid midfielder Isco may be joining The Blues in January but Ancelotti done what all managers do and just said “he’s a Real Madrid player” when asked about the rumours.
Another rumour he was asked about as well as Isco was Sami Khedira who in a recent interview praised Ancelotti and it was an interesting response from the Everton manager.
He said: “I have a good memory of Sami Khedira. I would love to work with him but he’s not the only one! I’ve had many good players but to come here to Everton is another thing.”
So could we be seeing another Champions League winner in an Everton shirt come January?
One player who used to wear the Everton shirt will be coming up against them on Sunday and will want to prove a point.
Ademola Lookman was sold by Everton last year to RB Leipzig after a successful loan spell at the German club as he felt he wasn’t getting enough playing time.
Unfortunately for him the same happened at Leipzig and now he is on loan at Fulham where he has looked like their most creative spark, if we ignore the failed paneka.
The winger will want Everton to regret selling him and carry Fulham to a massive three points in the relegation battle already whereas Everton need a win now more than ever to turn a corner.
Should be interesting to say the least.
Written by Elliot Thompson
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