The lessons from Austria

Everton are back in England after their first pre-season training trip to Austria and it was a chance for Ronald Koeman to assess the team and the changes that he needs to make. The squad flew over without the Euro 2016 players who are given an extended period of rest, so what lessons can be learnt for the trip and their match vs FK Jablonec?

Kevin Mirallas hopefully has a future, he is Everton’s mercurial enigma, and a player who the fans seems to have a love/hate relationship with. The Belgian’s career has stalled somewhat under Roberto Martinez as he was frozen out of the team, with the likes of Arouna Kone or Tom Cleverley being played ahead of his. The man has Champions League quality in his feet, but getting that quality out on the pitch on a consistent basis has been a struggle. Hopefully Koeman can get him playing at his best, because when he is, he’s an absolute delight to watch.

Oumar Niasse probably doesn’t have a future. As someone who writes about the club, I try not to be fickle and give players time and patience to show what they’re worth, with Niasse that is proving to be very difficult. Evertonians are precious about the money we spend, for so many years it appeared that every penny was crucial to the club, that’s why paying £13.5m on such a player is so chastening for the fans. He has been nothing short of abysmal since his arrival, and has shown no signs of being a player worth that kind of money. It’s very hard to imagine a future where it’s not seen as a spectacular waste of money, unless a Chinese club wants to come in for him…

Predictions will always be made for a new season, and one of mine is that Leighton Baines will be back to his best. Injury free and under a new manager, we’ll see the left-back return to his top form under the guidance of Koeman. Injuries have played a huge part of his troubles of the previous two seasons, and his clear dislike of Martinez must have affected his ability to do the best possible job that he could. All of that is behind him now and he can focus of having a great last few years at the club.

The youngsters on show in Austria were great to see, but it remains to be seen how much Koeman will actually use them. With the money coming into the club and a manager who has never been in a job longer than three years, it’s a worry that the academy products won’t be allowed to progress. The loan system may be more crucial in the coming seasons to develop our talents. I can’t remember a time when we’ve had so many great young players who seem capable of making the step up. I hope Koeman uses them.

The only new player on show was Maarten Stekelenburg which is quite underwhelming considering the money that is now apparently in the club, but patience has to be had. Evertonians are chomping at the bit for the money to be spent, as we’ve never seen it, but it will come eventually.

Hopefully Koeman has learnt a lot and now has a clear idea and strategy going forward, it could be a great season and the early signs are promising.