Everton’s summer arrivals impressing

Everton’s summer signing midfielder Idrissa Gueye has been impressive so far for the Toffees

After the dust settled on a disappointing transfer deadline day it seems things are rosy at Everton again and the club’s new era is taken place pretty nicely at the moment.

At the forefront of that are the clubs new signings and a new boss who actually knows how to manage.

Everton fans were frustrated on transfer deadline day, not so much by the fact the club failed to sign mercurial French midfielder Moussa Sissoko, more by the way that the clubs hierarchy dealt with the clubs dealings that day.

Since that debacle has died down Everton have won 3-0 at Sunderland and it seems clear that the players already at the club are pretty capable themselves.

A strong boss

Dutch legend Ronald Koeman was always a strong character in his playing days and he has taken that into his managerial career. Now Everton boss Koeman stated that he was not happy with his players at half-time during their game against Sunderland.

The two teams went in at half-time with the scores goalless, but it was there for all to see that Sunderland were poor and if Everton produced anywhere near their best they would come out on top.

A seemingly brave substitution from Koeman saw England starlet Ross Barkley replaced by another mercurial star in Gerard Deulofeu at the break. The move paid dividends as though the Spaniard looked slightly rusty he created space for others, especially hat-trick hero Romelu Lukaku.

Koeman showed with that substitution what good management is all about. He saw Barkley was struggling to make an impact and despite him being one of the Toffees most important players replaced him.

This decision showed the difference between the Dutchman and predecessor Roberto Martinez and showed why Koeman is getting more out of his Everton players already.

Very shrewd signings

Three of Everton’s new signings were highly-influential at Sunderland. Senegalese central midfielder Idrissa Gueye is looking like a bigger bargain with every game he plays for the Toffees. His energy and drive were on full display at the Stadium of Light.

The former-Aston Villa star also grabbed an assist for one of Lukaku’s goals as well for good measure. The midfielder is already a fans favourite.

Yannick Bolasie has frightening ability at times, but he also has the ability to frustrate. At Sunderland, he looked Everton’s most dangerous player in the first half, but his end product was poor. However, he produced a better display in the second half of skill and strength and also collected an assist.

Wales captain Ashley Williams’ displays for Everton have so far been very solid. The Toffees are yet to concede a goal with the Welshman in their team. The 32-year-old just goes about his job quietly, getting in the blocks and making sure he does not lose his team’s clean sheet.

His fledgeling central-defensive partnership with fellow experienced defender Phil Jagielka is looking very promising. Williams is probably the vocal centre-back that Everton has needed for the past few seasons.

All-in-all Koeman’s signings have impressed, including much-maligned Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg who arrived for a tiny fee, but has been a very decent last line of defence for the Toffees.

The 33-year-old was only expected to be a backup goalkeeper this season for the Toffees, but the club from Merseyside have not brought in another goalkeeper, so he will remain number one until January at least.

Middlesbrough comes to town on Saturday

Everton’s good start to the campaign faces a test this weekend, when top-flight new boys Middlesbrough rolls into town, in a game the Toffees are big favourites to win at odds of 4/6.

Koeman’s side will no doubt be confident of continuing their good start to the campaign against Aitor Karanka’s men, who have not endured a terrible return to the Premier League, picking up five points so far this season.

However, as Everton showed in the second half of the Sunderland game, if their key players are on top form the Toffees are very hard to stop. The clubs new boys have played a crucial role in the Merseysiders stellar start to the campaign and will be expected to continue their good form.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has been clever in the transfer market and has assembled a very good squad of players. Despite deadline day disappointment this Everton team could go a long way this season.

Which of Everton’s new boys have put in the most impressive performances so far this season?