Will Marco Silva finally change his tactical approach?

According to a Merseyside journalist Greg O’Keefe, Everton head coach Marco Silva will finally change to a 443 formation from the team’s present formation of 4231 when summer signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin returns to fitness.

Silva saw his team record a 2-0 away win at Championship Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. Much-maligned youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a brace for the Toffees.

The result lifted the pressure slightly on Silva after the Toffees poor start to the campaign. It seems the Toffees are not actually playing the formation that their Portuguese boss wants to play and that is what is causing the problems.

A switch to 433

According to former Liverpool Echo journalist, O’Keefe, Silva was planning on using a 433, similar to dare I say Liverpool as his formation this season. He was planning to use Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin as a midfield three.

However, the latter is likely to be sidelined until next month. Apparently, Silva does not feel the players who are currently fit are able to be effectively utilised in the formation. Any switch to a 433 would likely mean Icelandic playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson dropping out of the team. He could, of course, play a deeper role, but it seems that Silva wants the above three players in the centre of midfield.

The move would likely leave Alex Iwobi and Richarlison playing as a front three with either Moise Kean or Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the central striker.

It’s just not working for Everton

The current Everton squad is full of international footballers, who have shone off and on at other clubs. The Toffees had what looked like a comfortable first six games, which gave them hope that they could finally mount a realistic challenge for a top-six spot.

However, the Merseysider’s have picked up just seven points from a possible seven. Whatever way you look at it, that is a poor return from the games they have played so far this season. It is just not working and boss Marco Silva does not seem to have the answer to what is threatening to become a mess of a season for the Toffees. The Portuguese’s body language of late has been highly concerning too.

Despite showing signs of real managerial acumen last season, there are now major question marks over his ability to turn things around. Some fans are even talking of replacing him, although that seems premature. He does need to show he is capable of getting better results from his players though.

Everton need to improve to get top-six

The hope for Everton this season was to finally gatecrash the top-six. The opportunity is there for somebody to grab one of those positions this season due to Manchester United and Chelsea’s inconsistencies. At the moment, Everton look more like bottom six than top-six.

The Toffees are currently odds of 5/1 to finish in the top-six. However, it would take a massive improvement from the men from Merseyside to achieve that goal this season.

Hopefully, when Gbamin does return and Silva gets his wish of playing 443 things will improve for the Blues. It is just a shame that Silva does not trust players like Tom Davies to play in a three, as maybe he could make the switch earlier in an attempt to help the players get accustomed to the formation.

Only time will tell if Marco Silva can turn things around on Merseyside. Something needs to change, as playing the same 4231 has failed to produce the desired results, so maybe the switch in formation is the answer to the Toffees recent woes.

Will Marco Silva finally change his tactical approach at Everton?