There is a palpable roar of anguish, which can be heard around Goodison Park during the start of the new Premier League season. Toffee's fans have endured three loses from their opening three matches; conceding six goals while they are yet to celebrate a scoring. It's a stark indicator of yet another turbulent season hindered with relegation, a dissolving identity and financial despair under an owner whose mis-management has lead the club down a rabbit hole.
After surviving a second consecutive relegation battle, decided on the final day of the season, the club has experienced an underwhelming transfer window due to strict FFP regulations. After signing 38 year old journeyman Ashley Young on a free transfer, they brought in former Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma on a season-long loan from Villarreal. The 26 year old scored a singular Premier League goal from nine appearances , while on a mid-season loan at Tottenham Hotspur last season.
Both signings failed to register any real optimism, especially given that Everton scored the second-lowest amount of goals (34) in the Premier League last season. The capture of teenage starlet Youssef Chermiti from Sporting CP for £15m, appeared a bizarre acquisition given Everton's incessant desire for a bone-fined goal scorer. Sean Dyche is not renowned for developing young talent and it seems during this dark time on Merseyside that they cannot afford to wait for future, they need goals now. The Portuguese striker scored three goals in nine starts in Liga Nos last season.
The reality for Sean Dyche is that Neal Maupay his only fit striker currently, has not scored in 1,104 minutes of football and has one goal in 32 appearances for the club. Meanwhile, Demarai Gray is seeking an exit out of the club as he awaits his transfer to Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia. The 27 year old was arguably Everton's most prolific goal scorer last season, scoring four goals in the league and did give them an attacking threat with his raw pace. Fans have given up relying on star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be their saviour, with the 26 year old constantly plagued with injury set-backs.
The number nine who scored 16 goals in 2020/21 under Carlo Ancelotti and was in the England squad a few seasons ago, was recently sidelined again against Aston Villa with a fractured cheek bone. His physicality and aerial presence upfront does make Everton a far more threatening team because he is the perfect target man for their direct approach, but he is absent too often.
Instead, they have turned to Udinese striker Beto in the hope he can cure their goal curse. The 25 year old's record during two Serie A seasons is not amazing; scoring 21 goals in 62 appearances. Everton have signed him on a four year deal for £30m, plus add-ons to give Sean Dyche a recognised striker to work with. Dyche's tactic's depend on a long-ball, direct approach up to a target man who can lay the ball off and out-muscle defenders. Chris Wood and Wout Weghorst are perfect examples, and Beto appears to fit this mould standing at 6ft 4 inches. He is a commanding and physical presence who should be a very difficult player to play against.
The question remains whether he will follow the long line of overpriced flops; Moises Kean, Sandro Ramirez, Salomon Rondon and Cenk Tosun or if he can actually galvanise this depleted squad. Everton face a critical away trip to Sheffield United on Saturday as they look to put their first points on the board and it will interesting to see if their new Portuguese arrival will make instant impact.
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