Premier League rankings: Everton analysis, line-up & predicted finish

The Toffees remain stuck in their own mini-league.

Everton are superior to most top-flight sides without being quite good enough to make a dent on the important placings, with some cheekily suggesting if there was trophy for the Premier League's best of the rest it should be called the Everton Cup.

Since finishing fourth in the 2004-05 season Everton's finishing position form reads 11-6-5-5-8-7-7-6-5-11-11-7-8-8.

Marco Silva's first season as manager improved as the campaign progressed and they were finishing better than most, beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to nil at Goodison Park as well as drawing against Liverpool and Tottenham from March onwards.

The infrastructure seemed in place to challenge the big six – Manchester City were the last team to score at Goodison on February 6 – and yet it has been an underwhelming summer.

Andre Gomes's loan switch from Barcelona was made permanent and Fabian Delph brings steel to the midfield, although annoyingly Frank Lampard has suggested Kurt Zouma, a significant part of Everton's defence last season, won't be allowed to return. Paris St-Germain are also on the verge of signing vital midfield cog Idrissa Gueye.

If Delph had arrived to supplement Gueye that's fine. If he is meant to replace him that is bad news as Gueye has been in the top two for tackles made in all four of his Premier League seasons.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison add goals from midfield, an aspect sadly lacking in any of Silva's striking options.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a durable line-leader and could possibly grow into a penalty-box threat, however, it needs to happen soon for the 22-year-old who has 11 goals from 78 Premier League appearances.

At least Everton can be dangers from set-pieces – only Liverpool were more prolific from such situations – but unfortunately they were also the most vulnerable when defending dead balls.

And that sums Everton up.

They are good in some areas and not so good in others, so expect another season where their best chance of success comes in the imaginary Everton Cup.

Possible team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Gueye, Gomes; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin.

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