Sigurdsson should be involved against Manchester City

Friday, 18 August, 2017 58comments  |  Jump to most recent
OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
Updated Ronald Koeman hasn't ruled out the possibility of new signing Gylfi Sigurdsson playing some role in Monday's Premier League clash with Manchester City, saying that a decision on his match-readiness will be made the day before.

Sigurdsson was confirmed on Wednesday as Everton's club-record signing in a deal initially worth £40m but the protracted transfer negotiations with Swansea have impacted the 27-year-old's pre-season preparations.

So far this summer, Sigurdsson has played just 45 minutes of a friendly against Barnet last month. He pulled out of the Swans' pre-season trip to America once Everton's interest was firmed up with an offer and he also missed their Premier League opener against Southampton last weekend.

The Toffees face a stern examination at the home ground of title favourites City but Koeman says further assessment of his new acquisition's fitness will be required before he decides if Sigurdsson is able to play some part at the Etihad Stadium.

"We will do some tests to see how his physical state is but he told me he did training and played 45 minutes in a friendly at the beginning of pre-season," the manager is quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo.

“Of course he needs game time but if it's game time then it will be with the first team. I don't know if he will be involved on Monday and we will make that decision on Sunday.”

Koeman altered his rhetoric on evertonfc.com today, indicating that he expects Sigurdsson to feature in each of the next three games before the international break.

“I'm not worried about his fitness," the Dutchman continued. "Of course, as a player you need game-time and need to play games in pre-season to get to 100 per cent. But his fitness is okay and he is a good professional.

“He will get time next week. We have a tough week coming up and he will be part of all the games next week.”

 

Reader Comments (58)

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Gordon White
1 Posted 18/08/2017 at 09:15:28
Hope he can play some part in the game. Going to be a tough match. A lot will depend on whether we get the team that played the first half last night. Or, the one that came out after the break
Paul Baker
2 Posted 18/08/2017 at 09:44:40
77' City lead 1-0 after a first-half goal from Aguero, with Everton creating very little.

78' Sigurdsson enters.

90+4' The game finishes 2-1 Everton after Gylfi scored two free-kicks.

OK, I'll come down to earth now.

Clive Rogers
3 Posted 18/08/2017 at 09:48:39
After last night, he can come in for Mirallas or Klaassen, both struggled.
Chris James
4 Posted 18/08/2017 at 11:24:03
Clive Rogers were you watching the same match as me?
Klaessen was closely involved in the build-up to both goals and set up 3-4 other very good chances for Baines, Rooney, DCL with cute through-balls. He did get a little while to get started fair point, but definitely grew in the match.
Mirallas was standard Mirallas, looked at times very direct and threatening, along with Lookman on the other flank he gave us pace and ability to run at defenders but faded as match went on.

Personally I think the whole team from back to front (including the much maligned Martina who put in a load of quality passes and offered a ready outlet down the right flank) put in a decent shift and were perhaps unlucky to not come away 3/4 up.

City will obviously be a totally different game, we're going to be defending a lot and hitting on the counter. We'll need Gueye and Schneiderlein to be 'on' it and our forward players of Klaessen, Rooney and Sandro (if fit) to make the most of opportunities that come their way - hoping Lookman gets another run out - he's still an unknown quantity and City's defence is a work in progress.

Terence Leong
6 Posted 18/08/2017 at 12:08:56
The last time we played Man City, we didn't have Schneiderlin.< Hopefully, with him and Gueye, we can better protect the back four.

However, we are likely to be weak on the flanks and narrow. Given how De Byrne likes to attack and cut in through the flanks, that's an area of concern.

If Sandro is fit, I'd like to see him, Rooney and Klaassen in a front three, and a midfield three of Gueye, Schneiderlin, and Davies.

I'd like to see Jagielka in place of Williams, or even Holgate partnering Keane. That will be a good blend of youth and experience.

Brent Stephens
7 Posted 18/08/2017 at 12:34:12
Terence, yes, I suspect we'll see Sandro, if not injured. And jags instead of Williams (though I thought Williams was excellent last night). And Holgate instead of Martina (defensive more than attacking qualities called for). And Davies, as you say.
Chris Corn
8 Posted 18/08/2017 at 12:53:18
Clive, Klaassen did well last night. Chris James makes all the pertinent points. Obviously another scapegoat because he hasn't smashed in 6 goals already. It is clear we need more of a goal threat.

However, I think we will be very difficult to beat and the pressing game is showing signs of fruition as over the last couple of games we have harried the opposition into giving the ball away in dangerous positions leading to chances.

Tom Bowers
9 Posted 18/08/2017 at 13:11:38
iT Would seem inane to not play him at some stage against Man City especially a record signing and if he has trained. I suspect that the norm is to start on the bench with newly signed players and I doubt Ron would leave out KlaAssen (one of his boys) or Mirallas who played well yesterday. Sandro, if fit, will replace Lookman but if not Gylfi could start giving them a more secure look in midfield.

Everton have had some good results at Man City and it would be great to get something there again. Keane has been terrific so far and Pickford has shown his class at vital times on the few occasions he has been called upon. I suspect the Man City game will be a game that Pickford could prove to be Everton's saviour.

David Pearl
10 Posted 18/08/2017 at 14:50:57
More than likely that we will revert to a back 3. Mirallas did okay in patches. I prefer him through the middle but don't expect him to keep his place if Sandro is fit. Lookman will also make way. Gylfi will come off the bench. I'd like to see Davies as right wing back but expect Martina. A big test for Pickford. A big test for all of them. A point would do me. Then we have to find a striker.
David Pearl
11 Posted 18/08/2017 at 14:51:36
And great pictures of Gylfi with Dixie !!
John Smith
12 Posted 18/08/2017 at 15:06:48
Stones plays poorly against us in particular and can be intimidated by our forwards. I think City will play 3-5-2 with Stones in the middle of 3 CB's means we can attack him on the counter and win that way. Our recent record is good against them, 2 wins out of the last 3 I believe.
Victor Jones
13 Posted 18/08/2017 at 17:56:57
One game into the season and some supporters are saying that they would settle for a point against Man City. FFS, we beat this outfit 4-0 last season. We should be looking to beat them again... Win...lose or draw. I just hope that we have a proper go at them... Early days , but we are not going to crack the top four by looking for draws. Come on, people, Show some ambition.
Stan Schofield
14 Posted 18/08/2017 at 18:46:41
Victor, spot on. We took 4 points last season. If we can play like last night (and no reason we can't), we could beat them. We're now pressing more than last season, and on the evidence of last night we seem to be clicking with respect to organisation and quality passing movement.
Jack Convery
15 Posted 18/08/2017 at 22:38:35
Here Here Victor.
James Stewart
16 Posted 18/08/2017 at 23:40:52
Sigurdsson will take Mirallas's spot.
Charlie Lloyd
17 Posted 19/08/2017 at 00:26:41
Just heard Tottenham are signing Davinson Silva for £40+m. The fees this summer are escalating by the week. On the downside Lukaku for £75+ add ons seems cheap while Keane, Pickford and Klaassen almost seem cheap.

Julian Wait
18 Posted 19/08/2017 at 00:59:19
Lukaku was a 90m deal I thought. Still a bit cheap perhaps. Just glad we got Gylfi before the RS had Coutinho money to burn.
Declan Martin
19 Posted 19/08/2017 at 01:25:09
We'll be looking for a 'result' at the Etihad on Monday (in my youth, this was known as a draw) so will be very dependent on Gueye and Schneiderlein to shore up the middle.
If Siggi comes on and scores the winner, that would be a bonus
John Pierce
20 Posted 19/08/2017 at 02:48:47
We've never had a complex against Citeh, even with the money. They were so like us and we used to feel solace with them.

But the very poor way they handled transfers with us in the past has made it easy to motivate Everton.

We are further in front fitness wise, and have a decent record. Win if Koeman is positive, it occupies Citeh and they are poor at the back. Set up 3-5-2 and they will kill us, simply too defensive.

Simple.

Denver Daniels
21 Posted 19/08/2017 at 03:10:17
Chris Wood to Burnley for 15m apparently. That seems way too cheap to be true.
Andy Osborne
22 Posted 19/08/2017 at 06:54:51
It sounds strange, but I am not too worried about the result on Monday. It's the second game of the season, against the favourites for the league, away from home. I am more interested in how we play. For far too long we have gone into games against the "Top 4, now top 6" with no ambition and no desire to get 3 points. I would love to see us have a real go, I would love to see us put them under pressure and not just pass it sideways hoping for a draw. If by having a real go, we lose, so be it, but I want to see us play exciting, expansive football. We have the players to do this now, I hope they show us what they can do.
James Morgan
23 Posted 19/08/2017 at 06:57:38
Charlie #17, I agree. Spurs are paying £40m for a South American centre half whose only experience in Europe is with Ajax in a pretty weak league. The £25m we paid for Premier League proven Keane seems a steal the more I think about it.
As for Sigurdsson, isn't it great that we have a squad now where we are asking ourselves "where are they all going to fit?"
It's been a long time coming, we just need a big man up top to get on the end of the Icemans crosses now.
Anthony Hughes
24 Posted 19/08/2017 at 07:13:15
Spot on Victor, we should going all out for three points. All this take a point crap and we'll settle for seventh shite is bollocks, we should be trying to win every game and trying to win the league.
Sam Hoare
25 Posted 19/08/2017 at 07:19:06
PSG want £32m for Draxler. Make it happen Bill!
John G Davies
26 Posted 19/08/2017 at 07:22:40
James 23,

Alderwierald refusing to sign a new contract (got 2 years left) due to money.
Offer Ross in part exchange and give him the wage he is looking for?
Top class centre half

Sam Hoare
27 Posted 19/08/2017 at 07:38:25
Dunno which of our posts is more unrealistic John! Imagine if we got Alderweirald and Draxler! Then suddenly we'd be a good striker away from a top 4 team.
John G Davies
28 Posted 19/08/2017 at 07:42:34
They can only say no Sam.
Worth asking the question mate.
Nitesh Kanchan
29 Posted 19/08/2017 at 08:30:08
Winner from Niasse and Koeman running down touchline in celebration, á la Mourinho. I can see it coming.

Two big games these Split and Man City games. We should try and get out of sight in the first half against Split and do the opposite in the Man City game. Keeping it tight in the first half, frustrate them, and grab the winner in the second. Pace will be important factor in those halves. Koeman needs to rotate the squad well here: one defensive midfielder in Split game and two in Man City game, maybe even three.

There is also better chance of winning Europa League if we take it seriously. We will be 5th favorites to win it behind Arsenal, Milan, Villarreal and one of the English teams that will drop off the from the Champions League – most likely Spurs (pot 3 and Wembley) or Liverpool (pot 3 or 4 and Martinez-esque defending).

Jim Potter
30 Posted 19/08/2017 at 08:34:18
There's no better time to get this game, early in the season, defence looking good, confidence high and probably that bit fitter than they are. No one expects us to turn up - let's hope that includes the Citteh players.

I thought Klaassen was fine v Split, crucial in both goals and was disappointed to see him subbed when you could see he was getting his mojo back.

Gylfi on as a sub and to score the winner.

Mike Berry
31 Posted 19/08/2017 at 08:42:43
Cant see him being up to speed for such an important game and Ron wont take any chances. Our staring 11 against Split played very well, we will need to be compact and nullify
Burnley may have picked up a bargain in Wood, I hope Ron has this target man ace up his sleeve
Colin Glassar
32 Posted 19/08/2017 at 08:47:03
It would be madness for him to start this game as he hasn't played a competitive match since May.

Give him a 10-15 cameo appearance and then maybe 45-55 minutes against the Croatians. We don't want him pulling a hammy now do we?

Sam Hoare
33 Posted 19/08/2017 at 09:00:31
Imagine he'll be brought on for 25 minutes at the end whatever the scoreline; if winning (or drawing) then he puts a shift in and can usually be relied upon to do his job defensively; if we are losing then his set pieces might be the key to getting a goal or two back.

I imagine him playing eventually on the right of a front three. Something like this:

Pickford
Martina Keane Jagielka Baines
Gueye Scheneiderlin Klaassen
Siggurdsson Rooney Sandro

An organised team that hard to break down though a little short on pace and width for my liking though Lookman and Mirallas can provide that if needed.

Kim Vivian
34 Posted 19/08/2017 at 09:45:15
I think he's more of a left sided player isn't he, Sam? Can see him working well with Bainsey if I'm correct.
Phil Walling
35 Posted 19/08/2017 at 09:59:02
Anthony @ 24. Nobody is 'settling for seventh', it's just that's where we are destined to finish given the level of talent at the Club's disposal.

Not a single'worldy' in the side so unless we 'do a Leicester'(unlikely) we shall get what we are due -perhaps 'a better' seventh. Betya !

Chris Williams
36 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:00:41
I've read quotes from Koeman suggesting he'll have a free role, like he had at Swansea. That would be interesting to see and a bugger to mark. It takes a fair bit of team intelligence to pull of, so Rooney and Klaassen have that intelligence and it will hopefully work nicely once it beds in.

The other comment from the Guardian that stuck, was that although his right foot is first choice his left foot is excellent too. Apparent he's scored several free kicks using it.

Interesting times to be Evertonians.

Clive Rogers
37 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:08:18
Chris (#4 and #8),

Klaassen was slightly better against a poor team, but has not come to terms with English football yet. He was pulled early 2nd half as he was losing possession too often. It is early days for him, but I believe he will be a good player given time.

Mirallas never made one cross all game, preferring to cut inside every time, which was soon realised by Split. He is just not a winger and there is no way he will start against Man City.

Mike Green
38 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:37:37
If we get a quality striker and the team start to click and stay injury free we can get Top 6, maybe higher. A few of the teams above us have their issues, we've just got to get our heads down and stick together. The striker is the key though, get someone in of the quality of Pickford, Keane or Sig in that position and we will be an serious proposition.
Gio Mero
39 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:37:53
It's obvious with all the new players Koeman will take his time to find his best eleven. It might also be the case he will not even bother and keep tweaking the whole season depending on the opposition.

On the evidence of our first few games, I cannot see how the manager will be able to leave Davies out of the starting eleven for much longer. I know he believes the lad is not strong enough yet but he's the best talent in the team by a mile,Rooney aside.

Mike Allison
40 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:43:35
Phil another important consideration is how the other six perform. Last year they all did pretty well, so 7th was the best we could have done, but the year before they all found enough problems to let Leicester win the league. There's potential for trouble at both Liverpool and Tottenham at the moment, and Chelsea seems like a soap opera where anything could happen, whilst Arsenal may still sell their two best players. To claim we're 'destined' to finish 7th is to assume nothing goes wrong at any of those other clubs. We need to improve, up our points tally and see if that's enough to catch anyone above us.
Brian Williams
41 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:44:01
Phil#35.
Anthony @ 24. Nobody is 'settling for seventh', it's just that's where we are destined to finish given the level of talent at the Club's disposal.
Err....... that's settling for seventh.

James Watts
42 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:52:19
Colin #32 It would be madness for him to start this game as he hasn't played a competitive match since May.

As mad as playing DCL as a right wing back or Pennington for his first game of the season vs the red shite? Koeman likes his surprises!

Chris Williams
43 Posted 19/08/2017 at 11:20:22
Mike#40

You're quite right about the top 6. Leicester won the league by a country mile and Koeman took Southampton to 6th twice. It's not set in stone.

Most of last years top 6 have issues currently(as do we up front). Spurs have just bought a centre half and may buy more players, but we'll see. Chelsea seem to have their issues, as do RS, especially defensively. Arsenal are Arsenal and our closest rivals. There are vulnerabilities there. Apart from The Manchester clubs there are issues

I think it is entirely possible we will get more points, and concede less goals. Scoring as many may be the critical issue.

I bet their fan sites are fuller of DH clones than ToffeeWeb

Brent Stephens
44 Posted 19/08/2017 at 11:30:26
Very disappointed that we bought Siggy so early! We should have let him play for Swansea today, taking 3 points off Utd, and then signed him!

Anyway, cameo 20 minutes on Monday against the other Manchester lot.

Colin Glassar
45 Posted 19/08/2017 at 11:35:17
Fair point James. I think Koeman sometimes even surprises himself.
Phil Walling
46 Posted 19/08/2017 at 12:02:52
We were 8 points behind Manu in 6th but, sigificantly, 15 ahead of Saints in 8th, meaning that 2/3rds of the teams were crap !

To me, it's much more doubtful that the mass will make up those points than the top six will fade away.

So it's the same '7th bollocks' for me. And not a failure by any means !

James Hughes
47 Posted 19/08/2017 at 12:08:19
Fair point Brent, we should have loaned him back for the weekend!
Brent Stephens
48 Posted 19/08/2017 at 12:12:44
Even better management, James! You're in the wrong job (whatever it is).
Bobby Mallon
49 Posted 19/08/2017 at 13:08:22
Chris @4 well said, Klaassen had a good game and will be a star.
Bobby Mallon
50 Posted 19/08/2017 at 13:17:10
Team for Man City:

Pickford
Martina
Keane
Williams
Baines
Schneiderlin
Gana
Sigurdsson
Lookman
Klaassen
Rooney.

Then for Thursday, change Klaassen and Sigurdsson for Davies and Sandro.

John Smith
52 Posted 19/08/2017 at 13:36:53
I"m really we have Moshiri and Koeman here. The types of players we got just in this window, are better than all the players Moyes got in his entire managerial time here. Well done Moshiri and Koeman and their scouts.
Charles Brewer
53 Posted 19/08/2017 at 18:57:43
Bobby, brilliant move to bring a Thunderbirds character in!
Jay Wood
54 Posted 19/08/2017 at 19:40:06
John @ 52:

"The types of players we got just in this window, are better than all the players Moyes got in his entire managerial time here."

Really? They may prove to be, but I'll reserve judgement on whether all or some of them are better than the likes of Baines, Arteta, Pienaar and Cahill (among others) - all Moyes' signings, their accumulative fees less than half the cost of, for example, Keane or Pickford.

Frank Payne
55 Posted 19/08/2017 at 22:02:50
I will be curious to see the line-up on Monday. For the only time this season I will say, I am not really concerned about the result on Monday. I say, play for a draw and rest or manage minutes carefully. Perhaps rest Rooney until Thursday. I am sure Koeman does not feel that way.

The match on Thursday is everything, in my opinion. Winning and getting into the Europa League proper is huge proposition for Everton. And, dare I say, might draw a higher caliber players/striker to join Everton now because of the attraction of both PL and International play this coming season.

Alex Bennett
56 Posted 19/08/2017 at 22:15:30
Got to agree with you Jay. Moyes had his hands tied with most transfers and you have to give him credit for the bargains he managed to bring in. Tim Cahill say no more. We've had some duds and we still will but Arteta at his peak and Cahill will be hard to better.
Dave Speed
57 Posted 19/08/2017 at 22:25:29
The difference between us finishing 7th last season and finishing a lot higher is quite simple. We needed to win the games we should not have lost (e.g. Swansea, Bournemouth, Burnley, Watford), and done a bit better against the teams above us.

We took no points off the RS or Chelski, 1 off Spurs, 2 off Man U, 3 off Arsenal and 4 off Citteh. Against the top 6 we took 10 out of a possible 36 points. If we came out even against them, i.e. 18 out of 36, coupled with the 4 wins I mentioned above, then that's 20 extra points. It's not hard to see that it might be possible.

Phil Bellis
58 Posted 19/08/2017 at 22:53:37
Charles (53)
Plus, as a floating defender: Marina... Aqua Marina...
Tony Abrahams
59 Posted 20/08/2017 at 10:40:09
Nobody could say that Moyes, didn't have his hands tied, and because of this nobody could say he didn't do a decent job at Everton, but he was lucky with Cahill though. He dithered and the lad was going to Palace, only for Simon Jordan, refusing to deal with Timmy's agent?

Same with Arteta, with the delay in him signing being reported as being because of the complex tax situation, when leaving Spain to go to England? I personally thought Moyes, only had enough money for only one signing and was waiting for either Scott Parker, or Emre, who both went to Newcastle. Both good players by the way, but would they have been as good for Everton, as Arteta was?

Back to Monday, and I hate it when people pick teams, but the one Bobby picked @50, looked really good, so good I actually thought he'd picked 12 players and had to count them again! Just not sure about Rooney, up-front though, because I actually prefer him playing between the lines?

Maybe we will play without a recognised striker, and look to break quick? either way things are looking up because it's a long time since an Everton squad had real options, I just hope we haven't finished our spending just yet.

John Smith
62 Posted 21/08/2017 at 19:25:40
"Really? They may prove to be, but I'll reserve judgement on whether all or some of them are better than the likes of Baines, Arteta, Pienaar and Cahill (among others) – all Moyes signings, their accumulative fees less than half the cost of, for example, Keane or Pickford."

And for every one of those, he brought in three or four that were cack. Factor into it the fact that Moyes had 11 years to get it right. The only stand-out player there is Baines. To a good scout finding gems, fees aren't the biggest factor; especially when you consider Moyes's complete and utter failure to bring in top players at Man Utd with their massive income behind him.

Compared to what we have now, and will have in the next few years, Moyes's record was poor everywhere he's been. He wanted to bring in Sigurdsson 6 years ago when he was an unheard of player. Failed at that too.


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