Prove your self: These two Everton players need to prove themselves to Ronald Koeman during preseason

With it being a fantastically positive transfer window for Everton fans in the Tavern up to this point, there is very little negativity surrounding the Blues camp as they’re adamant to be a dark horse in the upcoming campaign. 

Authoritative boss Ronald Koeman identified his targets and got them without too much bother which, on paper, makes the Toffees a certain favourite to finish inside the top-six at the climax of the 2017/18 Premier League season.

However, disapprovingly from our landlord, this does mean several of the current crop of players before the summer overhaul may lose out on their place in either the starting eleven or on the matchday team sheet all together.

Which is why it makes pre-season are that extra important for the Everton players as they get the chance to impress the manager and alter his decision on why they should be featuring in his side for the next ten or so months.

Here are TWO Everton players whom need to prove themselves to Koeman in the month of July…..

James McCarthy suffered a heart-breaking end to last season after enduring a difficult injury on international duty back in March, leaving him on the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign.

Unfortunately for the Republic of Ireland midfielder, that meant he may have to fight to reinstate his place in the starting eleven, especially as Idrissa Gueye is currently in the good books of Ronald Koeman.

Fans by the bar are keen admirers of McCarthy and feel the 26 year-old still has something to offer to this prospective Everton team, but needs to start fighting for his position on the team sheet as soon as possible in the club’s pre-season schedule.

Most promptly he’s set for an imminent departure out of Goodison Park following the exciting arrival of Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley is probably not envisaging his future on Merseyside beyond this summer.

The 23-year-old has been on the receiving end of an abundance of criticism from our Everton-mad bar man and boss Ronald Koeman himself – mostly for not delivering on expectations supporters had on him.

Barkley can, of course, work his way back into the manager’s plans but it will be a relatively difficult task to do so. He will have to perform to his absolute maximum in the coming weeks or months otherwise the attacking midfielder can say goodbye to his Toffees career.