2018/19 Player Ratings

Everton experienced a mixed first season under the stewardship of Marco Silva, encountering some great highs along the way, but also suffering some extreme lows.

The Toffees exited the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the fourth and third round respectively and fell just short of a European place by finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Some players shone throughout, others dragged themselves over the finish line.

Here are my 2018/19 ratings of players who featured in over 10 matches for the Blues during the campaign:

Coming into the season full of confidence following his heroics at the World Cup, big things were expected of Englands number one.

Despite keeping a respectable 14 clean sheets in the league, it is hard not to think of that derby mistake and his antics against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

Not much was expected of Keane following his debut season from hell, but the former Manchester United defender proved everyone wrong this campaign by becoming a stalwart in Silva’s side.

A colossus at the back, who more than deserved his England recall after the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup squad a year ago.

The Chelsea loanee formed a solid partnership with the aforementioned Keane after a brief settling in period, the Frenchman was a key factor in Everton boasting the third best clean sheet record in the league.

He, like Keane, has since earned a recall to his national team after a spell away.

After arriving injured, Gomes didn’t make his Everton bow until late October, but he slotted in like he had been in the side for years.

Comfortable on the ball, an excellent eye for a pass and not afraid of a tackle. The Portuguese midfielder dropped off for a block of fixtures over Christmas, most likely due to a lack of preseason and no winter break, which has prevented him from getting any higher.

Another player who suffered a disappointing first season at the club but more than made up for it this time around.

The Icelandic playmaker became the first player since Romelu Lukaku in the 2016/17 season to have a hand in 20+ goals, in all competitions Sigurdsson netted 14 goals and picked up six assists.

A really disappointing season for one of the Blues’ highest earners. Despite netting six goals, his overall play was not good enough which resulted in the former England winger facing the drop for the end of season run-in.

Digne was deservedly crowned the Toffees’ Player of the Season, he was also named joint Players’ Player of the Year during his first season in England.

A £20 million acquisition from Barcelona who restricted Leighton Baines, a club hero, to just six league appearances over the course of the campaign. Four goals, four assists in what was a fine season for the France international.

Silva will be hoping for much more from his £28 million Colombian centre half next season. His season was ruined by niggling injuries but even when he featured, Mina appeared clumsy and not quite up to the pace.

The Turkey international started the season as Silva’s first choice centre forward but finished it hardly getting off the bench, he started and scored on the final day but it wasn’t enough to salvage a poor return from the 27-year-old.

Gana shared the Players’ Player of the Year award with Lucas Digne. The tireless midfielder never stopped giving his all for the club despite his failed move to PSG, showing true professionalism.

Schneiderlin has never been able to recapture the fine form of his first six months at Everton.

Despite coming in and performing well towards the end, his 14 league appearances only warrant him a measly five.

Bernard clearly possesses all the class to become a hit at Everton, he is another one that was affected by signing for the club injured and without a preseason under his belt, but the little Brazilian really came into his own towards the end, Silva will be keen for him to add more goals and assists to his game next year.

Like many in the Everton squad, he started the 18/19 campaign off slow, really, really slow. But as soon as Richarlison was moved over to the right hand side of midfield, Coleman received a new lease of life, finishing strongly.

Davies only made 16 league appearances and despite his efforts, Everton looked a lot better without him in the side. At only 20, the midfielder captained his boyhood club on numerous occasions but he needs to find a suitable role in Silva’s system to succeed.

DCL ended the campaign as Everton’s mainstay upfront, producing some eye catching displays against the big boys. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were all overran by the 22-year-old’s tireless running.

The England youth international only netted eight goals though, a figure that desperately needs upping if he is to stay in the team.

The Brazilian winger was excellent in his first season on Merseyside.

He, like Sigurdsson, hit 14 in all competitions, but his work off the ball cannot go unnoticed, he was one of the main factors in Coleman’s resurgence due to his defensive covering whilst deployed on the right.

So much was expected of the youngster after a successful loan spell at RB Leipzig, but so little was delivered.

Lookman only started three times in the league and didn’t have much of an impact in his 18 cameos from the bench. Silva mentioned his lack of effort in training for his lack of minutes throughout the campaign.