Everton’s “Monster” Makeover: The Dream XI After a £47m January Rebuild
Everton’s winter window has been a whirlwind—one defined by bold strategy, ruthless squad trimming, and the headline-grabbing arrival of a new centre-forward dubbed the “monster” replacement for Beto. While the numbers and names remain speculative, the concept of a transformative £47m spend has ignited excitement among supporters dreaming of a stronger second half of the season. What would the best possible Everton XI look like once all the new pieces slot together? Here’s a look at the Toffees’ potential post-January powerhouse.
The Defensive Core: Stability at Last
Sean Dyche’s Everton lives or dies by defensive resilience. That doesn’t change. Jordan Pickford remains undisputed No. 1, his shot-stopping and improved distribution vital for launching counter-attacks.
The centre-back pairing continues with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, arguably one of the Premier League’s most balanced duos. Tarkowski’s aerial dominance and leadership blend seamlessly with Branthwaite’s composure and recovery pace. With depth addressed through January reinforcements at full-back, the flanks become far more secure.
On the right, Seamus Coleman and Ben Godfrey offer rotation, but the likely starter is Nathan Patterson, whose athleticism and crossing are essential for supplying the new striker. On the left, Vitalii Mykolenko—having grown into one of Everton’s most consistent performers—keeps his spot thanks to improved defensive reading and more confident forward bursts.
Midfield Reborn: Power, Control and Work Rate
In midfield, Everton’s dream XI thrives on balance. At the base sits Idrissa Gana Gueye or Amadou Onana, depending on the opponent. Onana gives the XI a more progressive, imposing presence; Gana provides pure ball-winning and tactical discipline.
Sitting ahead of the anchor is Abdoulaye Doucouré, who remains Dyche’s system-breaking runner. His late surges into the box are a crucial secondary goal threat—something Everton have lacked in Beto’s absence.
Rounding out the trio is James Garner, now fully emerging as a reliable Premier League technician. His set-piece delivery, passing range, and ability to shuttle between boxes make him the perfect complement to Doucouré’s chaos and Onana’s power.
Wide Power: Directness and Creativity
Out wide, Everton keep the combination that has shown the most promise: Dwight McNeil on the left and Jack Harrison on the right. McNeil’s deep deliveries and Harrison’s diagonal runs give the Toffees dual-sided unpredictability. Both wingers thrive off a dominant central striker—something the club lacked with Beto’s inconsistent finishing.
The New Centre-Forward: A £47m “Monster” Signing
The biggest swing of January is the new centre-forward—an athletic, relentless, press-leading striker capable of bullying defenders and finishing clinically. Whether he arrives from Serie A, Ligue 1, or a rising South American talent, this “monster” addition replaces the outgoing Beto with far greater aerial presence and movement.
This striker becomes the focal point of the entire XI: winning duels, creating space for McNeil and Harrison, and giving Doucouré a consistent target for knockdowns.
Everton’s Post-January Dream XI
Pickford
Patterson – Tarkowski – Branthwaite – Mykolenko
Garner – Onana/Gueye – Doucouré
Harrison – New CF – McNeil
With a £47m injection and a clear tactical identity, Everton’s retooled XI looks primed not just to survive but to climb. The “monster” No. 9 gives them a cutting edge they’ve missed for years—and maybe, just maybe, the spark for a revival.
