Senior player axed in Koeman 3-5-2: Everton best possible XI to face Stoke
By Dominic Toner
Gareth Barry should be dropped from the Everton starting line-up to face Stoke on Tuesday.
The Toffees travel to Stoke for a Premier League clash and manager Ronald Koeman should make just one change to the starting XI that beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
Barry should be omitted from the side and January signing Morgan Schneiderlin drafted drafted into the side for his first Everton start.
The 35-year-old can’t be relied upon to play every week and Koeman should turn to his new signing to bolster the midfield.
Idrissa Gueye has returned after the Africa Cup of Nations, but will not be ready to start a Premier League game straight away.
Everton will be hoping to stretch their record of three consecutive league wins and they have looked very strong in recent weeks.
Joel Robles should continue as the goalkeeper and has looked more reliable than team-mate Maarten Stekelenburg in recent weeks.
The three-man defence of Mason Holgate, Ashley Williams and Ramiro Funes Mori should retain their places as they are proving to be extremely effective for the side.
Schneiderlin should come into the side and replace Barry as the defensive midfielder, with creative players Tom Davies and Ross Barkley either side of him.
The wing-backs Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines are automatic picks in the side and offer great width to the side.
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas should continue in attack after their good form, but youngster Ademola Looman will hope to make in impression off the bench.
In other Everton team news, the club’s star player respond to Manchester United speculation.
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