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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
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Sean Bradbury & Joe Thomas & Adam Jones

Everton line-ups vs Chelsea as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina decisions made

Mina starts with a change of tactics

Joe Thomas: Trying to work out the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin has become a recurring dilemma this season and, with Frank Lampard confirming he is back in the squad, whether he starts is again the big question.

Yerry Mina’s return and Ben Godfrey’s injury makes the back line relatively straightforward. Mina partners Michael Keane for me there.

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And I would change the tactics from the trip to Anfield rather than the formation, Abdoulaye Doucoure providing extra hustle alongside Allan but further up the pitch. Iwobi, Gordon and Richarlison pick themselves as an attacking line to support the man up top.

So who is it, Calvert-Lewin or Salomon Rondon? I’m agonising over this as I write it but if Calvert-Lewin is fit enough to start then he does for me. He’s more mobile than Rondon, will press Chelsea’s back line better and Everton need to take every opportunity to get their main goal threat a threat again. A Rondon cameo to cause chaos at the end has benefits whatever the state of play.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Allan, Iwobi, Gordon, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

DCL can be the focal point Everton need

Adam Jones: Right then. For me, the main debate over this crucial team selection realistically centres around who will be playing up front for Everton.

As I see it, Demarai Gray is currently out of form and should take up a place on the bench. In his place, this has to be the time for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to step up.

Now I know what some of you are thinking and yes, he's been out of form and he has been in a constant battle against fitness this season. But Everton are absolutely desperate for his goals, and they need a focal point at the top end of the pitch.

Putting him up front allows Richarlison to take up his strong position on the left flank and with Anthony Gordon on the other side, that's a potentially potent front three. Let's just hope that can be the case.

Further back in the midfield you'd certainly want to see Fabian Delph return to the side after being rested against Liverpool, with Abdoulaye Doucoure dropping back out after what was a promising first 45 minutes at least at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Yerry Mina just has to come back into the line-up as well, he's Everton's best defender. Partnering him, in terms of profiles, it makes sense to have Mason Holgate rather than Michael Keane.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Mykolenko; Allan, Delph; Gordon, Iwobi, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

Rondon can lead the fight in attack

Sean Bradbury: I would adopt something of a back to basics, battling approach for this one.

Chelsea are a threat of course, but Everton need to be on the front foot. With that in mind, it is a team of fighters and those in form.

Salomon Rondon starts in a forward two with Richarlison. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is thankfully now back in contention for the run-in, but a cameo from the bench might be more suitable at this stage to take over from Rondon in the second half.

In midfield, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure occupy the centre, with Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi on the flanks. Yerry Mina returns in defence.

My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Doucoure, Allan, Gordon; Richarlison, Rondon.

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