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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

The six Everton stars safe in Marco Silva's starting line-up as summer transfer overhaul looms

Everton are set for a busy summer, but that doesn't mean every position in the squad will be under threat.

There will be a number of players pushed out of the door over the course of this transfer window as Marco Silva and Marcel Brands look to further reduce the wage bill generally increase the quality of the side.

That will mean new signings and it could well be the case that, by the time next season starts, the Blues will have a whole host of new faces making their debuts when the first match of the campaign rolls around.

However, there won't be 11 new faces - so a number of stars can be pretty safe in the knowledge that they will have a starting spot (injury permitting, of course) at Everton in August.

Here, we've picked out the six names who can consider themselves the most safe.

Jordan Pickford

Everton's Jordan Pickford (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

While Everton are making changes to their goalkeepers this summer, Jordan Pickford is still going to be the starting choice.

It's already confirmed that Jonas Lossl will be making the move to Goodison Park this summer, but he has been signed to be back-up to the England No. 1.

With the other options being Maarten Stekelenburg and Joao Virginia as it stands, it's still widely expected that the 25-year-old will be the Blues first choice between the posts for years to come.

Lucas Digne

Lucas Digne has been impressive this season (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Everton's player of the season last term, there's little chance of the left-back finding his place in the starting line-up under threat when 2019/20 gets underway.

Lucas Digne forced his way into Silva's plans early last term and only ever lost his place to Leighton Baines after that due to suspension.

The experienced full back is expected to sign a new contract this summer keeping him at the club for a further year - but it will be as a back-up to the brilliant French international.

Michael Keane

Michael Keane of Everton (Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

It's been a tale of two seasons so far for Michael Keane at Everton.

The centre-back admittedly struggled in his first term, but was fantastic right from the start of 2018/19 and made himself a vital member of Silva's back four.

Everton will be on the hunt for new centre-back additions over the course of the summer, with a possible replacement for Phil Jagielka needed and the long-term future of Kurt Zouma still up in the air.

But the 25-year-old has certainly done more than enough to cement his place in the side regardless.

Seamus Coleman

Everton's Seamus Coleman celebrates scoring against Burnley (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Seamus Coleman did struggle at times last term, and he will always be the first to admit that.

However, towards the end of the campaign when Everton's form picked up, it can't be denied that the right back really started to show his true colours once more.

The 30-year-old was in typically strong form in the closing months of the campaign and has a great chance of being named the Blues' new club captain following the exit of Jagielka.

Despite Everton being on the hunt for a new right-back, it's understood at this stage they would be back up to Coleman initially.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton's joint-top scorer last season, Gylfi Sigurdsson proved himself to be an integral member of Silva's set-up.

The Blues asked him to be the difference on multiple occasions, and the club's record signing responded in kind to score some vital goals across the course of the campaign.

Hard-working, creative and with an eye for goal, it's clear Silva is a big fan of the Icelandic international.

Richarlison

And, finally, we come to Everton's other joint-top goalscorer last season.

Richarlison had to shrug off questions over his ability and price tag from the minute he walked through the doors at Goodison Park, and proved a lot of people wrong.

His 14 goals across 2018/19 was a brilliant return, especially when you consider he was used in all three positions across the front line as Silva searched for his best line-up.

That versatility, his passion and his obvious ability are fantastic strings to his bow ahead of next season.

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