Everton vs. Krasnodar: 3 Things Toffees Should Test in Europa League Game
Roberto Martinez has a rare chance to experiment without any pressure ahead of Everton's Europa League tie with Krasnodar.
That's because the Toffees' recent 2-0 win away in Wolfsburg not only secured qualification, but guaranteed safe passage through to the last 32 as Group H winners.
Everton's opponents on Thursday, Krasnodar, are already out, and the Catalan has suggested this will be a game for his younger players.
Having fielded the Premier League's oldest team of the season against Manchester City, turning to youth seems particularly apt at this time.
Here's a look at some selections Martinez should consider.
Unleash Ryan Ledson
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One of the most talented members of Everton's academy set-up is 17-year-old Ryan Ledson.
The combative midfielder captained his country to international glory at under-17 level, winning the European Championships in Malta.
He has become a prominent member of Everton's under-21s side and has already been named on the bench a number of times for the senior squad, without ever featuring.
The youngster has performed in defensive and attacking roles, but he seems most comfortable in central midfield.
This is a match to blood Ledson in the first team. Martinez should give him a feel of a decent crowd at Goodison Park and see how he adapts to the step up in class.
It may be a few years until he competes for a regular spot, but this experience would drastically accelerate his development.
Bring in Tyias Browning or Brendan Galloway at Centre-Back
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Martinez will be tempted to try youth in a number of positions in this match, but another area where experimentation would prove particularly worthwhile is centre-back.
John Stones' injury and Antolin Alcaraz's recurrent fitness woes have left Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin as the club's only fit centre-backs for much of the season.
This is an occasion to trust a younger member and see if they can make a claim for more regular inclusion.
Starting either Tyias Browning, a defender who already has a couple of substitute appearances, or Brendan Galloway, a versatile defender brought in during the summer, would make a lot of sense here.
Use Ross Barkley in Central Midfield
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Finally, Ross Barkley should start this match in central midfield, ideally alongside Ledson.
The attacking midfielder has struggled for form both as a No. 10 and on the flanks; he should be given the platform to run the game from midfield during this match.
This position is where the youngster may ultimately end up playing most of his career. Though his pace, power and dribbling ability are traits of a No. 10, Barkley is yet to achieve the creative end product required in this role.
He has one assist in 50-odd Premier League appearances, and averages around one key pass per 90 minutes through most of his career.
As a box-to-box midfielder, he will have far more time to dictate games.
This deeper role would utilise his range of passing, his spacial awareness and his vision, with more time to see and thread attacking passes through a defence. This has been something the likes of Gareth Barry and Muhamed Besic have struggled with in recent weeks.
Barkley came on in this role against Manchester City and immediately improved his side. He played a few games in this position last season and should be given a chance to find form and comfort in this newer berth.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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