What can Everton expect from Mina and Gomes?

Here we are in the middle of October, and still Everton supporters are yet to see either Yerry Mina or Andre Gomes pull on the shirt.

Injury problems have dogged the two players signed from Barcelona, but the current international break appears to be a blessing.

With the pair almost back to match fitness and having taken part in a behind-closed-doors friendly, the fortnight without a league game is being used wisely in order that they’ll be available for selection for the match against Crystal Palace.

Given the start that the Toffees have had, there’s reason to believe that Marco Silva may well belatedly blood the Colombian and the Portuguese when the Eagles come to town.

But how will they measure up and what can they bring to the team?

In Mina’s case, a free-scoring World Cup doesn’t really tell the whole story. Yes, he’s certainly a threat from set-pieces as he’s shown time and again, and he doesn’t mind a physical battle either, but the 24-year-old needs to develop a sense of calmness in his play.

Barcelona paid a premium up front to secure his services earlier than originally planned, but it was obvious almost immediately that he wasn’t quite the right fit.

Selling him at the point in time when they were supposed to be originally buying him only came about because the offer from Everton was too good to refuse.

Where the Merseysiders have to be careful is that they’ve clearly based their valuation on his World Cup exploits. Had they taken more than a cursory look at his form over the previous six months, it might’ve rung alarm bells.

He will be eager to impress, just as he was at Barca. An amiable, respectful individual, he will be a well-liked member of the squad too. He just needs to understand that ‘fire-fighting’ and flying into tackles willy-nilly isn’t necessarily what’s required.

If Silva can get the best out of him, Everton will have got themselves a bargain.

Gomes is another highly-rated player that never really fitted in at the Camp Nou.

Snatched from under the noses of Real Madrid, and with a ‘Ballon d’Or clause’ inserted in his contract, the Portuguese was expected to provide energy and intensity in Barcelona’s midfield.

It rarely materialised, but when it did, he was explosive. Strong, able and willing to put in a shift, as with Mina, it’s entirely possible that his skill set is much more suited to the Premier League.

The issue is who will make way in order for him to slot in? If Everton keep to a 4-2-3-1 shape, then much depends on what role Silva sees for him.

If it’s as an attacking midfielder, then Gylfi Sigurdsson would be the fall guy, a decision unlikely to impress the locals, and Tom Davies might be looking over his shoulder if Gomes is to work as a centre-mid.

Idrissa Gueye isn’t safe either because Gomes can play a defensive midfield role if needed, although he’s the most unlikely of the three to be dropped.

Time will tell if Everton have made sound purchases or not.

Do you have what it takes to challenge the best Fantasy Managers? If you’re up to challenging the best then play  www.fantasy-champions-league.com now!