Liam Duckstein
Everton’s Home Form Hides Striker Woes
Everton head into their clash with Tottenham on Sunday unbeaten at their new home, with three wins and two draws under their belt this season. Yet, despite a summer of solid recruitment, the Toffees still grapple with a persistent issue: finding a reliable centre-forward.
Read also: Everton vs Tottenham Prediction
The departure of Romelu Lukaku in 2017 left a void that Everton have struggled to fill. Over the past decade, the club has signed 17 strikers at a combined cost of nearly £160m, with mixed results at best.
A Decade of Struggles
Since Lukaku’s sale, Everton have scored just 357 Premier League goals—the fewest of any ever-present club. Leicester City, despite spending two seasons in the Championship, have netted 31 more goals in the same period. The Toffees’ inability to find a consistent goalscorer has been a glaring weakness.
Manager David Moyes has had to make tactical adjustments mid-game, swapping strikers at half-time in three of the last four matches. Beto, the club’s most recent signing, has shown flashes of brilliance but also moments of frustration. His missed chances, such as a glaring opportunity against Manchester City last weekend, highlight the team’s scoring struggles.
The Search for the Next Lukaku
Lukaku set a high bar during his time at Everton, scoring 68 goals in 141 Premier League appearances. No Everton forward has come close to matching his record since. The closest was Oumar Niasse, who scored eight goals at a rate of one every 163 minutes—still far from Lukaku’s standard.
The club’s search for a top-tier striker has been hampered by financial constraints and a revolving door of managers. Richarlison, a fan favorite, was sold to Tottenham in 2022 due to financial pressures. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, another promising talent, struggled with injuries and left the club earlier this year.
Looking Ahead
Everton’s recent signings, including Thierno Barry and Tyler Dibling, suggest a shift towards developing young talent. However, if the Toffees aim to compete for trophies or European qualification, they must address their scoring issues. The January transfer window could be a crucial opportunity to bolster their attacking options.
The club’s financial struggles have limited their ability to compete for top strikers, but the recent takeover by the Friedkin group has brought renewed hope. With a record net spend of £97m this summer, Everton are investing in their future—but finding the right striker remains the ultimate challenge.