David Moyes was hoping to see Everton sign a forward, but the Toffees were left battling the clock to get their only signing over the line.
Carlos Alcaraz’s deal was not announced until the early hours of the morning on Tuesday.
A more promising summer transfer window may await the Blues, but, for now, Moyes will have to deal with the options he has until the end of the term.
Given their injury issues, Everton are now relying on Beto to remain fit on the back of his display on the weekend.
Everton fans were impressed by Beto against Leicester City but Moyes may require someone to potentially rotate with the 26-year-old.
Iliman Ndiaye could shine up front
Everton’s current crop of strikers offer something relatively similar with four players of similar build.
Iliman Ndiaye has shone for Everton this season playing out wide and in behind the striker.
But he has shown in the past that he is capable of playing upfront and Moyes is planning on possibly playing Ndiaye as the striker.
Injuries to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti has left Beto as the only fit, senior striker.
To avoid potentially overloading the Portuguese forward, Ndiaye could a rotational option given his previous playing up front.
The Senegal international has already added eight goals this season, but his most prolific position has been up top.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striker | 48 | 10 | 12 |
| Attacking midfielder | 32 | 7 | 2 |
| Left-winger | 21 | 4 | 1 |
| Second striker | 17 | 8 | 3 |
Clearly, Ndiaye operates best through the middle with his numbers from out wide not quite matching with those from through the middle.
Even Brighton & Hove Albion fans applauded Ndiaye after he scored his penalty on the south coast the other week.
Given Beto really impressed against Leicester City on the weekend, Ndiaye could well also be thrown up top alongside the 26-year-old if Everton find themselves needing a goal.
David Moyes hoping for injury relief up top
It has been suggested Broja’s injury may not be too serious, with Everton having sought out his potential return to Chelsea.
The Londoners were not overly keen on bringing the Albania international back from his loan early, though.
And it seems there is a general optimism that Everton will be seeing their injured strikers return over the coming weeks.
So, there may not be a huge pressure on Moyes to find a solution up front, given Beto’s form on the weekend.
But with three games coming up over the coming week or so, the 61-year-old may be slightly concerned about overloading Beto who has not played a great deal of regular football this season.
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