This article is part of Football FanCast’s Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players’ fitness.
Everton could have been dealt a massive blow with the recent injury news regarding defender Yerry Mina.
What’s the latest?
Mina has started every game in the Premier League for the Toffees and proved against West Ham United that he is of great importance. Given Marco Silva’s lack of options in defence, an injury could be disastrous for the Portuguese.
Sky Sports reported that Mina’s injury sustained in the win over the Hammers is still a problem, with the Colombian missing Everton’s training because of a hamstring problem. The reports state that the 25-year-old is now a doubt for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Sky Sports also explain the Fabian Delph and Morgan Schneiderlin have returned to training after missing last week’s win.
Silva shot himself in the foot
Everton have been no stranger to splashing the cash over the last few years, with the board bringing in the likes of Richarlison for £50m and Mina himself for £27.19m. This incredible spending shows that the budget is there for Silva to use, but has chosen to purchase forwards like Moise Kean for £25.1m instead.
The former Watford man did not necessarily need the likes of Kean, with plenty of forwards at his disposal already. Silva should have chosen to sign a centre-back instead, as Mason Holgate is the only senior choice available to him beyond Mina and Keane.
Holgate himself is very inexperienced, stepping out for just 18 minutes in the Premier League so far this season. In total, the Englishman has only 52 appearances for Everton and spent the entirety of last season loan at West Brom, though he only started 19 times for the promotion-chasing outfit.
Quite frankly, the 42-year-old has shot himself in the foot here and should have acquired reinforcements for his defence in the summer.
Injuries and suspensions are a natural part of the game, and it’s only taken one setback to expose the lack of depth in Everton’s defensive unit.
Silva must learn from this and dip into the transfer market in January as a matter of priority.
