Everton FC : Three hopes, one fear

Hope #2: That Ashley Williams will fit seamlessly into the Everton back four.

Everton made a big splash late in the summer transfer window by acquiring the services of Ashley Williams from Swansea City for 12 million pounds. While many supporters in the footballing world now know him for his exploits with Wales during Euro 2016, Premier League supporters will also fondly recall his efforts for Swansea City. There are very few players in the Premier League who are spoken of more highly than Williams so it appears that Koeman’s side have found their center-back for the immediate future.

The big question with Williams is how he will adjust to playing with a back four that have extensive experience with one another. Although The Toffees did lose John Stones in the offseason, very little else has changed.  Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman, and Ramiro Funes Mori are all back and Bryan Oviedo is finally healthy for the first time in years.

With those three of their four starters back from their 2015-2016 lineup and their top defender off the bench fully healthy Everton should be solid on defense. The hope is that Williams can catch on to the idiosyncrasies that his teammates have built over the years.

Williams should be up to the task. Bear in mind that although Williams was the rock of the Swansea defense for years his line mates was a revolving door of players coming in and out of the club. He has shown that he can adapt to different playing styles and nuances and that his work never really suffers.

With all of the questions up top there is at least one thing that Everton fans can depend on: a competent, solid defense. That should be enough to keep the club in the top ten and give them a puncher’s chance at silverware.

Next: Hope #3: That Koeman can resuscitate Gerard Deulofeu's career.