The Everton priorities that Rafa Benitez must address during the international break

The international break can often be a period to step back and take stock of the season so far.

That’s something Rafa Benitez won’t be doing, though. Not a chance.

Ever the workaholic with an insatiable hunger for success, he will be using the pause in the campaign on how he can improve Everton.

After a brighter-than-expected start to the campaign, the Toffees have had a reality check in recent weeks and failed to win in their past five games.

Benitez will know there’s plenty to be done to progress the club. He’s already stated just a higher finish than 10th last term isn’t good enough. His ambitions are much higher.

With that in mind, here are three things he simply has to address during the hiatus.

Set-piece improvements

Everton delivered a welcome clean sheet in the goalless stalemate with Tottenham on Sunday to stop the rot of three successive defeats.

Antonio Conte's side failed to register a shot on target such was the Toffees' solid and organised defending.

However, Benitez won't be naive to think his side have turned a corner at the back.

Ever the pragmatist, the Goodison chief is well aware his side's defending from set-pieces has been found wanting.

Two goals conceded in the ignominious 5-2 loss to Watford stemmed from dead-ball situations.

Then there was Angel Ogbonna's header in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham and Max Kilman also bagged from a corner in the 2-1 reverse at Wolves.

To put it plainly, Everton have been brittle and meek in those scenarios.

There has been scrutiny over Benitez's choice of deploying zonal marking, having also been criticised for it when he was in charge of Liverpool.

The Spaniard is staunch when it comes to such tactic, though, and is adamant it's the best way to snuff out danger at set-pieces.

Perhaps some of his troops aren't quite sure what their responsibilities are. Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher - who played under Benitez at Liverpool - seemed to think not enough Everton players knew their exact job when analysing Kilman's goal.

Now Benitez is afforded time of the training ground to eradicate the flaws and ensure his players are fine-tuned.

Improving Rondon

Salomon Rondon has swerved going away with Venezuela this week because of fitness concerns.

Having been thrown into the deep end after his summer transfer deadline day arrive due to the injuries of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the striker's struggled at Everton so far.

Subdued performances and a lack of goal threat have led to him receiving flak from large sections of supporters as a consequence.

Benitez will still be confident Rondon can have an impact at Goodison, however. It's the third time they've worked together, having particularly had success at Newcastle in the 2018-19 season.

As previously reported by LiverpoolWorld, Rondon took a similar amount of time to get going at St James' Park.

It wasn't until November when he scored his first Premier League goal. Subsequent performances improved markedly after that breakthrough and he ending up becoming a fans’ favourite among the Toon Army.

Still, Rondon's appeared a long way from hitting that sort of form on Merseyside.

Building fitness will first be key. Then Benitez must impart his knowledge on where improvements can be made in Rondon's game.

If Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are again unavailable simultaneously then the ex-West Brom forward needs to take up the mantle.

Identifying potential January recruits

It will be an intriguing winter transfer window for Everton.

Benitez has again admitted that funds will be limited, although he does have some money to spend.

Indeed, it's akin to the summer when the Toffees boss was cash strapped. Just £1.7 million was coughed up.

In fairness to Benitez, he maximised his budget superbly. Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend have both proven brilliant bargain buys.

The challenge now for the Spaniard is to improve his current squad with another modest war chest.

It's again crucial Everton's recruitment proves shrewd and Benitez has to display his acumen to bring in cut-price players who'll make an impact.

A right-back to provide competition to Seamus Coleman has to be a priority, as well as potential cover for Lucas Digne on the opposite side of defence.

Meanwhile, an additional winger to take the burden off Gray and Townsend may also be on Benitez's wish list - as might an attack-minded centre-midfielder.