The six changes Rafa Benitez could make for Everton’s Carabao Cup trip to Huddersfield

The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Tom Davies may be handed much-needed minutes by Rafa Benitez at The John Smith's Stadium.
Rafa Benitez speaks to Seamus Coleman during Everton’s 2-2 draw at Leeds. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesRafa Benitez speaks to Seamus Coleman during Everton’s 2-2 draw at Leeds. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Rafa Benitez speaks to Seamus Coleman during Everton’s 2-2 draw at Leeds. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Everton’s search for a first trophy since 1995 gets under way in the Carabao Cup this evening.

Rafa Benitez’s side travel to Championship outfit Huddersfield in the second round of the competition.

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The Blues have made a fine start to their 2021-22 Premier League season. They’ve picked up four points from two matches so far with a 3-1 opening-day victory over Southampton followed up by an entertaining 2-2 draw at Leeds last Saturday.

Now attention turns to the Carabao Cup, with Evertonians desperate for silverware to be added to the Goodison Park trophy cabinet.

It’s approaching 27 years since the Toffees’ FA Cup triumph over Manchester United at Wembley and supporters have had to endure a barren period since.

Everton celebrate their FA Cup triumph in 1995 after beating Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Picture: Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton ArchiveEverton celebrate their FA Cup triumph in 1995 after beating Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Picture: Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive
Everton celebrate their FA Cup triumph in 1995 after beating Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Picture: Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

It’s all the rage for top-flight outfits to make wholesale changes to their starting line-up in the early rounds of cup competitions.

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We take a look at who Benitez could hand much-needed minutes to at Huddersfield.

What’s been said

Benitez has made it clear that he wants to go through to the next stage of the Carabao Cup.

Everton have been struggling with players isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocol in recent weeks, though, and some of those returning may not be fit enough to play a competitive game after not training for 10 days.

Benitez told the club’s website: “I would like to go through, I would like to play a strong team and compete and go through – yes, I would like to do that.

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"Can I do it? We will have to wait, because we have to see if we have any knocks, injuries or any problems.

"I don’t want to lie - I said so many times. It depends on the squad, it depends on the situation [what team I will be able to select].

"Obviously, when we play games with this intensity, we have to take that into account.

"We have some players in isolation, so we have to see when they come back and how they will be. Obviously, 10 days without training with the team, it is not easy to be fit for a competition game, it could be a risk.

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"We have to analyse all these things before we reach that decision.”

The changes Benitez could make

Asmir Begovic to replace Jordan Pickford: It’s rare these days if back-up keepers don’t come in for games in the formative stages of cup competitions. Begovic should be handed his Everton debut after moving to the club from Bournemouth on a free transfer earlier this summer.

Asmir Begovic signed for Everton from Bournemouth earlier this summer. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesAsmir Begovic signed for Everton from Bournemouth earlier this summer. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Asmir Begovic signed for Everton from Bournemouth earlier this summer. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Jonjo Kenny to replace Seamus Coleman: the Toffees captain is likely to be given a rest after playing both games so far this season. Kenny’s Everton future is uncertain, with Benitez in the market for an additional right-back and the academy graduate has been linked with a permanent move away. Still, Kenny will be looking to give a good account of himself should he feature.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin to replace Allan: Gbamin has suffered wretched luck with injuries since joining Everton from Mainz for £25 million in 2019. He’s made just three appearances so far but returned to the bench against Leeds, having missed the win over Southampton. The Ivory Coast international must finally kickstart his Goodison career.

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Tom Davies for Abdoulaye Doucoure: Doucoure has thrived in the first two games of the season. He’s been given a licence to get forward more frequently, resulting in a goal and an assist. That’s the sort of responsibility Davies will look to relish. The 23-year-old regards himself as a box-to-box midfielder and getting into more attacking positions is the sort of freedom he was scarcely given under Carlo Ancelotti.

Everton midfielder Tom Davies. Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesEverton midfielder Tom Davies. Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Everton midfielder Tom Davies. Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Moise Kean for Richarlison: after representing Brazil at both the Copa America and the Olympics - playing 15 times in total - Benitez will surely look to give Richarlison all the respite he can afford. There has been speculation over whether Kean will be an Everton player at the end of the transfer window. The former Juventus striker scored 17 goals on loan at Paris Saint-Germain last season and he’s been linked with a return to Italy. Nevertheless, he came off the bench late on against Leeds and that suggests he could be in Benitez’s plans.

Andros Townsend for Dominic Calvert-Lewin: the striker has started the campaign in blistering form, netting in each of Everton’s two matches. What makes Calvert-Lewin’s feat more impressive is that he’s been nursing a toe injury and that could see Townsend restored to the starting XI. If that’s the case, it would likely mean that either Demari Gray or Alex Iwobi occupying a central attacking position for Townsend to feature in his favoured right-wing role.

Predicted starting line-up: Asmir Begovic, Jonjo Kenny, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne, Andros Townsend, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Tom Davies, Demarai Gray, Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean.

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