First there was Lionel Messi equalling his record of 26 converted free-kicks for Barcelona. The death of Graham Taylor then brought his role in that World Cup qualifier back into the spotlight and at Goodison Park on Sunday he will be reacquainted with his European Cup winning team-mate Pep Guardiola. The past has echoed for Ronald Koeman this week while he attempts to mould Everton’s future. It is one that he accepts must improve on the present.
Koeman and Guardiola meet regularly now they live in close proximity – Alderley Edge for the Everton manager, Manchester for City’s – and how the former must envy the latter’s problems. Manchester City, for all Guardiola’s angst and disappointments, still harbour hope of the Premier League title, are still in the FA Cup and have secured a date with Monaco in the last 16 of the Champions League. Everton have commenced the January overhaul demanded by their manager – signing Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman in deals that could total £35m, submitting a £10.4m bid for Ishak Belfodil, offloading Tom Cleverley to Watford and Oumar Niasse to Hull City – but their immediate horizon appears bereft by comparison.
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