Player Focus: Does Baines Warrant Immediate Return to Everton Starting XI?

Given Everton’s relative dominance over the 90 minutes, the Toffees had every right to have been disappointed to only draw 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Monday night. Goalscorer Romelu Lukaku - whose equaliser was his 50th goal from 100 appearances for Everton - could easily have bagged a hat-trick having twice struck the woodwork. Alan Pardew after Palace’s defeat to Tottenham back in September spoke of fine margins in Premier League matches and the difference they make in turning one point to three. On Monday, while they failed to hold onto a lead for the first time this season, it was certainly the case of a point gained for the Eagles on reflection. 

On another day Everton would have secured all the spoils at Goodison Park, so it’s fair to say Palace were fortunate to come away with a positive result, even if they defended resolutely in the stalemate. However, while Roberto Martinez will have been dissatisfied to have not taken all three points, he will have been enthused to see Leighton Baines return to league duty. 

The England international made his first top-flight appearance since May as a second half substitute, which will have come as a boost to Martinez and the team as the hectic festive period approaches. His set-piece taking ability is his strongest asset, a bonus for an Everton side that has netted just one goal from a set-piece situation in the Premier League this season. With Baines’ return to fitness, though, that figure should rise in due course. 

Yet, while Baines’ recovery from injury is a relief, there are some who feel the 30-year-old does not deserve to walk straight back into the starting XI. The England international’s absence has been covered astutely by teenage left-back Brendan Galloway. The 19-year-old has started 13 of Everton’s 15 Premier League games this campaign, gaining a modest WhoScored rating of 6.87 in the process. It leaves room for improvement, but it’s a respectable return given his lack of experience in England’s top tier. 

Having made his debut for the club at the end of last season - and shown plenty of promise in his two league outings - Martinez will have been less concerned about Baines’ injury, safe in the knowledge that Galloway is a sufficient stand in. The former MK Dons ace has utilised his speed and athleticism to help stretch the opposition. Teams are wary of the threat he carries from deep, noted in that only Ross Barkley (2.3) is being fouled more often than Galloway (1.9) of all Everton players. 

This comes despite the defender’s limited offensive influence for the Toffees. Galloway is averaging 0.2 key passes and 0.4 successful dribbles per league game this season, while he has just one assist to his name from 14 league appearances. Rather, it’s his defensive attributes that have boosted his profile for Everton this term. Of teenagers to make five or more appearances in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, only Marc Stendera (3.2) is averaging more tackles per game than Galloway (3.1), reinforcing his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling'. 

Furthermore, Galloway has blocked more crosses (19) than any other Premier League player this season. His superior energy levels means he is able to recover to return to the defensive third in order to deny the opposition attack. However, the lack of productivity in the final third is what may let him down. Martinez last term placed faith in Seamus Coleman and Baines to provide an attacking threat from deeper positions as a means of hurting the opposition. 

Indeed, Martinez’s belief in Baines was rewarded, with the England international registering more assists (9) than any other defender in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season. The creativity he provides on the left has been lacking during his absence, though it’s arguable that he doesn’t provide the same level of defensive solidity as Galloway. 

Nevertheless, it’s a welcome selection headache for Martinez. In both Galloway and Baines, the Spanish manager has two defenders whose strengths provide a contrasting blend of qualities as competition for a starting spot hots up. Furthermore, given his age and immense potential, there is every possibility that the offensive side of Galloway’s game will improve in time. 

With the number of games Everton will play, coupled with the possibility of European action if they can secure domestic glory or a Europa League place through the league, both Baines and Galloway will receive ample playing time over the coming months. However, despite Baines’ return to fitness, it would be harsh for him to come straight into the starting XI at Galloway’s expense at this current point in time. Despite his relative inexperience in England’s top tier, the youngster is yet to really put a foot wrong in the Premier League this season, adding weight to the suggestion that - at this present time - he is Everton's starting left-back and deservedly so.

Do you think Brendan Galloway deserves to be Everton's starting left-back despite Leighton Baines' return to fitness? Let us know in the comments below