Should Everton off-load these five players to challenge for Europe?

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4. Steven Pienaar

Pienaar remains a case of the forgotten man. Even as a devout Everton fan, and regular attender of matches, hopefully I can be excused for forgetting the South African is still on the Toffees’ books. In his first spell at Everton, the link-up play between Pienaar and Baines was devastating at times. They played as if they knew what they were both thinking at all times. After being sold to Tottenham, Pienaar returned.

However, the second spell was not so successful for the midfielder. He has spent a huge amount of time in the medical room, and even when he has played, Pienaar does not have the same connection with Baines any more.

Pienaar recently expressed his surprise that he has not been offered a new contract; this surprise is not shared by Everton fans. Again, with the huge number of young wingers at the squad’s disposal, Pienaar should be off-loaded.

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5. Arouna Kone

Arouna Kone. Where to start? As one Martinez’s first purchases at nearly £6 million, lots was expected. His goal-scoring as part of a poor Wigan side gave optimism to the Everton faithful. If he could perform that well at Wigan, what could he achieve at Everton? Unfortunately, in the past few seasons, very little. A knee injury that nearly kept him out for a season curtailed his settling in to the club.

However, once he was back fit, there was little improvement. His passing play was poor, as was his link-up with Lukaku. Martinez did not assist by playing the striker on the wing, but the Ivorian did not adapt himself adequately. His lack of goals, and assisting attacking play, has left Lukaku as the only striker in the first team squad.

He needs to be offloaded, to allow space for a new attacking purchase. His striking counterpart, Oumar Niasse, could have very easily made this list as a sixth. His terrible performances in the games he did play has not endeared him to the Everton faithful. We will have to wait and see the opinion of the new Everton manager on this striker, before he could be added to the list.

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