Everton defender Ashley Williams’ disappointing start to the new season hit a new low on Monday as his mistake saw Wales fall to a 1-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium, meaning the Euro 2016 semi-finalists failed to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Chris Coleman’s men came into the clash against Ireland knowing that they needed a win to have any chance of finishing top of the group or avoid being the worst group runners-up and missing out on a place in the play-offs, but they failed to get on the scoresheet and were punished at the other end.
Williams, who Transfermarkt value at £7.2million, was caught in possession by Jeff Hendrick, who scored the winner for Burnley at Goodison Park in the Toffees’ previous Premier League clash, and the midfielder found James McClean who finished past Wayne Hennessey.
The mistake was the latest blow for the 33-year-old, who has endured a tough start to the campaign with the Merseyside outfit as they currently lie in 16th in the Premier League and have taken just one point from a possible six in the Europa League.
In six top flight appearances this term the former Swansea man has made two defensive errors, and this one could prove to be the final straw for Ronald Koeman. Here are three reasons Williams must be benched by Everton after his latest howler…
Lack of confidence
While he always seemed to be a calm and assured presence at the back for Swansea – which was no surprise as he was the captain – Williams has looked a shadow of his former self this season.
The 33-year-old appears to be short of confidence and his leadership qualities have deserted him, with Everton conceding 12 goals in their opening seven Premier League matches and six in their two Europa League group games.
While Koeman has tended to stick with the Welsh centre-back in order to build his confidence back up, the latest mistake must see him taken out of the firing line.
Sloppy in possession
One of the reasons that the club and Koeman brought Williams to Goodison Park in the summer of 2016 was because he had become known as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League when it came to keeping possession of the ball.
However, the loss of possession against the Republic of Ireland wasn’t his first costly mistake of the season as he also gave the ball away for an attempt at goal in the defeat to Chelsea, while a similar situation against Manchester United led to Henrikh Mkhitaryan making 2-0 it to the Red Devils when the Toffees looked to have hope of snatching a point.
Lack of pace
Sometimes defenders can get away with mistakes if they react quickly, but that just seems to be beyond Williams right now.
Once considered to be amongst the most mobile and reliable centre-backs in the Premier League, he seems to be one of the most error-prone in the top flight at the moment and any pace he did have appears to have deserted him.
If Everton want to push for European qualification again this season, they can’t afford to have the sluggish 33-year-old in their backline unless he can improve his sharpness and determination on the pitch.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.
