Ashley Young praised his Everton teammate Beto following their recent match against Fulham, suggesting the forward might be ready for a starting role.
Having primarily served as backup to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto has had limited playing time this season, tallying two goals and an assist across nine appearances. He has yet to start a Premier League game and recently returned to the field with a nine-minute stint against Fulham after missing the previous four games. Despite this, Beto has demonstrated solid positioning and effective finishing, which could make him a strong candidate for a starting spot against Southampton this weekend.
Currently, Southampton sits at the bottom of the Premier League table, holding only one point from nine games. Following their close EFL Cup win over Stoke City, they offer Everton an opportunity to secure valuable points. With Everton’s five-game unbeaten run and a healthy lineup, they are well-placed to pursue a win.
However, it’s uncertain if Beto will get the nod, as Dyche might prefer a consistent lineup. While Beto’s determination and strong work rate could make him a suitable starter, Dyche may hesitate to rely on a player still finding his rhythm for such a key match.
Young, who assisted Beto’s late header against Fulham with a well-placed cross, commended the forward’s scoring mindset: “He’s always eager to score—strikers are like that. They focus on goals. He may not have had much game time, but when he’s on the pitch, he’s a constant threat. I’m just glad he was there to finish when it counted.”
