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Gylfi Sigurdsson heads into the international break without another Iceland cap on the horizon after leaving Stamford Bridge in a protective boot, raising questions on who can fill in his shoes at Goodison Park if an injury absence is confirmed.
The Chalkboard
Sigurdsson is key to how Everton play. Without his presence in midfield, the Toffees lack direction and someone who can connect play between the defensive ranks and attack.
The 29-year-old may have only recorded two assists so far in the Premier League, but his 31 key passes in 12 games highlight his effectiveness in the central role.
Since Marco Silva took over at the helm in the summer, no other player has started in the central attacking midfield position in the League other than the 64-cap Iceland international.
If he has now been ruled out of action thanks to a rash tackle by Italian midfielder Jorginho, Everton will have a difficult time replacing Sigurdsson.
The system cannot change
Silva is a firm favourite of the 4-2-3-1 system, only once deviating, so altering the formation to counter the loss of Sigurdsson will not be a viable solution having worked hard to build the Toffees in that way.
At first, results were barely there with a string of games often ending in a draw, but since the end of September fortunes changed in Merseyside and Everton have only twice dropped points.
Taking the international break to organise his side into a new system for the visit of Cardiff would act as a restart button to that progress, meaning whoever steps up has to deliver.
Lookman or Calvert-Lewin?
The true decision for Silva on how to cope with the loss of Sigurdsson will be in what young forward he places his faith in.
Both 21, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman present different ways to tackle the challenge. One is a more direct threat, acting as a second striker to Richarlison, while the other offers greater creativity but less of an end product.
The inclusion of Calvert-Lewin, however, can come from the wing and allow Bernard to act as the Icelandic international’s deputy instead. A move that has the potential to eliminate the Brazilian’s inconsistencies.
