Everton’s German midfielder Merlin Rohl has been playing exclusively on the right and primarily as a right-back in David Moyes’ system despite the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Despite playing massively out of position for Everton this season, Merlin Rohl is becoming a cult hero at Finch Farm, with his work rate and willingness to play anywhere across the pitch making him a favourite.

Why Merlin Rohl has been playing at right-back

Rohl has started five of Everton’s eight Premier League fixtures this season, with a knock keeping him out of the Tottenham and Ipswich games, before sitting on the bench against Hull.

Despite Moyes’ insistence on playing him there, Rohl hasn’t really been lighting up the Premier League from right-back. With his only real standout performance against Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the Premier League.

Rohl has been among the best right-backs in the league at long passing, with a 75 per cent completion rate. He is also in the 72nd percentile for big chances created among other right-backs. Rohl also sits in the 72nd percentile for aerial duels won.

All of this is likely by design, with Moyes liking his right-back to be technically proficient. Thinking back to last season, he had James Garner playing at full-back often, so a midfielder playing at full-back is far from a shock.

Rohl’s strengths and weaknesses at right-back

As good as Rohl is on the ball, there are so many more requirements to be a top full-back in the Premier League. Rohl ticks the box of his mobility, with a top speed this season of 34.9 km/h. But in terms of physicality, this is where Rohl falls down.

Rohl is still acclimatising to right-back, but his duel-winning is a problem for Everton. He wins just 4.18 duels per game, which has him in the 41st percentile.

As good as Rohl is on the ball, he isn’t as quality going forward as a right-back ideally would be; he doesn’t really get beyond the defence and pick out crosses. He also doesn’t really offer a goal threat.

Rohl is proving that he can do this role for Everton, but in an ideal world, there would be an upgrade coming in over the next few windows who is more of a specialist.

So Rohl, while a good option, isn’t a player Everton should really be relying on here long time.