Jamie Redknapp has slammed Everton’s hierarchy for their failure to bring in a striker during the transfer window.
The Toffees sold Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United in the summer for £75million and invested heavily in their defensive and midfield options with the cash windfall.
However, they failed to bring in a centre-forward during the window and that has left youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the main option.
Redknapp has ripped the Merseyside club for their transfer approach and went as far to say they “betrayed the traditions of the club”.
Everton have had a big strong target man over the years leading the line, but that is a major gap in the current squad.
“I cannot understand why, with £45m available, they bought another No 10 in Gylfi Sigurdsson rather than a centre forward,” Redknapp wrote in the Mail. ”Whoever is responsible for Everton’s recruitment has betrayed the traditions of the club by failing to buy a striker.
“Everton fans love a big, bustling centre forward in the mould of Joe Royle, Graeme Sharp and Duncan Ferguson.”
Director of football Steve Walah and manager Ronald Koeman will surely shoulder some of the blame for the summer transfer activity.
Everton’s lack of attacking options has resulted in the Toffees sitting 16th in the Premier League table after the opening seven games.
The Toffees also sit of their Europa League group after a disappointing start and the future of Koeman has come under major scrutiny.
OPINION
It was clear to all Everton fans after the sale of Lukaku that they need a like for like replacement that can lead the line in the new season. However, the club decided to invest in several creative players such as Davy Klaassen, Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson and stick with the limited resources available to them. None of the new signings have hit the ground running and that is because they need someone to spearhead the attack and occupy the defenders. Oumar Niasse should be given a fair chance until the January window, but the Toffees must splash out on a top quality striker to try boost them in the second half of the season.