Liverpool great Jamie Carragher has poured cold water over Everton’s hopes for the new season, saying Toffees fans should be really worried.
While Carragher’s former side have spent over £170million on the likes of Alisson, Fabinho and Naby Keita, Everton have spent just £40.5million – albeit all on one player.
And the former Reds stalwart was less than optimistic over his Merseyside neighbour’s prospects this campaign: “It’s a little bit worrying for Everton right now,” he told talkSPORT.
“There’s a lot of people who are not good enough that are playing for Everton. They are one of the top clubs in the country, they should always be challenging for European places and they look miles away at the moment. It’s worrying, really worrying.
“The only positive thing for an Evertonian would be that the results have been so poor, it will force the club into doing a lot of business in the next ten days.”
OPINION
Well, Carragher didn’t hold back in his assessment of Everton’s chances this season, did he? Whether Marco Silva’s side are as far off the pace as Carragher says will only become apparent once the new campaign kicks off, but pre season results have been very poor thus far. Couple that with a lacklustre summer of transfer activity and you have a recipe for discontent. Richarlison’s signing, while expensive, was a step in the right direction for the Toffees, and his arrival could herald more deals as the window winds down. There’s still time for Silva to get a few more players in, but Carragher is right, Everton don’t look to be in the finest fettle heading into the season. European qualification is a must for Everton this year, and more additions will be needed for that target to be met. The club were left chastened last summer when many of their big money signings didn’t deliver, surely part of the reason for their reluctance to enter the market this offseason. However, investment is needed and time is indeed running out at Goodison Park.