COMMENT
After an underwhelming season at Goodison Park, Everton have set their sights on improving their squad to help with a push for European football under Marco Silva.
With many areas to improve on, it will be a busy summer ahead for Marcel Brands and all involved at the Toffees.
One of the first reported targets to be linked with a move to Merseyside will no doubt disappoint Everton fans after their club have been linked with a move for West Ham and England defender Aaron Cresswell.
Reputable football outlet Football Insider have reported that Everton have had an enquiry rejected by the Hammers and Marco Silva should be relieved, with the 29-year-old full-back definitely not what the club needs at this moment in time.
After French defender Lucas Digne enjoyed an excellent first Premier League season at the club, Everton hero Leighton Baines was cast aside. With the report suggesting Baines has yet to accept an extension to his current deal that expires this month, Silva has reportedly started looking at potential replacements and Cresswell must be removed from that list.
The three-cap England international only managed 20 appearances this season and struggles for consistent football at West Ham. The English defender challenges Arthur Masuaku for that position at the Hammers and would get even less game time if challenging Digne, who has been superb.
At 25-years-old, the French international made 35 appearances under Silva – scoring four and assisting four goals in his first full Premier League season.
Marcel Brands must draw up a list of younger targets who can be mentored by the former Barcelona man, instead of a 29-year-old who at this stage of his career would be wanting more guarantees than an up and coming defender would want.
Cresswell would be a step backwards for the Toffees and the Hammers’ rejection is a silver lining for the club.