Everton supporters have aired their disappointment following an admission from the club’s former director of football, Steve Walsh.
In an interview with The Athletic, Walsh admitted that the club had the chance to make a number of big-name signings, however, decided not too (per The Athletic).
Current left-back for noisy neighbours, Andy Robertson, was one, Leicester City centre-back, Jonny Evans, another, along with Manchester United’s Harry Maguire (via Liverpool Echo).
With many Everton supporters contemplating what might have been, they showed their disappointment that the club decided against the, now, star names.
— Lee Davies (@Lee__Davies) November 18, 2019
Reeks of Everton
— Paul Forester (@Fozbomb) November 18, 2019
Another name on the prospective list was Norwegian 19-year-old Erling Haaland, who has bagged 26 goals in 18 appearances for RB Salzburg already this term (per Transfermarkt).
With supporters reflecting on what might have been, some had an ironic response on the players that the club opted to sign instead.
Thank goodness they agreed with his Sandro recommendation
— mbp (@Philatty) November 18, 2019
We ended up with Digne anyway so is right
— Peter Dickie (@PeterDickie1994) November 18, 2019
Didn’t he sign klassen and sandro
— mmmm (@stephenadlingto) November 18, 2019
Others were more frustrated with the man himself, who was at the club for two years from 2016 during Ronald Koeman’s time as boss (via Liverpool Echo), as they believed he should have done more.
Thats down to him isnt it?
— Mark L (@Toffybolox) November 18, 2019
Isn’t that your job mr Walsh?
— kai (@gotheroos29) November 18, 2019
None of this is true, he’s looked around at today’s decent players and name dropped them in an interview. To say the club never backed him is ludicrous. Moshiri’s been throwing money around on all kinds since he took over!!
— Ben Higgs (@benhiggs83) November 18, 2019
What do we think?
The prospect of Robertson, Evans, Maguire and Haaland all currently turning out in Everton blue is a startling one, especially when considering how different the Toffees’ fortunes could be with them aboard.
However, this kind of thing probably goes on all the time in football, with many former directors of football contemplating what might have been.