Speaking on the latest episode of the Royal Blue podcast, Dave Prentice has discussed what he feels Everton’s top priority should be going into the summer transfer window.
The Liverpool Echo journalist highlighted top-quality player recruitment as being the number one focus for the Toffees going into the summer market.
Does Carlo Ancelotti need to turn his focus to Everton's defence now?
Yes, it's not good enough
No, it's not a concern
Carlo Ancelotti’s men currently sit in eighth place of the Premier League table with a six-point deficit to fifth-placed West Ham – albeit with a game in hand on the Hammers.
Everton added the well-known name of James Rodriguez last summer from Real Madrid on a free transfer and the Colombian has impressed at Goodison Park having netted six times in the Premier League this season. (via Transfermarket)
However, Prentice believes they need to continue to recruit players of a similar calibre to their Colombian midfielder this summer as they look to push on for a place in Europe.
He said: “So I think in terms of absolute priority, you do have to focus on the squad. And the areas, which we do need to improve. We’ve spoken before, haven’t we about the areas and the positions of the team that we need to improve? I won’t go over all that again. (27:46)
“But player recruitment is quite simple his [Ancelotti’s] priority this summer, we need to get top-level player recruitment, because we proved this season that, okay, we’ve had issues with injuries throughout, as most clubs have.
“But once our first choice 11 is interrupted. And that first choice 11 is capable of holding the then rampant champions, Liverpool, drawing at Manchester United, you know, so getting good results, positive results, once you dip into that, and two/three players get injured. We haven’t got the strength in depth.”
TIF Thoughts on Prentice’s comments…
Something which the Toffee’s have struggled with this season has been injuries. When their starting XI has been disrupted by injuries, their form has often taken a hit, too.
The main example of this has been with their main man, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has suffered from numerous injury niggles this season and without their 24-year-old striker, the Toffees have only won one of their five games without him.
It would appear Everton have not been able to cope in the absence of their striker which would suggest Prentice is right in saying they need to address their squad depth this summer with backup to their main striker potentially being one of the main positions to address.
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