It’s all quiet on the blue side of Merseyside this summer, and despite two summer signings in Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu, the lack of funds invested and lack of activity a few weeks before the start of the season will be a cause of concern for Everton supporters.
Possible suggestions
One theory suggests that Everton may be strapped for cash this year, as they are prioritising the build of a new stadium, however this is unconfirmed and if the season goes so poorly that they are relegated, they might not fill it in the Championship.
Another is that without the Europa League travels, Everton will perform better in the league this season, meaning they don’t need to make many new signings; a risk worth taking?
Everton endured a tough season last year, and even flirted with relegation at times, this could be put down to various injuries to key players, such as Leighton Baines but a failure to improve and the current spend of other clubs could lead Everton to another tough season if the current squad isn’t improved.
Could there be key departures?
The main cause for concern is that only moves they have been linked with recently are players moving away from the club. James McCarthy and John Stones two of the Toffees players being touted with moves away from the club, with the latter the subject of a rejected £20million bid by Chelsea.
Everton are currently on a tour of Asia, and suffered disappointment last time out, losing 3-1 to Arsenal in the Barclays Asia Trophy final.
Manager Roberto Martinez has been quoted in the past few weeks saying that Everton are targeting European football, but with Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and even Arsenal all battling for that fourth spot, can Everton with the team they currently have really beat any of these teams to fourth? On last season’s showing, you could suggest that they’ll well to finish in the top 10.
Conclusion
So, have Everton simply lost their ambition, all the hard work in previous years to build Everton in to a top side looks to have been dismantled? However, having no Europa League football this season could have a big effect on the club.
If Everton want to have a European target next season then the answer could be very simple, spend some money to improve the squad, and watch the results flourish.