Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has cooled rumours that he will spend big in his first summer in charge by saying no decisions have been made when it comes to the transfer market and will not be made until the season ends.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference for Thursday’s match against Southampton, Ancelotti said: “At the end of the season, we are going to analyse the season together and we are going to try and improve the squad.
“Now is not the time to judge. At the end of the season, we have time to prepare the new season.”
But Ancelotti did leave the door open to adding quality to the squad in summer saying: “We are going to improve the quality of this squad, 100%”.
Can Everton go big this summer?
The Toffees have been linked with a plethora of new signings in recent weeks, including Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey. But can Everton afford to spend big this summer?
Financial fair-play has curbed the rampant spending by billionaire owners and the Toffees will be keen to avoid becoming the latest victim of UEFA’s policy.
A £30 million naming rights deal with Alisher Usmanov’s USM Holdings for the new Bramley Moore Dock Stadium will certainly alleviate some of the pressure on the boardroom, but the war chest on offer to Ancelotti this summer remains to be seen.
Injury News
Ancelotti also provided an update on a variety of injuries that have hampered the Toffees in recent weeks, most crucially the absence of Mason Holgate after he picked up a knock against Tottenham Hotspur.
The defender has established himself as a key part of Everton’s backline under Ancelotti, which has led to rumours of a move to Manchester City, with former Toffee John Stones returning to Goodison Park.