Former Everton defender Michael Ball has shared his verdict on how the club performed in the summer transfer window.
Everton had a busy and challenging time of things throughout the summer transfer window. The club are in a difficult financial position, so needed to let players go, and couldn’t spend heavily on new additions themselves.
In the end, several first team players left Goodison Park this summer. Alex Iwobi, Tom Cannon, Yerry Mina, Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic, Tom Davies, Ellis Simms, Neal Maupay, and Mason Holgate, amongst others, were either sold, released, or loaned out.
Sean Dyche was still able to bolster his squad to an extent. Focusing mainly on his attacking contingent, Beto, Youssef Chermiti, Arnaut Danjuma, and Jack Harrison were all welcomed to Merseyside. Veteran full-back Ashley Young was also signed on a free transfer.
Everton certainly look to be well-stocked for attacking options now. However, serious question marks remain about how they will cope in other parts of the pitch.
Are Everton worse off than before?
Writing in The Liverpool Echo, Michael Ball certainly believes that Everton are now weaker defensively and in midfield. He said, “I would have liked more, but you always do in the transfer window. The idea of the window also is to improve what you have and improve your starting XI. Have we improved from last season, looking at what’s going on? Up front, yes. Defensive and midfield, no. We’ve probably gone backwards even now we haven’t got cover in our back line.”
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The Toffees have already found themselves struggling defensively this season. They are yet to keep a clean sheet, and conceded twice against Sheffield United last time out. They were also put to the sword by Aston Villa recently, who won 4-0 at Goodison Park.
A lack of strength in depth is another problem Dyche must find a way to cope with. Beyond their first choice trio of Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Amadou Onana, the club seriously lack quality central midfield options.
Despite recognising their lack of cutting edge in the final third and taking steps to address it, Dyche may well have just overseen a summer in which his Everton squad was significantly weakened overall.