View: Everton may regret not strengthening in January after transfer admission
Everton may live to regret not improving their squad when the January transfer window opens next month.
TalkSPORT’s Sam Matterface, speaking on The Big Boxing Day Preview, claimed that Carlo Ancelotti told him that the Toffees have no plans to bring any players in during the upcoming window.
On Everton’s transfer plans, Matterface said: “He did tell me, by the way, last night, Carlo Ancelotti, that he won’t be doing any shopping in January. I actually asked him the question – ‘will you be buying any players?’ – he said no.”
The transfer admission comes at a time where Everton have a number of key players out injured, both short and long term.
According to Premier Injuries, the Toffees have as many as six first-team players out injured, with some having no clear return date as things stand.
Among those are Richarlison, James Rodriguez, Allan and Lucas Digne – four of Ancelotti’s most important players.
Great strengthen in depth is not something that Everton are blessed with, so you cannot underestimate the loss of those four players.
Ancelotti himself has already raised some concerns over the fitness of star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, admitting that he may need to rest him soon to avoid any potential injuries further down the line.
Calvert-Lewin remains integral to the Everton line-up and having scored 11 times in the Premier League, the Toffees risk becoming a little too reliant on the England international.
Beyond Calvert-Lewin, Everton only have Cenk Tosun to call upon as a recognised senior striker.
With Moise Kean and Theo Walcott both leaving on loan in the summer, Ancelotti’s squad has been left a little thin in the final third.
Scoring just 10 times in his Everton career, Tosun has provided more than enough evidence to suggest that he is not up to the standard required to provide serious competition or cover for Calvert-Lewin.
A viable back-up for the 23-year-old should be at the top of Ancelotti’s wish list, but the supporters may have to wait until the summer to see that player arrive.
After a bright start to the first half of the season, Everton are pushing for a potential top-four finish this season, but any injury to either Calvert-Lewin or yet more first-team stars could seriously derail that.
In other Everton news, Campbell claims Calvert-Lewin won’t want Everton rest during festive fixtures