But writing in his Liverpool Echo column, Ball called for Ancelotti to be backed by the board in January, saying: “Bring in quality, bring in players that can help us kick on not just for this season, but for next season as well.”
He added: “Adding one or two players in January, and I know Marcel Brands said it probably won’t happen, but it could be key.
“It’s a hard market in January, but I would like to see us add more quality in to keep the club ticking forward.”
Forward fitness issues
After recent injury setbacks it is hard to argue that Ball’s transfer assessment is not correct.
Star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the main source of goals for the Blues this season with his tally of 11 more than a third of their total of 28 Premier League goals so far this campaign.
The England international was absent for their nervy extra-time defeat of Championship strugglers Rotherham United on January 9 but of more importance was the fact he was missing for their Premier League trip to Wolves three days later, where they had to line up without a recognised forward.
Ancelotti said in his pre-Wolves conference that his main marksman had a hamstring injury but did not disclose the length of his absence, while Richarlison was restricted to a substitute outing after picking up a knock.
With the only other senior striking option Cenk Tosun seemingly well out of favour it would seem remiss of the Everton board not to at least try and swoop for a striker in January as a prolonged absence for Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison could put paid to any European aspirations they harbour for the rest of the season.
Bringing in someone will show the level of ambition that Blues fans have been crying out for.