Sky Sports pundits David James and Simon Francis debate Everton top four chances
Sky Sports pundits David James and Simon Francis disagree about the direction Everton are heading in after the draw against Crystal Palace.
Francis is concerned that the result has dented Everton’s top-four hopes – suggesting the Toffees will miss out this year and also next season.
On the other hand, James is encouraged by the fact Ancelotti has bought into the project – the Italian recently stated he wants to oversee the transition to the new stadium [The Guardian].
The former goalkeeper also rejected Francis’ points about the current Toffees squad.
Francis told Sky Sports’ The Football Show, “I don’t think they will [make the top four], I don’t think they’ve got a good enough squad or depth of a squad compared to Chelsea, Liverpool and even Spurs.
“I don’t see them beating those teams to get into the top four, I’m sorry to upset Everton fans.
“I don’t think Liverpool will have the season they’ve had this year next season, and Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel will be stronger.
“So this could have been their best chance of getting into the top four so that’s why I think last night was such a big setback.
James countered his colleague’s point and thinks that Everton are better than what they showed against Palace.
“I think it’s a glowing testament for Everton that a manager of his stature thinks there will be Champions League football and he wants to be part of it,” said James.
“Looking at fit players I think Francis, what you’re saying is slightly wrong, because I think they’re more than capable of beating sides.
“The depth of the squad arguably, as I say yesterday that could have been a win without a good goalkeeping performance and then we would be having a very different conversation.
“Going forward Ancelotti has shown a positive side towards Everton and what they can achieve – that’s got to be good for Everton fans.”
European project
Everton have suffered from inconsistency of late so although we understand where Francis is coming from, we feel he has failed to see the bigger picture.
We are transformed under Ancelotti and now capable of beating the best teams in the league – ending our Anfield drought shows that.
Also, we are now attracting Champions League calibre players like Allan and James Rodriguez to the club.
And as long as we have Ancelotti in the dugout we will continue to be an attractive destination for players.
As result, though we may miss out on Champions League qualification this season we will build and come back stronger next year.
Younger players like Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey may have progressed by then and hopefully the recruitment team will have addressed our problems – such as right-back and the lack of strikers.
If we manage that we will once again challenge for the top four, and pundits would be wrong to write us off.
In other Everton news, a reliable source says an Everton forward is set to leave Goodison on a permanent basis after agreeing a contract with a PL rival.
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