Ancelotti set to alter squad after another disappointing result for Everton
Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that he is set to significantly alter his Everton squad this summer following another disappointing Premier League result.
The Blues fell to a meagre defeat against already relegated Sheffield United at Goodison Park, with 17-year old debutant Daniel Jebbison scoring the only goal of the game.
Everton’s chances of qualifying for Europe this season had already looked slim, but losing to the Blades all but extinguished any hope that had remained.
Sheffield United simply looked up for the game from the very beginning and Everton were constantly left try to catch up, which understandably left Ancelotti frustrated following the final whistle.
Speaking after the game (via Liverpool Echo), Ancelotti explained that his squad needs to be better as he prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Ancelotti said: “We don’t have players of strong personality with the ball, strong quality with the ball.
“We are a team with defined characteristics, we are strong without the ball and direct. I think one of the technical reasons of this home run is this.
“When we try to build up from the back we have some more difficulties because we play slow. We don’t have the confidence with the ball compared to the confidence that we have without the ball.
“At home we have to try and play more attacking football but it doesn’t work as well as direct attacking or counter-attack in the away games. It is really difficult to explain but I have to find a solution for this.
“Maybe, for next season, we need to try and have, for sure, a better squad.”
Mentality problem over ability
Everton have suffered some terrible results at home this season, but Sunday’s clash against Sheffield United must rank among their very worse.
The Blues had something to play and Sheffield United didn’t, and an outsider would have told you that Everton were the team playing in red and white.
Ancelotti has spoken a lot here about confidence and ability on the ball but it comes down to more than simply that, because Everton certainly have more confidence and ability than the Blades do – that reflects in the two clubs’ respective league positions.
Every issue Everton face seemingly always comes down to mentality, and that mentality must be questioned once more. The Toffees simply didn’t want to win more than United did, and you have to question why that is.
Everton need to find better depth in quality this summer, that much is true, but they also must target the right personalities to bring to Merseyside. The Blues need winners, not players who will idle around and barely put in an effort for 90 minutes.
In other Everton news, former Toffees ace names the two Everton players who have caused the side problems this season.
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