Paul Merson disappointed with Everton transfer activities this summer
Everton have signed Asmir Begovic, Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray so far this summer, but Paul Merson is not impressed.
Toffees manager Rafa Benitez has been tasked with guiding the team into the top-six after his predecessors all failed to.
Everton have a lot of work to do to break into Europe, and the current squad does not look capable of challenging for the continental places this season.
Merson said on Sky Sports ahead of the Blues clash with Southampton (as shared on Football Daily official Twitter account): “He signs Townsend, he signs Gray, and you’re like, waoh, waoh, that’s no disrespect, I’m not being horrible, but I honestly thought they were going to go sign world-class players.
“What he’s done. He’s brought in two players. He’s brought in Townsend who’s very experienced, but he’s not going to take Everton to the next step, and that’s not his fault, but if I’m Everton I’m majorly disappointed in the signings so far.”
Underwhelming summer
Gray and Townsend are decent additions to the Toffees attack without a doubt, but Manchester City have just spent £100million on Jack Grealish while Romelu Lukaku has rejoined Chelsea almost for the same amount.
Those two will be challenging for the Premier League title this season, and the truth is, we will not.
Breaking into the top-six or top-seven could be tough too, as the likes of Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, West Ham United and Aston Villa are all going to be challenging for the European places this season.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri would love to make marquee signings, but that is not possible due to the need to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules.
We will need to sell some players and move on some high earners in order to start splashing the cash again, and that may have to wait until January or next summer.
Getting the new campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over Southampton today is not fooling anyone.
We need a quality squad capable of challenging for the top-six, and the Toffees simply are some quality signings away from having such a team.
In other Everton news, Toffees man shares why he rejected CL club for Goodison project.
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