Rafael Benitez desperately wanted a centre-back at Everton in the summer
Rafael Benitez desperately wanted a centre-back at Everton in the summer transfer window.
The Liverpool Echo report that the Spaniard wanted to add a top-quality central defender to his side, but he wasn’t able to because of finances.
The Spaniard is likely to try and strengthen his defence again in January, but he could be forced to do that on a bargain budget, which means he might not be able to strengthen the defence in January at all.
Benitez missed out and could continue to miss out.
The Toffees do have four first-team centre-backs who have varying levels of experience and quality.
However, it seems very clear that the Spaniard wanted someone better brought in who would elevate his squad.
Now, after Saturday, you can imagine that nothing has changed, and he probably wants a new centre-back over anything else after watching his side crumble against Watford.
Once again, though, it appears as if Benitez won’t have the funds to get the top-class central defender that he is looking for, and he might have to make do with what he has got.
In the short term, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey should be able to form a strong partnership, while Michael Keane’s confidence appears to be shot, and a spell on the bench away from the spotlight could do him a world of good.
Hopefully, next summer Benitez can get the centre-back that he craves, but until then, he might just have to make do with what he has.
In other Everton news, there has been an update on Mina’s injury ahead of the Wolves game.
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