Gary Neville shares verdict on Rafa Benitez in Everton spell
Gary Neville has taken aim at Everton and Rafa Benitez this week ahead of the Premier League clash against Arsenal last night.
The Toffees actually picked up all three points in the game, as Demarai Gray smashed home a stoppage-time screamer to win 2-1.
Benitez had a positive start to life at Everton and seemed to have won over the fans who may have doubted him but after one win in nine before last night, things could have taken a dismal turn.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (6th December), Neville didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“They haven’t won a trophy in such a long time,” he said. “Even with money being thrown into it, even with great managers, they can’t rid themselves of that weakened underbelly on the pitch.
“I was nervous with Rafa Benitez coming into Everton because of his football style, because of his being with Liverpool – however. I never imagined for one second he would deliver those results.
“I thought Rafa Benitez would have a really good season, but it’s gone sour really quickly.”
Problems still?
Frustration has grown at Everton for a number of seasons. The Toffees haven’t won a trophy in 27 years and have even failed to qualify in Europe since 2016/17 whilst spending £536m in that time – the fourth highest spenders in the Premier League.
This makes it difficult to put all of the blame on Rafa having spent a pathetic £1.7m since coming in. But with his former Liverpool allegiance, he finds himself in the firing line from the fans.
Benitez does have to upcoming January transfer window to add to his squad if he gets the backing from Moshiri, but it is vital The Blues build on last night’s win against Arsenal in order to calm the tension amongst fans.
He needs time to build his own team and get them playing his brand of football with the current squad being built by six managers since 2016 – all with different footballing philosophies.
In other Everton news, Campbell was blown away by one Toffees man after what he did in the past month
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