Sky Sports pundit suggests ‘big problems’ over Richarlison and Lucas Digne at Everton
Sky Sports icon Alan McInally has not held back on his views over the current predicament Everton find themselves in.
The Merseyside club have won just once in their last 10 games and are flirting with the relegation places.
Speaking on a video posted via the Betfair Twitter account on Tuesday (14 December), McInally said: “It’s amazing they have been, and had been, relying so much on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“The biggest problem I’ve got with Everton is defensively they look a shambles, they look an absolute shambles.
“They’ve got a good goalkeeper in goal but it doesn’t matter sometimes if you keep giving the ball away.
“I think [Lucas] Digne was right going to Winter Wonderland by the way because I think he was in a better place than he was at Goodison!
“If Richarlison has got 10 touches an hour then that’s a big problem for me. Where do you play him to influence a game? He should probably have more touches than anybody.
“Digne left out is a problem for me. I think he’s a good player, but him being left out, what’s the problem there? Is there a bigger underlying problem there?”
Chasing shadows
Richarlison’s frustrations at Everton have been evident for all to see this season.
In fairness, it’s not totally out of character – throughout his time in the Premier League, for Watford and Everton, he has displayed acts of petulance and never been shy to air anger at certain decisions by officials, his teammates or manager.
Indeed, even Carlo Ancelotti came under fire for a perceived negative brand of football that didn’t allow the likes of Richarlison enough time on the ball.
This season, though, it’s felt even more obvious, particularly in recent weeks.
Some of that is down to injuries – when Calvert-Lewin is in the side, he offers a focal point and drags defenders towards him, allowing Richarlison more time on and off the ball.
Having the pair of them back in the side cannot come soon enough for Benitez, who has found himself under mounting pressure amid a poor run of results.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers responded on Tuesday when asked if the Blues are on the brink of completing a major signing ahead of January.