Garth Crooks: Everton could refuse to give Benitez time to fix woes
Garth Crooks believes Rafa Benitez could soon be on his way out of Everton amid the side’s struggles since the start of 2021-22.
The Toffees returned to action on Sunday (2 January) after they had their last two league games postponed, but they suffered a 3-2 loss to Brighton at Goodison Park, with more pressure piling on the Spaniard.
Crooks wrote in his BBC team of the week column that something is not right at the club after weekend’s defeat, and he reckons the manager could soon be shown the exit door.
He said: “Brighton’s success at Goodison reflects very badly on Rafael Benitez and Everton who sit six places below Brighton and eight points adrift.
“I know there are injuries, nevertheless something is not right at Everton and I’m not entirely sure Benitez is going to be given the time to fix it.”
Incoming?
Farhad Moshiri never hesitates to wield the axe once a manager is not performing up to expectations, and he may already have the idea of who will be his sixth manager in mind.
Everton fans are not happy with the results, and a return of five wins in 18 Premier League games is simply not good enough.
While they have three games in hand, that they are only three places and eight points above the relegation zone is a cause for worry.
Injuries have indeed not helped, but the Blues have largely underwhelmed for the majority of the campaign.
Much more was expected from Benitez ahead of the season, and the club could be willing to give him until much later after the transfer window before acting.
He was not able to make big-money signings in the summer due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, but he has already signed Vitaliy Mykolenko while Nathan Patterson is on the verge of joining from Rangers.
More players could still arrive before the winter transfer window shuts, but things need to improve quickly going forward as the club owner would not hesitate to pull the trigger if that fails to happen.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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