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Chris Sutton makes Everton relegation prediction ahead of new season
Chris Sutton has suggested that Everton could be in “big trouble” if Dominic Calvert-Lewin fails to deliver.
The BT Sport pundit wrote in his column for The Daily Mail (4 August) that the Toffees will “probably survive” in the Premier League in the 2022-23 campaign, although it may not be a glorious achievement.
Sutton says that the summer signings made by the club do not fill him with confidence.
“Goodison Park was wild — in a good way. Frank Lampard’s side survived — just — but this summer hasn’t filled me with confidence. So far they’ve only signed James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil from Burnley,” wrote Sutton for The Daily Mail.
“The bigger news is they have lost Richarlison to Tottenham. That’s arguably their best player gone, now in the arms of another. That puts pressure on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had a stop-start season last time out.
“If he isn’t prolific, Everton could be in big trouble. They will probably survive in the Premier League this season but that’s hardly glory for such an illustrious club.
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“Last campaign decimated by injury but he scored the goal that effectively kept his team up and he must get back to the form that saw him win England caps.”
Blow already
This lack of confidence among the pundits stems from the fact the Toffees haven’t been smart in the transfer window thus far.
They have made two good signings so far, but Frank Lampard needs more players in his squad to take the Toffees to a respectable finish this term.
If the widespread reports are to be believed the club is close to signing Idrissa Gueye from Paris Saint-Germain, while the Toffees are still looking to add another midfielder.
Signing a striker is absolutely crucial for the club, but Everton have been left disappointed in their efforts to land either Armando Broja or Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea.
On top of that Calvert-Lewin has picked up an injury ahead of the new campaign, and he could be out for about a month.
With Lewis Dobbin joining Derby County on loan, Frank Lampard doesn’t have enough depth in that department. Dele Alli could be asked to play the false nine role, but that is only a stop-gap solution.