HERE’S ANOTHER BRILL TIP FROM YOUR ON HOW TO STAY FIT AT HOME
CARLO ANCELOTTI will get Everton’s transfer strategy back on track in the summer, says Andy Gray.
The Toffees have spent big since Farhad Moshiri purchased the club four years ago.
Gylfi Sigurdsson was a
£40million arrival in 2017 and Richarlison cost
£50m just 12 months later, while Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean were a combined £50m purchase last summer. Kean has managed just one Premier League goal since signing from Juventus and last week was filmed at a house party in breach of government coronavirus guidelines. Iwobi has similarly struggled to make an impact at Goodison Park, with just one goal in his first 18 top-flight games on Merseyside.
With average earnings at Goodison topping £4m a year, changes might have to come sooner rather than later.
But Gray, a title-winner with Everton in 1985, says Ancelotti will stamp his authority on transfer dealings. “The spending hasn’t been good enough,” he said.
“There’s been a host of players who have not been up to it.
“But you look at Ancelotti and all the knowledge he’s gathered from different countries.
“He’s done it all over Europe and will have a transfer list that he’s already given to Everton.
“There’s a lot you judge a manager on. But inevitably the transfer policy is going to be key.
“If you get that sorted, there’s a good chance you’ll get a decent team. In the last three or four years, Everton haven’t got it right.”
Ancelotti has won titles with
Chelsea, AC Milan, PSG and Bayern Munich. He also tasted Champions League glory with Real Madrid and Milan.
Everton acted decisively to draft him in after Marco Silva was sent packing. However, the Italian is now 60 and has been managing for the last 25 years.
“It was big and bold from Everton to get him in,” said Gray.
“Sometimes managers get into their 60s and you wonder if the determination is still there.
“But I think we’ve seen that he’s still got it. There’s already been a considerable improvement.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is having his best spell under Ancelotti. I was also delighted he kept Duncan Ferguson involved.
“When the dust settles on the current situation I think we’ll be able to properly judge.
“I love how he’s talking about Champions League football and being a top-six club. You might as well aim for the stars.”