Ex-skipper won’t bet on Everton to win Silvaware
Former Everton skipper Kevin Ratcliffe believes the arrival of former Watford boss Marco Silva shows how far the Blues have fallen.
The Portuguese gaf fer signed a three-year deal at Goodison Park on Thursday.
Silva wasn’t Ratcliffe’s first choice to succeed the sacked Sam Allardyce – but he insists the new manager must be backed no matter what.
He said: “I love the one doing the rounds that Everton have got more Silva than Liverpool.
“But it’s going to be no laughing matter for Marco because he’s certainly got his work cut out.
“My choice was Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. But without Champions League football, you have no chance of attracting him.
“I look at Simoene and he’s everything a manager should be. You see how the players react to him.
“He’s got dynamism and that shines through with the effort you see on the pitch.
“But I’m prepared to give Si lva a chance and, as Evertonians, we have all got to get behind him.
“With the club in its current state, we are not in a position to get the best that is out there.
“It’s the same handicap when it comes to signing players. Without European football, Everton will not be first choice for top players.
“These days Everton isn’t looked upon as a big club.
“For Silva, there’s a big job of work to be done. It’s an ageing squad . It ’ s also top-heavy, considering there are no extra games in Europe.”
Alongside the Portuguese will be the club’s new director of football, Marcel Brands, who has replaced former Leicester recruitment guru Steve Walsh.
Ratcliffe added: “We’ve got to improve on the recruitment.
“We can’t afford any more mistakes, like the signing of Davy Klaassen from Ajax for £24million.
“No other club was in for him and Everton ended up paying way over the odds. He had been in the Ajax side for six years without any interest. I bet Ajax couldn’t believe the Everton bid.
“The club have nullified the poor signings by bringing in Brands to replace Walsh.
“But I hope I won’t be seeing Brands at most of our home games, like I did with Walsh.
“Surely your director of football should be elsewhere watching potential targets? That used to get to me.
“Both Silva and Brands have something to prove and that’s the challenge for them.
“Hopefully, at the end of the season, I’m holding my hands up saying I was wrong.”
Ratcl i f fe also bel ieves Everton have got it right in agreeing to let Wayne Rooney leave after just one season.
MLS side DC United are expected to snap up the record England goalscorer next week.
Ratcliffe said: “I think it’s a good move for Wayne. We knew we weren’t getting the old Wayne Rooney.
“My biggest worr y for Wayne last season was after half-time. He stiffened up and there was less movement from him than in the first period.
“Also, what’s his best position now? At Everton he didn’t have the same passing options as he enjoyed at Manchester United.
“He would lose possession whereas that wouldn’t happen at Old Trafford.
“I felt sorry for him because he gives everything. Maybe he was at times trying too hard.
“I didn’t think Everton evert managed to f ind a system to suit him.
“His signing was a big PR move. It was similar to the time Paul Gascoigne came to Everton when Walter Smith was the manager.
“It was something to excite the fans. In the end, the excitement quickly fizzled out in both cases.”
It’s excitement which is high on the agenda for supporters who were critical of Allardyce’s style of football.
Ratcliffe said: “Evertonians expect better times.
“There are a few clubs who could close the gap on the big boys and we’re one of them.”