Jamie Carragher has praised Everton for their double capture of James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil by labelling the latter a ‘classy player’, as he told Football Daily.
The Liverpool legend added that he is a ‘big fan’ of Tarkowski and thinks a player like McNeil ‘lost his head’ last season, but he thinks he can do a lot more out on that pitch.
Tarkowski’s deal to Goodison Park was a straightforward one because it was a free transfer, but the Toffees paid Burnley £20 million for their winger – he netted twice on his unofficial debut.
Whilst three players have been added to Frank Lampard’s squad, including a loan deal for Sporting Lison defender and former Wolves man, Ruben Vinagre, more is still needed.
But what they have done so far, especially the two English lads, has got a big thumbs up from Carragher, who explained what he wants McNeil to change in his game.
“One week ago, it felt very worrying for Everton, what was going to happen and who they were going to replace,” said Carragher.
“I still think it will be a tough season for them, in terms of there will be a lot of weekends where they are getting beat or not what they want.
“I think they basically got the two best players out of Burnley and you might say ‘Burnley got relegated’. I am a big fan of Tarkowski and I have been for a number of years. I always felt that Dwight McNeil, I don’t want to sound disrespectful Burnley, but he was a classy player in a rough and tumble Burnley team. He just seemed to have lost his head last season, for whatever reason.
“I always look at him and think he can do a lot more because I see in some games and I think ‘what a lovely left foot that lad has got’. I saw him at Goodison a couple of years ago and he scored a wonder goal. They won 1-0 and he was the best player on the pitch by a mile.
“But sometimes I think, could he have a bit more intensity and aggression in his game on the ball. I do think he has real quality.”
ANOTHER RELEGATION BATTLE?
It’s Chelsea first up for Everton ahead of their Premier League opener next week and both teams have had an indifferent pre-season.
Whilst Lampard watched his side concede four to an MLS side and then the fans have a meltdown, Chelsea lost by the same scoreline to Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel has been able to add Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly to his ranks, so it’s not all bad, but it’s going to be interesting to see how much Lampard has changed in pre-season.
It needs to be remembered that they started off in a strong fashion last season, before they needed the final few weeks of the season to survive.
But that included going months and months without any consistent set of results and surely Everton can’t be that bad again.
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