Everton should have hired Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers while their shaky defence will cost them the chance to really thrive in the Premier League this season, Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT (7 December, 12.50am).
Was it all just another false dawn?
With seven wins out of seven in all competitions, 24 goals scored and just eight conceded, the Toffees made their best start to a season since 1894 this term (that’s 1894, not 1984).
But, since a creditable if fortunate 2-2 draw with Liverpool after the October international break, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has picked up just four points from the last 18 available in the Premier League.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley leaves them ninth in the table
That’s despite the fact that in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison Everton have two forwards capable of strolling into most other top-flight teams.
James Rodriguez, meanwhile, boasts the kind of defence-splitting qualities most players can only dream of – even if his defensive work could do with improvement.
Murphy, however, feels problems at the other end of the pitch will rob Everton of a European place this term.
“I think they will end up roughly where they should be – which is where they are now (mid-table),” the former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham midfielder says of a team relying on inconsistent performers such as Jordan Pickford and Yerry Mina.
“Defensively, they are not good enough. They give away too many chances, too many goals. They are great on the eye going forward with James and Calvert-Lewin but, ultimately, they’re too easy to play against.”
Murphy, meanwhile, believes Everton would have been better suited putting their faith in Brendan Rodgers when the Northern Irishman was lifting trophy after trophy with Celtic rather than raid top-flight rivals Watford for Marco Silva in 2018.
“I think (Ancelotti) is one of those managers who’s better suited to a team full of superstars. I never thought it was the right fit, personally. I don’t think it’s what Everton needed,” he adds.
“I thought that, when they spent all that money on Marco Silva, they should have gone for Brendan Rodgers.
“There’s no doubting Ancelotti is a top manager but, sometimes, top managers can’t walk into a club like Everton and make them competitive.”
While Everton are once again threatening to underachieve, Rodgers’ Leicester are fourth and just one win off top spot.
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