Marcel Brands watched on as Brazil beat Croatia 2-0 on Sunday.
The domestic season may be over, but it’s now full steam ahead to the World Cup, with involved countries taking part in pre-tournament friendlies in order to tune up for the tournament.
Brazil were in action on Sunday afternoon as they prepare to take on Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in their World Cup group, and they took on Croatia at Anfield.
After a fairly dour first half, Brazil introduced Neymar at half time, and the world’s most expensive player turned on the style with a superb solo opener, before Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored on home ground to seal a 2-0 win.
The game was watched by many, and intriguingly, Everton director of football Marcel Brands was in the stands, making the short trip to the home of their Merseyside rivals, as noted by the Liverpool Echo.
Brands recently left PSV Eindhoven in order to become the new director of football at Goodison Park, and he is set to focus his attention on bringing new players for Silva to work with.
The Dutchman may have just been taking in a game due to its proximity to his new job, but it was also a chance to look at potential new signings for Everton in what is a big summer for the Toffees.
There weren’t many suitable targets on Brazil’s side, unless Everton launch a big move for Shakhtar Donetsk ace Taison, but at 30 it seems unlikely that Brands would sink funds into the playmaker.
Croatian players may be more suitable, though. Fiorentina holding midfielder Milan Badelj played over an hour and is out of contract this summer, whilst the substitute who replaced him, Marcelo Brozovic, may also be available from Inter Milan to bolster Everton’s midfield.
Forwards Ante Rebic and Andrej Kramaric have both impressed in Germany this season and could boost Everton’s attacking options, and Sunday’s game gave Brands a chance to see them all in action as he considers his moves in the transfer market.
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