‘Holding them back’: Williams issues ‘limited’ Everton verdict, as Benitez concern shared

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Ashley Williams has told BBC Sport that he does not see enough quality in depth at Everton and questions what Rafa Benitez’s plan is after going five league games without a win.

The Toffees have slumped after a bright start under the Spaniard to enter the international break 11th in the table. They have drawn twice and lost three of their recent games to drop into the bottom-half.

Everton were level on points with first-place after the opening four games of the Premier League season. And one defeat in their following three meant they only fell to fifth, two-points off first-place Chelsea.

But Everton have left Williams with more questions than answers over Benitez’s system in recent weeks. While fearing what a lack of proven quality in depth will do to their season.

“I don’t watch Benitez’s side and think ‘right, if the plan comes off, they will win today’, because I am not even sure what that plan is,” Williams said.

“I also don’t think their squad is good enough, or big enough with as many options as the other teams above them probably do.

“That lack of depth is really holding them back, especially up front. Every week, I look at their bench and their attacking options are so limited.

“It’s as if all their best attackers are on the pitch already, and there is no-one to bring on who could do something different and change the game.”

Does Williams have a point over Benitez and Everton’s lack of depth?

Benitez named two strikers and a winger on the bench as Everton drew with Tottenham on Sunday. But the Spaniard did not call on either Cenk Tosun, Salomon Rondon or Alex Iwobi.

He also started Andros Townsend as a central playmaker behind Richarlison, with Demarai Gray and 20-year-old Anthony Gordon out wide.

Benitez gave Rondon a regular role in Everton’s attack through September and October while injuries ruled Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who remains sidelined – out.

But the Venezuelan he brought to Goodison Park this summer is yet to score after 433-minutes on the field. Whereas Calvert-Lewin, who only played three times for 249-minutes, remains their joint-top scorer with Townsend and Gray with three goals each so far.