If Allardyce clings onto Everton job, moving for Cresswell and Antonio makes sense

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Everton may already be looking for players who boost their squad this summer.

A 1-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday evening has once again piled the pressure on Everton boss Sam Allardyce, despite the fact that he was only brought in as Ronald Koeman’s replacement in November.

The Toffees have won just twice in 2018, and have now lost five away games in a row in all competitions, with fans now unhappy with both the style of play under Allardyce and the recent results.

‘Big Sam’ is already clinging onto his job, and if he does manage to convince Farhad Moshiri to give him another year, then he may push for players he knows and trusts in the summer transfer window, rather than take another gamble like Cenk Tosun.

Back in January, the Daily Mail claimed that Allardyce wanted to sign West Ham United’s Aaron Cresswell to solve his left back problems, and The Mirror noted that he was interested in reuniting with Cresswell’s teammate Michail Antonio too.

Now, moving for both players if he keeps his job makes perfect sense for Allardyce, having signed Cresswell for West Ham back in the summer of 2014, and also worked with Antonio briefly in the England setup back in 2016.

Liverpool-born Cresswell may not be the clear first-choice left back for West Ham anymore with Arthur Masuaku on the scene, and with Leighton Baines ageing and struggling fitness-wise, Cresswell – another left back with fine crossing ability – may be ideal as cover and competition whilst being able to work with Allardyce once again.

Meanwhile, Antonio has been a regular for West Ham since his move from Nottingham Forest in 2015, with his power, pace, work rate and versatility all earning him plaudits, and landing a proven goal threat who can play anywhere across the front line or even as a wing back should be hugely appealing, especially with Yannick Bolasie yet to show that he can return to full form following his year-long lay-off.

Allardyce has shown a tendency to go with players he trusts over his career, working with Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye, Matt Taylor, Joey O’Brien and Ricardo Vaz Te at multiple clubs – and he should be looking to add Cresswell and Antonio to that list this summer.