Paul Merson told Sportskeeda that Everton’s progression under Rafa Benitez ‘won’t happen overnight’.
The TV pundit also stated that newly-promoted Brentford are a team that ‘interest me more than any other side’ ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
If Brentford have that early bounce then Everton won’t have to deal with it because they don’t lock horns with the London club until November.
This is the verdict Merson provided on both Everton and Brentford ahead of the new season.
“I think Rafa Benitez hasn’t gone to Everton just for the sake of it,” said Merson. “He’s a very good manager with Premier League experience and won’t embarrass himself regardless of what happens in the transfer market.
“After Carlo Ancelotti’s rather unexpected move to Real Madrid this summer, it will be all about progression for Everton. It won’t happen overnight, but I strongly believe Rafa will get them going in the Premier League and make them hard to beat.
“There’s no point in entertaining and losing every week – an experienced manager like Rafa knows that and will set his teams up accordingly. They probably won’t play the best football in the Premier League, but Everton will get results under him.
“As for Brentford, I’m really excited to see what they can do in the Premier League – They are incredibly entertaining to watch, but will they stick to their philosophy in the Premier League?
“Brentford interest me more than any other side because they are relatively unknown and are set to play Premier League football for the first time in their history.”
Well, the expectations will be a lot different for both Everton and Brentford but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Thomas Frank’s side spring a surprise or two next season.
Whilst Benitez will have to deal with the pressures of winning over an Everton fan base questioning whether he should have been appointed, Brentford might just take a leaf out of Leeds United’s book.
Their all-action and attacking style won over a lot of neutrals last season and the Bees might just do something similar this time around.
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