Big-spending Everton were well and truly humbled at Goodison on Saturday.
Jamie Redknapp has told The Daily Mail that he was left “startled” by claims made by Everton boss Ronald Koeman this past weekend.
Everton, who spent in excess of £150 million in the summer, suffered a 3-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in what was a simple win for Spurs.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Toffees manager claimed that his side were “too nice” and “too weak” against Mauricio Pochettino’s boys.
But the comments don’t wash with Redknapp, who suggested that any team with two “warhorses” in their side in the form of Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye cannot be excused for not being tough enough on the day.
The former Liverpool midfielder went on to suggest that Everton’s summer business looks better on paper than it does in reality, for now anyway.
“The problems run deeper than the forwards. I was startled to hear Koeman say his team were ‘too nice’ in the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham,” he told The Mail.
“How are Everton losing midfield battles with warhorses like Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin in their team?
“On paper, Everton’s transfer business suggests they can break into the top six. In practice, they have left themselves short.”
With the changes Koeman made in the summer, it was always going to take a while for his new-look Everton side to gel, but there is little to suggest that they won’t blossom into a cohesive, well-drilled unit over time.
For now, the Merseysiders are 16th in the Premier League table, having won one of their first four games – a 1-0 victory over Stoke on the first day of the season.
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