Your morning Everton headlines on Wednesday, February 1.
'That is pretty obvious' - Jamie Carragher makes Farhad Moshiri Everton prediction after delivering Sean Dyche verdict
Jamie Carragher has praised Everton's appointment of Sean Dyche, insisting it has given the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League.
The Blues currently sit 19th in the table, though have ended the month in a weaker position than they were before the transfer window opened. Not only has Anthony Gordon departed, but the £40m upfront fee received for the 21-year-old has not been reinvested.
Matters have been made worse by the fact that all their relegation rivals, including Southampton and Wolves, have added quality to their ranks, offering hope of an upturn in form in their respective campaigns.
Dyche has past experience of overperforming with a Burnley side built on a tight budget, though Everton have possibly presented him with his biggest challenge to date. Carragher believes the hiring of the 51-year-old represents a smart decision, but does not guarantee safety.
"I think it is a good appointment, it's sensible," he told Sky Sports. "He was the standout for me, in terms of Everton staying in the Premier League. They can't be thinking too long-term right now, it's all about the here and now. They have got a new stadium on the horizon so it is about having Premier League football, certainly in the last season they play at Goodison Park.
To read the full story, click here.
Inside story of Everton's shambolic transfer window as list of January failures emerges
Everton concluded one of the most important transfer windows in the club's modern history weaker than when it started.
Every club that could get dragged into a Premier League relegation battle has spent millions in the hope of avoiding that fate. Everton spent none. The club's efforts were not without some misfortune - the remarkable last minute U-turn of winger Arnaut Danjuma, who joined Tottenham Hotspur while on the brink of committing to the Blues, was the most explosive story of January.
But despite the club entering the new year with an apparent acceptance the first team squad was in need of at least two forwards, and with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri then reassuring supporters a striker would be signed, new manager Sean Dyche will not have any new additions ahead of his first match in charge this weekend. And with Anthony Gordon having departed - albeit in acrimonious circumstances - a club desperately in need of forwards has somehow emerged from this transfer window with even fewer attacking options.
The message was clear from November onwards. There was an acceptance Everton needed signings. The key ambition was to strengthen the attack and two forward players were deemed the priority. It was said Everton would no longer feel the need to run transfer plans via the authorities, as they had previously done on a voluntary basis amid concerns over the club's proximity to profit and sustainability limits, and while money was tight and business would have to be savvy, there was some cash available.
Joe Thomas has more, here.
READ NEXT:
- Everton fans send message to Sean Dyche after 'complete mess' in January transfer window
- Gary Neville speaks out on Sean Dyche decision and 'the daft thing about Everton'
- 'The first decision I’d make' - Richard Keys tells Sean Dyche to bring Everton legend back to the club
- Potential Everton investors MSP Sports Capital have hinted at what they'd do if investment deal is struck
- Anthony Gordon transfer has exposed problem Everton haven't solved since Richarlison exit
