Michael Bridges has claimed that Newcastle United will be sniffing around Everton’s squad in the summer if the Toffees are relegated this season Frank Lampard has been unable to have the desired effect since replacing Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park and could be the first manager to take them down from the Premier League.
They sit outside the bottom three on just goal difference and will be desperate for a result against the Magpies to climb away from the drop zone. A win for Eddie Howe’s side on Merseyside would only worsen the mood at Everton and the Newcastle boss might put a word in with a few opposing players at full time if his players pick up all three points.
Bridges thinks there could be a few Toffees players on the radar at St James’ Park should they go down at the end of the season.
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“Everton have got to beat Newcastle and it’s got to start with this game. Yes, Newcastle are still in the relegation battle, there’s no doubt about it but if they [Everton] lose against Newcastle, I really fear for them,” the former Toon forward told the GegenPod. “They could be a Championship club and then the floodgates open, for teams like Newcastle, to sign some of their players on the [big] contracts.”
Despite Everton’s struggles this season, there are a few players in their squad that are far too good to be playing in the Championship. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Jordan Pickford are the ones that stand out among an otherwise extremely average squad and it is hard to imagine those three playing in the second tier.
The money that Everton would demand for the trio would be massively reduced if they are unable to stay up this term, especially given their ongoing financial problems. Newcastle supporters might be looking higher than Championship teams for summer signings but, as the January arrivals have already proved, Premier League quality and experience is worth its weight in gold.
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