Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have picked out Everton’s clash with Chelsea as one of the most ‘intriguing’ fixtures of the weekend.
The Toffees kick off their 2022/2023 Premier League campaign on Saturday evening when they host Thomas Tuchel’s Blues. Under new owner Todd Boehly, the London club have spent over £150million on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella but a poor pre-season has dampened the mood considerably at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel’s side last came to Goodison Park just over three months ago, but an inspired performance from Jordan Pickford and a Richarlison strike gave Everton a crucial 1-0 win to kickstart their survival push - their fourth home win over Chelsea in a row. It all makes for an exciting contest at the Grand Old Lady, and Sky Sports pair Carragher and Neville have backed an ‘intriguing’ affair.
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“Looking at that, the one that really stands out and you’re not quite sure what will happen is Everton and Chelsea.,” Carragher told Friday Night Football when looking at the opening weekend’s fixtures. “You think of the result and what that did for Everton last season towards the end, Frank’s link with Chelsea.
“With Chelsea right now, it almost feels like a club that’s gone back to the 90’s with the way they’re doing the transfer business where they’ve got money and they’re buying whoever’s available, there’s a new regime there and everyone’s moved on but they are in the market for players.
“We keep getting asked predictions and I don’t want to give one on Chelsea because I haven’t got a clue what that squad will look like at the end of August. But I’m not quite sure what is going to happen in that game.”
Former Manchester United defender Neville added: “I agree, it’s always an intriguing game, Everton and Chelsea, because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell have also been busy in the summer window, signing three first-team players in James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil. The club are also closing in on midfield duo Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury and Salomon Rondon’s suspension means the Everton boss has no recognised striker.
Dele Alli could be set to undertake a new-role as a false-nine - much like he did during Everton’s 4-2 friendly win over Blackpool, in which he scored a brace - while any of the three summer arrivals could be set for a debut.
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