Whilst there has been some optimism in the air for Everton fans this summer and things kicking into overdrive with the big money capture of Richarlison from Watford and the speculation that plenty more would follow as Marcel Brands and Marco Silva turned their attentions to strengthening and not just departures…the same can’t really be said for our pre-season campaign.
One friendly stands out with a 22-0 victory, but games since against Bury, Lille, Porto, Blackburn and most recently Rennes have hardly been anything to write home about – both in terms of performances and the results we have picked up.
In the aftermath of the Rennes defeat, 4-1, Everton fans are again discussing problems with our defence and although long-standing Phil Jagielka seemed to come in for most criticism, Michael Keane and Ashley Williams continue to lose more fans than they gain.
We’ve had plenty of speculation about left-back with Barcelona’s Lucas Digne linked as a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines and we’ve had some speculation about centre-half with Yerry Mina and a few others but after the recent run of games Brands and Silva must be looking at the position more closely than ever.
I was really hoping the Bensebaini deal was linked to this Rennes game. Badly need 2 new CBs. Keane, Williams, Jagielka and Pennington should be no where near the 1st team
— AussieToffee (@AussieToffeeEFC) July 28, 2018
We also need cover for right back as Kenny isn't good enough.
— ®a$ђaad Aтcђa™ (@ThaKingSlayer) July 29, 2018
Id rather player Connolly centre back than jagielka, keane or williams. He's the same height as them, faster and better in the air.
— Marco The Murderer (@EfcTon2point0) July 28, 2018
Only just seen the goals there, jagielka, keane and baines need to be binned straight off, needs to be holgate, mina an digne so can we please hurry up an sign them
— Adam Funston (@AdamFunston) July 28, 2018
Jagielka nice fella but the worst captain since that on the titanic
— Nick Willo (@nickwillo4efc) July 28, 2018
Keane and jagielka just need to leg it
— JoshShields (@JoshShields1878) July 28, 2018
Needed 3cb lb playmaker last season now 4cb lb playmaker striker goalkeeper and another midfielder 12 days to go it’s starting to get nervous ????
— paul hart (@Harty62) July 28, 2018
Philip Jagielka can’t start one single game for us this season. And I mean one
— Mike (@MikeHEFC) July 28, 2018
I will seriously be very happy to never see jagielka and Keane ever play football again
— Terry Reece (@terryreece1) July 28, 2018
And Keane is slower than him
— Mark James Botham (@MarkJamesBotham) July 28, 2018
This Everton defense will have us in a relegation fight. Jagielka especially poor.
— Rob Martin (@MobRartin) July 28, 2018
Jagielka has been a great player for us through the years but comfortably the worst captain I have ever personally seen us have.
— Paul Griffiths (@PaulGriffiths2) July 28, 2018