Ex-Everton centre forward Kevin Campbell has expressed his belief that new manager Sean Dyche will keep the club in the Premier League, but insists that goals will need to be found from somewhere within the squad in the absence of new recruits.
The former Burnley boss was appointed as Frank Lampard’s successor with just 36 hours remaining of the January transfer window, and despite being linked with countless individuals, Everton ended the month without a single new signing.
Despite a frustrating month for an increasingly exasperated fan base, Campbell insists that the experience of Dyche will be enough to galvanise the club’s existing players.
The former Everton forward opined, “I think he will [keep them up] and I particularly mention [Sean] Dyche and [Ian] Woan and [Steve] Stone.
“These guys have got major experience. I think they will galvanise the club.
“There is still a lot of talent in the Everton squad but they have to find goals from somewhere now.”
Indeed, Dyche and his staff have many years of experience in guaranteeing Premier League survival following his time at Turf Moor, but to end the January window weaker than how the club entered it is nothing short of negligence from the board.
The amateurish nature of Everton’s approach to the window was startling, and with academy graduate Anthony Gordon sold to Newcastle United for a reported fee of £45 million, the Toffees now have fewer options in attack than before.
A deal for free agent Andre Ayew is potentially on the cards, following the termination of his contract at Qatari side Al Sadd, but such a signing would be clutching at straws for a club who desperately need to strengthen upfront.
My expectations for Everton this window were relatively low, but somehow this club still managed to fall short of them.