It is a good time to be in Merseyside. For a while now, the red side- Liverpool – has been doing great things. Winning the Champions League in the 2018/2019 season, winning the English Premier League in style last season and being one of the most formidable European sides. The last time Merseyside looked this good was when David Moyes and Rafa Benitez were in charge of Everton and Liverpool respectively.
In the blue corner- Everton that is- things are really looking up. The signing of veteran Manager Carlo Ancelotti during the previous season seems to have opened a lot of doors. The signings of James Rodriguez and Allan from Real Madrid and Napoli respectively this season would never have materialized if Ancelotti was not in charge. The two aforementioned signings plus the signing of Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford looks like a master stroke as the Everton midfield has been ‘transformed overnight’ and can go toe to toe with any midfield in the Premier League as evidenced in the game against Tottenham, a game that they won by a solitary goal. It could have easily been more save for some very bad finishing.
Carlo Ancelotti brings with him a vast array of experience from a host of top clubs in Europe, a feature that not a lot of football clubs can boast of. At 61, he is not necessarily close to the end of his career (just look at Roy Hodgson) and making Everton one of the big boys again and bringing back the glory days of old would be a very good achievement.
For that to happen, a couple of things would need to be in place. The defense would have to be solid. Can the likes of Yerry Mina and Michael Keane be dependable week in, week out? In midfield, can James Rodriguez be consistent enough -fitness wise- and be that midfield maestro and get back to his best? Can the likes of Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin be dependable enough to get the goals when called upon? Can the likes of Walcott, Bernard, Tosun and Iwobi be also useful additions when they are needed on the pitch?
One key thing about the Everton squad is the fact that the side does not have depth. An injury to a key player could be catastrophic. Player’s fitness would be top priority and that may be a very difficult task now that there a lot of games to be played in a short period in order to meet up with the schedule.
There is a very good vibe around Merseyside that things are looking up on the blue side.
With Carlo Ancelotti on board, the fans have every reason to.
