This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has ripped into Everton for their start to the Premier League season, and described Marco Silva’s men as his biggest disappointment of the campaign so far.
What’s he said?
Thompson has pointed to Everton’s pre-season desires of breaking into the established top-six this season, and potentially the top-four, but have displayed far from enough to present the threat needed after eight games.
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The Toffees also spent vast sums in the summer trying to build a squad capable of challenging for a European berth come next May, with more than £100million (TransferMarkt) handed over to lure Andre Gomes, Jean Philippe-Gbamin, Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi and Fabian Delph to Goodison Park on permanent deals.
Despite their desires and cash spent, Everton entered the October international break inside the bottom three of the Premier League standings, and sit seven points down on sixth-placed Crystal Palace, with goal difference the only thing separating the Eagles from fourth-placed Leicester City.
Everton have not been the only side to leave Thompson feeling underwhelmed, either, with the former Liverpool defender adding that Manchester United have likewise been a disappointment, although not as much as the Blues.
Speaking with Sporting Life as he assessed the season so far, Thompson said:
“I think the biggest disappointment has been Everton, but Manchester United have been close. They have both spent heavily and have expected much better returns.
“Everton were wanting to challenge for the top-six and maybe even the top-four. Nobody would have envisaged that they would have been sitting in the bottom three as we speak.
“This is being quite honest and open, while most Everton fans will be devastated with where they currently sit in the table.”
Everton’s wasted opportunity
It is hard to argue with Thompson that Everton have not been one of, if not the, biggest disappointments of the Premier League season so far.
As the ex-Liverpool man said, the Blues had ambitions of challenging the established top-six this term but are yet to look like a side capable of doing so.
Manchester United’s struggles also come as a wasted opportunity for Everton, as the Red Devils’ plight could have opened the door for Silva and his men to walk closer to the cusp of European football for next season.
Tottenham Hotspur are yet to thrive this term, either, allowing Leicester City to look like the most likely side to spring a surprise and challenge for the European places instead, with Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes so far showing themselves as a free-scoring side that are tight at the back.
The King Power Stadium natives currently rank fourth in the Premier League for goals scored and second-best for keeping the opponent out, whereas Everton rank 18th for goals scored and joint-14th for goals allowed.