Alan Shearer says he would have been ‘amazed’ if Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher decided to join Everton during the January transfer window.
Yes, Sean Dyche has lifted the mood around Goodison Park following their 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday, but it still doesn’t hide the cracks underneath.
With the Toffees in all sorts of trouble, it was obvious that new faces needed to come in during the winter transfer window in order to give them hope of staying in the Premier League.
From a last-ditch move for Andre Ayew, who ended up at Nottingham Forest, to a rumoured big-money bid for Conor Gallagher.
Those in the Goodison Park boardroom tried all they could to get deals over the line, but in the end, they made themselves weaker by selling Anthony Gordon and bringing in a total of zero players – that didn’t go down well with an already angry fanbase.
The Premier League’s leading goalscorer Alan Shearer was critical of those making the calls at the club and how Gallagher was never going to turn up at Goodison Park, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
“Where is the finance, who is making the decisions,” asked Shearer. “I don’t know. From the outside, I look at all of those things and that’s why Everton fans are worried.
“All those managers they have had in the past, they all can’t be wrong! We know the sanctions that have gone on and the finances that have been taken out and away from the football club.
“I would have been amazed if they got someone like Conor Gallagher on a long-term deal. A loan deal might have been different.
“A long-term deal, why would you as an individual, when there are so many questions being asked, put yourself in that position?! When I am sure he would have had better concrete offers from clubs compared to where Everton are.”
SEAN DYCHE THE SAVIOUR?
That extra boost might not have come in January in terms of new players, but it has come in the form of a new manager.
Despite having to face the best team in the land for Dyche’s first game in charge, not only did the struggling side pick up three points, but it was a deserved win and clean sheet.
During Dyche’s career, he has always punched above his weight and those at Goodison Park will be hoping he can showcase his magic once more because they are going to need it every inch of it during these next few months.