Tipped by many to challenge the ‘top six’, Everton were expected to fight for a European spot this time. Currently, Everton are languishing in the 15th spot in the table having just escaped the relegation zone and have collected eleven points from as many games.
Their record against the big sides has been abysmal. The Toffees have collected a grand total of one point from their five big matches against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, with the 1-1 draw at the Etihad the only positive result.
Their Thursday night outings in the Europa League has been equally disappointing with the Merseyside club claiming one point in four matches which includes a 2-2 draw against Apollon Limassol at Goodison Park, back to back defeats to Lyon and a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta.
In a summer that promised so much with the return of their boyhood star Wayne Rooney, things have turned sour. The Everton squad hosts a team of players of great attacking calibre. The squad has a good mixture of youth and experience. In the likes of Rooney, Sigurdsson, Barkley, Ramirez, Klaassen, Calvert-Lewin, Everton have some of the brightest prospects of European football at the club but nobody has really fired this season for them.
It seems Everton are ready to buy more talent to save the club from the imminent danger looming over them. They have now been linked with Leeds United youngster Mallik Wilks.
Everton have already spent a net amount of £142.38 m after Moshiri’s takeover but they are ready to keep their wallets open to solve their goalscoring crisis.
The 18-year old might an exciting prospect for the club. He has shown glimpses of great potential at this age. Wilks, who has currently been loaned out, is playing for Sky Bet League Two side Accrington Stanley and has enjoyed a bright start to the new season. He has found the net thrice in fifteen appearances this season and has impressed many big clubs with his football.
Should Everton get the player, he might be a valuable addition to the squad for the future. It will be illogical for fans to hope that an 18-year old who has been playing in League two to come to Merseyside and hit the ground running, especially given their current form.
As for the Merseyside club itself, while it is a good sign they are keeping an eye out for the future, maybe focusing on the current pandemonium ensuing at the club would be a better alternative, especially given that the Premier League is an unforgiving and cruel taskmaster.
