Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made a double transfer demand to Everton while predicting the Blues will finish seventh this season.
Right-back priority
Right-back remains the club's long-running problem position. Kenny Tete could have filled the void last summer but decided to sign a new deal at Fulham instead. David Moyes admitted the club had been searching for a new right-back for a year. Nathan Patterson remains surplus to requirements despite featuring for Scotland in the World Cup, with teammates Ben Godfrey and Jake O'Brien selected out of position ahead of him.
Seamus Coleman's departure after 17-and-a-half years has increased the need. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill revealed on July 31 that Moyes had called about Alistair Johnston, and Everton had a representative at Parkhead to watch him. However, the Daily Record reports Everton have cooled their interest in the 27-year-old after failing to meet Celtic's asking price of upwards of £15million.
Burnham's demands
Speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport, Burnham said: “The signs are good but there is one thing that I would just ask: ‘Sign a right-back.’ We need a right-back. Poor old Jake [O'Brien] can’t do another season at right-back. He’s a good player, he’s a great centre-back. Buy a right-back.”
He also hopes Jack Grealish stays: “I’m hoping they may put some investment in this summer. I’m hoping Jack Grealish will give us one more year, at least I hope more than one, because he was a joy to watch last year and he brings a character that Evertonians can completely buy into.”
Stability and prediction
Burnham, the seventh Prime Minister since 2016, backs Moyes, who led Everton to nine top-eight finishes in his first spell. He predicts a seventh-place finish, their highest in a decade. Asked about the season, he said: “The new season, hopeful. I believe we’ve got the right manager in David Moyes. David took us forward last season. We were going really well and then perhaps the shallowness of the squad meant at the final stages we dropped away. But real quality, playing some really good football, the new stadium on its best nights is an incredible place to be. Fine atmosphere. So, the fundamentals are falling into place, with new owners.”
