Everton looking to avoid last year’s mistakes- 2022/23 season preview

Everton avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season and Frank Lampard will have plenty of work to do if they are to avoid a repeat in the upcoming campaign.

There were scenes of jubilation in May when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a late header to seal victory over Crystal Palace that ensured the Toffees survival but at the moment that looks like an anomaly rather than a catalyst for future success.

Brazilian attacker Richarlison was a talismanic figure towards the end of the previous campaign, filling the void left by Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems and providing iconic scenes such as the winner against Chelsea and the image with the blue flare in the celebrations.

Everton are not a club awash with cash at present however and the decision was taken at the end of June to cash in, with the former Watford man sealing a transfer to Tottenham for a fee in the region of £50 million.

The club are clearly having some difficulties dealing with the financial fair play regulations as very little of that money has been reinvested in the playing squad.

Transfers

So far there have only been three incomings this summer, far fewer than what supporters would have been hoping for, if not expecting.

James Tarkowski has arrived on a free transfer from Burnley and does look an astute signing. The 29-year-old brings a wealth of Premier League experience to the defence and will provide leadership qualities that were at times lacking during crucial periods last season.

Ruben Vinagre has come in on loan from Sporting CP in Portugal and will provide competition in the left wingback role. Vinagre looked like he had a lot of potential at Wolves and now is the time for the defender to show consistent performances at a higher level.

Dwight McNeil is probably the most interesting of the signings so far. The former Burnley man struggled last season but is only 22-years-old and has shown enough promise in his career so far that he could provide an impact into the Blues’ side.

The club have also trimmed some big wages off the club accounts this summer. Gylfi Sigurdsson, Fabian Delph, Jonjoe Kenny and Cenk Tosun have all departed and while the club made no money in transfer fees, the savings in wages will not be insignificant.

The departure of Ellis Simms on loan to Championship side Sunderland on loan looks even more curious by the day. Calvert-Lewin has picked up an injury just days before the season opener against Chelsea and with Salomon Rondon suspended, the club will have no recognised striker going into the opening game.

Fans will be praying it is nothing serious but given Calvert-Lewin’s struggles with fitness last season, this news will have supporters extremely worried.

Expectations

It is fair to say that even the most ardent Toffees are not expecting anything close to a European challenge this season. A more comfortable season without the pressure of a relegation dogfight would be enough for most but without some more recruits in the next few weeks, that is exactly the position Everton could find themselves in once more.

Should Calvert-Lewin’s injury be more serious than first feared then a number nine is an absolute must for Lampard as it is hard to see enough goals in the rest of the side.

With rumours all summer of a takeover from Peter Kenyon and work ongoing on the new stadium at Bramley Moore dock, it could be another rocky campaign for one of England’s most famous clubs.

A slightly less eventful, maybe even boring, campaign could do the club some good before the big move in the coming years. Everton are a club that cannot afford to be in the Championship, and Lampard has work on his hands to put that possibility far in the rear-view mirror.

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