Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made a double transfer demand to Everton while making a bold prediction over his beloved Blues
Everton’s need for a right-back is such that even Prime Minister Andy Burnham has waded in on the issue, earmarking it as one of a couple of transfer demands.
Right-back remains the Blues’ long-running problem position. Kenny Tete could have filled the void last summer but after a U-turn, he decided to sign a new deal at Fulham instead.
Ahead of the winter window closing, David Moyes admitted that the club had been actively searching for a new right-back for a year. Nathan Patterson came close to leaving before the winter window closed and despite featuring for Scotland in the World Cup, he remains surplus to requirements having seen team-mates such as Ben Godfrey and more recently, Jake O’Brien, selected out of position ahead of him.
Combine that with long-serving club captain Seamus Coleman departing after 17-and-a-half years and Everton’s need for a new recruit has grown even greater. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill revealed on July 31 that Moyes had called him to say there would be contact over Canada World Cup star Alistair Johnston and the Blues subsequently had a representative at Parkhead watching him play in the Bhoys’ opening game of their Scottish Premiership title defence as they defeated Dundee 1-0.
However, despite the ECHO understanding that Johnston had told Celts chiefs that he was keen to make the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Daily Record now reports that Everton have cooled their interest in the 27-year-old after failing to meet his current employers’ asking price of upwards of £15million.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sam Cohen for GiveMeSport, the Prime Minister 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.”
The MP for Makerfield would also like to see another piece of key business at Everton and added: “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.”
After eight managers in as many years under previous owner Farhad Moshiri, Mr Burnham, the seventh incumbent of 10 Downing Street since 2016, is also calling for stability at the top at Everton and is backing David Moyes, who steered the club to nine top eight finishes during his first spell in charge, including their highest ever Premier League position of fourth.
He has boldly tipped his beloved Blues to finish seventh this season, for what would be their highest position in a decade. Asked on his thoughts on the coming campaign, the 56-year-old 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.”
FOLLOW OUR EVERTON FC FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest EFC news and analysis from via the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated FB page