Everton showing 'huge faith' in Benitez as 39-yr-old could now be axed - pundit
Alan Hutton has claimed Everton have shown "huge" faith in Rafael Benitez following Marcel Brands' departure.
The former Aston Villa defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted it was no surprise to hear the Spaniard wants to take full control of recruitment at Goodison Park ahead of January.
An Everton source told Football Insider on Monday (December 6), Benitez wants head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson, 39, to follow Brands out the exit door as he consolidates his powerbase on Merseyside.
Brands' exit was confirmed on Sunday (5 December) 48 hours after this site revealed he was in line to be sacked.
Hutton suggested Benitez deserves control over the club's transfers - but questioned if he would have funds available to spend.
Hutton told Football Insider's Russell Edge: "Surely if Rafa does get that and he is in full charge, he couldn't do any worse than Marcel Brands.
"It doesn't surprise me that Rafa, the kind of manager he looks, that he does want more control.
"It does show a lot of faith in him. A couple of weeks ago we were talking about if Liverpool beat them comfortably, he could be getting sacked.
"This is a huge show of faith.
"If they're going to give Rafa more power in the transfer market, do they have the money to spend?
"The FFP rules and situation, do they have that money to go and improve the squad? I'm not sure they do.
"We'll have to see what they come up with in January."
Everton spent just £1.7million on new signings over the summer.
They currently sit 12th in the Premier League table after Monday night's win over Arsenal.