Redknapp: I’ve changed my mind about Everton transfers due to this trio
By Harry Sykes
Jamie Redknapp has claimed that he has changed his mind about Everton’s transfer plans due to academy products Tom Davies, Ross Barkley and Mason Holgate.
Redknapp felt the Merseysiders were in need of a major overhaul due to Ronald Koeman inheriting a squad over reliant on veteran players such as Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka.
But the high profile pundit admitted he had been forced into a change of thinking about what the club should do in the transfer market following the recent performances orchestrated by midfield conductor Davies.
Everton won their third Premier League match out of three in 2017 when they followed up their demolition of Manchester City with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“Six weeks ago, I thought this ageing Everton team needed major surgery,” Redknapp wrote in his Mail column on Monday. “Since Ronald Koeman has brought Tom Davies into the side they have looked vibrant, quick and great to watch.
“After starring against Manchester City last week, the 18-year-old set up Seamus Coleman’s winner at Crystal Palace.
“Ross Barkley has also benefited playing with Davies. He is enjoying the fact that he is no longer the new kid on the block and is embracing his role as Everton’s main man.
“The emergence of Davies and Mason Holgate begs the question why more managers are not dipping into the academy.
“Putting faith in youth has lifted Everton and the fans will love Koeman for giving their young prospects a chance.”
Davies, 18, Holgate, 20 and Barkley, 23, have been integral to the team’s improvement over the last month, which has included four wins and a draw from the last five Premier League matches.
Davies and Barkley both started in central midfield against Palace, while Holgate was once again part of a three-man defence in Koeman’s new 3-5-2 formation.
Everton’s improvement has helped the team to consolidate their position of seventh in the league table, although they are a distant nine points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.
The Toffees do not have a fixture this weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage by Leicester.
In other Everton news, the club are in line to seal a defender transfer this week after extensive weekend talks ended with the Koeman green light.
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