Whelan ‘certain’ of Everton striker swoop in January as loan move on the cards
Everton must target a striker in January with backup option Salomon Rondon failing to impress, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Toffees could look at loan deals in the winter window with their “hands tied” financially.
Speaking after Everton fell 3-0 away at Man City (as quoted by the Liverpool Echo), manager Rafa Benitez said the club will look to find “solutions” in January – and conceded that injuries are becoming a “problem” for the team.
Demarai Gray is the latest Toffees star to be sidelined. He was substituted in the first half of the City clash after appearing to hold his groin.
The 25-year-old joins the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure on the treatment table.
Whelan insisted Everton need a backup hitman and branded their recent run of form “dire”.
“I certainly think that striker is a position they will be targeting – Rondon just hasn’t really done it,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’re missing Calvert-Lewin, who is such a dynamic player for them – and there’s just not enough quality in reserve. They need to look at that position in January.
“The main focus has to be getting players back from injury. The performances haven’t been good enough and they’re on a bad run at the moment.
“Financially they have their hands tied – it could be a case of getting loan players through the door in January to try and end this dire run.
“Rafa can only work with what’s available.”
Summer acquisition Rondon has failed to score in eight Premier League outings.
Calvert-Lewin has been sidelined since August after scoring three in three at the start of this term.
In other news, pundit backs Everton to swoop for Premier League ace “desperate” for move.