In a world where European football and finance are always thought to be key, Everton's Director of Football believes that his side still hold one advantage over the Premier League's elite.
Marcel Brands replaced Steve Walsh in May 2018, following a period of significant spend by the club that six signings cost more than £20m each including the likes of Cenk Tosun and Davy Klaassen.
The Toffees have continued to spend since then but have also used loan deals and free transfers to work more astutely and Brands has seen the arrivals of the likes of Richarlison, Yerry Mina, Kurt Zouma and Andre Gomes. The latter three came from Barcelona and Chelsea respectively, clubs considered more successful than Everton.
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It is that crucial point that the director hopes to take advantage of moving forward.
Brands even referenced the status of former Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to illustrate his point.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo he said: “We are always competing with other Premier League clubs and if we are competing with top six clubs then that is difficult,” he said.
“But there is a lot of pressure at top six clubs and a lot of good players in their squads, for example Manchester City, who find it difficult to play.
“Ross Barkley was a superstar in Everton but is not always playing in Chelsea so that can sometimes give you an advantage and if you give players that particular pathway, at particular ages, then we can try and focus on that.
“It is also important to have a coach who can develop players and Marco is really good at that.”
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