Peter Crouch believes Rafa Benitez will become one of the first people to be loved by both sets of supporters on Merseyside - and he knows what the Blues players can expect from the Spanish coach.
The former England striker worked with Benitez for three years during his time with Liverpool and he has tipped his former boss to be a success at Goodison Park.
He has also given an insider’s view as to what will be demanded of the Toffees squad each day at Finch Farm.
“If they follow his lead, those on the blue half of Merseyside will become more rounded footballers, more aware of the bigger picture, because tactically I don’t think I played for a better manager”, Crouch admitted.
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“ Everton are going to be dangerous this year with a manager who studies everything so meticulously.
“He would emphasise the small details that make differences in games, dissecting every weakness in the teams we were about to face. He would go around the team before games, each one of us, and explain what we were up against individually. Where to hurt them, how to exploit them.
“These are the tiniest things. He would ask questions of us in team meetings. ‘What foot does this young goalkeeper play off?’”, he wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“You are sat there having to answer and it kept us on our toes. Everybody’s brain was switched on in every meeting because you knew a question was coming your way.”
Everton have started the season strongly under the former Valencia boss, picking up seven points from their first three matches.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in each game, with new £1.5m signing Demarai Gray also firing in two goals in as many matches.
Speaking about the Blues’ prospects this season, Crouch believes Benitez has clearly got his message across to the players, despite it being the start of a fresh campaign.
“Looking at this Everton team’s start to the season, he has already got them going”, he said.
“Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend are quality signings who had lost their way, but Rafa is letting them flourish. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a born goalscorer, Abdoulaye Doucoure gives drive in midfield.
“Suddenly they are an exciting team to watch — not a label that has been put on all Rafa’s teams. And it is true, sometimes he can be very cautious.
“There was always going to be criticism when he took that job. If he had lost his first two games, it would have got difficult, but I look at that side, the talent they have, and it is one he can harness.
“Everton’s fanbase will take to him. I believe he will become one of the first men to be truly loved by both sets of supporters.”
