Everton can 'be a force next season' if manager Rafa Benitez ‘does what he normally does’ according to ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson.
The former Reds right-back played a season under the Spaniard at Anfield, Benitez’s last before leaving by mutual consent in June 2010, and is confident his old manager can achieve success with the Toffees.
While Benitez’s appointment at Goodison Park last month may have raised a few eyebrows due to his Liverpool connections, Johnson believes he will quickly get supporters on side.
Speaking to bettingodds.com, he said: “Rafa just loves football. I know everybody associates him with Liverpool but he will definitely win the Everton fans over.
“He’s a red, but he loves the city and the fans will be won over if they perform. They’ll quickly forget once they start winning football matches.”
Johnson, who spent six years representing the red half of Merseyside, believes the Toffees can really challenge under Benitez and added: “I don’t think Everton are too far away from becoming a very competitive side.
“The club’s going in the right direction, they’re spending big money, they’ve got some good players and they’ve got plans for a new stadium so if Rafa does what he normally does then I think they could be a force next season.”
Everton take on Pumas UNAM in the Florida Cup late on Wednesday night and travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in a friendly on August 7 before the big Premier League kick off at home to Southampton a week later.
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