Everton linked with two Serie A defenders: Does Ancelotti need defensive reinforcements?

Carlo Ancelotti has polished the Everton central defence

Last season, Everton invited a lot of criticism for their leaky defence under Marco Silva. When Carlo Ancelotti took over the reins at Goodison Park, mending the backline was on his agenda. Under Silva, the Toffees conceded 27 goals in 15 games. Ancelotti’s team also conceded the same amount of goals in 19 games while also coping with the injuries to Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate.

Signing a central defender was the need of the hour in the transfer window. Brazilian defender Gabriel was close to joining Everton but in the end, Arsenal emerged as serious candidates and snapped the 23 year old.

At the start of the season, when Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite were injured, the central defence was the most vulnerable area with wafer thin depth. There was an immediate need for reinforcements with Mina and Michael Keane being the only fit central defenders. Playing with just two central defenders was like treading on dangerous grounds especially when one of the players has had poor injury track records in the past.

In the culminating stages of the summer transfer window, Everton signed Ben Godfrey from Norwich City. What was deemed by many as a panic buy has now turned out to be one of the most impactful transfers for this season.