Can Benitez get a better tune out of Everton players

Because it’s very unclear how much money the Toffees will be prepared to spend this summer. I’ve said before that I think the club should go out and spend even if that means breaching FFP rules.

Other clubs have done it and given the shameless way the so-called ‘big six’ in England treat all these rules and regulations and the football authorities themselves, Everton should just spend the money they want and need to and see what happens.

But if that doesn’t happen – and I don’t think the Blues board will go about things that way – then to spend big Benitez will need to sell an asset or two. The only ones that would fetch a significant fee would be Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lucas Digne. Although given his Euro’s performances Jordan Pickford might be in demand as well.

Now letting any of those players go would be controversial and given how little room for manouvre Benitez has with the fans, it would be a major decision to sell one or other of them.

However, Richarlison was a shadow of himself last season and to be honest I’m not sure of his commitment to the Blues, as his past comments have indicated. If a club put £50 million or more on the table I think it has to be considered.

Calvert-Lewin had a fine season overall although his goal productivity fell away markedly after a great start and he still doesn’t convince that he is a genuine out-and-out goalscorer. If another club came in with an huge bid would and should that be tempting?

Digne has recently signed a new contract and seems happy at Goodison Park. But I feel in a way he’s almost too comfortable in this team and last season there were times when it appeared he was coasting along knowing he was under no pressure for his place.

Maybe the hands-off approach of Carlo Ancelotti didn’t help but while I don’t want him to leave, we need to see a much more energetic and determined Digne next season.

Or he might decide not to sell any of his better players and while he will obviously want some new signings (Lionel Messi on a free?!) he should also be ready and able to work with the existing squad and get the absolute most out of those footballers, as he has done wherever he has previously managed.

After all apart from Newcastle’s very ordinary team that he coaxed to the Championship and several mid-table finishes, look at that Liverpool team he won the Champions League with!