Dean Saunders delivers damning verdict on Everton survival hopes if they do not start signing players

Dean Saunders believes Everton could be “in trouble” if the club don’t start making new signings with the start of the Premier League season just over two weeks away.

The Toffees have only drafted in two new additions so far in the transfer window, with Ashley Young joining on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma signing on a season-long loan from Villarreal.

Speaking on the talkSport breakfast show on 26 July, Saunders expressed his concerns about Sean Dyche’s side after they narrowly escaped the drop last season.

“I’m looking at Everton, they’ve signed Danjuma and Ashley Young, that’s it,” said Saunders. “Sean Dyche is obviously in to do the job to keep them in the league this year, but he’s not David Copperfield.

“If they don’t start signing some players, they’re going to be in trouble for me.”

There is no doubt that the signings Everton have made so far this summer aren’t enough and are probably not going to improve them massively heading into next season.

Saunders is right that they could be in trouble if the situation stays this way, but Dyche knows he has to bring in more players and he will be doing everything he can do that over the next few weeks.

One of the main issues is that they haven’t yet been able to get a new striker through the door after scoring just 34 goals last season – the second-lowest in the Premier League ahead of Wolves.

Although the Toffees did improve defensively once Dyche arrived at the club, they still conceded the seventh-most goals in the league in the last campaign and the manager will be looking to strengthen in that department as well.

It’s clear to everyone that signings are needed, but there are still about five weeks to go until the transfer window does slam shut, so it isn’t time to panic just yet.

EVERTON MIDFIELDER HAILS ‘BALLER’ WHO REJECTED TOFFEES MOVE

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has hailed winger Anthony Elanga after securing his move to Nottingham Forest.

Anthony Elanga has chosen Nottingham Forest over Everton – but Toffees ace Amadou Onana remains a big fan.

Everton are desperate for attacking additions this summer and had identified Elanga as a key target.

The Toffees made a move to sign Elanga from Manchester United but didn’t quite get the answer they wanted.

Elanga rejected Everton according to the Daily Mail, with the Toffees initiating ‘direct talks’.

It was stated that Elanga had concerns about Sean Dyche’s style of play and wasn’t sure Everton was the right move for him.

Elanga has instead decided to join Nottingham Forest, who play a more free-flowing, attacking style under Steve Cooper.

The Swede completed his £15million move to the City Ground on Tuesday and actually received a message from an Everton star.

Amadou Onana shares verdict on Anthony Elanga

Elanga took to Instagram to share an emotional goodbye to United after so many years in the Old Trafford ranks.

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was in the replies, simply stating ‘baller’ as Elanga secured his move to Forest.

Onana may well be wishing that Elanga had joined him at Goodison Park, but he still appreciates his game all the same.

Everton did manage to sign a new winger of their own though, securing the signing of Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma.

Onana and Everton fans will hope that Danjuma can make a big impact – especially after the Toffees missed out in January.

Supporters may still keep one eye on Elanga’s progress at Forest but will ultimately hope that Onana and his Everton teammates can beat Elanga and Forest next season, ideally finishing above them in the Premier League table.