Squad Cull Needed

Marcel Brands will attempt to be ruthless in reducing the Blues’ top heavy 38-man squad.

Brands: “First of all we need to offload players to raise money (to spend), and also salary-wise.”

Asked if that meant Everton need to sell to buy, Brands confirmed “Yes, but it’s not only a money thing. Of course money is also important, but it is also for a coach it is not workable to start with 38 players in your squad.

“I think we have to look for a squad Marco can work with and I think there always has to be space for young players to come to the first team.

“Of course money is important but also, for a coach, it is not workable to start with 38 players in your squad. We have to look for a squad Marco can work with. That has to be, let’s say, 25-30 players. Marco must start with a squad that everyone is eager to play for and has prospects to play.”

“In England a lot of clubs, fans and media say you have to make new signings all the time. In most countries players cannot make the wages they get in the Premier League, so a lot of players who don’t play here cannot play anywhere, because the salaries are not comparable.

“Hopefully I will succeed in offloading the right players. They are good players, so I hope there will be interest for a few of our players.”