Richard Keys has named Everton as one of the teams that could be relegated from the Premier League this season.
Everton beating by Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 at Goodison Park in the opening game of the 2024/25 season on Saturday (17 August).
Speaking live on beIN SPORTS [17. Aug 19:55] this result has Keys saying that relegation is once again a concern for the Toffees – as it still is for Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
“I think Ipswich are ready to come back; Southampton will go with them,” Keys said.
“I think [Steve] Cooper in the third promoted team knows what it takes to keep the team going.
“So I’ll go with Leicester City, who have the best chance of the three promoted clubs to stay. I still think Brighton will struggle.
“And you can throw Nottingham Forest into the mix. I wasn’t going to mention Everton but after watching them today…”
At the time, co-host and former Everton player Andy Gray replied: “I’m not going to argue with you after this.”
Everton have another long season ahead of them
As always going into a new season, hopes were high for what would be possible for Everton over the next nine months.
Nobody realistically expected them to be fighting for a place in Europe per se, but there was hope for a top half finish.
That may still be the case, but if the Brighton defeat is anything to go by, the priority must be to finish 17th or higher.
The defeat showed the quality of Sean Dyche’s men in many areas of the pitch, even when the team is fully fit.
There has been a lot of talk about new signings such as Roma’s Edoardo Bove [Gazzetta dello Sport, August 18].
But unless they really bring in new additions, it’s hard to see the Toffees doing much this season.
That’s the brutal truth and that’s where the club is at the moment. With the next visit of Tottenham, it will certainly not be any easier.