Koeman says Walsh and Everton ready for January transfer window

Ronald Koeman believes now that Everton Director of Football Steve Walsh has had time to settle into his role he’ll have the Toffees better prepared to deal with the upcoming January transfer window.

“You need always time to see the qualities in the squad. You need to learn about the characters in the team. You need to see the balance in the team and of course my opinion about the team is a little bit different than it was after watching clips of Everton from last season because I have had time to work with the individual players.

“It’s all about characters, strengths, weaknesses, what the team needs, more personalities, more key players. And finally you make your mind up. Of course we had more time now for January than we had in the summer. Steve is in for a few months, new people in, new scouting. We are better prepared now than it was in the summer.”

The Dutchman insisted the Blues would be more active than expected in a January transfer window with all the gaps Walsh and he have identified in the squad.

“If I compare to Southampton, I like to do more business now in January than we did in Southampton. But that’s all about what we need. We will lose Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations. We have a long term injury in Bolasie. We have the physical problems with injuries of James McCarthy and we know Gareth Barry cannot play games every two or three days. We have Phil Jagielka in a tough period. We have a lot to think about what’s the best 11 and what’s the most fresh 11 players.”

Koeman admitted though that it was a tougher sell convincing players to join Everton when there was no European football to look forward to this season.

“Players want to be involved in the Champions League. We need to show as Everton that it’s really an interesting project.

“But once again, if you have the competition against those kind of teams then it’s always difficult.”