Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes new signing Joshua King will spur forwards including Richarlison to improve against Leeds and Tottenham as he urges his squad to show ‘a different spirit’
Carlo Ancelotti has demanded a reaction from his squad and hopes the arrival of Joshua King will spark Everton‘s forwards into life.
Ancelotti questioned his side’s attitude after their exasperating display in the 2-0 home defeat by underperforming Newcastle.
He feels that Richarlison, the Brazil striker, has more to give and wants to see an improvement against Leeds at Elland Road this evening.
Carlo Ancelotti (left) has been critical of stars including Richarlison after losing to Newcastle
The Everton manager hopes Joshua King, who has joined from Bournemouth, will up the ante
Everton will be without goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is nursing a rib injury, but Ancelotti feels King’s presence will give his players some impetus as they aim to recover from a disappointing week when they picked up just one point from home games against Leicester and Newcastle.
Ancelotti said: ‘It is a very important period. These two home games were not good, our target was to have more points.
‘We have to be focused on the next games. We have Leeds and a home game against Tottenham in the FA Cup, so it’s really important.
‘At least we have the whole squad available for the next week — this is a good sign. But of course, the reaction will be important to show a different spirit — I am sure there will be a reaction (against Leeds).
‘The arrival of Joshua King makes our squad more competitive, and of course it puts more pressure on our strikers. This is what we want.’
Everton were beaten 2-1 at home by the Magpies and Ancelotti expects more from Richarlison