‘I said last season’: Victor Anichebe says Everton should have replaced Dyche with coach who Guardiola is a ‘big fan’ of

Former Everton player Victor Anichebe has said that the Toffees should have sacked Sean Dyche in the summer and appointed Graham Potter as manager.

The ex-Nigerian international responded to Everton’s Instagram post after yesterday’s 4-0 defeat at Villa Park and articulated many of the frustrations fans are feeling.

Indeed, it was an insipid performance by Sean Dyche’s side with little to no threat in attack compounded by an error strewn defensive display.

The afternoon then went from bad to worse with both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi withdrawn through injury.

The Everton boss has only been in charge of the Blues for eight months, but Anichebe insists that that the club should have approached Potter once Premier League safety had been secured at the end of last season.

Anichebe said: “I said last season when the club stayed up big changes were needed. Personally I would’ve been EXTREMELY grateful to Dyche and thanked him for keeping the club up but I would’ve went for Potter as the club needs a mentality shift and to breed through academy players.”

Emotive comments by Anichebe are being well received on Instagram

Potter did a superb job as manager at Brighton & Hove Albion, playing an exciting and attacking brand of football and operating with a comparatively limited transfer budget, earning praise from the likes of Pep Guardiola who said he is a ‘big fan’.

His progressive style and eye for a player caught the attention of Chelsea, who recruited Potter to replace the Champions League-winning Thomas Tuchel, though the 48-year-old lasted just six months at Stamford Bridge.

The former Brighton manager remains out of work and Anichebe believes appointing such a forward-thinking coach could have provided Everton with an identity that is currently lacking.

Anichebe continued: “Even the poor teams in the Premier League have strengthened, have an identity and are spending. What about Everton? Nada.”