Friday 15 June 2018 15:00, UK
Everton manager Marco Silva is keen to have balance in his squad and has offered hope to many players at the club.
Under former boss Ronald Koeman, Everton started last season with no senior striker as the Toffees struggled and the Dutchman was eventually replaced by Sam Allardyce, who was sacked in May.
One of the criticisms of Koeman, along with ex-director of football Steve Walsh, faced was they did not recruit what was needed in the summer. Silva, however, is keen to have a mix of both young and more-experienced players.
"It is always good when you have this balance," Silva told the Liverpool Echo. "Some experience, some young players, some fresh players as well but I cannot tell you if the squad is too old or not - it's not fair for me.
"For me, in football you don't have age. If an 18-year-old player is better than the other or deserves to play more than the other then he will play more than one who is 29 or 30.
"But it is not fair to the player who is 32, 33, if he is better than the other if I don't play him because he is 32, 33."
Silva is working with the new director of football Michael Brands to finalise their transfer targets for the summer window.
Wayne Rooney is still yet to decide his Everton future as he is still considering a move to MLS side DC United.
Both Silva and Brands said on their arrival to Goodison Park they would not stand in the 32-year-old's way, and with a deal understood to have been agreed with DC, the decision now rests with the player, who is taking his time to consider his future.
