Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth insists big buys are not untouchable after making 10 changes in Carabao Cup defeat by Chelsea
- David Unsworth has inherited £140million of new players from Ronald Koeman
- Everton's caretaker manager made 10 changes to the side for the loss to Chelsea
- After the Carabao Cup defeat Unsworth insisted price tags mean nothing
- Ronald Koeman's temporary replacement claimed a 'clean slate' is in place
Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth claims price tags will not mean anything to him when he picks his team.
The Toffees invested heavily in their squad during the summer as former boss Ronald Koeman — sacked on Monday — splashed out £140million on new recruits.
However, striker Wayne Rooney was the only outfield player signed by the Dutchman that Unsworth picked for the first game of his temporary stint — a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth warns Everton's £140m men they are not safe
Unsworth left out £45m playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson and £23.6m midfielder Davy Klassen. When asked if Everton's big-money buys will get any preferential treatment, Unsworth made his stance clear.
'Not at all. It is just a number,' he said of Sunday's trip to Leicester. 'The players don't determine that either. I will always pick what I believe is the strongest team to win a game of football.
'We came together and I picked a team which I thought would perform and win a game of football. It doesn't matter if they are new signings, or if they have come through the ranks.'
Ronald Koeman's temporary replacement made 10 changes to his squad in Chelsea defeat
Gylfi Sigurdsson is one summer signing who has come under fire since his arrival
Some of Everton's squad did not see eye to eye with Koeman but all of them will start afresh under Unsworth. He added: 'I think that is always the case with a clean slate when someone leaves and a new man comes in and takes over.
'I think there will be players that are happy the manager has left because players want to play.
'Some will be disappointed because they will wonder whether they will now be in the starting line-up. I think as a team everyone has more to show.'
Unsworth also confirmed Ross Barkley could return in three weeks after his hamstring injury. But Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie remain 'months' away from playing again for the club.
Midfielder Idrissa Gueye is poised to sign a new five-year contract.
Meanwhile, one of Everton's few bright sparks Idrissa Gueye will sign a new five-year deal
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