Everton have had a disappointing season with their Premier League status hanging in the balance as they currently sit 18th in the league table.
As a result, Frank Lampard will need to identify and improve the key areas that have led to the side's downfall this summer.
Whether the Toffees are relegated or not, there need to be major changes made at Goodison Park this summer and a great place to start is in the defensive line, which has caused nothing but problems throughout.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher recently ripped into the Everton back four following a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in March (via Metro):
‘This back four is a Championship back four, absolutely no doubt whatsoever."
The former Liverpool defender and Merseyside native does have a point when you consider how poor statistically the defensive play has been at Everton this season.
Lampard's side has conceded 20 more goals than they have scored in the Premier League this season, conceding a staggering 1.67 goals on average per game, with nine errors leading to goals and three put into the back of their own net. Mason Holgate has scored one own goal whilst Michael Keane has scored two.
With that being said, there clearly needs to be a shake-up in the system and the Toffees boss must take the opportunity to promote a young player to replace the likes of Holgate in the centre-back position next season, with Reece Welch waiting in the wings to secure that spot.
The 18-year-old gem was hailed as "composed" by journalist Patrick Boyland who was full of praise for the youngster back in February:
"U23 centre back Reece Welch once again in Everton training photos. Plenty of potential and, crucially, composed playing out from the defence."
Welch has made 23 appearances in Premier League Two, scoring one goal and contributing one assist so far, and was given a short one-minute run-out in the senior team against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup this season as well as training with the first team on many occasions this season, so clearly Lampard already has his eye on the defender.
Ultimately, the Everton boss must be ruthless this summer when setting out to improve and rebuild the squad whether they succeed in staying up or get knocked down into the Championship, and promoting young talent is a great way to move the team forward without spending millions.