Rafa Benitez has looked ahead to the January transfer window and explained the qualities he will look for in Everton’s potential targets

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Rafa Benitez has urged Everton to prepare for the upcoming January transfer window and explained that it is "critical" for the club to sign players who want to be here.

After the Spaniard’s appointment, the Blues identified five newcomers throughout the summer-Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic, Demalet Gray, Andy Lonergan and Solomon Longdon is talking on paper.

But the club has not increased in key areas of the stadium, and Benitez does not rule out the possibility of more transfers in the winter.

After selling James Rodriguez to Al Layan, as the funds opened up, the manager knew that the club had to be prepared to act when the window opened again.

He commented: "In January, we must be prepared. It is too early to talk about the transfer window and ideas.

"The fans know what we need, we know what we need. Just make sure that when the time comes, we are ready.

"The balance between the top players, the players who want to come here, and the important players they can be us in the winter-it doesn't matter. The players must have the enthusiasm to fight for us."

"But at the same time, they must have the qualities to make the team and the team better."

Read more: Benitez explains why Everton "needs" Rodriguez to quit and make Mohili claim

So far this season, vitality and commitment have been the core of the Benitez team, and Gray and Townsend have shown these qualities through their performance after joining the club.

The coach also emphasized the importance of the players' strong desire to play for Everton after arriving in Everton.

"I think it's important to have players who really want to come," the Blues boss confirmed.

"We have to make sure to recommend something attractive to them to make sure they come here with the motivation you need.

"At the same time I saw this because I have experience but no money. You have to make sure that they are good players. If you want to improve the level of the team, you have to bring in good players."

"But it must be the players who come here to perform. Not just the names, then maybe they can or can't.

"We need to know 100% what we want to bring here. They will come and will do everything for the team because this is what the fans expect, it's very simple.

"But not only that. Passion, desire and commitment are good, but they are also balanced. We need higher quality to ensure that we improve the level of the team.

"There are not many players, especially in the January transfer window. If they participate in a UEFA Champions League game, they will have the opportunity and desire to come.

"It's not easy. We now know the difficulties. We must start working hard."

Benitez admitted that the transfer window in January is still more "complicated" than in summer, and it is necessary to find the right level of players.

However, he believes that the right attitude is the key and the quality of the celebrities involved in any potential transfer.

"No, I think this is the right attitude and mentality-professionals want to improve," Benitez concluded.

"This is the kind of player we are looking for. If you have such a player, then you can increase the quality and you have the ideal player.

"We have some windows that we can find. It's not easy, and January is complicated, but maybe you will bring in young players who are eager to improve. Maybe players who don't have the game have experience and are good professional players."

"I think this is to find the right character, attitude and mentality-and then to improve the team's right qualities."