Lookman has a fan in Brands

Saturday, 9 June, 2018 115comments  |  Jump to most recent

Ademola Lookman's prospects of not only staying at Everton but being an important member of the squad have been enhanced by comments made by Marcel Brands.

The 20-year-old spent the last half of the 2017-18 season at RB Leipzig after it became clear that he would not be getting regular playing time under Sam Allardyce at Goodison Park.

He scored five times in 11 appearances for the Bundesliga side who have made overtures to try and sign him permanently but the Blues' new Director of Football is keen to make him a prominent part of the first team next season.

"I can be clear in that because I know the player very well," Brands said in the Liverpool Echo. "He was on my list [of targets] at PSV.

"He is a very talented young player and I think he has to be moved up next year [to the first team]."  



Reader Comments (115)

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Bill Gienapp
1 Posted 09/06/2018 at 23:44:48
Praise Jesus!
Iain Thomson
2 Posted 09/06/2018 at 23:48:58
Amen
Damian Wilde
3 Posted 09/06/2018 at 23:52:16
Great to hear. He may come back now that Hoof Sam has gone!
Kenny Smith
4 Posted 09/06/2018 at 23:54:23
Brands is a genius – as are tens of thousands of Evertonians who've been shouting the same thing since he made his debut against Man City. Pity Koeman and Allardyce couldn't see it.

Selling this lad would be a disaster and will come back to bite us.

John Malone
5 Posted 09/06/2018 at 00:05:53
Lookman wouldn't be getting a start if I was the gaffer there is more to playing left wing than the odd nutmeg and a flashed shot over the bar!

The lad's obviously got bags full of talent but he himself needs to understand he is not yet good enough in all the required departments to expect a start every week in our first-team eleven.

He is very small and lightweight for the Premier League and only sprints in one direction, flair and skill are great as long as the basic fundamentals are taken care of first.

A top team doesn't have physical weaknesses, ie, speed strength height are basic requirement's unless you are a really special player and can score goals and create chances out of nothing!

I'd be glad to see him back in the squad but he would have to do a lot more than what he did when he played under Koeman.

Si Pulford
6 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:17:25
No offence, John, but that's the type of thinking that sells a young Messi and buys a young Emile Heskey.

When is height a requirement unless you're a ‘special' player? And how do you know he won't be a ‘special' player? The management at RB Leipzig seem to think he is. And they're a better team than we are.

You say he's not good enough to start, week-in & week-out. I agree, he's not the finished article, but looking at our squad I'd love to know who you think starts ahead of him, week-in & week-out, because I'm struggling.

He was playing Number 10 for RB Leipzig for the latter part of the season and started slotting regularly. I can't even remember who our Number 10 was last season.
He's just a kid. And if we sell Rooney and Niasse – as seems likely, he will probably be our top scorer from last season!!

Ari Sigurgeirsson
7 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:23:49
Very good news.
Gavin Johnson
8 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:25:15
Amen to that! No more, why would I play Lookman when I've got £28m Yannick Bolasie bollocks???
Gordon White
9 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:32:30
Hallelujah!

Common sense at last! Lad's got bags of talent. Just needs someone to nurture him. Like our new manager, methinks!

Please let this not be a dream...

Mike Allison
10 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:33:15
You get better by playing. He’s already quite good, play him more and he could be brilliant.
Bob Hannigan
11 Posted 10/06/2018 at 01:11:43
Good news from the new “top dog”!
Don Alexander
12 Posted 10/06/2018 at 01:18:32
Lookman in flashes looks very good in terms of attack. I have no idea how good Leipzig were in defence/midfield last season but if they had a good one/s it surely transmitted to the way Lookman was able to play.

If he comes back to us it''ll be to receive a relentless plethora of aimless balls from defence/midfield, to the huge cost of his perception of his own career, that being the bottom line for just about any "pro" of the last thirty years.

And no, I can't "prove" what I've just said, but it is my instinct, sadly.

Mike Gaynes
13 Posted 10/06/2018 at 01:49:40
Denizens of the live forum got sick and tired of me calling for Lookman off the bench a year ago, and I never understood why Koeman and Allardyce sidelined him.

I liked the news of Everton hiring Brands. I liked him better when he started talking. Now I'm starting to move into man-crush territory.

Rock on, Marcel!

Henry Lloyd
14 Posted 10/06/2018 at 04:18:13
Mike @13,

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments and usually agree with what you say with your posts.

Things I think will be changing dramatically over the course of this season and I am feeling a lot more positive about the entire setup now that Brands is here!

When are you coming over to Goodison Park again Mike? I remember reading and laughing about your last Visit!

Jerome Shields
15 Posted 10/06/2018 at 04:56:31
Lookman demanded to go to Leipzig on loan. He recently made it known that he wanted to transfer permanently to Leipzig. Why? Because he was aware of the problems at Everton and decided that his career was better progressed elsewhere. His judgement has been confirmed 100% right.

Brands is going to have to do more than express his admiration for Lookman via the media. He is going to have to show him that he is making the necessary changes.

Lookman, after the initial action of Brands not renewing contracts, which has seen six Under-23 players leave Everton, will have his suspicions aroused that the wage-cutting policy of Allardyce is continuing at the expense of the youth development policy.

Lookman will know every one of these six players. Why were they given contracts in the first place and heralded by Evertonfc. com?

Of course Brands would like Lookman in the Everton squad, but Lookman has said he wants a transfer. Brands, by publically expressing his support, is putting the onus on Lookman to either push his transfer request or withdraw it. Brands then avoids the blame should he go and enhances the fee value of one of his few realisable value players. Niasse the other realisable player in the squad, will be next. It will be interesting to see if Silva will want Niasse or if the realisable value of Niasse will be too tempting for Brands.

Brands's initial plan is to reduce the wages bill and release funds for transfers. The public expression of interest in Lookman is only a play in this initial plan. The ball is now in Lookman's court. His decision will be the judgement of a professional footballer who has taken the correct decisions regarding his career so far.

Lookman is looking for a permanent move to Leipzig; will he change his mind?Why should he?

Henry Lloyd
16 Posted 10/06/2018 at 05:49:12
Very good points made there, Jerome.

However, Marcel Brands is doing what he should do to make the young player make a decision. If he doesn't want to play for Everton, then that is fine...

Everton has been mismanaged for far too long and if it takes the style of Brands through the Media to get these players thinking, then I am all for it.

At the end of the day, all the players must look at the club and decide if they want what we the fans want and that is Everton winning and the respect of the rest of the Premier League!!

Under Koeman and then Allardyce, there was Zero. Now there is hope and Vision; what more do you want at this stage??

Michael Davis
17 Posted 10/06/2018 at 06:38:57
There's the small matter of his contract also. He's no Lukaku. So the club doesnt have to do anything except say "You're not going anywhere" – so it's not "in Lookman's court", sorry.
Lev Vellene
18 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:04:52
We release a number of U23s every season. Why is this time any different? And we bought about the same number of new players specifically for the U23s last season, if I remember it correctly. There are probably also players from the younger setups knocking on the door, as well.

It's a ladder, and every prospect in the youth setup cannot be expected to have what it takes to become a Premier League player. So we can't keep them, but we should still thank them for having provided competition for the few (hopefully) future stars to grow better.

David Barks
19 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:05:56
Jerome,

Lookman did not say he wanted to move permanently. He said he would be open to it if Everton decided they were going to sell. That’s not at all the same as what your are stating, that he wants out. He has not made a transfer request.

And as for the players released, we and every other club release youth players every single season, to be replaced by new youth players. And no he wouldn’t have known every single one of them. We signed him for what is big money for a young player from Charlton. He was in their youth system, not ours.

Lookman is looking to play top level football. That’s why he refused to go to a garbage club in the Championship and challenged himself in Germany. If he can play regularly for Everton there is no doubt he’d want to do that, for an attacking manager. Lookman hasn’t requested a transfer. It’s Liepzig that have said they want to sign him and now Brands has come out and said we’re not interested. Fairly simple really.

Colin Glassar
20 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:14:55
Hallelujah. Only an antediluvian caveman like fat Sam would refuse to exploit the natural talents of players like Lookman, Vlasic, Kenny etc... Thank god he’s gone but the stain shall forever remain.
Chad Schofield
21 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:21:05
John Malone, it's that kind of thinking that gave Allardyce a contract. The "play the way you're facing," "get rid," "chase lost causes into the corner flag," Andy Johnson-style, boo them if they lose possession — well, you get the idea. I think Si neatly, and politely, rebuffed your comments.

Obviously it is all about opinions, but I hope we don't get shot and bring in Troy Deany in his place.

Brian Porter
22 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:22:15
Exactly, David #20. If anything Lookman, reading between the lines, didn't see any future for himself under an Everton managed by the great dinosaur, Allardyce, who openly stated, why should he play Lookman when he had £30m man Bolasie in the squad?

That really showed the lack of forward thinking of Allardyce and most up and coming, talented young players would have felt the same as Lookman at that time. Nobody blamed him for seizing the opportunity to play Champions League football for Leipzig and he did so well that they want to sign him on a permanent basis.

Brands and Silva are not Sam Allardyce, however, and between them, I'm pretty sure they are capable of explaining to Lookman that he has a part to play in their first-team plans.

So, I don't think it was so much a case of Lookman not wanting to play for Everton, but more a case of not wanting to play for Allardyce's Everton, two completely different things in my opinion.

There is already talk of Bolasie being moved on, a great decision I think. Bolasie just doesn't cut it for me. A one trick pony who has been found out by most Premier League defenders. There's your opening, Ademola. It's up to the lad to grasp his chance and show us the type of football we all feel he is capable of.

Kevin O'Regan
23 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:27:44
Jerome. RB Leipzig Manger is gone now and DOF Rangick is not as "attractive" as a person for a young player like Ademola. I think and hope he will choose to stay at EFC with the new setup.
Bill Gienapp
24 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:38:31
Jerome, what on earth are you talking about?

As David said, when has Lookman ever publicly expressed a desire to stay at Leipzig, let alone demand a transfer? And then you go on to spin some convoluted yarn about Brands's motivations/machinations, when the far simpler, more logical explanation is that he simply rates Lookman and wants him to stay.

You keep throwing out these wild suppositions and trying to pass them off as fact. A few weeks ago, you were claiming that Moshiri had 100% decided to retain Allardyce for next season, flip-flopped when the fans started booing and put in a panicked call to Brands, begging him to take the job (as if he'd accept if that were true). It's nonsense.

Steve Hopkins
25 Posted 10/06/2018 at 07:52:26
John Malone @ 5, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo used to be a light-weight show pony back in the day and he turned out pretty well.
Tom Brown
26 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:00:53
In a time when money has gone mad and one-club players are few, watching Lookman takes me back to being a child and reminds me why I love this game. Win, lose or draw, please have him around, for his bashful smile, for his unconventional creativity, for his daring to just have a go.
Trevor Peers
27 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:05:04
The long-held belief that we can challenge for a top 6 Premier League positions using players like Lookman, Kenny, Vlasic and Dowell as permanent first-teamers will now be put to the test. Unsworth had the same approach; it didn't work then... so why should it work now?

Silva would have to be in same calibre as whiskey nose Ferguson to pull it off... who knows maybe he is, time will tell. By Christmas, we will have a good idea where we are headed. If it goes pear-shaped, stand by for the return of the Moyesiah.

Jim Bennings
29 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:21:24
Let's hope this means games at Everton not somewhere else !!

It's a travesty that Lookman wasn't afforded the game time that Calvert-Lewinor even Tom Davies got last season.

Lookman for me is hands down the better of the three; maybe if we had a manager who decided to just let the lad attack and do damage to opponents, rather than worrying about why he's not tracking back, negating his attributes, then Lookman might just have backed up this claim.

Steve Hopkins
30 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:21:43
He's our first player since probably Kanchelskis who, when he has the ball, makes me genuinely excited about what he's going to do. He's shown glimpses this season, had a great game in Cyprus in the Europa League, has now done it fairly consistently in a top European league so to not play him in favour of someone like Bolasie or an out-of-position Sigurdsson would be a travesty.
Martin Nicholls
31 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:23:22
What a nightmare thread! It brings back recurring visions of Allardyce with our badge on his chest. Did that really happen?
Dave Abrahams
33 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:45:29
If Lookman stays, and I certainly hope he does, then I hope he will not be considered a wide man, as Si (#6) says he was used as a No 10 in Germany – a position where he will see more of the ball, instead of being isolated and ignored out on the wing.

Lookman is an old-fashioned street footballer with great natural ability, he can be a success at Everton if used correctly and often, even off the bench.

Eddie Dunn
34 Posted 10/06/2018 at 08:58:26
The problem facing Allardyce was the absence of most of our first choice defenders and an under performing defensive midfield. This put more pressure on the forwards to track back to help out.

Lookman was not up to that task and dropped down the pecking order. If he had stayed perhaps once the defence was restored, he may have been given another go.

Martin Nicholls
35 Posted 10/06/2018 at 09:33:28
Eddie – I didn't see Allardyce's preferred choice, Bolasie, doing much to shore up the depleted defence and under-performing defensive midfielders.
Derek Taylor
36 Posted 10/06/2018 at 09:35:12
Trevor Peers at 28 sums it up nicely. You only get 'top six' with top six players and it would appear we are a long way from boasting that situation.

My hope is that Marco can effect a 25% improvement in the players we have and that Marcel will come up with a couple of 'higher class' performers.

I'll even buy 8th as long as we are only a point or two from the 'big boys' rather than the length of the East Lancs Road!

Martin Reppion
37 Posted 10/06/2018 at 09:42:08
I took my sons to see the Sevilla pre season game last season. On the drive over The Pennines, we discussed our ideal Everton XI from the squad we had.

Lookman was in my team, but my boys had never seen him play. He came off the bench and two minutes later, one of my lads said, "I know you said he was good, dad, but I didn't realise you meant THAT good."

What Lookman has is the X-Factor. Yes, teams need to play to a pattern to defend and to use systems to break down teams. But no side wins anything without a player who can also do the unexpected. Someone who can surprise everyone, with a turn, a pass or a shot from nowhere.

Man City are full of those. We aren't. In his pomp, Rooney had it in spades. Other than that, where in this squad do we get that unexpected something? The answer is in Lookman.

Yes, he can improve aspects of his game. Every young player can. But please, not at the expense of his exuberance and ability to excite the crowd.

10 robots and Lookman, will beat 11 robots almost every time. And we'll have more fun watching it.

Dale Rose
38 Posted 10/06/2018 at 09:53:14
At last... someone who knows what they are doing.
Lev Vellene
39 Posted 10/06/2018 at 09:55:14
My take on the comments Brands about using young players more, is that we aim to at least have a full XI of experienced players, but we don't need to have such for every backup. Then the young players can be there to understudy and have some minutes from the bench regularly. If we want to rest a player, then the young player can have the occasional start vs teams we can more easily manage to control.

I don't really see Silva playing a team with 4-6 youngsters in the starting XI regularly.

Brian Abbsey
40 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:01:30
Couldn't agree more, Martin @38.

No doubt Lookman will exasperate at times but, from what I've seen of him, he has more than enough skill and speed to excite in equal measure.

Big Fat Sam treated him exactly as you would expect – shamefully. I'm relieved to hear that Brands has a tad more insight.

Steuart Hayes
41 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:01:31
John Malone, thank god you don't pick our team. Others have already rebuffed your comments. Brands is doing exactly what he needs to do stating he wants the player so it's clear to him and Everton fans that's the sort of player he wants. Coyb.
Lee Whitehead
42 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:07:37
I don't know if it's me but I've never heard so much sense being talked at EFC for years.

Marcel can certainly "talk the talk" — lets' just hope he can "walk the walk".

COYB

ps: Well done, young Blues again in Toulon.

Mal van Schaick
43 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:23:44
Everton paid a lot of money for Lookman, and when he had an opportunity, he did well, playing positive attacking football. What I don't understand is, why was he sent out on loan, when he was doing well for Everton?

If he's improved again for the loan experience, make him a regular first-team player.

To Silva, Brands, and the board: stop buying the next best player, and not playing them!

Colin Malone
44 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:24:19
Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd — Directors of Football, anyone?

If we win the FA Cup, Will Marcel Brands be going up to collect it?

Terry McLavey
45 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:28:06
John (#5),

Interested in you saying Lookman being small was a disadvantage?

One name: Alan Ball. l rest my case. :)

Brian Harrison
46 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:38:15
Lookman is under contract so, if Everton want him, he stays; I have no worries on what Leipzig would like to happen. Obviously the lad thought with Allardyce in charge he had no future at the club, and who could blame him? And I think if Allardyce had stayed, he may well have let Lookman join Leipzig. But we now have a DOF and, even more importantly, a manager who will give young players the opportunity to get into the first team.

I have long held the view, what is the point of expensive academies unless it's a means to an end? At many clubs, youth are not given an opportunity. I know teams need strong squads but I don't see the sense in spending huge sums on players to be bench warmers.

Surely the whole point of an academy is so you can limit your net spend by producing players of your own. Now, if we aren't producing young players, then the people in charge of the academy should be changed.

So I hope that the new manager and DOF will make sure that the players we buy are players that will be first-team players, that we can augment with our own homegrown players.

David Gallant
47 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:39:23
Mike Gaynes I'm already a fully paid up member of the "Man-crush Marcel" club! He talks a great deal of sense, clearly has a long-term plan (and has proven his loyalty in the past by staying at PSV initially despite interest from Everton). The man oozes class. He also clearly knows how to handle the media, and by all accounts has good rapport with agents too.

The comments about giving young players a chance is also brilliant – not what every fan wants to hear BUT its clearly a major part of his blueprint. Imagine what that will do for Lookman, Davies, Dowell, Calvert-Lewin and the like – young hungry guys who have now been promised that they will be considered ahead of big-name signings.

I think Bolasie, Mirallas, Klaassen, Rooney, Schneiderlin and one or two others' time is up at the club. I feel Marcel has the necessary ruthlessness to get rid of them too. That means the wide men in the front three of Silva's 4-3-3 would probably be:

Walcott or Vlasic (right)
Lookman or Lozano (left) – I hope these rumours are true!

That would do me nicely indeed. With Cenk "Beast from the East" Tosun leading the line. I think we might only bring in 3 players, but guys who could go straight into the first team. A central defender, a midfielder to replace Schneiderlin (Carvalho?) and an attacking player (Lozano).

I'd be more than happy with that. Long may this new look Everton continue!

Richard Lyons
48 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:44:35
What a refreshing piece of news. Now the Fatberg has gone, we can crack on.
Michael Lynch
49 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:48:51
Sorry, but I think John Malone is partly right. Lookman is not the finished article. At Leipzig he's used for impact – I don't think he's played a full 90 minutes for them in the time he's been on loan.

I would love to see him stay at Everton, he's the kind of player who gets the fans off their seats, but he probably won't last a full game for the moment. The question is whether we start with him, then pull him after 60 mins, or use him off the bench in the final 20 mins. His tracking back was also dubious when he featured for us, and he lost the ball more often than Barkley did in dangerous positions.

All that said, he's one we should be keeping, but there are some blue-tinted glasses being worn here. As someone once said, to the fans, the best player is often the one who's not in the team.

Ray Roche
50 Posted 10/06/2018 at 10:57:07
Jerome Shields 16

Lookman ''recently made it known that he wanted to transfer permanently to Leipzig.'' and ''Lookman has said he wants a transfer''.

Where did you hear this?

I have scoured the sports pages and internet sites and only seen speculation in the red tops that were no doubt fuelled by a journo wanting to fill some column inches or an agent looking for a few bob. Nothing directly attributed to Lookman. No direct quotes from the lad. Or his agent.

I think you must also be very close to Brands to ''know'' what his plans are. I'm not having a pop at you personally, Jerome, it's more a case of your post being yet more speculation.

Paul Thompson
51 Posted 10/06/2018 at 11:28:13
None of us saw anything but the occasional goals from Lookman in his Leipzig stay. In assessing his readiness for the forthcoming season, what we can be more sure of, however, is that he will have learned and grown as a player. Foreign country, different coach, different, more central role.

We need him back, if not as an automatic starte... then as a much more central part of the team. That is the signal from Brands. Now it's over to the lad himself.

Eddie Dunn
52 Posted 10/06/2018 at 11:37:12
Martin Nichols, indeed, Bolasie was wasteful, but did show an attempt to track back under Allardyce. The fact that he may have been as guilty as Lookman in losing possession in dangerous areas is no argument for either player. Big Sam obviously fancied Bolasie more, perhaps it was because of his price tag, or him knowing him from Palace.

Lookman will need to take a look at Aguero, Sanchez and Shaqiri. They are short but strong on the ball. Some extra weights in the gym should help.

Steuart Hayes
53 Posted 10/06/2018 at 11:44:50
Michael Lynch (#50), no-one is saying he is the finished article; all we are saying is he is a talent and needs time in the first team. Yes, he will lose the ball, try something ambitious in a promising position, but that's what we want surely? It may not always pay off but that's how players learn and get better.

When Ronaldo started at Man Utd, he gave the ball away and looked lightweight; now, he isn't too bad!!!!

Tom Bowers
55 Posted 10/06/2018 at 12:19:18
Everton do have some players who many feel have been neglected over the last couple or so years and that includes the youngsters.

Those sent on loan sometimes come back more mature and capable of doing good things so it is always an argument between us fans about players like Lookman and Dowell but let's not remember Ross Barkley who came back, played well, and then just fell into a malaise of form.

Seamus was the one big exception.

Players like Sandro and Mirallas are no longer viable options and should be permanently dealt.

Paul Tran
57 Posted 10/06/2018 at 12:56:45
Good news. He's a promising, exciting player who can do the out of the ordinary.

It's all about what kind of team we want to be. Bolasie was bought for his pace for the transitions and his physique for tracking back. That's why Allardyce was desperate to play him; he focused on avoiding defeat. Lookman doesn't do the tracking back. If you think we need that, let him go.

The criticisms of him are valid, but he's only going to improve when he's on the pitch. The fact that he wanted to go to Germany rather than back to the championship tells me a lot about him.

I'd keep him. If we're going to play fast pressing football, imagine him coming on for the last thirty, running at tired defenders.

John Kavanagh
58 Posted 10/06/2018 at 13:08:24
At last we have a management team looking to the future. We have some terrific young players with great potential. Lookman had the whole crowd rising from their seats as soon as he got the ball in the Youth World Cup. True he's not the finished article, but Lookman's ability to run at defenders and go past them could finally bring some genuinely exciting football back to Goodison. Like Leipzig, I believe he'd make a great Number 10 rather than playing on the wing. If we can also develop our other young players they could provide the nucleus of a good side.

We have wasted millions on expensive transfers and having blown the money are now forced out of necessity to try something different. This might well prove to be our salvation. I'd happily accept 13th place if we see some entertaining football, a few good cup wins and our youngsters given a chance to prove themselves in what will have to be a season of rebuilding. If you've completely lost your way you sometimes need to go backwards in order to get back on the right path. Thankfully Brands is prepared to take the risk of upsetting those who demand instant success.

Dan Parker
60 Posted 10/06/2018 at 13:31:59
Dowell too please!
Matthew Williams
61 Posted 10/06/2018 at 13:40:29
I'm a fan too, so play him on the right wing and Dowell on the left.

Job done.

Jack Convery
62 Posted 10/06/2018 at 13:58:07
Hurray!!! He's a great kid on a relatively low salary – so he's a prime candidate to stay. The big earners, who weren't given a stuff last season, are who Brands wants out. Players like Lookman are those opposition coaches loathe as they don't know what they will try next. Well done, Brands, for showing intelligence – a rare commodity at Goodison.
Jim Harrison
63 Posted 10/06/2018 at 13:59:06
I know the situation as to how he went to Leipzig wasn't great, but at least he was away from the club during an arduous period and gained great experience. Hopefully now the changes have been made he will want to come back and be part of Everton again and we get the benefit of his experience.

Silver lining. As long as he stays!

Phil Smith
64 Posted 10/06/2018 at 14:03:16
Personally I'd keep Bolasie, but I'd use him as back-up for Walcott and Lookman. I'd also keep Niesse as and alt. to Tosun. Need quality back-up players in every position to challenge for the top.
Gary Edwards
65 Posted 10/06/2018 at 14:08:34
Having bleated on for the best part of the previous 3 seasons about the abundance of talented younger players at the club, and how I thought many of them deserved at least the opportunity to showcase their talent and abilities in the 1st XI, I like Brand's philosophy and approach and hope that youth gets its chance.

We had 3 lads start in the England U21 team that just won the Toulon tourney and all played well. Hornby played well for Scotland in addition to whom we have 3 quality centre-backs in Feeney, Holgate and Gibson, the returning Pennington, Browning and Galloway it will be interesting to see what Silva can get out of those lads, surely at least one of them will force his way into the 1st team.

Like others have voiced, I'd chose Lookman before Bolasie based on their respective performances last season.

It is obvious that the progression of many of our youngsters has been thwarted by terrible managers for the past 3 or 4 seasons. Let's hope that the club has rid itself of that malaise and that our young talent begins to thrive and play quality, high energy football – the kind of footie the U23s won PL2 with, and the kind of footie RB Leipzig play.

Paul Tran
66 Posted 10/06/2018 at 14:33:54
The Lookman tale encapsulates the UK right now.

Fat old man tells talented youngster to take a worse job in England and not bother with those Fancy Dan foreigners, he knows what's best for him.

Youngster ignores him, follows his instincts and flourishes in the land the old man refuses to understand.

Fat old man replaced by Dutchman who says he wants the talented youngster back in the team.

Good on yer, Mola, you showed the fat old corrupt so-and-so who knew best, didn't you?

Karl Meighan
67 Posted 10/06/2018 at 14:53:11
If Lookman's the real deal – come and prove it in a Everton shirt! New people in charge means it's a clean slate for every player. I'm sure, if he looks the part pre-season, then he will get his chances.

Scoring goals in Germany is great and I'm sure it's good experience but it shouldn't guarantee him or anyone else a shirt.

Derek Knox
68 Posted 10/06/2018 at 15:16:51
I know Lookman is on a contract, but that means little these days, if a player wants a move.

I just hope they can convince him that we are now Dinosaur free, and the bogeyman has been rigorously exorcised from every nook and cranny at Grinch Farm.

Like 99%, I believe this lad is a cracking talent, and hopefully an integral part of our future. Surely his stint in Germany will have made him even better.

Lewis Barclay
69 Posted 10/06/2018 at 15:43:17
I am liking Brands more as each day passes.

Sense in the higher ranks at last.

Mike Gaynes
70 Posted 10/06/2018 at 15:51:10
Henry (#15), thank you for those kind words. I'm coming over for the December 1 game. Just waiting for next week to find out where it is – that's when the schedule comes out. Looking forward to meeting more Blues!
Paul Columb
71 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:04:11
Why December, Mike? Maybe push toward month's end to catch a rash of matches and shitter weather.

We'll be over from April to season's end if all goes to plan and so you should consider a second trip; can picture Rob, Keith and us two sunning ourselves in blue speedos on Bramley-Moore Dock, watching the groundwork get underway.

Btw, having trouble finding a slot for a trip your way.

Mike Gaynes
72 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:09:05
Michael (#59), that's not quite correct. By the end of the season, Lookman was a regular starter for Leipzig, starting the last four games.

He played the full 90 against Hoffenheim on 21 April with an assist. On 29 April, he was subbed off against Mainz at 64 minutes after a poor performance in a 3-0 loss. On 5 May, he played 90 mins and scored two goals against Wolfsburg. And on 12 May against Hertha, he had a goal and two assists before coming off at 62 minutes with what may have been a leg injury. He had taken a thump in the thigh in the first half and looked a bit gimpy. (May explain his absence from the Toulon tournament.)

Dave (#34), Si at #6 was incorrect. Lookman took various positions as an impact player off the bench, but not much of that was at #10 – and he was full time at left wing those last four games when he was a starter.

Mike Gaynes
73 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:13:18
Paul (#72), my choir is performing on a European tour the last two weeks of November. I'm going to skip the return flight home on 29 November and grab a train to London, then on to wherever we're playing that weekend. Wanna meet me in London on the 29th? It would be a blast to spend a few days with you and whatever other Blues we can meet up with.

And next April is definitely a go if we're playing decent footy at that time.

Paul Columb
74 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:25:54
Mike (#74); would love to but with us planning on being in the UK/Eire for 6 months from April, we'll not be taking any time off or traveling that way prior. Any home/away fixture you choose from then can work for me. Would love to take in a couple with you and the other lads.
Darren Hind
75 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:36:05
Paul T

You may be interested in a conversation on TalkShite at the moment. They're talking about the one-way system where literally thousands of kids have come to England to improve their game (and earning power) whilst players here only really leave these shores If they are world superstars on a mega, deal or at the end of their careers.

Lookman was amongst the very few exceptions. No wonder we produce so many one-dimensional work horses.

Mike Gaynes
76 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:40:20
No problem, PC, we'll make it happen.

And no rush making it down here to visit – anytime this summer is good!

Charles Brewer
77 Posted 10/06/2018 at 16:44:00
I'm in agreement with all those who think he isn't big enough. Who would want crap players like Alan Ball (5'-6"), Lionel Messi (5'-7"), Pele (5'-8")? In fact, at 5'-9", Ademola might be a bit big.
Minik Hansen
78 Posted 10/06/2018 at 17:02:44
Change has commenced. Always been happy to have Lookman, let him gel in to the real first team and tactics we are about to get. COYB.
Geoff Lambert
79 Posted 10/06/2018 at 17:08:30
Colin 45! if your going to spout rubbish at least do your homework first..

Txiki Begiristain M City

Raul Sanllehi Arsenal to name just 2...

Paul Tran
80 Posted 10/06/2018 at 17:14:11
Cheers Darren, I'll take your word for it as I don't listen to
TalkShite. We will see in the World Cup that our best players are competent and mentally weak. (Hope I'm proved wrong!)

The musician Damon Albarn once commented on an England World Cup squad, "they don't look like they've travelled very much." I knew exactly what he meant.

Good on Mola for having the bottle to test himself as a footballer and person. If only more did the same.

Mike Gaynes
81 Posted 10/06/2018 at 17:53:57
Off-topic, multiple reports today have us in for Victor Lindelof. Silva knows him from Portugal. Big YES from me.
Dave Abrahams
82 Posted 10/06/2018 at 18:33:21
Mike (#73), fair enough, but do you think Lookman can be more than a winger, something like Sterling has played for Man City this season – sometimes wide other times upfront.

Sterling has scored a few this season and I think Lookman can do the same for us next season.

Mike Gaynes
83 Posted 10/06/2018 at 19:08:24
Definitely, Dave. He'd make a great wild card anywhere in the attack, especially as a sub. In fact, I really like him on the right wing cutting in.
Kase Chow
84 Posted 10/06/2018 at 19:27:59
Very happy to hear a talented player be recognised

However I hope Brands won't keep overstepping the mark. It's Silva's job and decision after all and Brands is DoF NOT the manager.

Brent Stephens
85 Posted 10/06/2018 at 19:37:12
Mike (#84),

"In fact, I really like him on the right wing cutting in."

If memory serves, when he came on at Anfield this season, he immediately started to cut in and caused them problems?

Mike Gaynes
86 Posted 10/06/2018 at 19:55:50
Yep, Brent, he did the same thing in several of his appearances last season as well. Right-footed but can really crack a shot with his left.
Steavey Buckley
87 Posted 10/06/2018 at 19:56:54
Everton have no stand-out players, whether Lookman deserves a place in the Everton squad or not. As our rivals from across the park go from strength to strength, who will probably add Shaqiri from Stoke to their team, which will make them more difficult to beat.

The pressure on Brands and Marco Silva to close the gap is getting more difficult day by day, as Everton have too many players to offload before thinking about others to buy to improve the squad.

John McFarlane Snr
88 Posted 10/06/2018 at 20:03:48
HI John [5], you state in your assessment of Ademola Lookman, "A top team doesn't have physical weaknesses, ie speed, strength, height are basic requirements, unless you are a really special player, and can score goals and create chances out of nothing."

I think that Si [6] summed up my feelings in his response. I would like to put forward the names of Bobby Collins (5'-3") and Billy Bremner (5'-5") to add to the nominations of Charles [#78], Alan Ball (5'-6"), Lionel Messi (5'-7"), and Pele (5'-8").

I recognise the attributes that you have quoted, but consider talent is the prime requirement; however, I appreciate that we don't all see things the same way.

Lawrence Green
89 Posted 10/06/2018 at 20:29:47
Firstly, Silva has to somehow select a group of players that play like a team and not seem like eleven strangers picked at random.

Secondly, he has to win as many points as possible, and have Everton in the top half of the table for the majority of the season.

Thirdly, if things go well, Everton could be in the hunt for European qualification and anything beyond that is a bonus – if the supporters are expecting Everton to be competing with Liverpool this season and constantly comparing what they do to what Everton do, then they are setting themselves up for a big fall and a major dissapointment.

Everton have regressed during a 5-year period whilst the neighbours have generally improved during that time, it's going to take more than a single transfer window to close that gap. If those heady expectations are found amongst the majority of Evertonians, Silva won't last past Christmas.

Terry White
90 Posted 10/06/2018 at 20:33:05
Mike (#84 and #87) and Brent (#86), yes, at Anfield he did cut in when he came on but it was from the left wing, not the right. Dowell is more of a right-sided player with a strong left foot, Lookman more left-sided with a good right foot.
Brent Stephens
91 Posted 10/06/2018 at 20:51:28
Terry, yes he was indeed on the left. Thanks.
Peter Morris
92 Posted 10/06/2018 at 21:38:04
This is good news and probably worth the pay off for Allardyce on its own. Let's hope that Lookman returns from Germany with some vital learning to improve his all round game.

For me, Walcott leads the pack in terms of offensive wingers, but surely Bolasie needs to return to London to try to rebuild his career which has floundered at Goodison. This would leave room for two of Lookman, Vlasic and Dowell, and I rather suspect that Kieran will be allowed to move on too.

James Stewart
93 Posted 10/06/2018 at 21:38:34
Great news Lookman is coming back. He should never have been loaned out!

The lad is not a winger though. Played support striker role to Werner in Germany. No reason why that can't happen here as it's his best position.

George Cumiskey
94 Posted 10/06/2018 at 21:41:45
A bit off subject, but I see hippo head has managed to get his massive head on the telly again with the soccer aid match.
Mike Gaynes
95 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:19:42
Terry (#91), yes but I specifically like him on the right because he does a crossover dribble so well from that side. Against Bournemouth (I believe) last season, he switched sides and cut in twice from the right that way, and ripped one left-footed shot just wide.

And he played most of the game on the right in the home fixture against Split this past summer. Almost created two goals as I recall.

Terry White
96 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:26:58
Mike (#91), I am sure you are correct. But that will have him and Dowell fighting for the same right-side position (Dowell is not a left-side player) with Walcott to be taken into account as well. Never mind Bolasie .
Ste Lewis
97 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:35:04
Yes, Mike, first half against Split he was great. I recall Schneiderlin hitting lots of raking diagonal balls for him in space to instantly control. He did nothing second half when Schneiderlin went off.
Tony Everan
98 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:39:28
Bloody hell, it's all good news for the last few weeks. But hold on... maybe because we haven't kicked a ball in anger for that amount of time either.

Lookman is the best young player on our books, a star in the making. The shrewd Germans know it too.

He is getting better, the loan will have matured him. He is ready to take his opportunity by the scruff of the neck and have a great season for us.

Brands is making all the right noises, the future is bright for us now with him in the driving seat as DOF and Silva as head coach.

Tony Williams
99 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:40:17
Evertonians are now getting excited about the new season, even me... but why should that be? All we have heard so far is rhetoric and nothing has happened on the pitch as yet. I don't want to put a damper on proceedings but let's be realistic, especially with what has happened with the two other incumbents.

Ever Blue
Ever True
Everton

Mike Gaynes
100 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:46:42
James #94, could be, we may have seen different games. I saw two of those last four games he started, against Hoffenheim and Hertha, and he was wide on the left. Note his cut-in goal against Hertha: https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/video/1231842883565

However, I missed the Wolfsburg game, and the highlights show him getting both goals from late runs down the middle into the box, so it looks like you're right about him supporting Timo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOFvrxdh3kw

Like I said before, anywhere along the attack line works for me, just as long as he's in our shirt.

Mike Gaynes
101 Posted 10/06/2018 at 22:49:28
Terry (#97), yes, and if Dowell is indeed ready, won't that be a nice problem to have?

Darren Murphy
102 Posted 10/06/2018 at 23:24:25
Put him up top with Tosun in his natural position, pace and eyes for goal combo, Walcott on the right with Chucky on the left and Siggy in the number 10 role we bought him for... please.
Don Alexander
104 Posted 10/06/2018 at 23:52:23
I haven't seen enough of Ademola Lookman in the Premier League to form any sort of judgement as to his fitness for purpose in assisting us achieve a top six position in the next season or two, which is surely the minimum aspiration for M&M isn't it?

He has shown ability playing for junior England teams and in just a few matches in Germany but I sure hope he's nowhere near the most welcome addition to the squad this summer, and that's not meant to denigrate him, a very young man, in the least.

Ernie Baywood
105 Posted 11/06/2018 at 00:08:15
Dead right Don. There's a chance that Lookman becomes the next Bolasie... in that the less we see of him, the better he gets in our minds.

Lookman isn't the answer to all of our problems. He hasn't demonstrated anywhere near that kind of ability or consistency. We all know what happens at Goodison when a young player fails to live up to expectations.

We've seen flashes of what he can do though. He can be exciting and he certainly has a knack of chipping in with goals. Just temper the expectation and let's see him develop with more game time this season.

John Malone
106 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:11:17
Funny how player’s become better when they’re not playing, blue tinted glasses is correct!

My point is I’m glad to see him back and I agree that buying and nuturing talented young player’s is the best model for our club to take but on his last showing’s in a blue shirt he looked like a boy playing against men.

He was brushed off the ball so easily, couldn’t beat his man vs one, made the wrong decison’s, ran into blind alley’s lost the ball and did not track his opposite fullback.

I myself think he would make a better number ten than winger where he can use his quick feet and skill’s to more effect and not have to worry as much about his defensive duties.

On the point someone made about a talented player will be allowed to the give the ball away and make mistake’s in the first team, he won’t, Ross Barkley and John Stones done it and they got slaughtered!

Goodison is a melting pot especially when thing’s aren’t going well basic requirement’s have to be met show ponies don’t last long such as McGeady and soon to be off ball juggling waste of space Bolasie.

End product is key if he comes back work’s his sock’s off get’s physically stronger and is able to do his duties off the ball he could be great for us but at the minute I’d like to see a fully fledged international senior pro on the left wing every week.

Jerome Shields
107 Posted 10/06/2018 at 00:17:10
Ray (#51) Thank you for your comments. At the time, Lookman insisted on the loan move to Leipzig, I admired his get-up-and-go attitude. He wasn't going to let Big Sam dictate his furture and rightly so. Other young players tried to follow his lead. At Leipzig, he had the initiative to push forward, unlike other on loan players like Sandro and Mirallas.

There is no smoke without fire and the speculation regarding his future has a source. He isn't back at Everton yet, I worry that he has a realisable value and other parties are interested in him.

Brands has a difficult job and not only has to have some difficult conversations with players, but also has to make some difficult decisions. He needs to raise funds and get in players to improve the squad,

Lookman is a suitable player, but he has proved he can play at a high level and at a different club. Brands is going to have to show more than admiration to get Lookman to buy into his plan. If Lookman is in any way doubtful about his Everton future, Brands has to take the difficult decision to realise his transfer value.

Dan Davies
108 Posted 11/06/2018 at 00:43:22
Thing is Kase @85, he's not the "manager". He is the Head Coach. Times have changed, like It or not. Brands is the mastermind. Silva coaches the players in formation and tactics.
Drew O'Neall
109 Posted 11/06/2018 at 01:04:13
Bolasie’s getting a lot of shoddy treatment on here considering he’s still coming back from a major injury and ‘did a job’ when not fully fit last season.

He never gives less than 100% even if he hasn’t regained his quick change of direction and explosiveness, he comes across as a humble and respectful guy and has been an excellent ambassador for the club in the community.

I for one remember him being a dynamic and athletic team player, doing a lot of the hard work and clever stuff behind Lukaku in his last season and I think he deserves the time and patience to get himself fit, if he can. And if he can’t, a guy who’s put his body on the line and represented the club like he has in his short time here, should still not be referred to as ‘the ball juggling waste of space’ that he was in John Malone’s post at 107.

Derek Thomas
110 Posted 11/06/2018 at 01:18:55
Drew; Nobody's picking on him cause he did his knee... in fact, they applaud the grit and effort that has been shown to get back to anywhere near peak performance. It's just that, prior to the injury, he often flattered to deceive and when he did stop the stepovers and get into his stride, that 'peak' wasn't too high to start with... and he has yet to hit it, if he ever will... he still manages the stepovers though.
Christopher Nicholls
111 Posted 11/06/2018 at 02:51:28
It seems like we have a football/coaching team that will be capable of developing the young talent at the club. It's a big step up and the talent needs to be nurtured and needs to be grown. The shit that Al Lard-Arse came out with about players passing not being something he could do anything about was an embarrassing joke at our expense.

Coaching is absolutely central to the modern game.

Victor Yu
112 Posted 11/06/2018 at 04:32:18
What about Connolly and Dowell?
Drew Shortis
113 Posted 11/06/2018 at 12:37:20
This is a good sign that the new management setup can see the blindingly obvious. This lad is talented & needs to be given a run in the team to develop. He's proved with his loan to Leipzig that he can produce in one of Europe's top leagues. I was beginning to become concerned that we'd foolishly let Ademola slip through our fingers. Brand & Silva seem like the ideal pair to get the best out of him!
James Stewart
114 Posted 11/06/2018 at 14:07:29
Correct Mike @101. I was going off the Wolfsburg game and what the commentators were saying. Mainly that he looked a totally different player down the middle.

In total agreement with you, though – he should be starting for us next season. I see no reason why he can't perform the Sterling role for us.

Tony Everan
115 Posted 11/06/2018 at 16:15:37
Agree James, I think he is the most likely out of our young lads to become a top 4 level player. I want Lookman to fit into Silva’s system of playing. He is a skillful young player with that rare commodity that you always feel there is a goal in him.

The ‘Stirling’ role is one he could grow into. Would this fit in with Silva’s grand plan?

Pat Waine
116 Posted 11/06/2018 at 17:27:33
I am all for giving the lad a run but he is not the finished article by any means. Remember Deulofeu, a flsh or two does not make a player. I would, however, play him ahead of Bolasie.
Ed Prytherch
117 Posted 12/06/2018 at 02:36:33
Apologies for changing the subject: Antonee Robinson had a good game for the USA against France. He was up against world class players and he was not fazed. He could be the long-term replacement for Baines. Maybe we just need short-term cover for left-back while he gets some more experience.
Jim Hardin
118 Posted 12/06/2018 at 17:04:42
Ed,

I agree that he has looked good (2x). He is a quick learner and even faster at recovering when he does get beaten. He seldom makes the same defensive mistake twice. Going forward he does need to work on the crosses but at least he tries to put them in.

Best thing is that he has a bit of a mean streak. He puts the knee or thigh or forearm in at midfield and outside the box to let players know he is there and to stop possible counters before they can occur.

Since Everton haven't sniffed the top five without an American in the line-up, he needs to be understudy to Baines to start the season. Chance to learn from one of the better left backs to grace an Everton jersey.

Tony Everan
119 Posted 13/06/2018 at 10:41:47
He has done very well in the friendlies for the USA. Now the club have to decide what to do with him.

1) Keep Baines in as No 1, with Antonee as back up, chomping to start.

2) Buy an new left-back because staff at the club think he is not ready for it.

3) Send him out on loan to a club where he will play week in week out.

4) Start him as No 1 choice

Antonee has muddied the waters with his performances. Although friendly matches sometimes are not the best when assessing players. By far the best route is promoting our youth. But and it is a big BUT, doing so cannot cause a weak link or be detrimental to the clubs and fans top 6 ambitions.

It's a big call, and a gamble not to sign a proven left-back. I think we will compromise and sign a reasonably priced well scouted left-back like this lad from Hertha Berlin. If Antonee continues on his trajectory of improvement he will challenge the German lad and may take the role permanently.

Mike Dolan
120 Posted 15/06/2018 at 01:22:03
Great news that it looks like Lookman will be with us next season. He looks like a great prospect and he certainly knows where the net is. I just hope that Dowell, Kenny, Robinson, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate are all in the squad to keep him company.

It's so refreshing to read about Everton again there is a totally different atmosphere about the club.

John Smith
121 Posted 21/06/2018 at 06:19:49
He wasn't ready for us last season. Lets hope he's ready this one.

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