Richarlison nears big-money Everton switch

He should provide something different to our attack, either from wide or down the middle. Has skill, pace and a work-rate that should see him become a fan favourite.

Hopefully the club will firmly state that Lookman is going nowhere.

A front 3 of Lookman - Richarlison - Walcott would indeed have pace and potential for goals. With Tosun and DCL offering competition. Niasse as an option on the bench. With further competition from Evans and Vlasic.

A central midfielder with vision to feed this attack needs to be looked into.

What do we call him ?

I believe his arrival could well mean Lookman's departure. To my eye Richarlison is the better player -- more skilled, pacier, stronger.

And Tosun isn't "competition" for anybody. He's the starter. Nobody else in the club has his first touch, his composure in the box and his eye for goal. That takedown-touch-shot off the post against Porto was silky and well beyond anyone else we have. Unless we're in the market for a striker (and there aren't even any current rumors to that effect), you're going to see #14 up top this season.

As for Lookman, Leipzig say that he wants the move; if true, no use in keeping players who don't want to play for the club. That said, he is a talent but will he physically develop enough to survive in the Premier League? I have my doubts.

Silva must really believe that this kid has all the tools to be the next Neymar to be shedding out that much cash.

Joao Moutinho is finally on his way I see... to Wolves. A couple of years too late, I suspect, but will be interesting to see him in the Premier League as we were linked so often with him.

Very decent to decent enough but not top 6 quality. Surely a world-class left-footed winger or attacking midfielder and a striker better than Tosun is the least we should demand after the departure of Rooney and Lukaku?

Our leading scorers the last two seasons running have left. That's not what we were told would happen under Moshiri's tenure. As for Brands,he couldn't find a better player for £35-50M?

Not only do we need the striker and another winger or attacking midfielder, we need two central midfielders and a left-back and at least one centre-back. If they aren't top drawer then Silva will struggle to reach the 8th that Allardyce did, IMHO.

West Ham, for example, could field Yarmolenko, Arnautovic and Anderson behind a striker.

They have Wilshere too. Is Lanzini still there?

So we should just bend over and let then have him?

He's got 3 years in his contract and in a key stage. This year could be a big year for him, he ain't gonna deatroy his career. Also, look at Richarilson's fee. All Lookman has to do is string together 10 decent performances this season and we'll be able to sell him for £40M+ in a years time, so sell him for £15M now? Absurd!

But he's here, so I'm hoping Silva's judgement is better than the jokers we've had overseeing transfer policy in recent years. No doubt Moshiri would be hoping so too. Too many more cock ups and we will be in a lot of trouble financially and therefore on the pitch.

Lanzini is crocked.

Richarilson has potential and has proven he is capable last season he burned out - he played something like 70 games in 2017 with no break.

The lad is rated by both Silva and Brands, has pace and skill and looks to be a hard working player too. All attributes that we want in an Everton player. At 35 million, he is basically standard fee for any PL player nowadays.

From what I have seen, he could play down the middle as well as out wide. For this reason I think an attack of him, Lookman and Walcott could really offer something. Bags of pace with potential for players to switch positions, causing nightmares for opposition defenders trying to mark them.

I was listening to Tim Vickery, a journalist based in Brazil, and he said this kid hasn't had a break in the last 15 months, he played in the Under-20s World Cup then went straight from that to Watford. Yes, he ran out of steam towards the end of the season, but let's remember, this is a very young man who changed continents –not only clubs. How often have we seen seasoned internationals move to the Premier League and struggle in their first season?

Maybe Silva plans to play Richarlison up front with Lookman and Walcott on the wings. Now what a pacy front 3 that would be, something that would allow us to play in the style that Silva wants. A fast counter attacking team a bit like our neighbours, and it seems to work for them.

We need to be able to play through the middle as well as just traditional wingers crossing to a big centre forward. Above all we need players to make runs forward and someone having the nerve to actually take the risk of passing to them rather than checking back and passing it backwards or sideways. I think Tosun has the close control needed and this guy the pace. The passes? Umm.

It is also about a strategy that means players change positions during a game. Swap roles so the opposition defence does not work us out after 10 mins and then shut up shop as we pass side by side I of them. Be clever.

May take a while but imagination is needed.

Keep your ticket mate, you may be able to claim it back on expenses. Good luck, and put some bloody fire into this team!

It's £35m then...

Fingers crossed

Totally unbelievable that we've paid £40million plus add-ons.

And what's Brands's role in this? Isn't he supposed to be unearthing new young talent not players already found out in the Premier League and already managed by our current manager... sad times.

Silva – Poor mans Martinez.
Brands – Walsh Mk 2

I read that he played nigh on 70 games in 2017 without any breaks, for a 19-/20-year-old, that is a lot.

He then came to the Premier League, a huge jump, started off flying. He then went on to become the most fouled player in the Premier League last season, showing that his prominent rise was noted by Premier League defences and he became a marked man. As Watford struggled for form, he also waned but continued to work, made the highest number of shots (albeit with low success rate – showing both the limited opportunities created and his tiredness).

Look at Harry Kane, best striker in Europe quite possibly, but was visibly tired after a long season and very ineffective both at the end of the Premier League campaign and in the World Cup (despite putting goals past Panama).

I by no means think this is a guaranteed star in the making, but he has the attributes to be a good player, wants to play for Silva, and both Silva and Brands want him. And we got him, despite Watford quite clearly not having good relations with us. This is something new for Everton, something to cheer for once.

No problem with the fee, he's miles better than what we have on the left.

However, at the end of the day, I want to see us signing players who will improve us on the pitch, and I strongly feel that Richarlison will do that. That was the problem last season – it wasn't the amount of money spent, it was the lack of on-field impact.

£35M plus add-ons seems more palatable. Hopefully he flies here. We will love him if he raises the pulses darting down the left before cutting inside to shoot at goal. If he fails he gets sold on and we take a hit, just like Man Utd did with Veron, Liverpool with Carroll, Chelsea with more than 1 and Man City with most. That's the crowd we want to be part of.

Pickford or Stekelenburg

Coleman or Kenny/Martina
Jagielka or Williams/Pennington
Keane or Holgate/Browning
Baines or Digne*/Robinson

Besic or Schneiderlin/Connolly
Sigurdsson or Dowell/Klaassen
Gueye or Davies/Vlasic

Walcott or Mirallas/Bolasie
Tosun or Niasse/Sandro
Richarlison or Lookman/Calvert-Lewin

Not included are: McCarthy, Williams, Baningime
* not signed yet.

Who would be a manager?

Most likely be at Finch Farm now discussing terms, but once again rather than rumours, rest assured his medical took place.

This kid or Lookman on the left flank? No comparison.

If we can land the LB and CB we're rumored for, we will have a complete team.

Except what to do about Schneiderlin? He's no good.

But Richarlison? Nicely done.

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Baines (Digne if he signs)
Davies, Gueye, Sigurdsson.
Richarlison, Tosun, Walcott

With the right service, I think Tosun could score 15 - 20 goals. Our weakness lies in a lack of a dominating pacey centre-back (maybe Yerry Mina could solve that problem if we could get him) and lack of craft in the midfield.

Personally I'll never think these fees are worth it as wouldn't anyone with half a brain, unfortunately this is the way till otherwise said and I believe he's a good upgrade on the shite we have.

Something with Ric, Theo and Lookman up top with Tosun and hopefully a decent midfielder pulling a decent pass with slow Siggy and we'd be okay. Obviously signing the two from Barcelona is key if the Tierney deal is dead.

It's not all bad.

I look at Wolves' signings – whoever they have got doing their transfers is who we should have. The money we have wasted snap-buying players without any thought to structure or longevity to the club is unbelievable and just makes you wonder if we will ever become the club that could lift trophies again.

Sometimes things look great on paper but football doesn't work like that, last season I applauded the Club for spending big and all the buys seemed like improvements.

Fat Sams 2 signings apart only Pickford convinced, as ever its on the pitch we as fans need convincing, we have to give the new boss are backing and trust and hope he has a eye for a player Koeman never had.

I won't be rushing to get that bet on...

The shame is yours, lad. It's a simple point, but you seem to be struggling with it.

Yeah... but it never happened.

Suspect he's got the tools to become a bit of a fan favourite. Young, quick, hardworking. Let's get past the fee and look forward to seeing him.

Does that mean you predict that we won't finish above Wolves? Or does it mean you don't know?

We have Lookman and he has proved himself in the Bundesliga. A total waste of money as we have Walcott, Bolasie, Mirallas (if he shows the commitment) Vlasic, Sandro, Sigurðsson and a few youngsters to fill at right-wing and left-wing.

There are other places that are more in need of strengthening: left-back, centre-back and a striker with a proven record. I cannot see Everton beeing a free-scoring side this coming season.

I fervently hope that at last, we have a manager that brings that little bit of magic with him and that, notwithstanding what happens in any of the "friendlies" between now and August 11th at 17:30, we will see the type of Everton team we have been hoping and praying for ever since Moyes first arrived at Goodison Park.

I believe we will see a team with attacking flair but being solid at the back.

I expect us to win many more games this season, far more comfortably than we have previously.

I still think it will take two or three more transfer windows before we can establish ourselves as a definite top 6 side, knocking on the door of the top four, but, after many trials and tribulations, I do believe that with Moshri, Brands and Silva, we are getting there – at last.

Time will tell and it may all, once again, end in tears and recriminations – but for now – believe!

Yes. Please tell me where you can get that bet and the odds. I suspect we'll be large odds on, but if we're not, I'm going in with my wheelbarrow!

Right now on Oddschecker we are 200/1 to win the title with the three bookies I mentioned. Wolves are 100/1. Logic would suggest they will give you better than evens if you go for a "Match Bet"

That's all you have to do... Fill your boots!!

Good luck!

After a good few years there, he was signed by Claudio Ranieri for Monaco just after they had come back up from Ligue 2. He had an instant impact, and the following season he was reunited with his old Sporting manager, the brilliant Leo Jardim. He was at Monaco for 5 seasons, and had 4 great ones.

Last seaons he looked in decline, and it was not the same Moutinho in the World Cup. For me, he looks done. That's why it's £5m, but rest assured, he'll be on mega wages. I think a peak Moutinho would have been one of the best playmakers in the Premier League and he would have been able to stand up to the physicalities of it. Now, he's too old, too slow, and too frail.

It's a curious signing because for me, he's a very similar player to Neves. Now, if only we could spend £50m or so getting him to come here, he's exactly what we need and a great age too.

As for Richarlison. He has played as a striker and was such in the U20 World Cup that he starred in and Everton won! He's not a winger, he can't play in midfield, but he can play on the left of a front 3 as a left forward. I believe it was the shift in tactics by Garcia that required more defensively from Richarlison that had a massively negative impact on him. Silva knows this, and Silva will play him on the left of a front three.

Do we need him, definitely. He's exactly what we need. Mirallas has been in the side at left wing in pre-season and Ricarlison is a massive step up on him. He's also better than Lookman at the current moment. Bolasie looks gone. Therefore, we do need a left winger, and I think anyone watching the Porto game would agree that we need more quality in the final third and he brings that.

Who was left winger last season? Well a combination of Calvert-Lewin, Bolasie, Sigurdsson and very rarely Lookman and Mirallas. We'd all love Lookman to slot in there, but is he good enough to do so, well it seems Silva is not so sure. Is Bolasie, Calvert-Lewin and Mirallas what we want for the coming season at left wing? Not for me, I'll take Ricarlison, Malcom, or some other young player with a lot of speed and a lot of skill.

Is the price right, no, I think not. But, if the manager knows that he has a set pot, and that pot is reduced significantly by this signing, and he still wants to proceed, then we should back him.

I can’t believe that you’re even questioning whether we’ll finish ahead of Wolves!!

I need more than a wheelbarrow if I can get odds of evens or above, for Everton to finish above Wolves.

Last season, one showed quality in the Premier League!!!!!! The other was not played, or played and then sat, by 3 managers at Everton. You're not alone in this Lookman hallucination.

Let's get him off the books and then all his Evertonian followers can rant on Leipzig fan sites at his diminishing playing time there. Really, don't sign Richarlison, we already have Lookman out on the left flank!! Goodness.

Lookman belongs over here in MLS, where he'd do well. He's an MLS-level player. Richarlison is a genuine Premierl League talent. Let's see how it plays out.

Leave it alone about Lookman, for God's sake. He's not top quality and never will be.

Great news is RS twts like Steve Nicol are sticking their beaks in now, which will make it even sweeter when Richarlison scores in front of the Kop, drops his kecks and moons the fuckers.

Don't worry, Mr Hind, your essays bored fuck out of me anyways, son. ;)

We are literally twice the price of Wolves. With the bookies I mentioned, that's not an opinion, it's a fact. The odds are still on Oddschecker now.

There are an awful lot of people who think it's far from cut and dried, including the leading high street bookies.

If I was as convinced as you. I would shop around and take the best odds to buy this "free money" those awfully generous bookmakers are offering you. I'm not... so I won't.

As Mike Gaynes has suggested above I also reckon he will play on the left of a front three which includes Tosun and Walcott.

They will be a handful for any defense. We need Mina and Digne now and we are set.

But you are far younger than me, so I "forgive" you. Ha-ha!

As and when we sign him maybe Gladwys Street can bastardize Diana Ross (and there's a thought!) singing "Rich-arl-ison, he is so grand. Make this team a better one, if you can!"

Regarding Moutinho, my hunch is that Wolves are gambling that his dropoff last season was more about that nagging ankle injury than an overall decline. He did that ankle last summer for the second time in a year.

Yeah, he's almost 32, but he may still have something left... seems like a decent punt, as you lads would say.

Joao Moutinho isn't better than Xavi, who is the master of his position, but is someone I just really liked. He's also from the Algarve. Some players just grab you, for some reason, and you just really like them. Moutinho is one of them for me.

And yeah Mike, it's important to stress that whilst Allardyce had Everton visibly defending with a line of five across the middle, Silva's 4-2-3-1 will defend in a 4-3-3 shape with the two wide men ahead of the line of the middle three, we saw Dowell dropping into that three when we were defending last night.

As for Moutinho recovering, I hope so, but he does look too lightweight right now.

I believe the tail off in his form later in the season was blamed on the Brazilian schedule leading right into his move to the Premier League so he hadn't had any off-season time off in a year and a half or something ridiculous like that. I'm optimistic that he'll be a good addition.

Digne too, I've seen him play during his Roma stint and really rated him, I think he's ideal for our needs – someone that can push Baines, adequately fill in as often as needed and make the role his own by the end of this season pushing into next season.

I don't see how he can get into the team this year (I doubt he would want to warm the bench after doing well in Germany last year).

Oh, a Brazilian Special with Fried Rice, is that the one you always find a hair in?

1. Everton is not seen as a destination for quality players;

2. The contracts that were agreed with the existing squad in some cases are a barrier to Everton progressing.

Brazilians in blue will always be given a warm welcome at Goodison. Legendary status may await for this big South American. Need a few more quality purchases first though.

Gary Carter - Job's comforter - LOL

I watched him miss 3 or 4 sitters against Chelsea last season when Watford were hammering Chelsea but somehow managed to lose the game.

Reminded me of when they somehow managed to lose 3-2 to us.

I hope I am wrong about Silva and Richarlison but nothing I have seen to date convinces me.

That only makes sense if our revenues are commensurately inflated or we have an owner with unusually deep pockets and ideally, a pet sponsor willing to overpay a la City. But we do not. Our revenue is not 'inflating'.

Nor does the argument that this does not affect us fans because it is not our money. Maybe not, but we will certainly be affected of we do end up over stretching our finances. There is a long list of formerly great clubs who have gone down the plughole and I don't want Everton to join them. All of us have a vested interest in our owner getting bangs for his buck.

He's a right-footed left forward, like Lookman and Mirallas.

What I see is a very quick player, very skilful with the ball at his feet and able to beat a man and cause havoc in defence.

What I also notice though is he seems to be a one trick pony. Similar to Mirallas, he loves to run at the right back one-on-one and always cuts inside onto his favoured right foot. He does this everytime in the videos I've seen. Like Mirallas, he never goes outside, and then he does, he does a little trick to cut back inside on his right. So, I've not seen one attempted cross with his left.

He also seems to be quite individual, in that he's got the ball and he's going direct for goal, and he's drawing players to him. Now when a certain no8 used to do this for us, he had the ability (which sure he didn't always do) to play a pass through the defenders and create goals for others. This is something we would need Ricarlison to work on, getting in the final third, running at players, drawing the defence to him, but then being able to play the striker through on goal.

And I am sure, from what I have seen, that he is very capable of being a number 9. The problem for 9s is that they are very back to goal, limited space to run into and so a lot of his game is lost. If he drops deeper, from a wide position, then he has a lot of space to race into, and that's why he plays wide, he plays on the left, so he can cut inside and then has his right foot to get a great angle on goal.

Something else that is of great interest is that most of his dribbles end the same way. That is he beats a man, sometimes two, but it's cut short as someone else clatters him. Most of the stuff on YouTube is him running at speed, amongst 3 or 4 guys, and beating a couple of them as someone desperately fouls him.

You see where I am going with this, he will win us a lot of free kicks on the edge of the box on the left side, 30 yards or so from goal. Yes, Sigurdsson territory.

As for him 'shining' in the Premier League last season and bringing quality/goals/assists in the final third? The arl arse that we just binned off to America scored over twice as many despite blowing chunks like an ale house arrow-chucker and creaking about in defensive midfield for half a season. The oft criticised Niasse and Calvert-Lewin both out scored him. Tosun equalled his total despite starting only 12 games and receiving less service than Bobby Sands.

People are talking about the lad like he possesses bags of skill, vision and is prone to looking up more than that white suited little fucker off Fantasy Island who used to point and squel "The Plane! The Plane!", when, previously, he's played more like a permanently head down pygmy hog with a bit of pace. His decision making has been absolutely terrible nearly every time I have seen him and his initial, brief, period of decent form came to a shuddering halt well before Silva left Watford.

He is going to need to seriously step up all aspects of his game, to levels he has never previously looked like attaining, to justify the ludicrous fee being reported.

That's a hell of a lot of pressure to heap on the shoulders of any player, never mind one of tender years who, when taken off against Chelsea six months ago, had more wet tears rolling down his cheeks while slumped on the bench than Ron Burgundy after some scrote wellied Baxter off a bridge.

Others still hanging around like Bolasie and Mirallas have shown little or nothing in the last season or so although Bolasie was getting over injury.

We cannot buy a world class player. Richarlison is a poor-man's Neymar. But even Neymar has a long list of flaws, and where we signing him people would be readily pointing them out.

I highlighted some flaws with Richarlison myself. The fact of the matter is we need someone on the left. We have Bolasie, Calvert-Lewin, Mirallas, Sigurdsson and Lookman who all figured at varying stages on the left last season. If we talk about actual ability right now, then none of them are good enough for us to take the next step to 6th, and I don't think they are good enough (as first team players) for us to get 7th.

Is Malcom a better bet? Well maybe so, maybe not. I could give you a list of issues with him too. Who else then? Some good names have been mentioned, but again they are not the top level player we want to get us to 6th or better.

So we need to sign someone young and full of potential. John D doubts Richarilson has that potential. Fair enough, John might be downbeat, but he's an astute guy, and his observations are warranted. However, I think Silva is best placed to be the judge of his potential.

This signing is massive to us, but it's massive to Silva. He knows how much is in the transfer pot. We suspect that it's not much and maybe £50m is half of it, gone on one player. Would Silva really waste half of it on Richarlison if he did not think he was good enough now, and for the next 3-5 years that he envisages managing us for? Brands is said to have rated him in his PSV days, so they both appear to agree here.

Is John right the fee is ludicrous. Sure, he's not exaggerating. It's more than an eyebrow raiser. But, we have to let the new manager have this one, and he has to get it right.

I was hoping there was more to that one as I think we're desperate for a few decent left footers in all areas.

https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/everton/lukaku-could-be-the-perfect-long-term-replacement-for-baines-at-everton

The players out wide are not quite as wide as you might think. Walcott is a perfect example. He loves to play up top, and I think we'll see him be a lot more central, and then the width on the right will be from Coleman, who will be outside of him.

If you think of the pitch in lanes, with the outside lanes on the flanks, and the central lane for the solo central striker, then a lane between the fullbacks and the central defenders then that's five lanes. Usually the wingers and the fullbacks operate in the same lane, and the fullback overlaps. Silva has the wide forwards operating in this lane between the fullback and the central defender, meaning there is room for Coleman to get past Walcott. It is actually encouraged.

This means, don't worry about the lack of a left foot on Richarlison, he should have Baines or Digne or whoever getting past on the outside and providing the extra width and the left foot needed to get the ball across. This is why I had initial doubts over Baines' ability to get up and down. He's shrugged off those fears by looking extremely fit in pre-season (although he took a knock against Porto), the doubts over his injury-proneness will continue though.

I suppose in some ways it's a bit similar to an advanced inside right or left position giving the player the opportunity to move further inside or a little wider?

It was mentioned during our initial link to Malcom that he maybe looking at creating a bit of a bidding war with the Italians.

If it turns out he is actually left footed and prefers to play right wing to cut in on his left, then pushing him to left wing wouldn't have worked, as he clearly wants to play on the right. The only way we would have made things work would have then been to convince Walcott to go over to the left instead.

There was mention in the Echo that we were never really in for him, so maybe it was all agent driven to secure this move.

John @ 112 expresses some of the disquiet I have about this deal.

John rightly corrects those claiming the player shone at the FIFA U-20 WC last year which England won: Brazil didn't even qualify.

I have written elsewhere that my brother-in-law follows Fluminese and so I keep half an eye on them. Before Richarlison's move to Watford I have no recall of him at Fluminese. None. Not a single minute. He just did not register on my radar as a player at all in his brief 1.5 seasons with Fluminese.

Yes, his YouTube reel shows some nice goals, but - remembering YT videos pick out the very best of a player - how much of the reel is taken up with the player starting mazy runs from the half-way line, only to fall over, be fouled or shut out without any end product?

Yes, apparently he initially 'wowed' UK audiences in his first dozen games. I wouldn't know. I don't make a point of watching Watford. The only game in the UK I've seen him play in was in the roller-coaster 3-2 game at Goodison in which he scored and played well. Thereafter, as widely acknowledged, his form fell off a cliff.

I went to a 'do' here in Brazil on Sunday and asked several of the gathering about their views on the two Brazilian players we were linked to during the week, Malcolm and Richarlison. The former is viewed as someone who will naturally progress to Brazil's national team in the coming years; the response to Richarlison was 'quem?' - 'who?!'

My disquiet on this deal is two-fold:

1) Malcolm is a player who first broke into a strong Corinthian side at 17. At 18 he was a near regular as they ran away with the Brazilian title in a record-breaking points tally. At 19 he moved several thousand kms to Bordeaux to an alien culture and environment and wasn't daunted or fazed by that. He has stepped up, performed consistently and met every challenge thrown at him in his young career. Richarlison's career projectory doesn't come close to Malcolm's.

2) Malcolm looks to have gone to Roma for £32 million. The numbers for Richarlison vary from £30-40-50 million. The first is proven quality. The second is barely displayed potential. I know which I would have preferred to take a punt on.

I endorsed the summer shake-up at the club in all aspects. I expected a more level-headed and less exuberant 'throwing of the cash' on player recruitment. So I am genuinely puzzled as to why Brands and Silva are making Richarlison the first high profile - and very expensive - transfer they broker.

Because in spite of the claims by some, there are better deals being concluded for considerably lesser prices of proven footballers, rather than on mere 'potential' based on barely a dozen games.

Good post Jay - can't say I'm convinced he's a £40m odd player. Also, as you point out, Brandts was/is supposed to be in charge of recruitment which would hopefully mean recruiting new/fresh relatively unknown gems to the club. Making the first headline signing being someone from the previous managers club just seems odd, if not also a little lazy.

Early days admittedly and I look forward to Richarlison being in the team, just wished we hadn't/didn't spend so much on him. At least if he performs we'll get our money back, unlike Klaason, Bolasie and Schneiderlin,

I hope I'm wrong but Richarlison's stats scream inconsistency and lack of heart. Although this means he will shoe-in perfectly in our present spineless squad, I fear we could be spending £40 million plus on the Brazilian Marcus Bent. Praying I'm wrong and that Silva is right. Otherwise we will be the new Leeds quicker than you can say "Championship".

Nothing however to suggest the fee being talked about, even if you take the lowest ones (£35M) to me, it still represents a hell of a gamble.

Maybe, he will play better in the months to come, someone mentioned that after seeing him play, he tends to have the same M.O. and can be easily countered and nullified.

I hope for that sort of fee we all wrong, and he proves it, but only time will tell.

DCL has 5 goals and 6 assists in 43 games

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dominic-calvert-lewin/leistungsdaten/spieler/306024/plus/0?saison=2017

Even Niasse got more goals.

18 days to go till KO and still no new defensive signing Baines, Jags, Keane and Coleman it’s looking like in back 4 come 11th August. Worrying.

Hope Keane rediscovers his Burnley form and not his Everton form.

Amit meant John, Jimmy. And I agree. I don't always see eye-toe-eye with John. But he is an astute observer of the game, sees things from a different view to myself, and makes me think again. I enjoy those kind of posts.

Are we getting screwed for another couple of mill? Watford's owners making us squirm? Player demanding free Ocadoes for the duration?

Something must be going on behind the scenes, it just ain't normal.

I wonder if we really did try and get him or it was just journo pie in the sky???

I think it is probably the same for all fans out of top 6... and maybe same for them too.

Our time will come if we get Ustinov and the new ground.

Hope I am still on this earth if and when it happens.

They'll probably announce him when they get that sorted.

Re the new manager, I'm not going to put my trust in anyone until they've actually proved themselves. Why should I trust Silva and expect he'll be a success when he's won fuck all to date? Right now I'm neutral and simply hope things get better. However, none of Silvas recent premiership managerial history point to the fact he's suddenly going to pull up trees at Everton. I put my trust in Koeman, someone who had actually won major honours before, and look where that got me.

Martinez was a bullshitter and crap, Koeman faded (not replacing Lukaku and signing Rooney obviously had a major impact). Less said about Allardyce the better – embarrassing 6 months of the clubs history. 5 years and 3 managers since Moyes who each haven't worked out. Nope, not trusting anyone until they've actually done something.

I really don't understand the blind faith some people have in Silva. I truly hope he takes us places but I'll wait and see before making a judgement.

I also love this quote from him:

"If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done."

Is there a magic line that separates winning the Dutch league from winning the Greek league, so one counts and one doesn't? Isn't the Portuguese league above the Dutch league in the co-efficient? if it is (can't be bothered looking it up) then Silva won a trophy there too.

Regardless, I'm sure Silva will win you round. I prefer to give every manager my trust until he does something (at Everton) for me not to trust him. Even Allardyce, albeit through gritted teeth.

It's Everton, we all want Everton to do well. That means being the 12th man and all that. I'm sure everyone through the turnstile at Molyneux will be behind the team, and of course everyone at Goodison for the Saints game.

I didn't want us to sign Sigurdsson, especially at the expense of losing Barkley, for that astronomical fee and I don't want us to splash £40-50m on this lad. It seems far too much. But, I will certainly enjoy what he brings to the squad, just as I enjoy watching Sigurdsson do his thing.

Amit, actually my favorite Poirot was Albert Finney in Orient Express, but Ustinov was classy as well.

Bit of bad news, gents... L'Equipe reports that Lyon may pip us for Mina. He reportedly wants Champions League footy and is willing to take less money to get it.

Where the fuck have you been, lad?

£30 to 40M for someone who is yet to put his marker down in football.

Usmanov must be on his way, the way we are throwing money around.

Welcome young overpaid lad.

Gone are the Days when we offered a lower bid, after a players club had already accepted a higher bid.

Gone are the Days when Bill attended the players medical, stood on his foot then said look he’s limping scrap the deal ( ok I made that one up)

It is not our money, only time will tell if we have been ripped off or not, but let’s not worry about Moshi splashing the cash, makes a change having some money to spend.

Yes Watford paid Flumenese £11 million for Richarlison, just like we paid Barnsley £3 million for Stones and sold him for £50 million, bought Lescott for £4.6 million and sold him for £24 million.

It's called talent spotting small clubs take a chance on a player he becomes successful and a rich club gives you 10 or 15 times more than you paid for him. This has been going on for decades and I tell you in 10 years the £500 million player will be bought.

Mind, look on the bright side: we could have bought a 33-year-old for £102 million and give him a 4 year contract at £26.5 million a year.

Using Ronaldo as an example isn't really the same, Juventus have already sold more Ronaldo shirts than Everton would shift in years.

If yes, maybe we can get an idea of what he brings to the table.

Glad we have made a significant signing, with more to follow, left-back and centre-back?