Deulofeu flies in to tie up Everton move

However, this is Everton... so "many a slip twixt cup and lip" springs to mind.

Brilliant news though. Barça are being quite savvy with the buy-back but when the initial transfer price is so low it’s a no-lose for us really.

He’s very inconsistent and one of the most frustrating players since Peter Beagrie or Robert Warzychka (?). But when he’s in the mood he’s fantastic!

Get it over the line, Everton!!

Much needed injection of pace for next season!

Absolutely laughable that he is coming as some kind of Catalan Saviour. I think the Barca connection blinds all reason.

On the other hand, it’s a credit to EFC that he wants to come back. Maybe him & his bird like Church St or is it L1 these days?

I’m very excited about this transfer. Admittedly, the lad is young and inconsistent but there is definite potential in him. And he’s fast and direct, something we were badly missing last season.

Even if this does turn out to be a glorified loan deal where Barça buy him back in two or three seasons time, I’m still happy with it. Even if we only make a couple of million after his fee and wages.

Because if a club like Barça want him back it means we’ve had some fantastic performances from him. And nobody gets you out of your seat like a fast, skilful winger.

While he may be inconsistent, this signing does get me excited! If Lukaku can learn to get on to one of his drilled cut backs it could be a good source of goals.

Also, if we are playing slow and sideways – Del could use his trickery to unlock a packed defence (or loose the ball) – but at least it’s better than always using the safe option.

That said he is here and I want to wish him good luck and to be on here raving about his displays. Come on in, son, the future is Royal Blue.

I admit to being a little worried that he might be the "foreign number 10" that Martinez spoke of though. Would rather Deulofeu played right wing with Mirallas left wing and this "number 10" behind Lukaku.

Unless Mirallas is going, in which case I would like to see somebody like Perisic, Bolasie or Gradel on the left. My choice for number 10 would be Hakim Ziyech from FC Twente with Barkley to support/challenge the position.

Great signing and hope to see him just scaring the bejeezuz out of defenders next season.

Half the time we’ll be up out of our chairs screaming FOR him.

The other half we’ll be up out of our chairs screaming AT him.

Personally, having been bored spitless for most of last season, I’m just looking forward to having my adrenal gland return to life.

I realise (re Deulofeu) some of those TWers who only see the world in black or white, will take any favourable comments on him as "almost personal provocation".

"WHAT!? He’s a fuckin headless chicken he’s been fucked off by Barca and Seville how much fucking proof do you fuckin..." etc

I don’t see the lad as a world-beater, but for the reasons you state, watching the occasional pro play like a greedy kid in the playground is something I get a kick out of.

When it doesn’t work, it is as you suggest, infuriating.

But when it does come off, there are few things more exhilarating.

It’s funny (to me) how some see Everton – when we had a chance of Europa, some (like me) are all for it, others see it as something that will ’get in the way,’

That ’it’ll get in the way’ thing really makes me smile under the present set-up.

All good sense says we’re not got going to win a carrot or get near top 4, so we should take our thrills as an when we can, yet many seem to think this + this + that - the other = something.

Well not with this Everton it doesn’t.

For me under BK (realistically) those possible thrills offer a few nice away trips in Europe once in a while, a derby win maybe a couple of Utd-at-home-last-year-style wins AND having a winger who, on his day can lace all hands and bury the odd screamer.

Oh yes, couldn’t agree more

He had more conviction in his game when Geri was on the scene so this move can only improve his game, unless of course the Great Gonzo doesn’t mess up whatever good he did in his first season as manager. Lennon would also be a massive boost to the team... here’s hoping!

Keep Mirallas now and we have a genuinely dynamic, direct, threatening front four with Lukaku and Barkley – all of whom can finish.

Width, pace and no problems with Roberto’s insistence on playing two ’defensive’ midfielders then too.

Getting the balance right at last?

Here’s looking excitedly to 2015-16.

COYB!

I never forget ruling the fact Gerry got injured just before Christmas 2013 , at the very moment he was beginning to frighten the Premier League, he scored a stunner at Arsenal and had the Redshite defence shitting themselves in that second had of the 3-3 draw at Goodison Park.

I’d be quite happy now with Scott Dann, a creative number 10 and I do like the look of Nolito for this; also we must certainly sign a striker.

It really sounds like a good deal for the Blues and I guess for the RS too if City are stupid enough to pay that!!

He may be able to forge a creative partnership with Lukaku who needs good service or at least draw some attention away from him. He may be able to prod Barkley back to life. He is the kind of player who is focused on moving the ball goalward and defenders are unused to his pace and footwork. He had an electrifying effect on the whole team when he played. That’s why.

Until someone brings in bags of money, we simply have no choice in the transfer market but to look for three kinds of players: 1) very good, but not top, players in the prime of their careers; 2) once top players in the twilight of their careers; and, 3) possibly top younger players, who have some concerns causing the top sides to shy away (for now).

Gerry fits into #3, as does Lukaku.

Neither one is a good risk for Barcelona or Chelsea, respectively, because both those sides can simply buy them back (no matter how much they cost) if they make good. If they can’t buy those particular players back, they can always buy someone just as good.

Until we’re in that position, we will have to take risks on players, and, at the fees that have been mentioned, gerry is a good risk.

Of course he’s not a world-beater just yet, but he has bags of pace and runs at defenders. If he can slowly learn to play real football, we’ll have a gem as long as we can hold him. If he can’t learn, he can still scare the hell out of fullbacks for 20-30 minutes when we need it most.

This should generate opportunities for those around him. Lukaku, Mirallas and Barkley, may be different players, given time and space.

I also really like the idea of trying to sign Kagawa – he was class under Ferguson at United , he only stared to dip when Moyes came in and started telling him to chase full backs down in the channels , I think he could do really well for us .

The kid’s frustrating and unpredictable but if we haven’t got a clue what he’s going to do then neither to the opposition defenders!

At least he’ll bring some much needed excitement to our play as he’s certainly not going to pass it sideways and take the easy option whenever he gets the ball.

If he could just learn to release it at the right time and improve his crossing, we’ll have one hell of an assist machine for Lukaku. Still only 20 so will only get better.

Will give Martinez the credit so far – assuming he plays him regularly.

Why would you do this now loaning him to a Premier League club??

He’s going to leave Everton next season and basically Bournemouth, the club he will join will need to pay a fee, that’s why he’s been in agreement to sign a five-year deal.

Colin Glassar, congratulations on some really good stuff lately. Your defence of Roberto over the last while has been open minded and reasonable and your lack of gloating admirable. Come on, tell us how you do it.

As long as we also are attacking down the other flank, opposition defences will be spread more than when we concentrate our attacking efforts down the one side, and this should also open opportunities through the middle.

Having Mirallas and Del Boy together would stretch defense and open up lots of space for Lukaku (no excuse for not scoring more).

Young, impressionable, uncommitted kids, just taking an interest in football for the first time, love flair players and try to emulate them in the playground. They tend to follow the player first and then the team the player plays for.

It can therefore only be a good thing for Everton and future support to have players like Ged grace the pitch in the "Royal Blue Jersey", attracting new support to the club, for the right reasons.

When he suffered a dip in firm, as all young players do, he was discarded and instead of being encouraged and brought back gradually, he was simply dumped and relegated to the bench if he was lucky. I think RM, for all his failings, genuinely likes Del Boy and the lad knows it, and maybe this is a major factor in him wanting to return to us.

I’d still like to see us sign Aaron Lennon, who will provide much needed consistency, with Del Boy coming in as the flair player, ready to rip defences to bits, but only when he is fully fit and mentally ready to prove he is over the bad times he suffered at Sevilla.

Rejection hurts and can take time to recover from. If his head’s right he’s going to be a great asset but only time will tell. Welcome back, Del Boy. We all want you to succeed.

This time around, we know what he can do, although he doesn’t always do it, but, I strongly feel that when he is re-introduced at Goodison, the reception he will receive will amaze him and give him the confidence to produce the type of performances that will, as indicated above, terrify the opposition.

Now lets get the centre back positions sorted, one goalkeeper in and one out, one number 10 in and one out.

A lot done but more to do!

I also recall him running past defenders and deciding against crossing the ball and either cutting inside or taking an extra man on just as attackers made their move into the six-yard box awaiting a ball that never came, which frustrated attackers and supporters.

Just imagine if Deulofeu and the forwards could get on the same wavelength a few times a match... that I want to see

Craig 54, I donÂ’t think Delboy would qualify as home grown. Rules say the player has to have played in England for at least 3 years up to the age of 21. This coming season would be his second season and IÂ’m not even sure if a loan move from abroad would count towards the three years...

The last few seasons, heÂ’s been farmed out to anyone who will have him, get behind him, show him he belongs somewhere and then who knows what may happen!

From the Premier League, probably only Hazard and Aguero could push for a place in their team (as far as attacking players are concerned).

Brilliant post mate!

It is the stretching of defences and that mazing trickery in tight spaces in the box, then there is arrogance that even if we go 1-0 down in the last 10mins we know we have someone who has the imagination, class and arrogance to respond as he did away to Arsenal ..

getting us all dreaming ... and hey ho ... you only get frustrated when you expect something else ... let him screw up on occasion ..

I am a Duncan McKenzie fan not a Gordon Lee fan ...

As a fellow winger - I knew when my midfield was on top getting me the ball and I could constantly go at a left back - the more you go at them with tricks and pace the more they give you space and then you can run them into the ground ...

Del gives us that ability ... bring on the new season!! Looking forward to the pre-season games as well now ... Lets all go to Leeds!!!

The player says he doesnÂ’t want to go on loan again so any move must be permanent. Barca therefore are giving him (and us) the next best thing to a loan move. Very clever business on their part.

But it is also no lose for us, we get him cheap and if heÂ’s brilliant we get the benefit of that brilliance for the next two years and a small profit on his return to Barca. If heÂ’s not so good we didnÂ’t outlay too much on him anyway.

Someone needs to have a word with him about that.

Look how happy we are at setting up two important deals for promising young players.

Now please, please donÂ’t release a statement about how Deulefeu could be the best winger the Premier League has ever seen, or somesuch hyperbole. It messes things up!

I will be happy though, when this chicken hatches.

Thank you for that illuminating insight.

(in other news - Bear seen defecating in densely wooded area. Pope revealed to favour catholicism. Rose Kennedy thought to have owned a black dress. Dolly Parton believed to favour sleeping on her back...)

ThereÂ’s no guarantees with any player ffs - Steven Jones (70) mentions Peter Reid and itÂ’s a great example.

"A fucking oulÂ’ cripple!Â’ is (definitely!) how he would have been described by many on here, had internet/TW been around (same applies to Andy Gray).

Typical! they’ll all be on a wing and a prayer – nothing changes!!

Get yourself into the Spanish national squad for the euros and please please help us do the double over the redshite! This signing is going to capture the young kids’ imagination, bet his name will be the most popular name printed on backs of jerseys... Might cost a bit mind.

Until I see him sat with a scarf, I’m not counting my pollos.

Â’A team full of wingers is better than a site full of whingersÂ’.

Yep, this is what it means to me.

Hope IÂ’m wrong of course but flattered to deceive for me. Only time will tell.

I think he will be decent this season and then great next season and bugger off to some CL team probably via Barcelona making a profit. Fine by me as it means we will have had essentially a two year loan with a little profit at the end.

Maybe the dream is that heÂ’s a late developer and only hits his straps in 3 years time after Barcas option has run out!

Why would anyone debate that?

WhatÂ’s your point? If you have a problem with the opinions on the site then say so, donÂ’t devolve into phoney stats about usage of the term wingers/whingers.

Oh, hereÂ’s one for you: whatÂ’s the difference between someone whoÂ’s beautiful and someone whoÂ’s a beaut?

Oh wait, you did something clever with mixing up winners and whingers... have a day of oral and think of a comment thatÂ’s at least relevant.

Think Smithy with Gazza and Ginola and Howard had one or two in his time. But Delboy is somewhat different. He may well prove a Â’never-wasser Â’ !

We now have Barkley, Stones, Lukaku, Garbutt and Coleman. I see that, at the very worst, as something to get happy about.

I think youÂ’re on the money there Andy Crooks. I think we have enough "potential" now, that if all their stars were to align at the same time, something great could happen.

It is a bit of a long shot, but without the massive investment required to be able to compete for the signatures of "ready made" world beaters, itÂ’s probably the best shot weÂ’ve got.

Do you think the team of the eighties would have come through without Peter Reid? Someone to pull these talented kids together and make them believe that they can become a great team.

Phoenix from the flames Everton – you’ve done it many times before!

I wonder if Derek Mountfield and John Terry know what theyÂ’re talking about in the press when they mention how good John Stones is? People stating what appears to be the obvious, is a perfectly acceptable form of commentary.

Fed up hearing it was Reid who pulled those young lads together in the 80s. It was Andy Gray. Reid had been there 18 months before Gray arrived and nothing had changed.

Gray was the voice of the dressing room who made them all believe in themselves; he was the man who turned Sharp from young potential into the finished article.

By the way, the reason Reid never had much say in changing the way the team played was Kendall never played him for a lot of that time; when he got in on a regular basis, he let everyone know what a great player he was.

It doesnÂ’t matter anyway really, the fact that we got these two "winners and leaders" into our team, gave the other talented kids around them, such a big lift, that it turned them into "CHAMPIONS"!

Not saying we can win the league again, but do think we have some very, very good young players who need someone to lead them out there on the pitch.

Peter as much as I love HeathÂ’s goal at Oxford, I love the way Reid turned away in frustration, after he had pressured Kevin Brock, into the mistake for the goal.

As far as IÂ’m concerned, good players need belief, we just need to go and find the right player who can provide it.

You beat me to it, was just coming on here to say exactly the same thing when I read about the Shite buying Firmino. Tied up swiftly, efficiently, not even a peep in the press about it as far as I could see until it was done.

Meanwhile, still we wait for this signing to complete...

Yes, I know Cleverley was done quickly, but to my mind that doesn’t count as he was out of contract. I can just imagine BK (if he’s well enough to be conducting negotiations) or otherwise whoever his deputy is will be haggling over every €1,000 with Barcelona for several days yet... sigh!!

If you find the obvious Â’acceptableÂ’, you accept it by all means.

For me however, the obvious is... fucking obvious, therefore I donÂ’t accept it.

Still, never let it be said – given your strident defense of the unilluminating (and presumably love of it) here are a five little nuggets to thrill you – my treat:

1) Cheese has a sort of cheesy taste.

2) The word Â’onomatopoeiaÂ’ is a word.

3) If a man is punched just below the ear, the pain he will feel will be painful.

4) A steak and kidney pie needs steak AND kidney.

5) John Terry is a thick-as-fucking-mince, scruples-free, sly-eyed cockney twat and anyone quoting his opinion on anything needs to have a fucking word with themselves.

[DonÂ’t mention it.]

So I do not think we should moan about the other lot getting it done quickly....

- I am of the view that he (Firminio) will be another great Brenda like signing, the Beeb et al. will marvel over him in the early months of the season then he will be subsumed into the shite Brenda trots out (hopefully anyway)...

"Well done blues IÂ’m surprised weÂ’ve managed to pull this one off"
to
"Oh fuck what have they managed to balls up this time?.....its taking too long!........thereÂ’s no way heÂ’s signing now!!"

IÂ’ll be gutted when Gerry signs for Spurs or West Ham. Especially when they confirm Barcelona didnÂ’t make them include a buy back clause.

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DhE5m8KXjfb8

So Eugene, youÂ’re saying unless comments are obtuse they have no purpose? A football website isnÂ’t the place for that is it?

ItÂ’s possible you will come up with a hilarious diatribe to counter my obvious statement though. Please donÂ’t make it as funny as the list you just did of Â’obvious statementsÂ’ which seemed confused at best.

Also, "never let it be said..." . You didnÂ’t even finish that sentence, possibly you got a bit lost in your own thoughts?

Finally, I think John Daley may have replaced you as chief surrealist. Keep them coming though, "steak and kidney pie" wow.

IÂ’m not worried though, IÂ’ve stated many times on ToffeeWeb (since midway through last season) that heÂ’ll be back for the start of this season. The next step after that will be letting him know he is loved here because that is one of the ways weÂ’ll keep hold of him if he reaches his potential. League success and money have something to do with it but if heÂ’s happy here it could make a massive difference if Barca come back for him.

WhoÂ’s the funniest of the two? I guess it depends what day it is.

Moan all you want, but TW isnÂ’t nearly as much fun when theyÂ’re not on.

If, in the next 2 years, he does turn into Pele/Maradona/Messi/Ronaldo/Kilbane rolled into one and Barcelona buy him back, we should be able to re-sign him if Suarez starts eating him.

Lyndon and Michael developed a knack for turning them into stone pretty quickly, and while there was one who stayed around for quite a while, most of them have been quickly banished.

This Del boy, did nothing for me first time around. Under achiever, and over rated. We just canÂ’t carry the likes of them. Give me Lennon any day. Anyone seen that Kenneth Omeruo? Center back, with Middlebough. I think he would siit us.

Oh and please donÂ’t talk Â’CleverleyÂ’ he was out of contract and WANTED to join Everton and the only thing we had to do was decide how much a week we would pay him.

Oh and can you name the Â’so manyÂ’ other clubs. Curiously I can hardly find any transfers conducted yet elsewhere. Maybe IÂ’m looking at the wrong Premier League?

HavenÂ’t we signed Cleverly? So surely weÂ’re in that group. Garbutt seems to be all completed, except that heÂ’s been away playing with England. Everyone in the press seems to agree heÂ’ll be going to Bournemouth on loan.

It seems to me the club might just be waiting for all these players to be back so they can unveils them all at once. Some sort of stupid youth messaging or something. But IÂ’d assume in the next couple of days Garbutt, Henen, Deulofeu and Cleverly will all be unveiled together for a photo op.

IÂ’m really not seeing the big deal here.

The result is below. There are a load of clubs whoÂ’ve done more (3 transfers seems the most popular with eight clubs making that many, then there are two with 5 transfers, one club on 4, three clubs on 2 transfers, three on 1 and three with none). Overall thatÂ’s an average of 2.35 deals per club. On that basis weÂ’re behind, but look at the specifics of a lot of those deals and itÂ’s far less clear. How many of these are players that would never get into our side at smaller clubs, how many are players we couldnÂ’t afford/attract?

Ultimately, amongst the top 8 the only substantial movement has been from Liverpool and Southampton (5 players each), otherwise Utd + Chelsea have both added one decent player thatÂ’d be outside our budget at 㿀M+ and in general, as with pretty much every season I can recall, the majority of transfer activity lies ahead.

Arsenal: 0 deals
The Cech deal is NOT actually done yet (despite being talked about for most of the last year). Also to be frank itÂ’s really NOT the position they most desperately need to fix, thatÂ’s defensive midfield or centre back surely?

Aston Villa: 2 (Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards from City)
Not bad deals and maybe one couldÂ’ve taken a squad slot at Goodison, but both have lost their way at City and hardly setting the league alight.

Bournemouth: 4 (Arthur Boruc on free, Adam Frederici + Joshua King from Championship plus Atsu on loan)
Boruc is a good signing, the others probably not good enough to make much impact in the Prem.

Chelsea: 3 (Juan Cuadrado for 㿆M, Nathan, Christian Manea)
Class player to strengthen the premier league champions, theyÂ’ll probably have a good chance at being champions again next year too. To be fair with their squad, manager and bankroll they are a class apart.

Crystal Palace: 3 (Jordan Mutch, WIlfred Zaha, Chung-Yong Lee)
Not terrible, but again not massively inspiring. Mutch is okay, Lee hard working and Zaha has occasional good game but generally patchy. Not sure any of them would add to our squad.

Everton: 1 (Tom Cleverly)
Squad definitely improved by a player Villa wanted to keep, not sure if heÂ’ll push the first team on much, but an option.
Del-boy will be a more exciting signing of course, Garbutt re-signing helps defensive options and plenty more being linked in centre-back, attacking mid and up front.

Leicester: 2 (Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs)
Good signing definitely for them, but too old for us to consider. Excellent comedy name from the Austrian left back also - heÂ’ll sell a few shirts at least!

Liverpool: 5 (Firmino, James Milner, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez)
One of the few clubs to have done substantial business that I can see so far this season. Firmino could be their new Suarez or their new Carroll, no-one knows yet. Ings could be very astute or could be Lambert all over again. Milner looks like smart business on a free as a hard-working midfielder to replace their dear departed captain (albeit with less goal-scoring potential). Then thereÂ’s Joe Gomez from Charlton....no, me neither. Promising 18 year old defender apparently. Could be a Stones/Coleman but unlikely to feature this year.
However they are the top 8 club in biggest need of a rebuild, they were frankly shambolic at the end of the season and look set to lose one of their hottest prospects again. Indeed the imminent 㿔-50M talent headed out may explain the speed and scale of transfer activity to date.

Man City: 0
Bidding for Sterling and numerous others, but nothing substantial done yet.

Man Utd: 1 (Memphis Depay €27.5M)
Linked with loads of big names, but after the Depay signing (that happened before end of season effectively), nothing signed or sealed yet. Also look likely to lose their star keeper.

Newcastle: 0
TheyÂ’ve got in the wally with the brolly, but have a chairman whoÂ’s less forthcoming with cash than our own and most talk is about who goes.

Norwich: 2 (Graham Dorrans, Anthony Andreu)
More potential signings from West Brom pending...meh

Southampton: 5 (Ryan Bertrand, Juanmi, Gape, Cedric Soares, Martin Stekelenburg)
Pretty solid, but unclear how much has improved. Signing of a proven loan player at a high price from Chelsea (sound familiar?), plus a reserve keeper another decent defender in form of Soares plus 2 players weÂ’ve not heard of that are unproven. Main concerns are whether they can hold onto Schneiderlin and others or will be pillaged again.

Stoke: 3 (Joselu + Jakob Hauguard + Phillip Wollschield)
Signed a decent loanee to full time. Otherwise, no idea if this is good or not, IÂ’m sure no-one else will know till a couple of months in. Main focus is to try and tie down their keeper.

Sunderland: 1 (Ricardo Alvarez)
Potentially decent signing, but not one weÂ’d have been in market for. Big news is theyÂ’ve kept the manager who kept them up.

Swansea City: 3 (Frank Tabanou, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Andre Ayew)
Back-up keeper and a new left back from St Etienne for ١.5M
No doubt theyÂ’ll be fine, but nothing to concern us - Ayew is the only one we had half an eye on.

Tottenham: 3 (Kieren Trippier, Dele Alli, Kevin Wimmer)
Burnley defender and another two from MK Dons and Cologne may be practical but not earth shattering. Perhaps Spurs will change tact from being a graveyard for too many midfielders to derailing promising defensive careers?

Watford: 3 (Marco Motta, Sebastian Prodl, Diego Perrotti)
DonÂ’t know enough to comment on any of these players really, they donÂ’t look like mugs, but they arenÂ’t sure to settle either. Most importantly the soap opera that is Watford and itÂ’s managerial revolving door should prove entertaining whatever!

West Brom: 3 (Callum Mcmanaman, Jack Rose and Darren Fletcher)
With James McClean set to arrive shortly, it seems Pulis is picking over the carcass of Wigan for what is left after Martinez had his fill, although heÂ’s got a bit of the Moyes appetite too with a taste for Utd cast-offs.
I suspect few blues fans want to see further Wigan players or ex-Utd in our squad, so not much to worry about here.

West Ham: 3 (Nene, Pedro Obiang, Darren Randolph)
Linked with everyone (and pretty much anyone weÂ’re also linked with) but so far little actual activity. Austin would definitely be a good signing (especially if they offload Carroll back up to the North East) and Payet maybe too, but neither deal appears imminent meaning unknown Brazilian forward Nene and promising but far from proven Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang plus Birmingham back up keeper are the only signings so far. Biggest move has been on the sidelines with Allardyce out for Bilic.