Everton closing in on Witsel

I took a look at the pictures of the squad training yesterday. There was a clip showing a drill of one touch passing. I hope its a sign of an uptempo style. Witsel and Mata both have superb technique so should fit right in.

Mata is a different kettle of fish. A genuinely world class player and worth paying that little bit extra to secure. I hope Koeman will be shrewd with his available funds. Prioritise key positions and give the youngsters a chance to bulk out the squad. A good blend of genuine quality, experience and youth.

It took Man City several years of silly spending on all kinds of duds before they finally spent enough to make a difference. I think Everton should pursue a different strategy, not least because we are still not in the same financial league as Man City where £30m wasted was merely a drop in the ocean. Let's stay classy!

I wonder if it is actually the case or if we do not play ball with the newshounds? The side-story of Liverpool entering the race for Witsel (now more of a leisurely stroll) is a case in point. It's easy to lose sight of exactly where Everton are coming from.

What is clear from Everton's management policy, which I think is very professional, is they never talk to the media unless a deal is done or at least reached a very advanced stage. This leads the media to make their own calls on the process and then all the hype starts.

I recall in Moyes' time we used to move quickly and decisively in the market. Perhaps that was because we were always bargain hunting and now times have changed.

The bottom line is at the end of last season, was the need to address the Stones and Lukaku positions (ongoing), organize a new goalkeeping structure (ongoing), bring in a new box to box mid-fielder (ongoing) and a new creative number 10.

The goalkeeping situation needed a new and experienced back-up, as well as competition for (or replacement of Robles). Although the new goalie is not in place yet I have a feeling it will be sorted soon.

Witsel seems to be coming, and Lukaku seems to be staying. Tarashaj has joined the group and Mirallas will be brought back into the fold so what else is their? Obviously the new No. 10. (or 8 but to the same effect). Also running through all of this is the need for RK to evaluate his squad at close quarters.

Before the transfer window closes, I expect Cillessen, Witsel, Mata, to have joined. If Stones goes then Van Dyke may join. Also there may be some more departures, and a closer integration of the U 21's alongside the 1st team squad.

COYB

Our competitors have already strengthened and we are just near according to the media. Last season was totally inept..we let Naismith go without a replacement and then signed Niassie who was certainly not an initial target. We have been on the fringe of signing Payet, Shaqiri, Yarmolenko and others but have failed miserably.

It appears that we do not compete with other clubs in the transfer market but tend to pick the bones of left overs. Let us sincerely hope that Mr Koeman moves far quicker during this pre season and does not bugger off abroad and leave the business with others to complete.

We may have big money but we are not viewed as a big club by most of Europe. We will need to pay way over the odds to get the type of players needed to become a top 4 club. Then, we can start to attract top calibre.

I know Leicester did it without spending big, but that may never happen again. Everything fell into place and players over performed. Chemistry was perfect.

Patience people! I have faith that we will get who he wants. It may be a case that he doesn't want any of these names the media are spouting about. I read last week an admission from Zlatan's agent that he used to get his media mates to print fake interest stories so Zlatan could get a better deal.

Witsel sounds like a similar scenario. He wanted to move to Napoli and used our name to try and force them to give him a salary closer to what he wanted.

My Dad supported the Dark Side and I remember the radio announcer came on and started with the words: "Early today, Howard Kendall signed...." "We've got him!" shouted the Old Man. "...for Everton", continued the announcer.

His face fell. I did a triumphant whoop, which almost resulted in my bollocks ending up where my Adam's Apple used to be.

Tom, " if we had that dreaded phrase "social media" operating [in the good old days] we would have known the far end of a fart". Which end are we talking about? And didn't the press get wind of that sort of thing anyway in those days?

I think Catterick himself actually helped by telling a Mirror journalist off the record that Howard was bound for the Shite.

It's in the book about Harry that Rob Sawyer (of this parish) wrote a couple of years ago

Catterick was a shrewd bugger for the most part so that is not a surprise. However, he once dropped a huge one.

He went on "Sportsnight with Coleman" and ran through the strengths and weaknesses of all the first team, including Gordon West's inability to deal with crosses. We all know what happened next. Every team playing us sent in a stream of crosses.

When he first appeared on the pitch my first thoughts were, gee, our mascot is a stocky chap. We won that game 1-3.

Still, I'll believe it when I see it but I'm glad Koeman has identified CM has one of our weak spots in the team. We need a CM like Witsel that can do a bit of everything and he'd be a big improvement in CM.

And hopefully the Mata rumours are true has we've been crying out for some class, quality and creativity in the No 10 position!

Get those in, and we're supposedly in for Pellè as well, and the 3 would instantly make us much stronger. Get a top-notch No 1 in, and some quality competition for CB, RB & LW and our team/squad looks very strong.

Hence his nickname "Dithering Davey"??

The actual truth is don't believe anything till they actually have signed on the dotted line. Just think how many blank pages there would be on the sport pages of the papers if the journalists didn't fill their papers with some spurious reports of who is moving where.

What keeps us all interested is sometimes they are told the truth by agents.

Along with Tarashaj - CF/LW/RW

And I'll be a very happy man!

It's usually what the employee gets in his pocket, employer takes care of the rest.

He was quite a character Gordon there was a story told by one of the apprentices at the time and apparently Gordon was the PFA rep in the club. He had to explain the PFA to the apprentices and walked in with jock strap on his head singing (to the tune of 'You Can't DO that')

I've got something to show you might cause you pain
It's a 2 foot nudger with a varicose vein

It must have made an impression because he was talking about it 40 years later

Chris Gunter from Reading as competition for Coleman please.

Guardian reporting that Witsel has agreed terms with Chelsea.

No William, it's all about perception. Fans of most clubs make the same complaint.

It's because with Everton you are aware of the possibility of a deal from the very first inkling of a rumour in a tabloid gossip column right through to the completion of the deal. This often seems like a long time. With other clubs you pay no attention whatsoever (the odd massive transfer aside) until the deal is announced, so it seems to you like it all happened very quickly. Meanwhile their fans, who've been watching that rumour gestate for three months, believe that it's their club who take ages to get deals done, whilst Everton wrap them up quickly. Let's say we do announce Witsel some time next week, to many fans of other clubs, it will come out of the blue.

There are quite a few examples of players we've signed in recent years that all happened nice and quickly, but we tend not to remember them.

They may set up Ltd companies for image rights, advertising etc..but HMRC are clamping down on this sort of tax avoidance scheme. If you ever wondered why so many shit movies were being produced, that was also a tax loophole many PL footballers were investing in, with tax rebates often being invested into overseas property.

'Competing theories suggest that Chelsea have actually agreed terms with Axel Witsel, nudging them ahead of Everton in those stakes'

Admittedly, well hidden.

Witsel is talented and as I have always maintained having a solid midfield core who are consistent is vital for success which Everton have not had since the Steven, Reid and Bracewell era.

Never did the movie thing - my guys are in woodlands!!!

Their contract with the club is through the players own company. Some clubs prefer this as there is no requirement on the club to take out insurance on the fitness of the player and if the player is unable to provide the services his company is contracted to, then there is no contractual requirement for the club to pay the player's company, unless the lawyers have covered this at the outset (which they usually have).

Kevin is absolutely correct when he says that HMRC are clamping down, they are, and the opportunities are fewer and fewer. There have been cases where the club has been assessed for PAYE and NI when the club's advisors have not been diligent enough to ensure that the contract is sufficiently robust.

Why doesn't someone pipe up when the manager loses the dressing room? Why do WE have to suffer the awful football?

I saw the interview with Big Nev on Sky's Sporting Heroes and he talked about how shit Mike Walker was. Even at the start of pre-season, he took them on holiday rather than on a boot camp and wandered around in a pair of Speedos poolside... Why don't these players stand together and say " enough is enough"?

I was pleased to see that Leon may be off to dirty Leeds. Nice lad, past his best but may do a job for them for a season. Anyway, wake me up when we have signed someone phenomenal... Sorry about the word "phenomenal".

It's just common sense isn't it? To actually evaluate and calculate exactly what you need, by eyeing up your personnel close up on the training pitch?

Give the man a chance to get his feet under the desk! Mr Moshiri and his squillions have made some Evertonians impatient to say the least.

You were the only person we needed to check with on transfers a season or two ago. Now you just seem as confused as the rest of us!

We need Colin "Nostradamus" Glassar back!

I am in no rush to see X/Y player signed up, I just want him to recruit the personnel that he thinks will improve our squad.

I believe this would be the take-home salary after tax is deducted. I'ts worth bearing in mind the tax on top earners in Russia is extremely low in comparison with the UK, so even though we may pay him more than Zenit currently do, he could take home less of it.

In a lot of cases I think there may be interest (hence the rumours) but the club realise the deal is not for them and we are all left here arguing about the pros and cons of a player Everton aren't even in negotiations with.

I enjoy the speculation but try not to get caught up in it too much until we're at the stage when the player is attending medicals etc...

The media throw out so many rumours that if they get 5% of them right they are happy. All this shit about Stonesy demanding a move to Man City is just that – a load of tosh. I'm still waiting for the Bale move to Man Utd every single paper predicted last summer.

As you say it's just media feeding frenzy, City are bidding on defenders too so even the Stones move isn't set in concrete.

Colin, Wiki now have him at Chelsea....

One small period of achievement under the genius of Maradona does not make a big club.

I agree he looks a player – he stood out for me last night against Wales, he looks to have more speed and skill than Witsel but play's further up the pitch. I'd have them both!

Totally agree about Jaio Mario, looks a real prospect but I am sure many clubs will have been impressed with him. Also R enato Sanches is off to Bayern for £33 million.

I have also been impressed with Sissoko – surely he still won't be with Newcastle next season. He had a lot of similarities to Viera; he won't be cheap but who is these days.

If we get Witsel and Mata, I will be very happy. Those two alone would improve the first team a lot.

Sounds to me like Witsel may be dragging his feet a bit and waiting for a bigger offer/club.

Matic had an outstanding first season but has gone right off the boil since then.

I've been to the summit of Vesuvius and breathed in the fumes. Smells like rotten eggs and is scorching hot. However, if Vesuvius goes off, that's something for Neapolitans to worry about. If the super volcano of Campo Flegrei goes off, that's something we all have to worry about! Witsel won't be any safer here... nor will we!

Could be Man Utd will indeed be shipping a few players out now. Carrick, Mata, Fellaini and Januzai to name but a few.

I would like Koeman to pick up Hakim Ziyech from Twente, though, as he could be signed for buttons given their financial problems. He would need a firm hand but he's a very gifted player.

God I just want one signing to give this new era lift off!!!

Stekelenburg doesn't count ;-)

We also seem thankfully to be setting our sights higher in terms of players who are inevitably in demand elsewhere. Let's give the new regime a chance and judge them at the end of the transfer window – but ideally we want players before the season starts.

My Mum used to tell me to be patient. Patience is not one of my towering strengths. And amongst my esteemed colleagues on ToffeeWeb, I am not alone.

It's actually only 36 days to kick off. And any new arrivals will need time to get used to the playing styles of colleagues etc. as well as tactics. It isn't like last year when we were a tactics free zone.

Now we have a different regime. The major shareholder has not gone out and got his manager (at great expense) simply to leave him with the limited resources currently on the playing staff. Major reinforcements will arrive.

I want it confirmed the days of signings like Pembridge, Gemmill, Hottiger, Barrett, Angel, McFadden, Oster to name a tiny few are over!

Just one marquee signing will do for now!

But, on a serious note, it's great to have optimism back.

When Koeman makes his first major signing (like this guy), I bet you others will follow fairly quickly.

The good news is, if we don't get Witsel, then there will be a list of alternatives. I could live with Matic, Carvalho, Matuidi, Schneiderlin or any other talented, athletic DMC out there who is going to control games for us in a way McCarthy and Barry have not done enough of.

Am I the only one worried about a new keeper? There hasn't been much talk of who RK is after if anyone. Surely this is much more urgent now.

There is the need for a top goal keeper, a defence that conceded 59 goals in the Premier League, flawed midfielders who were out -thought and out-skilled by the Premier League's top teams. And then there is the question of the Everton width, that has problems crossing the ball without hitting the first opposing defenders first.

Hopefully, Lukaku stays – that will be one less problem to think about, who is going to replace him.

He and his agent are playing Everton a merry dance with his "Will he? Won't he?" act.

I suggest the only reason he comes here is because of the size of the contract. Any platitudes about the history of our club and the rest of the diatribe associated with big signings will fall on the deaf ears of knowledgeable Blues fans.

Not at all concerned yet. Koeman will need a number of weeks to assess and decide and, to be realistic, some competitive games as well.
Just keep telling yourself it HAS to be better than last season.

Have to say I don't know why you were telling yourself that with Martinez still in charge, when it was pretty obvious to the vast majority that he was clueless. :-)

"There you go, Koeman, lad. Now, that might be a three-year, multi-million pound, contract you're clutching, but don't you feel the need to go diving into any decisions from the off. Just consider the first year a 'gimme' to get your bearings, fathom a few things out and gingerly run the rule over the remnants of the last regime. At your leisure, like.

"We'd much rather you take plenty of time to survey the playing field... perhaps kneel down, pick up a bit of dirt, give it a sniff and slowly roll it around your fingertips for what seems like fucking ages, a bit like Maximus did in Gladiator before decking that big roid monster in a tin mask and making a Bengal tiger his bitch... than see you come in and try to hit the ground running."

Patience has no place in a football fan's focus.

We have a squad full of moderate players in my opinion, plus some promising young players. Who are we going to attract, probably players that your City, Chelsea etc don't want. Mercenaries that will come for the money only, I think that's the reality I'm afraid.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket but there's going to have to be a lot of money spent on a handful of really outstanding players for us to be competing with the best. Will they come – that's the question.

A goalie is a 'must' and a creative midfielder. Does anybody foresee Niasse getting a look in if Rom moves on?

If Stones is as good as gone, I presume you mean to City? If you believe that, then it's not unreasonable to suggest you accept the £50m figure being bandied about?

If that was the case, I believe we could buy TWO very effective centre-backs with the money and actually improve the team. Not suggesting we SHOULD do that, btw.

So then, with four centre-backs, we look to strengthen elsewhere, and I don't buy into the "we'll be left with the scraps" approach. Koeman got players of high quality to go to Southampton and I believe he can get players of higher quality to come to Everton.

although Leicester blew the idea out of the water last season, I think its fair to say that its preferable to have 'stars' for want of a better word than average players.

I agree with what you say by the way about Stones and replacing him with 1 or 2 reliable defenders.
Ok, all the defence were stretched last season because of the emphasis on attack, but Stones did not cover himself in glory at all.

Somehow we need to recruit players that the City, Utd, Chelsea etc want, how we get over that hurdle I'm not sure.

Les Reed seems to do a good job at Southampton although traditional (old fashioned ?) managers generally distrust the role.

Or maybe BK is trying to persuade Moysey to come on board !

I've always said we will get players we aren't linked to by the media. So the likes of Pelle, Nani, Schneiderlin, Embolo etc...start to disappear off the radar and so will Mata (hopefully), Dann, Sneijder etc.... I'm not sure about Witsel though, that could still happen.

Remember the general view last year was that we had a great squad and all it needed was coaching properly, why not trust that this is so? We have two or 3 team's worth of good defenders, please no more.

City spent 100's of millions and yet they aren't a great side. We must aspire to be the very best now that we have at least the finance to do so. That means as dominant as we were in1970 and under Kendall 1, as good as United were and capable of winning consecutive titles. That is success and it can't be achieved by buying unless what you buy is absolutely right. If Davies and Kenny are as good as they look then play them every game don't buy their positions, play Barkley and encourage him to make and score goals. Do Barcelona worry that Messi doesn't track back and cover? No, they shape the rest of the team to provide cover. I want to see Everton winning by attitude and believing that it is their right and duty to win every game. We need to become a big club again with gates of 70,000 and revenue streams that don't need a sugar daddy to supplement. I want them to go to Anfield and expect to win not think that they're taking a knife to a gun fight. Despite our history we have become a small EPL club but we have the potential to rise again now we must find the attitude. The massive mistake will be irrational expectations from the fans which will dampen the support that will be needed to help this all happen.

As for Mata, well he's a very technically proficient player but he's only a better version of Ossie ie quick feet, quick mind but gets knocked off the ball far too easy and disappears in games.

I'd love to see Ross and Witsel together in central MF making runs towards the opponents box. If we need a creative No 10 then why not try Del there? Everyone seems to forget that we have the boy genius in our ranks.

We need another player like him, albeit better one. Personally, I'll be happy with the signing of Mata, Haller and Witsel. Although in the case of Witsel, my gut feeling is telling me he will be off to Chelsea.

Are you really trying to say that Mata and Witsel wouldn't make a difference to us if we did manage to sign them - they absolutely would in my opinion.

Witsel and Fellaini offer completely different game plans to a manager, the Belgium manager obviously thought the opposite from you.
Witsel from what I have seen is a cleaner tackler than Fellaini and a better passer with bags of energy.

I wish everyone would stop clamouring for the club to rush out and buy this player or that player that we are currently rumoured to be interested in and give the manager and his coaching team adequate time to assess what areas they feel need strengthening in the team and squad.

I hope that the laying down of the foundations of RK's squad is not rushed whether that's retaining a large core of existing players with one or two top quality additions.

Do not be surprised if it is 3-4 weeks until any new players are brought into the squad given that it will not be until next week before the international contingent join the squad for pre-season.

Stay cool blues, sit back and enjoy the revolution!

It seems to me that we have money when everyone else has. I suspect we will need the same luck and guile that we always have. I hope we can keep what we have, get the very best from them, and make a couple of subtle and hopefully inspirational additions.

Witsel, Fellaini and Belgium were an embarrassment at the Euros. Is that the way we should go as a club?

Man Utd have a history of flying wingers. This guy is the opposite. I think the odds were stacked against him there. He uses his brain and makes everyone around him a better player. He also loves a full-back who will go beyond him. We have two of the best in that regard and to see them bombing on again would go a long way towards reigniting my love of football.

Mata, a step up on Ossie?

I'd say he's a step up from Pienaar...which is a bloody exciting prospect.

Where? effectively, and metaphorically speaking, all this wealth has allowed us to bring chips to the poker table, in terms of bidding, counter bidding, and the huge amount of luck that we will need to see these acquisitions realise their expected potential.

I've heard Witsel is done deal once he gets back from holiday, Mata and Haller both look likely. I'll be very happy if that turns out to be true.

Now you are changing the subject. Who cares about Belgium? All I care about is Everton.

From what I can gather from your posts you basically are saying that Witsel and Mata are not good enough for Everton and at the same time you say it should be small steps in order for us to get to were we all wish to be.

If we could sign the above players that would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.

I doubt very much that Koeman will buy just for the sake of it as you put it.

Yeah, better stick with a Witsel who you can trust to conserve energy moving the ball sideways.

The very idea that anybody could prefer Witsel to either Mata or Oscar leaves me genuinely astounded. Not least because we already have a team of side-ways passers and not enough creativity.

Japp Stam had a poor World Cup before he signed for United. Other players can sparkle at a tournament and be duds. It happens.

Let's build a team – not buy one, they're always the best. It takes time but the youth system creates hungry players who have the blue blood in their veins... only this time we have the money to resist them being sold. Remember Rooney... how good would he have been for us in his prime years?

Sam, did you see the link for a video of Lukaku's goals that was on here last week. (in a thread that was basically saying he was crap)?

" but there's no-one to pick that visionary pass that no one else saw against a packed defence. "

hmmm.......have another look at the through balls Del gives for a couple of the goals. I've said on here before that Barca are on record as saying that their coaching staff saw Deulofeus' future as a number 10 as opposed to a wide player and with his lack of stamina and ability to last 90 minutes that slot would require less running...just a thought.

Bearing in mind that we don't actually know if we're after Witsel!

That's what makes a top manager, the transformation of players whose talents may be lying dormant just below the surface for whatever reason.

That's my big hope because I think Koeman exudes confidence -unsurprisingly given his own abilities - and will develop it in others.

Mata, is a decent player, but speed and strength, makes the modern footballer, especially in the bigger games, which is where we have got to start aiming to compete.

This goes to a basic issue in our current predicament, we have a good squad, with good players, many of whom are young and promising. This means that anyone we sign needs to be either:

1. a clear step up in quality (effectiveness, not just style)
2. in a position where we are weakest, or
3. in a position with an ageing first choice player.

For me this means goalkeeper, centre midfield and left wing. I'm frankly quite happy with our current squad, and would expect to do well if we started as we are. I expect only two or three signings, who all need to fulfill the criteria I mentioned above, and am prepared to be patient in getting the right player eventually, rather than the wrong one quickly.

I think we're all a bit traumatised by Martinez's attitude to new signings as well, where he'd buy them then not play them, telling us they somehow weren't ready yet (Niasse may never be ready from many accounts). Hence there are contributors who feel that if a player is not at Finch Farm by Monday then they can't be ready by the Big Kick Off. This isn't true.

He is also, apparently, the cousin of...

Whatever happened to the days when clubs just made an offer got a yes or no from the other club and players did or didn't sign without this song and dance we get today.

If Napoli want Witsel then let them have him. He only signed for Zenit to play crap football but collect big wages. There are other players. If Mata wants to warm the bench at Manu let him. He's not wanted by Mourinho but apparently isn't getting the message. There are other players. If they are not showing the slightest enthusiasm for playing for Everton then why pursue them?

It's time to start calling bluffs here. Set deadlines and stop letting oligarchs, agents, and assorted middlemen give us the runaround. We had all this crap with Yarmolenko last year. Just made us look like beggars.

Time to grow a pair. If they start faffing us about drop them like a hot potato and move on.

The best sides are a blend of youth and maturity. Youth for energy and enthusiasm. Maturity for experience and leadership when things are going pear shaped. One compliments the other.