Everton confirm Gueye as next signing

, 2 August, 108comments  |  Jump to most recent
Idrissa Gana Gueye has been confirmed as an Everton player today after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.

The 26-year-old midfielder becomes Ronald Koeman's second acquisition of the summer following Maarten Stekelenburg's arrival last month in a £7.1m deal after the club activated his release clause at Aston Villa.

Gueye had been odds-on to join the Toffees from Villa Park since late last week when reports of their interest first emerged and the Midlands club's new boss Roberto di Matteo admitted that he was resigned to losing him to Everton.

The delay in wrapping up negotiations had been briefly exploited by the media who have asserted that West Ham were ready to start a bidding war for him but it appears as though he was always Goodison bound once pending the final agreement of terms.

A leaked photo of Gueye signing his contract confirmed the deal was done

Gueye was signed by ex-Villa boss Tim Sherwood for £9m last summer from Lille, one of a number of recruits from the French league that ultimately failed to gel into a team capable of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

The Senegal international, who will wear the No.17 shirt at Everton, was widely regarded as a bright spot in an otherwise poor side, however, and he is being seen as a big loss to the newly relegated Midlanders.

Koeman was reportedly in the running to acquire Gueye as Southampton boss before Sherwood stepped in and it looks as though he will get his man at the second attempt.

“I am very happy to be here at Everton and I am very happy and excited to put on the Blue shirt to start the new season here," Gueye said after signing his contract. “Everton is a big team with big players and great fans. The manager told me he is very happy to have me here and that we will have time to talk about football after.

“Goodison Park is a very good stadium and the fans are very good, too. They push their team forward and I am excited to play there.”

Koeman, meanwhile, highlighted the attributes in Gueye that he feels will improve the Blues' midfield.

"Idrissa will provide quality in our squad in the midfield and we want to increase the quality in the team," the manager said. "He was one of the players last season with the best record in interceptions and pressing in the midfield. We need this kind of quality and I'm happy to have him joining our Club.”

It looks like he will be followed through the gates at Finch Farm by Ashley Williams, with the Swansea City defender reportedly set to sign in a £10m deal. Supposed Koeman target Gylfi Sigurdsson has signed a new contract with the South Wales club, however.

 

Reader Comments (108)

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Ognjen Mojovic
1 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:30:32
Can he become a new Jagielka is an obvious question? (Sheffield United were relegated when Everton brought Jagielka.)
Eric Myles
2 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:32:22
"Looks set" after rumours.

Heard it all before in the last 2 weeks. Where's the ink on the contract and the scarf held high?

Amit Vithlani
3 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:32:26
Good. We need freshening. However, whether he is better than what we have, will have to see/trust Koeman.

If he is, at £7m he will be a snip. Especially compared to McCarthy!

Gordon Crawford
4 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:33:42
Yes he has signed and will be confirmed later today.
I hope he becomes a fantastic player for us. His stats are excellent.
Terence Tyler
5 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:34:10
Hopefully a beast of a centre half to follow. Don't know much about Gueye, but apparently his stats are only beaten by Kante.
Kevin Thompson
6 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:37:26
Is it really him in the photo? His face is not clear in the photo. I hope it's true though.
Nicholas Ryan
7 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:44:40
Terence (#5) – his stats are actually marginally better than Kante's!!
David Chait
8 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:44:40
Funny thing is .. a team top heavy with defensive Midfielders (given Martinez's fixation with them) have just signed another one.

Saying that we need any and every improvement to the team we got, wherever it begins.

Thomas James
9 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:48:58
Forgive my ignorance about the lad's performances in France ... but he is a defensive midfielder, whose primary role is to break up the opposition attacks - like Kante at Leicester.

Did anyone actually what the pub team that was Villa last season? This lad was in that team and in the Villa games my mate made me watch (or invite me laugh at). No one player broke up any play, as such I don't think he did his job all that well last season... Yes, yes, I know his defenders showed no class at all (except when tweeting photos of cars from their pocket)...

I hope we're not about to buy a lemon.
Phil Bellis
11 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:57:52
Hmmm, could be young Sambou with a haircut outside the Acadmeny entrance.
Sam Hoare
12 Posted 02/08/2016 at 14:59:58
Thomas this guy made the 2nd most tackles and interceptions in the whole league last season. He did his job, it was the rest of his team who didn't.

Looks to be very mobile and good at what he does which is breaking things up and turning around possession. A bargain at that price.

We do have a surplus of DMCs though and need to move a few on...

Ged Simpson
13 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:21:36
Great signing!
Andy Meighan
14 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:23:22
Sam (#12), he might have made the 2nd most tackles and most interceptions in the Premier League last season. But it didn't do villa much good, did it? He's hardly what we need but I suppose £7 million isn't a big price to pay. I just hope he can pass a ball better than Besic, McCarthy and Cleverley.

To me, to compare him to Kante is ridiculous. One played in a very good side that won the title. The other played in a bad side that dropped out the Premier League without a whimper. I'm not saying this Gueye is a bad player. But it's got a Martinez feel about it... and not Koeman.

Lyndon Lloyd
15 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:24:30
It's Gueye, Phil (11). I'm told it's all done and he's signed. There's also a photo of him with a fan in town from this afternoon.

My bet is you'll see "Academy Entrance" cropped out of the final photos later today.

Eric Myles
16 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:27:51
Is this the third or fourth thread saying this Gueye has signed for us??

Where's the picture with the shirt and scarf at Goodison.

David Ellis
17 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:28:06
In the current market this looks like excellent value... although it's slightly underwhelming but let's give the lad a chance and hope that he improves the team significantly. I am not at all bothered that he played for a team that got relegated last season. Just pleased he's already had one season in the Premier League and Koeman is a long-term fan so this is not a knee-jerk panic buy just because Witzel had crazy salary demands.

As for Ashley Williams... perhaps what we need – but to write off £10m??? That really does not make sense. If I was Moshiri, I would be saying No to Koeman on this one.

Michael Lynch
18 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:30:09
He seems to be getting mixed reviews from the Villa fans. Everyone agrees he's got a good engine, and he breaks up play well, but I keep reading that his passing is poor and he offers nothing going forward. Okay, he is a DM, but we've got someone like that with McCarthy haven't we?
Frank Mullin
19 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:37:07
This looks a good signing to me. The Gueye, Mirallas and Geri triumvirate will become the new Kante, Vardy and Mahrez.

Next on the shopping list is central defender or 2 please Ronald and lets ship out those who don't want to play for us.

Taxi for Lukaku please. Oh bugger. He's missed it. Clearly can't even be arsed to flag it down.

Watch out City, Chelski et al. We're comin' for ya!

Denis Richardson
20 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:38:33
Pieces starting to fall into place.

Stekelenburg, Williams and Gueye – these three would immediately bring a lot more quality and steel into the defensive spine of the first team.

Keeper who commands his box, a proper no nonsense CB with leadership in defence and a (what looks like) bargain of a CDM in the N'Kante mould.

Only slight negative is the age of two but if Gueye turns out to be anywhere near as good as N'Kante then he's worth at least 3 times what we're paying Villa.

All three players above would have cost about £18m in transfer fees – that is excellent business in any language.

Kerry Frahm
21 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:43:19
Just up on Twitter from APS Senegal
https://twitter.com/APS_Officiel/status/760484052147273728
Still not on the official site though!!
Colin Williams
22 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:53:39
This guy looks quality! Now that's a top signing! Well done blues!
Sam Hoare
23 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:54:18
Our first proper signing!! Will the floodgates open?!

Reckon Williams could be following soon after and still think Witsel might be coming once he realises that Juve don't rate him/can't afford him in the same way we do.

Would feel confident in an opening day team of:

Stekelenburg
Coleman Williams Funes Mori Baines
Witsel Gueye
Deulofeu Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku

Though in an ideal world there'd be a top-notch GK and a proper playmaker coming in as well.

Craig Walker
24 Posted 02/08/2016 at 15:58:19
I don't know much about this lad. Is he any good?

Wouldn't be sorry to see Cleverley and McCarthy go. I don't think either of them offer anything. McCarthy has got worse, each season he has been here.

Denis Richardson
25 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:00:15
Sam, unfortunately I think you may be dreaming a bit with Witsel. If Pogba goes Juve'll need a replacement and they'll be awash with cash. Also, with Witsel obviously holding out for a 'better' club, do we really want him? Seems his wife would much rather be in Italy than Liverpool, which I can understand I guess (no disrespect to those living in the 'pool).

I'd be happy enough if it was just Stekelenburg, Williams and Gueye before KO, with a couple extra by end of August. Obviously if Lukaku goes near term, we will need an immediate replacement.

Alec Smith
26 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:01:41
Can't get excited at all about this one.
Tamhas Woods
27 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:02:07
Ognjen - that Sheffield United team we got Jagielka from would annihilate the present-day Villa team blindfolded.

They were very unlucky to go down that year instead of West Ham, but if Gueye is (statistically) as good as Kante, as the papers say, then I say... good signing! :D

Timothy Blanshard
28 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:02:58
This could mean the start of Cleverley being benched, or maybe even moved on before the season kicks off.
Sam Hoare
29 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:04:16
I may be an optimist, Denis, but the bookies are still with me! He may well not be Juve's first choice and even if he is they have already spent a fair bit of the Pogba money.

As for not being his first choice, I couldn't really care less so long as he puts the effort in. Nearly all players are mercenaries and will go to the the biggest/richest club interested in them in the same way that fans will happily trade in the plodding, loyal academy product (Hibbo/Osman) for the glamourous, expensive new European signing...

Eric Holland
30 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:09:57
Plenty of pictures on the net of him signing with Dave Harrison the Secretary of Everton. Could they be waiting for Williams to sign so they can unveil both at the same time?
Derek Knox
31 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:16:47
He sounds like just the sort of Gueye we have been looking for... Sorry folks, just glad we have a signing completed. Let's hope he is the start of many good additions!

COYB

Phil Bellis
33 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:24:58
Cheers, Lyndon.
Could get used to this.
Everton... rumours... facts.
Brent Stephens
34 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:31:55
"Gana" love this lad?
Steve Brown
35 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:32:47
Cleverley, McCarthy, Besic, Gibson, Barry. One of that lot will surely be on his way now.
Brent Stephens
36 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:33:05
EFC website says 4-year deal.
Mark Ryan
37 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:39:32
Just been shown on Sky as confirmation of a 4-year deal. They showed him talking to camera (sound dubbed) because it is an old Aston Villa soundbite but confirmation of a 4-year deal.
Eric Myles
38 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:41:16
According to the EFC website we've signed someone named Gana??

Blues Complete Gana Deal

Brent Stephens
39 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:48:58
This lad stood out among the Aston Villa dross when we played them away last season.
Terence Tyler
40 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:49:25
Next!
James Kirrane
41 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:52:27
Eric 38 - Apparently his full name is Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Brent Stephens
42 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:55:25
And only £7m! How much did we pay pay in the last couple of seasons for some of the dross we currently have who are about to be shipped out?
Kim Vivian
43 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:58:27
Great stuff. Welcome, Idrissa.
Fran Mitchell
44 Posted 02/08/2016 at 16:59:56
Central midfielders:

Barry: top quality but age is an obvious limit. Keep fresh for the games against the top 6 and as a substitute for the rest I'd say.

McCarthy: consistent but needs a progressive partner. Has potential to improve but he will be competing with Gueye I'd imagine.

Cleverley: versatile and decent albeit unspectacular. Good squad filler who can play out wide or in the middle when needed.

Gibson: sicknote. Good passing range but will never impose himself nor get a run of games to truly make an impact. Last chance saloon.

Besic: not really sure. Fan favorite but limited. I feel Gueye will take his or McCarthy's place in the team. It much depends on who will accept a place on the bench and the battle to make the first team. Personally would feel happier with Gueye & McCarthy rather than Gueye & Besic.

Davies: top quality. Hopefully a breakthrough year for the lad.

Gareth Clark
45 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:06:39
Good signing! He definitely adds a lot to our midfield!

Good luck Idrissa (hope he wears that in his jersey).

Ian Bennett
46 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:10:11
Hope he makes a good impression. Can't remember anything about him, but his stats are good and he should toughen up a porous defence. Will go missing to Africa cup which is a bit of a blow.

Big question marks over Besic and McCarthy for me, who both have had a fairly average 18 months. Shape up or ship out. Both would be sold for above the £7.1m we just shelled out, so looks decent business.

Williams to come, a top keeper, right back, left winger and striker required excluding the inevitable sale of Stones and Lukaku. Really hope we can get some big stars, and not a load of mid table mediocrity.

Julian Wait
47 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:10:31
Good news.
Chris Kelly
48 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:12:22
Good signing. Anybody know the code for this years ToffeeWeb league on fantasy.premierleague?
Steavey Buckley
49 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:12:30
Idrissa and your family – a warm welcome from Everton FC the best club in the world.
David Milner
50 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:15:18
Good signing, good age, good experience, good price.
Trevor Lynes
51 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:22:18
Supposed to have a very high work rate and stamina. These are two attributes we seem to lack in midfield so he should be a decent acquisition. The money paid for him is surprisingly low and if he starts well with us I am sure he will gain in future value which represents good business.
Thomas Kelvin Jones
52 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:25:56
Good afternoon all. Excellent news, finally! Hopefully the floodgates will now open.

Koeman's comments reveal everything about the pressing game that he's after. He'll soon find out who isn't willing to put in a shift!!

The question I have at the moment is reports are true about Lukaku leaving, who are we replacing him with??

Sam, I like the look of that line-up for the Tottenham game. At the same time a really do question Witsel's desire, also Lukaku' desire to be in a blue shirt.

Paul Tran
53 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:33:55
Good signing, this one. We'll have to stop this moaning about 'two defensive midfielders'. Spurs have two and I keep hearing their manager is a genius. The difference is theirs can both tackle, pass, shoot, score and play with pace. Watch the difference when we have two like that!
Joe Foster
54 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:38:37
Welcome to the world, Idrissa.
John Zapa
55 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:39:06
Not too impressed with the window so far assuming Williams joins as well. It would appear that Koeman is building a team for the short term considering the ages of the signings. I watched 3 games at Villa Park last season where Gueye played and he did not impress in any of them.

Pity the manager that has to rebuild the squad in 2 years time.

Steven Jones
56 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:45:41
This is a great signing.

He will add a lot to our midfield – mobility and bite, good reading and hunts down the ball with more athleticism than any of those we have.

He can dribble and find a pass too.

Fits RK press and force transition ball then counter at speed.

Christopher Wallace
57 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:52:01
"Can't get excited about this signing, blah, blah".

He's a solid DM, with great attributes, and entering his peak years as a professional.

Ok, he may not score overhead kicks and 30 yard screamers every week, but he does a good job and may excel in a better team (Ronaldo would've struggled to shine at Villa last season).

At £7m, due to release clause, he is low risk and may prove to be an absolute bargain... whilst also allowing us to spend more at those "exciting" signings you so desire!

Jim Bailey
58 Posted 02/08/2016 at 17:57:36
John@55

Glass half full, or half empty. I think your glass is bust.

This is a great signing; if we get Williams as well that would be really strengthening the defence.

COYB

Danny Broderick
59 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:09:07
My opinion is that Williams and this kid for £17 million is good solid business, to shore up a team that was wide open at times last year. It's not spectacular – but I am quietly satisfied at these 2 signings, plus the keeper is no mug, and he has looked good in pre-season too.

I am hoping we will get a marquee signing – but this is good business, in an understated Moshiri sort of way.

Len Hawkins
61 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:17:42
Alec (#26),

When you are the wrong side of retirement age is the time to worry about not being excited by anything. I don't think RK has sought your advice before signing him but his former team played Aston Villa TWICE last year and he also tried to sign him before Villa did so my guess is there must be a bit of football in him.

Daniel Lawrence
62 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:24:30
Hard to get excited about this, but guess it's a start.
Jack Convery
63 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:31:39
Peter Reid cost £60,000.

You don't have to cost the earth to end up winning trophies and play for your country.

Great business in this hyped up market imo.

Thomas Kelvin Jones
64 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:37:59
With the impending arrival of Ashley Williams, could Koeman be looking to play 3 at the back? A similar formation to the Welsh side throughout the Euro's campaign — and captained by Williams, of course. The system was designed to free Bale and Ramsey to a lesser extent. Might be perfect for Ross and Geri?

Two excellent attacking full backs in Seamus and Baines rearing to go!

Tony Dove
65 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:40:40
Welcome Idrissa Gana. If your football is half as good as your name we are on a winner and the price is right. To me Ashley Williams, although he would be an improvement in the air from what we have, is too old and too slow. Kone from Sunderland would be a better bet.

We are still shopping at Lidl here, perhaps Moshiri is saving up for the new stadium. We could do with a marquee signing as a statement of intent.

Gary Carter
66 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:42:04
So, Stekelenburg and Idrissa Gueye in, with Stones and Lukaku heading out. I then predict two last minute bids for Messi and Bale that we 'just couldn't quite get over the line' and the Moshiri revolution will have fallen face first on to the floor it's rapidly heading towards!!

People spouting stats about Gueye and his "interception" rate make me laugh. He had so many because Villa were constantly on the back foot, probably their keeper was a high-number shot-stopper too... it's because Villa were shite! I don't recall one person on here saying how much they admired him and hoped we bought him! Utter dross of a signing and almost as uninspiring as the keeper signing!

Utter bollocks, not even two weeks to kick off and the only thing that's really changed is the names at the top!

Michael Kenrick
67 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:45:37
Hope this turns out to be a great piece of business by the new management regime, and may calm some frayed nerves.

Kinda strange the Official Website has decided he shall be known as 'Gana', which seems to be his middle name, rather than Idrissa or Gueye. Maybe it's the 'single-name Brazilian' scenario kicking in, where the club (and/or his 'people') have taken this branding opportunity to create a new identity.

I guess we'll see what goes on the shirt, with the new squad numbers having reportedly been delayed by his signing? What's in a name, eh?

Brian Williams
68 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:48:37
It's beginning to get a little bit "don't care who we sign as long as he costs a load" on here.

I know it's probably a one off but look at what Leicester did with players, some of who cost under a million.

Our statement of intent, IMHO, would be holding on to our two very sought after players, plugging the gaps elsewhere, and beating Spurs on the opening day of the season.

Colin Glassar
69 Posted 02/08/2016 at 18:51:05
Okay, so we've signed this fella and, supposedly, Williams tomorrow for a combined £17.1m. Who are we going to spend the remaining £80m on? Both seem to be decent players but who will be the marquee signing?
Christopher Wallace
70 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:02:10
Koeman has identified DM as a position that needs strengthening, and obviously rates this guy.

For those posters "finding it hard to get excited" please name the DMs in world football that would "excite" them?

Thomas Kelvin Jones
71 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:03:18
Samir Nasri seems to be out of favour at City! An upgrade on Pienaar, would bring Baines back to life and our first left sided player for the best part of three years.
Peter Roberts
72 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:04:19
Colin.

Rom will seek forgiveness and repent of his foolish blabber mouth and it will be like a new signing!!!! ;-)

Les Martin
73 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:24:42
The Manager knows just what we need, to sign players that stop us leaking goals. With Gana signed, I think that Barry, McCarthy or Besic may be on their way out, as Gibson may well be the passer in midfield.

The midfield from last season was just not good enough, it needed changing not sentiment and their will be casualties!

Hopefully Williams will be with us to and we can then see the team having a more solid look about it.

I have a feeling that we may get the Moyes/Martinez embryo here with Koeman, hard to beat, with the full backs not venturing to far forward a la Leicester, but useful breakaway football using the flanks whenever possible.

Trevor Lynes
74 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:37:37
Les.. How can you possibly make a case for keeping Gibson over the three players you mention?He has a dreadful record and should have been released.
Dave Abrahams
75 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:43:45
Jack (63) good post, the most expensive signings this transfer window will not be the best deals. If Williams comes in that will be the start of the team taking shape, and if the next two or three signings are as good as these two we will have a good season to look forward to.
Nigel Munford
76 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:47:17
After last night's Williams post, all positive I was really looking forward to this one, but oh dear, negativity is back in abundance. We have signed a very good player, that will strengthen our team.

Why are so many unhappy? Because it's not another overpriced prima donna super star? Sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth. However ,I do think that we will need to lose at least one DMF. As long as it's not Barry.

Frank Crewe
77 Posted 02/08/2016 at 19:57:57
"We are still shopping at Lidl here"

Kante - £5.6 million
Mahrez - £300,000
Stones - £3 million
Coleman - £60,000
Vardy £1 million

I could go on but I'm sure you get the picture.

The value of a player is not a guide to how good he actually is. If we got a player worth millions on a free does that mean he's crap or we did good business?

How much a player costs should be the last consideration when looking for good players. Attitude, skill, injury history, age, do they fit into the manager's tactics.

I see no point whatsoever in buying a player just because he costs a lot. Man Utd paid £60 million for Di Maria and he barely lasted one season.

If at some point we have to pay top dollar to get a player the manager thinks we need then so be it. But it has to be for good football reasons and not just to keep the fans happy.

As far as I'm concerned this deal and hopefully the Williams deal are good buys. Proper players at proper prices and not overpriced overrated "marquee buys".

Dave Southword
78 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:02:23
Without a clause, he'd probably cost 20m+ and that would have made people much happier.
Mike Powell
79 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:10:49
Good signing. Welcome to Goodison.
Paul Conway
80 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:11:35
This is a great acquisition and he can only improve playing with the talent that we should eventually acquire. Some people are judging him on his past with villa and their demise.

Can the same people Judge Stones for his efforts, or lack thereof? Yet people want him to stay based only on his potential. I would much prefer a gamble on a £7m-plus player rather than a £50m player!
Christopher Wallace
81 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:13:24
In Europe's top 5 leagues, Gueye made 2nd highest number of tackles and 2nd highest number of interceptions - those figures put him in the top bracket of DMs for a measly £7m.

Was Makelele exciting? Are any of Carvalho, Witsel, Kante, Busquets, Matic, etc, exciting??

Tom Bowers
82 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:21:54
This lad hopefully will strengthen the midfield which is where Everton have been average in recent seasons and maybe even longer.

The likes of Cleverley and a few others just don't seem to be able to get a run of consistent good form being in and out performers contributing to a weak team.

Anthony Dwyer
83 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:24:38
Koeman talks about this lad's ability to play a good pressing game, if McCarthy was given a similar roll next to him then we would have some energy through the centre of the park.
Zahir Jaffer
84 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:50:21
I don't want to disregard him until he's played. I just hope he wasn't brought in to give Niasse company on the bench.

Only time will tell if this signing will bear fruit. However he is one of us now and that makes him family. My irrational exuberance will be limitless. I have high hopes for any signing and with four central defensive midfielders in the team already, a starting position would speak volumes.

I'm not head over heels merely because it's not a position that holds as much importance as a new nNumber 1. It may not be the signing we need at this moment but if it brings us one step closer to redeveloping our squad then I'm ravished. £7m is chump change for those stats.

Paul Kossoff
85 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:50:49
Can anyone tell me if Lukaku goes who is our striker?

Just heard McGeady and Niasee haven't been given squad numbers but Kone has. Now, if Rom goes, surely to God in Heaven our brilliant new manager has planned for this, and apart from bloating the midfield with another defensive signing he will buy a striker? He will, won't he?
Stan Schofield
86 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:51:36
I'm a bit surprised by the number of folks who seem to be focused on the importance of cost of a player. We've got a new manager, and a good manager is adept at finding very good players at sensible rates, and not spending for the sake of it.

If the £100M 'warchest' exists, it's not there to be spent just because it's there. Being a 'big club' primarily means not having to sell your best players, like Wayne Rooney. I believe that's the position we're in now. I wouldn't like us to be like Liverpool, throwing dosh around to no great effect.

Tony Dove
87 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:56:15
Frank @76. For every one of the examples you quoted there will be a hundred failures.

To me, buying a 32-year-old centre-half from Swansea is a very short-term measure when we should be able to afford someone equally good [sic] with less miles on the clock. Keeping John Stones would be a better option but Moshiri obviously needs the money to fund, eg, the purchase of Williams. It's a strange world.

I accept though that, if Williams can give us a couple of decent seasons as a player and leader, then, at today's prices ,it will not look too bad a deal.


Zahir Jaffer
88 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:57:31
So to Colin Glassar. Your dreams are turning into reality; there's a new Senegalese in town.
Eugene Kearney
89 Posted 02/08/2016 at 20:58:56
Welcome to "New Everton" Mr Gueye!!
Peter Cummings
90 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:05:33
Not sure if this is good business, he is largely an unknown quantity as far as Everton fans are concerned judging by the posts, and the fact that he jumped ship from Villa doesn't add to his credit IMO, as for Williams, as good as he was for Wales in the Euros, I feel, at age 32 £11 million is a bit much to fork out for a player approaching football retirement age.

On the whole, as far as decent new blood coming to EFC is concerned, the results of our 'rejuvenation' under Koeman to date have been disappointing as those who we are hoping to challenge for the top places in the EPL continue to add strength and skill to their squads, apparently at our expense if Stones and Lukaku take off.

Paul Columb
91 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:06:56
I'm delighted at how things are shaping up at the club on and off the pitch and as far as Gueye's signing goes, I'll place faith in Koeman and Walsh to do their jobs and shape a squad to challenge for trophies in the not too distant future. I'll also place faith in Moshiri when it comes to the club's infrastructure and long term stability. Cliched as it might be, but only time will tell.

I agree with Big Nev in that at the start of every season the club's goal should be to win the league...otherwise what's the point in running the race. But when a new system and management team with a change in style enters the club there's a certain reality to the necessity for patience and a steady build.

As Evertonians, we're a knowledgable and patient bunch and so please let's not loose our heads and turn into a shower of abhorred muppets. We've endured a lot of disappointment and dross but also have had the luxury of witnessing the antics of other clubs and their supporters through the Premiere league circus and hopefully have learned a lesson or two.

I've got to say, when City found themselves bankrolled, I was genuinely happy as I'd always felt something of an affinity for them as supporters in their parallel universe of Manchester. Then came the muppet show 'we've got Robinho' and steady decline in restraint and class.

Thankfully, Moshiri seems to have his head screwed on and is quietly building the foundation of a club which has had it chipped away over the past 20 years. This simple article says it for me I have to say:

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-Evertons-flushed-new-owner-wont-be-following-stereotypical-sugar-daddy-mould

Zahir Jaffer
92 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:08:51
Tides will turn and we're gana win the league!
Ciarán McGlone
93 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:13:19
Be interested to see what Mr Koeman is at here.. we now have six defensive midfielders, vying for 2 places at most.

Glad we're off the mark at least.

Mark Ryan
94 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:14:31
What people can accomplish working together (a team) is more than they could ever accomplish with each player working individually. Everyone has strengths, but when you put those strengths together, they produce something more than the individuals could alone. It is the basics when trying to build a solid team. We don't have to go out and spend mega millions signing "Galacticos".

If the team pulls together and gets rid of its sulkers and work-shy psuedo mllionaires it can improve literally overnight. Let's give Koeman a chance to get our new team to gel and do a Leicester. Sometimes a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Chris Corn
95 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:20:12
Brian 68 and Stan 86, I don't know why your surprised by the importance of a players cost on here. There are plenty who have always been obsessed by this phrase 'net spend' and used it as a stick to beat Kenwright with despite paying for the likes of Lukaku, Fellaini and Yakubu over the years. The irony is our last big transfer was £13.5m for a fraud we will be lucky to recoup 50% back on now.

Tony Dove at 87, so effectively you are saying Moshiri is a fraud who has to sell to buy?

David Ellis
96 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:23:05
Deloittes have done some statistical analysis – there is no correlation between success in the Premier League and the amount spent on transfers. No correlation.

There is however a direct correlation between amounts spent on wages and success. Money should be spent on wages not wasted on transfer fees. It's wages that determine the quality of the players you keep/retain and have playing for you for years...

The problem with transfer fees is that roughly half of transfers are a failure – no matter how much is spent. And that money goes straight down the drain, plus the salary of the under performer.

I heard of one Premier League team that spent £13m on a forward who managed 40 minutes of football and scored no goals before being shipped out on loan to Turkey (at best).

Don't worry about signing players for low fees... worry about signing players for high fees.

Dan Brierley
98 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:52:05
David Ellis 96, not sure Deloitte have done their homework on that one. Since the inception of the Premier League, only six teams have won it. If you take out Blackburn and Leicester as one-off anomalies, you are left with United, Arsenal, Chelsea and City who have won 20 titles between them.

If you add the gross spend of those four teams, they have spent more than all the other 38 teams that have competed in the history of the Premier League COMBINED. Seems to be a bit more than a coincidence?

Andy Walker
99 Posted 02/08/2016 at 21:54:27
I echo the view expressed by some others that wanting to spend £80m on a couple of high profile players really feels like fans wanting to prioritise seeing our club making a media splash, as opposed to what's really in the best long term interests of our team.

We now have a solid manager, let him get on with it and forget about the media. Why are some of us so often moaning about the media in general, or wanting more media coverage? It's like an obsession with some.

Judging the ability of a player by the size of their fee is too simplistic.

Tony Dove
100 Posted 02/08/2016 at 22:28:54
Chris @ 95, you must be a policeman but I won't sign the confession. What I would say is let's wait and see. To date, the only proven beneficiary of the Moshiri millions is BK.
Stan Schofield
101 Posted 02/08/2016 at 23:11:08
Chris @95: I suppose I'm surprised because I'm fairly new to TW. But, yes, I'm getting a picture of what folks seem to expect of the 'new era'. It's not what I would have expected though.
Brian Hennessy
102 Posted 02/08/2016 at 23:38:42
I can't help but feel if Martinez had signed the two players we bought so far, and was chasing the players we are supposed to be interested in, he would be slated.

I'm rooting for Koeman to do well but apart from being linked with Mata (which seems to have cooled) nothing has really happened to excite me.

I really hope I am wrong but the rumours that he would have £100 million to spend plus any money from potential sales of Stones and Lukaku, seems to have been just that, rumours. Seems to me we will only be spending big if one of the two leave.

Stones can be replaced but it took us almost 20 years to find a striker that will consistently score 20+ goals a season. Finding another one will not be easy.

I know we need to be patient but I am starting to worry...

David Israel
103 Posted 02/08/2016 at 00:02:58
Michael Kenrick # 67, that 'single-name Brazilian' scenario also exists in Portugal and Spain, and nowhere else, as far as I know (well, maybe in the former Portuguese colonies in Africa). I've always found it quite strange and baffling. They all also seem to use it only in team sports, I mean a Spanish cyclist is known as Alberto Contador or Miguel Indurain or whatever.

But you may have a point. There may be some marketing exercise involved.

Andy Crooks
104 Posted 02/08/2016 at 00:03:33
Brian, in his first two seasons Martinez could have signed anyone and been supported. However, if he was still here, and I believe Kenwright would have kept him, he would be slated. Deservedly so, because he has, in my view, demonstrated that he is one of the shittest coaches ever to be paid good money to destroy clubs.

It will take a while to remove his malign influence but I believe our new coach will do it. It looks like he is going to make us hard to beat, and that is a start.

Barry Jones
105 Posted 03/08/2016 at 01:14:34
Just a reminder to everyone. Did you ever feel confident about transfers knowing that Kenwright and Martinez were in charge? Personally, they scared me. The exception is the Lukaku signing, which seemed way overpriced at the time but looks as though it will reap dividends now.

I have way more faith in the Koeman/Walsh combo to do the right thing and so does Mr Moshri obviously as it is his money at stake. Idrissa Gueye is a fabulous signing. I think that Koeman will also make Besic a better player. Besic already has quality but he is inconsistent. It would not surprise me to see these two start the campaign as the holding mids.

Mike Dolan
106 Posted 03/08/2016 at 03:00:55
I think this is a great signing. Welcome to Everton, Gana. What a brilliant bit of business triggering the release clause that was so low because Villa got relegated. Good to see someone at Everton is doing their home work.

Just guessing that Gibson under the training and tutelage of the new regime and a bit of luck can stay fit and fulfill his potential because he could be an amazing player for us.

Great to see no show boat signings. I feel we are run by stone cold professionals now. It's like screw Witzel, screw Lukaku. We now run our business at our own pace and every step we take from now on must be for the benefit of Everton and every step we take must be forward.
Lyndon Lloyd
107 Posted 03/08/2016 at 06:22:42
Michael (63), David (101) - I think it's more about differentiation than anything else.

There is more than a dozen footballers, past and present and almost all of them Senegalese, with the surname Gueye (including, of course, our former French/Senegalese Magaye).

Tony Draper
108 Posted 03/08/2016 at 06:29:24
Signing this lad for the quoted fee looks sharp business. Add to that the fact that Ronald & Erwin had him "on their list" anyway and it just gets better again.

Fills a position that we do need to address. Credit to Barry for his sound contribution last season, but it would be a big ask to expect that again this coming season. The ominous sign has been Barry's lack of time on the pitch so far.

Colin Metcalfe
109 Posted 03/08/2016 at 08:00:16
Great signing but do we really need another defensive midfielder? Barry, McCarthy, Besic, Cleverley... and now this fella. What I feel we are lacking is a player who can unlock defenses.

It's a real shame Mata has fallen off the radar as he would be prefect so, when the likes of Sunderland and West Brom come to town and put 10 players behind the ball, which we see season after season at Goodison, we have a player that can thread a pass through tight defenses.

The few players we have that are capable of those types of passes are Gibbo who is always on the treatment table, Deulofeu who is likely to be playing up front this season, and finally John Stones who by the looks of it is heading towards the exit!

We definitely need a playmaker because I think Ross is better running with the ball when there is a bit more space but lacks the spark of creativity when defenses are tight.

Ian Jones
110 Posted 03/08/2016 at 08:30:25
Hi Tony Dove at #100. I get what you are saying in your posts re Moshiri's only beneficiary being Kenwright. Although time will tell, just by having Moshiri involved, I think we are all beneficiaries, and not just financially. I hope he carries on on the way he seems to have started. Quietly, confidently and dignified.

Looking forward to the new season.

Steve Jenkins
111 Posted 03/08/2016 at 09:55:17
I'm very happy with this signing. He should bring much needed energy and tempo to our midfield.

Barry's a quality player but his legs aren't there; McCarthy is by far the most limited of all our midfielders, just passes it sideways or backwards.

I think Barry & McCarthy might play a bit in the first season for Koeman but will be phased out by the end of the season. Both players were suited to the Martinez regime of slow build up, slow tempo passing going nowhere.

Quite surprised about some people's views of Besic on here. Everton fans I know rate him highly, as do I, but, it's all about opinions. He's the one I'd envisage Koeman being able to work on and develop and suiting the type of Koeman's game that Koeman wants to play – high energy, tempo...

Besic is also a fighter and he has nice touch and ball control. He was fantastic when he was given a run in the side last season, one bright spark that brought energy, tempo and spirit to the team and bossed the game against Man City at home in the cup. He's a winner and I like that.

Davies would be the other player that long-term will come into the fold.

David Israel
113 Posted 04/08/2016 at 00:27:01
Lyndon #107, you're probably right. I hadn't thought of that.

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