Season › 2016-17 › News
Management team better equipped to tackle January window

The Blues had a mixed summer window with Koeman arriving in mid-June and Walsh not coming on board until six weeks before the transfer deadline. It meant that the club were only able to address certain deficiencies in the squad, while some late scrambles for the likes of Yacine Brahimi and Moussa Sissoko were unsuccessful.
The manager says that Everton are in a much better position now vis-a-vis transfers with the winter window just days away.
“You need always time to see the qualities in the squad,” Koeman said in The Guardian. “You need to learn about the characters in the team.
"You need to see the balance in the team and of course my opinion about the team is a little bit different than it was after watching clips of Everton from last season because I have had time to work with the individual players.
“It's all about characters, strengths, weaknesses, what the team needs, more personalities, more key players. And finally you make your mind up. Of course we had more time now for January than we had in the summer.
"Steve is in for a few months, new people in, new scouting. We are better prepared now than it was in the summer.”
Koeman has refused to be drawn on discussing specific players but speculation is rife that Everton are targeting Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay at Manchester United while another bid for Napoli's Manolo Gabbiadini is close to success this time according to Sky Italia's Tancredi Palmeri.
The Blues failed to land Gabbiadini in the summer despite lodging a €23m fee with the Serie A side but the striker has apparently been told he can leave Napoli given that he doesn't fit the system being employed there.
January can be a tricky market for buying clubs but Koeman suggests that he hopes to be busy next month.
“If I compare to Southampton, I like to do more business now in January than we did in Southampton," he explained. "But that's all about what we need. We will lose Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations. We have a long term injury in Bolasie. We have the physical problems with injuries of James McCarthy and we know Gareth Barry cannot play games every two or three days.
"We have Phil Jagielka in a tough period. We have a lot to think about what's the best 11 and what's the most fresh 11 players.”
Reader Comments (60)
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2 Posted 26/12/2016 at 07:55:31
3 Posted 26/12/2016 at 07:59:28
An interesting few weeks ahead ..
5 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:01:28
An interesting few weeks ahead ..
6 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:07:43
7 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:29:25
Give them a chance and see what happens during January, hopefully to pacify and put a smile on the face some of the dobters and moaners.
9 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:35:45
We will see very quickly now.
I hope Kenwright keeps his fingers out of it though.
12 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:50:11
He talks of players in; any word on players out?
13 Posted 26/12/2016 at 08:59:10
14 Posted 26/12/2016 at 09:10:21
15 Posted 26/12/2016 at 09:22:54
Less talk, more action I say.
Just get the players we need, ship out those we don't and then we can talk afterwards about the reasons and prices etc.
Same goes on the pitch, don't keep telling us how you will improve or address problems - just do it!
I am hopeful that quite a few players will be brought in (and some moved on) however, because it has got to the stage now where it is essential, especially if we as a club want to achieve high places and challenge for trophies.
16 Posted 26/12/2016 at 09:55:44
However, for me, I've given the players a lot longer to prove themselves worthy than the current manager. Frankly, the current players never fail to let you down. Time for a new spine to this team...
Whether it'll happen in January is another question altogether
17 Posted 26/12/2016 at 09:58:48
18 Posted 26/12/2016 at 10:09:18
Not a single official word has come from the club regarding what will be spent; until it is, it's all just speculation.
19 Posted 26/12/2016 at 10:42:01
20 Posted 26/12/2016 at 10:54:25
Whether it's down to the appointment of what the general football public believe is a top class manager, or the fact that we had such a good start, or the fact that supporters were waiting for the fabled £100m so called war chest to materialize.
But there definitely seems to be a feeling that within a matter of a few months we should be challenging the top four.
Don't get me wrong, some of our play this season has been dire and disappointing in the extreme and had we played like we obviously CAN play on some occasions (Arsenal is the obvious one to pick) we would, without a doubt, be three or four places higher in the league.
But that's like saying "Ooh if such and such a team hadn't equalized against us in the 95th minute that would have been three points instead of of one.
You know the sort of thing I mean.
I just feel that with the majority of a team that finished eleventh last season then progress was always going to be slow and steady rather than meteoric.
If Koeman managed to improve our league position by two places each season, for the three seasons of his contract, would people see that as a success?
That would see us at fifth in the Premier league after three seasons.
Do people realistically expect (not hope) better than that?
Interested to know what people actually "expect."
21 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:04:28
22 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:04:32
It's the excitement thing that matters most, I think.
23 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:06:45
24 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:08:03
25 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:10:13
Money wise, manager wise, potential wise I'd say we are ranked 7th and should be leading that chasing pack.
How well we buy will determine whether we can challenge higher or fall lower.
Where are people getting this 50m spending amount from?
26 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:11:08
I'd imagine he's been told the money is there within reason to go and get what he feels he needs. If he only had £50m to spend I highly doubt he'd go and blow as good as the lot of it on both Schneiderlin & Depay would he when he needs to add more than 2 players next month.
I personally don't think we'll look at signing a GK next month unless a GK we really want looks to be going elsewhere and we get involved. I think we'll wait till the summer on that one.
We definitely need a CB and reading Koeman's piece elswhere you can tell he wants van Dijk but can we afford him, can we persuade him to join? I'm not sure?!...
Maybe we should look at Kone again. Some don't rate him but he's turned his season around since missing out on his move to us and he fits Koeman's criteria of being big, powerful and athletic and he would add some presence to the backline.
Obviously Both Schneiderlin & Depay look like goers and imo will add something to the team but we could do with a creative player in midfield who can add goals aswell. Maybe that's why Koeman is looking at Dzagoev?
And Gabbiadini looks like a deal we could make happen. Koeman is keen and he's now available after Napoli agreed a deal for Genoa's Pavoletti and he would add a bit to the front line with his versitality.
If we get around 5 players in next month then fair play but I'd be surprised tbh. Usually the summer is the best time to do deals and get better players as clubs aren't as hesitant to let players go has they are mid season.
28 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:20:14
29 Posted 26/12/2016 at 11:23:51
30 Posted 26/12/2016 at 12:06:47
(Hopefully advising them to always have sufficient change to pay Hackney drivers for a short trip)
31 Posted 26/12/2016 at 12:08:53
I expect also a striker, but expect him to persevere with Stek in goal.
Just hope Gabiadinni isn't one of them. And Hope Davies, Dowell, Kenny, and Walsh are given a chance.
32 Posted 26/12/2016 at 12:25:35
34 Posted 26/12/2016 at 12:45:59
35 Posted 26/12/2016 at 13:23:54
Agree with most of what you say.
However, I can't see Moyes letting anyone leave, especially Kone, unless he is made to sell, with no budget for transfers. If he did sell what would happen to the money? Reinvestment unlikely. He's been sold a pup.
I would prefer us to keep our powder dry on targets. Once Walsh shows an interest, the price goes up, and other scouts tag on. Harry Rednapp was a master at that, regularly coming in late and signing players we believed we had in the bag!
36 Posted 26/12/2016 at 13:57:46
37 Posted 26/12/2016 at 14:04:20
38 Posted 26/12/2016 at 14:11:11
39 Posted 26/12/2016 at 14:22:15
40 Posted 26/12/2016 at 14:27:18
41 Posted 26/12/2016 at 17:06:10
42 Posted 26/12/2016 at 18:17:33
Stek cost us buttons, 25% of what Martinez paid for Robles. He's obviously a stop gap given we only had one keeper when Koeman came. Not exactly bad for ٟm. Dutch keeper with 50+ caps. You also fail to mention Gana, who's arguably been the buy of the whole league so far this season. Cost half of what MartInez paid for McCarthy and is about 5 times the player.
None of Koeman's 4 transfers are anywhere near the Niasse, McGeady, Cleverley, Besic, Kone, Alcaraz level. All four have improved the first team compared to what we had before.
Very harsh and incorrect views on Koeman's transfers to date.
43 Posted 26/12/2016 at 18:24:23
January will be positive, Koeman needs to be backed and we need to believe above all else.
44 Posted 26/12/2016 at 18:28:24
As for Gana, well of course I didn't mention him as I think he's been one of the buys of the season - so far. I just wish he'd practice his shooting skills a bit more.
The 'Martinez players' you mentioned have all been awful (Besic I will reserve my judgement on) but the 'Koeman signings, apart from Gana, haven't exactly got me off my seat either. Only time will tell..
47 Posted 26/12/2016 at 20:09:09
53 Posted 26/12/2016 at 23:50:02
Jagielka is having a tough period? It'll pass, until next month.
54 Posted 27/12/2016 at 01:56:33
Ronny and Steve have to get this right, I have no idea what we have to spend, I'm blown away by certain comments, Andi @26 claiming people are gullible to think Ronny will 'only' have 㿞m, surprises me most of all; I don't know what Everton he's been experiencing!
I know Moshiri has claimed were getting backed, but as of yet I've not seen it, and I'm one of those people who believe what I see more than what I hear said.
We finished the last window with a profit, even after Ronny's brother tweeting about us being ready to have a huge week (the week we signed a ٥m midfielder from Villa).
Anyways, a great win today, we need the same Friday evening v Hull, then manage to do Southampton at home, resulting in a excellent Christmas. If we can manage that, then add some quality, then the season may not be the complete write-off I feared.
55 Posted 27/12/2016 at 13:11:08
We need a forward who can move intelligently, hold up the ball, press and pass.
Only then will we see our midfield improve their efficiency. It's a case of who do we drop if we play 2 strikers. It may be a case of a striker coming in and scaring lukaku into life or working with him to nullify his deficiencies.
We need another centre half. A goalkeeper. Left sided winger.
Tom Davies needs to play more too.
56 Posted 27/12/2016 at 18:55:34
57 Posted 27/12/2016 at 19:10:10
Schneiderlin would be okay plus Delaney. Davies taking over from Gana whilst he s away. I think we are okay for central defenders for now with Galloway returning.
58 Posted 27/12/2016 at 19:14:25
I thought the purpose of the much vaunted Walsh appointment was to unearth gems rather than other clubs' wasters. The nearest he came to being a striker is when he threatened Pulis he would withdraw his labour!
59 Posted 27/12/2016 at 21:29:17
60 Posted 27/12/2016 at 21:47:19
I don't understand why we haven't gone after more players from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay. There is so much talent in that region that goes to Germany, Holland, Italy and Spain. Spain I can understand given the language similarities but I feel we could be much more active there.
61 Posted 27/12/2016 at 22:15:12
62 Posted 27/12/2016 at 00:00:22
63 Posted 28/12/2016 at 05:38:39
It's probably just as important to ship out all of the crocks that never are going to get a game. Kone, Gibson, Mcready, Niasse I almost hate to say it but Deulofeu also.
Let's get some of the young players on the bench. I think Basic might yet prove to be a valuable player if we can get him back fit, he's certainly a Koeman type of guy.
I think last summer's signings have actually saved us this season.
Stekelenburg is a massive improvement on Howard,
Williams is so bad he's played almost every game ,maybe a bit expensive and short term but he was needed now.
Gana is a total gem and maybe the best signing of the entire window
Bolasie was over priced a little but a very exciting player who will benefit from an improved midfield.
64 Posted 28/12/2016 at 08:26:07
John Otway, just ignore Phil. He's not happy if he's not moaning about something. He doesn't mean any harm.
66 Posted 28/12/2016 at 15:49:23
67 Posted 28/12/2016 at 16:02:59
Thar's gold in them thar hills!
Without a doubt, one of the very best – if not the best – exploiters of that rich mother lode is FC Porto under the stewardship of the very hard-nosed president Jorge Costa.
In recent years, their policy helped cement them as Portugal's premier club, both domestically and on the European stage, as they bought low and sold high, with Costa insisting on high buy-out clauses. It helped pay for the rebuild of their stadium and also to continue funding their transfer policy.
This article gives you an idea of how successful they've been – €600 million plus profit since 2004, whilst still winning domestic and European trophies.
Some examples showing player, original nationality (some Brazilians became adopted Portuguese), price Porto bought them for, price they sold the player for. Prices are in sterling, not euros:
* Deco (Brazil) 𧴜,000, sold to Barca for 㾸.5 million PLUS Queresma (valued at ٣m).
* Anderson (Brazil) ٣.5m, sold to Man Utd 㿃.5m.
* Pepe (Brazil) 𧾦,000, sold to Real 㿅m.
* Lucho Gonzales (Arg. - one time Moyes target) ٣m, sold to Marseille 㾻m (3 years later he returned to Porto on a free, they got 2-3 more years out of him, then sold him to a Saudi team for another ١m).
* Lisandro Lopez (Arg.) ٠m, sold to Lyon 㿀m.
* Falcao (Columbia) ١m, sold to Ath. Madrid 㿍m.
* Hulk (Brazil) - bought for big money for Porto, 㾻m. But then sold him to Zenit for 㿔m.
* Nicolas Otamendi (Arg.) ١m, sold to Man City 㿈.5m.
* James Rodriguez (Columbia) ٢m, sold to Monaco 㿒.5m (then to RM for 㿫m).
And that's without mentioning the eye-watering profit they made on many Portuguese players.
Some BIGGGGG names in there, who helped the club win trophies whilst establishing their reputations in Europe before being sold for equally BIGGGGG money.
Any fan would (or should...) be happy with such a successful scouting, recruiting and transfer policy.
68 Posted 28/12/2016 at 16:10:18
Mr Walsh will have his work cut out trying to match that impressive array of talent at Goodison as will Mr Koeman in matching Porto's honours list.
69 Posted 28/12/2016 at 20:48:10
70 Posted 28/12/2016 at 20:52:16
71 Posted 28/12/2016 at 21:04:12
72 Posted 28/12/2016 at 22:50:42
Why did Berahino attempt to strike? He looks like the closest thing to a young Defoe. Sign him up.
73 Posted 29/12/2016 at 09:26:21
74 Posted 29/12/2016 at 12:05:06
My feeling is that he is very much like Jagielka, not the tallest, but reads the game well and gets in important challenges at the right time. I think he was a replacement for Jags, and now we will start to see the best of him. He is very vocal on the pitch, and we may see more of this now he has settled-in.
I like Funes Mori, but was alarmed at many of his passes/clearances at Leicester. He seemed to heap more pressure on us with his wayward distribution.
I like the look of Holgate, but see him as more of a full back until he beefs-up. I would like us to get Van Dijk or Prodl (from Watford) who may be more affordable, in the next window.
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1 Posted 26/12/2016 at 07:48:08
And the rumoured £50m "war chest" will not get very much at all unless there is significant outgoings (and aside from Lukaku and maybe Barkley, who would generate a large fee?)