Everton land Klaassen from Ajax

Last season he made 49 appearances, 33 league, 16 Europe, scored 14 league goals and 6 in Europe.

Schneiderlin Gueye Davies Klaassen – just purrs like a Rolls Royce.

I also feel we could always play 4 in midfield as we would be so strong

Finds space well and doesn't seem to need close skills as he usually is pulled away from players. Passes well, looks up and good awareness of what's going on around the pitch. A very involved player, much of their play goes through him. Not particularly quick.

Hard to know exactly how he'd fare in the Premier League, he'd be under much more opposition pressure. There's no failing to notice the lower standard of defending in the Eredivisie. Dear me, what happened? Hope we don't buy any defenders from Holland.

Who is going to play wider on the right? Who is going to play wider on the left? It looks to me as if they will all want to be up-the-middle players with Schneiderlin at the back. So, maybe three spread in front of him?

This is a problem that we had at the tail end of last season. At Arsenal Baines had nobody playing in front of him early in the game giving Bellerin acres of space to run into and eventually score.

Hakim ziyech is considered Ajax's playmaker and best player. Why this player has never been picked up by us or any of the bigger clubs around Europe is a mystery to me. He's been around a while but still young and a better option than Klaassen, surely?

Klaassen is the playmaker in the middle, making the decisions. He's intended to fill the #10 role. Not sure if he has the assertiveness to do it in the Prem, but he certainly has the skills.

As for Ajax's "best player", no contest... it's the young center back Sanchez. Kid is a giant with skills. PSG or Bayern in his future.

Barry
Schneiderlin
Gana
Davies
McCarthy
Besic
Barkley
Klaassen (if it happens)

Where is the guile? Where is the width?

But I trust in Koeman – obviously. He is probably banking on selling Barkley and McCarthy (or Besic, or both). Barry will probably be used sparingly. Hopefully he will get in a creative midfielder with a few goals in him. Sigurdsson? Lanzini? Behrami? Rooney????

Ajax's best player? I guess that's subjective; many would say Dolberg perhaps?

Whilst he might match their energy and endeavour, Klaassen is a completely different type of player to both Gana and Davies.

The only comparable type Everton have had, in recent(ish) years, would have to be Tim Cahill, simply because both he and Klaassen share the seemingly innate ability to constantly find space and pop up in the right place. Although the Ajax man is clearly much better on the ball than Cahill ever was and is also excellent at keeping play ticking over, receiving and moving it on without the hesitation and need for a handful of touches most of the current squad seem hampered by.

Personally, if it were a choice between him and Sigurdsson (a sometimes sluggish player who a lot of Everton supporters seem enamoured by) I would plump for Klaassen, as I believe he has the potential to improve even further, possesses leadership qualities the older Swansea man does not and his ability to find the back of the net regularly from midfield isn't propped up by a potency from set pieces.

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2017/06/15/everton-target-wants-to-focus-on-under-21-european-championship/340145/

Those 4 mentioned could easily start together:

Davies, Gana, Schneiderlin across the middle - Klaasen free role of the striker, with another attacking player

Was Walshy over tapping him up as back up to Jordan Pickford??

If anything, it is Klaassen who is more box-to-box. I agree about Sanchez. He looks a player.

I remember the Dolberg comment too, and I can't argue with his belief that Ziyech is the better player. But he has never been a #10. That's Klaassen.

Re Ajax's best player, Sanchez won their POY at age 20, Dolberg the YPOY at 19. Two fabulous talents obviously. But Sanchez is currently more advanced... turned down Barca last year and they're reportedly in for him again. Dolberg's staying another year at Ajax.

I agree with you there – I am still hoping for a better quality No 10.

Klaassen can play both roles, as can Gylfi (sign him up). Plenty of games this season, so the more options, the better!

I'm very excited to see what other attackers we sign, and hopefully Bolasie making full recovery – good times!

Guess we just differ on terminology. To me "playmaker" is a synonym for the #10 in the middle.

Out of curiosity I had a look at the stats (not that they can be relied upon) and Ziyech played more passes per match and twice as many 'key' passes.

I like Klaassen but I wouldn't mind Ziyech instead. Or as well.

Davies on the bench

How we will line up with the current deals that look like they will go ahead.

I do expect a lot more ins and outs.

Klaassen, as he has played the last two seasons at Ajax is certainly more a box to box player and not a creative playmaker. But like many things in life, this is not black-and-white.

Klaassen is different from Gana and Davies. He is far more attacking minded compared to Gana and more aware, more playing with his head when put next to Davies. Currently I wouldn't compare him to any of our midfielders actually, in that sense Klaassen would add something to our options.

I think Cahill might be the best to compare him with, although this is not a perfect fit as well. One of the biggest assets of Klaassen is his footballing intelligence, he "sees" the game, especially when attacking. He pops up at the right place just as Cahill did so often.

The longer I think of it, the harder I find it to label Klaassen...

And BTW, most of last season, Ziyech certainly was the playmaker for Ajax. Maybe not in the traditional Number 10 role.

However, Arteta was undoubtedly our playmaker in the best of the Moyes years, where Cahill, Neville and Carsley would often operate in the middle of the park and two of Arteta, Osman or Pienaar would operate on the wings, with Arteta frequently being the one getting on the ball from the right wing and trying to dictate play.

At Ajax, I couldn't comment, but from what I have read it does sound like it is Klaassen who gets his foot on the ball and dictates the play.

If I was to guess on a play-maker role, then I would assume Koeman would play two holding midfielders from Schneiderlin, Gueye and Davies, whilst Klaassen or Sigurdsson would be in the Number 10 role. Then we'd have maybe Barkley wide right, and Mirallas left, with Lookman, Bolasie, Deulofeu and Calvert-Lewin as other options.

I've been watching him on YouTube and love how quick he gets into those dangerous positions, finds space and, maybe especially, has that great goalscorer's knack of hitting (or heading!) for goal often first time, giving the keeper no time to set himself.

A couple or so more buys like this and, yeah.. wow.. bring on the new season!!!

If you're going to quote Stephen Fry, at least acknowledge where you've pinched that excellent gag from!

Steve (#37), I like your thinking. Could even use Barkley as part of a triad in the middle of the field with Klaassen and the striker. But I do view Klaassen's role as more in the Modric/De Bruyne mold than working in off the wings, à la Arteta or Messi, and certainly not as deep-lying as a Xavi.

Encouraging that we're trying to get players recruited early in the window.

Barkley is likely off, and he never was as clinical as we would have liked. It is easy to say "I'd prefer x, y or z" but for once we actually seen to have our targets and we are pushing ahead with them.

Also, those looking at the starting 11. Thing of he past. We may play 50+ games this season – and hopefully seasons to come. We need a squad.

Good shout above re Sanchez.

Personally I think we have enough of these kind of players and I want a playmaker who will do the extraordinary as that's what sets apart the best teams.

They have that creative player who can unlock a team who have parked the bus.

Klaassen is a poorer version of Barkley and I'd be very disappointed if he's his replacement. He'll work harder but again we don't need more work horses.

This is getting spooky, I think I'll retreat to the broom closet until the world gets back to normal!

Given his patchy record across his career and his unfulfilled potential, Niang would be hard-pressed to find a better offer than with Everton, where Walsh is a huge fan having also tried to sign him with Leicester City in 2016.

Cheeky get! Tell him 12 noon tomorrow – sign or forget it! No idea why Koeman wants him.

Hat's off to Steve, Koeman and the board. Just need to resolve the Barkley and Lukaku issues and continue moving forward so that all the new players are in place for pre-season.

Great players so far – Everton look better already

Presume RKs looking to also ship a fair few out. Wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Lukaku, Barkley, Besic, McCarthy, McGeady etc all gone come September. Personally won't be fussed to see the back of'em.

Welcome Davy! Two in and about five more at least due in at seems.

Lemina from Juventus is one apparently as well as Niang. Looks like Italy will be a big source for our players this summer.

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/06/15/klaassen

Curious to see where Klaassen will play given our wealth of centre mods as am not sure he is an out an out playmaker. But all-in-all, pretty exciting stuff!

Unfortunately, as it's so early and players are on their hols, we won't get one of those cheesy group pictures of the new signings.

I don't know what to do? Sit in a corner strumming my bottom lip or running naked around the Pier Head?!?!?!?!

...wait, is it not August 31st?!

First one please... lol.

You can tell I am an Evertonian, though, as a bit of me is a little sad that Deadline Day won't be a busy disappointment.

Signed, £23.6m

Welcome Davy!

Only joking, Mark!!

If you notice, the players us, Man City, Man Utd and Leicester have signed are players not from other Premier League clubs. The one Liverpool have so far confirmed is from Chelsea which cannot become official until 1st July.

If we sign Keane and Sigurdsson, I guess these cannot be completed until after 1st July.

This is getting very exciting!!

I would assume (God forbid!) that if a player dropped down dead before 1st July that the contract would never come into effect and the player would be deemed never to have been transferred. That said, we've got Jordan and Davy so who cares!

It's only June??!!! We never do business in June Ronald what is up with you man!!??!

Or is it August 31st? It must be.....the twitches are coming back and I need to get back on those tablets I was prescribed after that whooping Liverpool gave us earlier this season. Somebody wake me up, I am dreaming right?????!!!! COYB

Say what you like about the Dutch league, but the guy is a big player, and a leader. Proper Dutch pros don't fuck about. Like Dutch managers.

Klaassen is Frank Lampard.

Intelligent, right place right time, not spectacularly fast or skilful, keeps it ticking without too many touches.

Good passer, head up, touch of pace (not blinding), good touch, positional sense, arriving in the box, full of energy, decent finisher, all the things our midfield is crying out for – our midfield is looking packed with quality for next year.

Again, my reliable source is YouTube.

Yes, definitely our captain in future – no question.

I do believe Rom and Ross will go, along with several others who may find the competition for places too hot for them. It's essential Rom is replaced soon and I am sure Koeman has a player in mind who can do a similar job, if not better.

I wonder what Barkley is thinking now? I'd like him to stay and fight for his place as well as Deulofeu but I doubt he will.

Dolberg next?

Niang looks awful. AC Milan fans prefer Deulofeu – says it all.

Pickford, who we flew out to do the medical with, then looks like followed closely by Klaassen. Not much messing about either.

Looks like a positive start.

The red shites will be holding crisis meetings in work tomorrow. Jesus wept, no second thoughts about season ticket renewal since... Shit! When was the last time I didn't feel rubber-dicked after the money left my bank? 😨

We're like Pacman in the transfer market.

As someone said earlier there's a lot of euphoria on TW tonight!!

Who is this team we're cheering?

Can't be our Everton.

Didn't think it was fully completed. Think we have done well keeping this under the radar. News outlets knew we had big interest but not even Sky had really cottoned on that he was in the building.

The right way to conduct business. Quality.

I like the profile of players we are recruiting. Talented, right age, not yet peaked, leadership qualities and some nark about them.

Don't just look at clips of Pickford's saves, also note how pumped he is when he does make a good save. See how he shouts and screams at senior players in front of him, telling them what he wants them to do.

Klaassen is a similar pedigree. He will not only give us the greater 'productivity' that Koeman is looking for (and heaven knows we need more goals from midfield), he is also a nark. You don't get named as captain of Ajax at 22 (and chosen by fellow pros as the league's Player of the Year) unless you are a genuine leader.

The Niang link concerns me, all the more so when considering he was loaned to Watford by the club that borrowed Deulofeu from us. But then, he fits a 'type' Koeman is possibly looking for. He is certainly more Bolasie than Deulofeu. That is, possibly offering more stamina and physical presence than the more technically gifted but mercurial Deulofeu.

I'm guessing we'll see more recruits with this kind of profile: large physical specimens, high octane stamina and energy, speedy to the point of direct, as Koeman aims for quicker transition and counter-attacking throughout the team.

Let's not forget, it was Koeman who signed Fraser Foster for Southampton from Celtic, so he knew the player very well. And yet, he has gone with Pickford. With his Dutch and Ajax connections, he will also know Klaassen well.

I rather think today has put to bed any hysteria about Everton's tardiness in this transfer window, or the lingering doubts about the sincerity of Moshiri to invest in the squad, don't you?

Actual transfer window opens on 1st July. All that means is we can register the player as ours. In signing them, we have the players' previous clubs' permission to do so.

Hope that clears that up.

This would appear to be a top quality signing.

I'm quite liking this.

It's the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine.

He has a great first touch and moves fast, moving at pace, which Ron loves on the transition or counter. He sees every option and plays the ball early with instinct.

He is like Klaassen – not anyone else.

We have got a fast-paced breaker and maker of chance for others. All the adjectives need to be positive as he is a winner! Ross can drop back and let him go!

With Liverpool and Spurs linked previously, let's hope they are kicking themselves when he gets going in a blue shirt. COYB!

Bit of a silly post. He's said he's going to sell Barkley. Barry is being phased out. Little to suggest he's a huge Besic fan. I imagine he's looking at maybe a diamond type of midfield with Schneiderlin deeper, then Klaseen, Davies and maybe Gana in some sort of arrangement. A striker up top an AN Other who could be a striker with wing backs or a winger with Davies shifting to the right.

Unfortunately the all too disappointing experience of our Premier League history on new signings, and way before that in truth, concerns me. None of the teams above us seem to have been linked with him. Why?

That said, I'll welcome him if he consistently gives only what I've already seen of his all. If he improves, I might even buy him a schooner!

Welcome to you, Davy.

I do, to your question.

I'll add, we're seeing the first window where the club has a structure in place regarding player scouting/recruitment. Looking pretty good so far.

But, we're still looking at a scenario where Lukaku is going to be sold and most likely so is Barkley. When Lukaku goes that leaves us without a single striker at the club. And if Barkley goes then we have flipped him for Klaassen.

So I'm very pleased with the activity this week, but let's not get ahead of ourselves and take our eyes off the ball, so to speak. We still need to add quite a bit to this squad and need those additions to be top quality.

So I don't think it puts anything to bed, but it's a very promising start to this summer. But we need a hell of a lot more. I sincerely hope those additions continue to come in.

Today has been fun. Years of penury and hopefully the accompanying sob stories are over. The fans need to get with it too. These players should compliment what we have already, not represent replacements for outgoing talents.

Totally agree. I'd add to that, adding a player like Sandro in addition to keeping Lukaku. That would signal some real intent.

I hope Barkley stays but, if he doesn't, I feel comfortable that he will be replaced. The fact is we are certainly at the right level for Barkley's talent (unlike Rooney in 2005). So no reason for him to leave unless he doesn't fancy the manager or the competition for his place.

I can't see Barkley getting much game time at Spurs or any of other big 7 (Other than us or perhaps Liverpool but I can't seem him moving there, full stop.)

Good as his goal scoring record is, Lukaku needs to go so that Koeman can set up the team for life without him.

I would hope that any other incoming players will reflect that Koeman has an alternative plan to relying on Lukaku for goals. Hopefully Klaassen is the first part of that plan.

I don't know if you have been one of them, but quite clearly and quite hysterically and stridently, there has been a good number of posts bleating about the tardiness of Everton's transfer business in this barely opened transfer window.

This is probably due (justifiably in some way) to the model we have long been accustomed to: namely, selling before buying, waiting to the 11th hour on the final day of the transfer window to get in some loan deals.

In every transfer window since he gained his majority shareholding at Everton, there have been lingering doubts about the sincerity of Moshiri and his willingness to spend big on player recruitment. I number myself among those who wanted to see hard proof that he could and would.

Today's two incoming deals and the prices paid, the rapidity of closing the deals, reassures this poster at least that things (finally) are different.

Now if they prove to be the only arrivals of note, then the doubts and questions return. As I've already said previously, we will only truly be in a position to assess the summer dealings when the window closes in a couple of months.

Like yourself – and again, I have made this very comment on TW today – I would prefer incoming players not as replacements for two of our best players, Lukaku and Barkley, but rather as enhancements and reinforcements with both players remaining.

To try and downplay the significance of today as you do is old-school thinking. Who knows? The quality of these signings, the price paid and the earliness of the dealings may have the following consequences:

● It makes both Lukaku and Barkley sit up and think: "hang on! Everton is being serious! Something is happening here that may be worth sticking around for and being a part of."

● It flags up to other players the club has targeted the same thing – that Everton is a club on the up and well worth considering as an option.

Quite clearly, Kenwright is not the sole hand on the tiller in our transfer dealings. We are not employing his 'gentlemen's club' negotiating style over a glass of brandy before a burning log fire.

In the last 48 hours Walsh has been seen in Italy pursuing any number of targets; the club sent a representative to Poland to complete a medical and the signing of Pickford; Klaassen was transported to Finch Farm and the deal closed.

That is slick, quick and very, very professional. There is a team behind our recruitment drive. Not a single individual at the centre of every deal.

Relish it! Enjoy it!

After I saw the video of the 'delegation' heading to their meeting in Milan, I was imagining if this happened a few years back. Could you see Moyes, Bill and Bobby Elstone strolling up to the San Siro and being taken seriously?

Times are changing at the club and Bill's role is dwindling. I was half-expecting to see a gushing Bill plastered all over the media exalting the new signings and owning the most expensive British goalkeeper. The speed of all these deals going through seems that there has been a lack of involvement by the 'best salesman' Everton has.

Now we need someone who can cross the ball. Oh, and a striker. Ramos?

Klaassen has been linked to Liverpool and Spurs over the last 2 years. Apparently Liverpool tried to sign him 12 months ago but he stayed with Ajax. This year, he had offers from Germany and Italy, but we nipped in to get him. Great bit of business IMO.

Pep made it known that Jesus was going to be his man and the only reason Aguero got back in the side last season was a broken bone for Jesus.

Make a serious offer and see what happens.

But, based on the money we are now seen to be spending and with Koeman's pulling power, you never know; however, with Bill still around, we might end up with Bony instead of Aguero.

I'm all for a bit of positivity but there's no way Aguero would come to us. Every Champions League club in Europe would take him. We're not at that level – yet.

I'm not sure we need our very own Galactico. Aguero wouldn't come to us with fire in his belly. We'd be a step down in his mind, and besides, no way would we pay his sort of wages.

We're targetting young hungry players with plenty to prove. I think that's the right way forward.

Exactly what we need, better quality players who will go straight into the first eleven.

Keep up the ambition, Everton.

Another striker or two and a centre-back please.
COYB

It's unreal the difference in this club!! Big 4 – get the fuck out of the way!

Where is Keane, Sigurdsson or Sandro? Same old dithering Everton!! Oh and where's the Arteta money?

[Does sarcasm carry through okay on here?]

I'm already in a good mood, but when you realise Liverpool fans are kicking off... cherry on the top!

Ahhh, we Evertonians are a suspicious and questioning bunch though. And why not? We have been fed on a staple diet of lies, false promises and "nearly signed him" for decades.

So forgive me for gushing about the spending until the season starts and it's not another false dawn. By that I mean we don't just spend the Lukaku money.

We deserve a bit of good news. So, I would like Lukaku's fee plus Moshiri's war-chest to be wisely spent this window.

Is the Sandro deal in limbo because of the Costa situation at Chelsea? We still require at least four other first team players.

Very exciting times for us Evertonians.

James (#168), can't you just enjoy the moment and savour what we've done so far? Plus we have much, much higher priorities than a deputy left back.

Personally, I think we've got two gems in these two players. With a few more acquisitions, it's going to be a very interesting season.

Klaassen appears to be a great character too, notable that he seems to celebrate every goal and assist with his team and I doubt he was made such a young captain for nothing. I would love some of his drive to rub off on the others.

Makes the rumours of Niang all the more weird, he is completely the wrong sort. But the signs are obviously pointing towards a policy of recruiting young players hungry for success, which is exactly as it should be.

Pickford and Klaassen point to a team full of young talent who have already proven themselves capable to some degree but still have plenty of ambition and fire in their belly. That's the way forward.

One thing that is significant here is that we are signing players and spending big before we sell. We are not selling to buy, or buying to sell.

We will definitely need two strikers with Lukaku, Barkley and Kone going, plus they will probably look to sell Niasse. Also at least one centre-back is needed and a left back to challenge Leighton.

Long may it continue. Have we ever gone this hard so early in the window?

However, it does seem we are absolutely loaded in centre midfield...yet still missing a playmaker. From what I've read about Klaassen, he's a bit of a Lampard type. Good type of player to have... but very hard to fit into a team. A bit like Cahill in his last season actually, if they're not scoring goals then can go missing.

A left winger, a striker, two centre backs... all bigger priorities for me.

Sigurdsson to sort the last piece of the midfield.

Oh and the fact we have no strikers. (Apart from Niasse!)

With Williams, Coleman, Klaassen, Pickford (not a shy boy) and a few others, we should have plenty of battle in the team too.

It also states Barkley loses the ball too often (18.5 times every 90 minutes on average, only 5.1 recoveries) and therefore is banned to the right side. Klaassen loses the ball less (12.1 times) and is a slightly better ball winner (5.7 times). So Klaassen gets more goals while losing the ball less. The article goes on that Everton's midfield has enough defensive guile with Gueye, Barry and Schneiderlin but lacks in creating goal scoring chances. Klaassen not only adds this directly by scoring himself, he is ranked second on accurate through balls in the last three seasons in the Dutch league (Hakim Ziyech being number one).

It also mentions Klaassens ability to play several tactics and praises his footballing intelligence, especially mentioning that Klaassen can read a game and fire the team on when needed. He sees when the team needs to put the pressure on the opponent and actively pulls the rest of the team with him in doing so. They mention that this might be very welcome in away games against lesser opponents, where Everton lost a lot of points last season.

Of course, the big unknown is the question whether Klaassen can do this in the Premier League as well. Only time will tell if he is more like Depay/Janssen or like Eriksen/Wijnaldum.

If we can get Niang and Sandro in as strikers then I am a happy fan. We needed to move quickly away from Lukaku and his inflated ego, and from Ross with his inconsistency – and it looks like that's exactly what we are doing.

Koeman looks as if he has put his size 9 up the arse of the board (or Moshiri has sacked Bumbling Blue Bill from any transfer dealings). Either way, I am extremely happy with the way the squad is shaping and moving away from the nightmare that was Bobby Brown Shoes.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/817786/Everton-transfer-news-Jordan-Pickford-Davy-Klaassen-unveil-shirt-sportgalleries

Tom Davies in there too with Schneiderlin, looking good.

If he stays fit I reckon he can be a huge player for us.

2007–08 John Heitinga (NED) Ajax
2008–09 Mounir El Hamdaoui (MAR) AZ
2009–10 Luis Suàrez (URU) Ajax
2010–11 Theo Janssen (NED) Twente
2011–12 Jan Vertonghen (BEL) Ajax
2012–13 Wilfried Bony (CIV) Vitesse
2013–14 Daley Blind (NED) Ajax
2014–15 Georginio Wijnaldum (NED) PSV
2015–16 Davy Klaassen (NED) Ajax

The one thing I was saying last season when we went for Schneiderlin was that whilst I thought he was a classy ball player, he probably won't score enough goals for us. We had Barry, Gueye, Schneiderlin, McCarthy and even Davis but none would score regular goals for us.

Klaassen scored 20 goals last year in league and Europa and 15 the year before. Niang, who is a striker and only 2 years younger, has only scored 29 goals in his 7 years in total.

I hope we don't get him.

£25-30m is a bit steep for Pickford but if he is ours and England's number 1 for the next decade it will be money well invested plus young English players come at a premium.

Niang I don't know about; he has a poor record at Milan and wasn't any great shakes at Watford but Watford under Mazzarri were negative and horrible to watch – plus he is still only 22 and has a lot of pace so Koeman might get the best out of him.

Now we need to get Sandro over the line and then add a commanding centre-half or two, a new long term left back, a midfield playmaker and another striker. If Lukaku goes, a new star striker needs to come in.

If Liverpudlians are worried I love it but I've just read that it's the Arsenal fans who are fuming the most, with many of them worried that Usmanov is the man behind "The Toffees" now?

Different reports on Niang but it's a good feeling thinking that Everton are now being run correctly!

He can be creative and will get his share of assists but he's a converted central midfielder after starting out as a No 10 but he finds space well, he's good on the ball but his best asset is his the timing of his runs into the box and his finishing. For a central midfielder, he's a very good finisher and he arrives in the box at the right times to get on the end of things and he will add a much needed goal threat to the team from an area where we lack goals.

Personally think this is a really good signing. It will take him time to get up to speed with the pace of our league but when he does he'll be great for us! We haven't had an attack minded midfielder that makes those runs into the box and gets goals like he does since Cahill!

And apparently this won't effect any moves for Sigurdsson either, so my guess is, if we get Sigurdsson, then Barkley is definitely a goner! But Sigurdsson I bet will be used in a front three from the left and in central midfield Schneiderlin will sit, Gueye or Davies will be box-to-box, put themselves about, and be a nuisance in there. Klaassen will be the attack-minded one of the 3 in there, as he was for Ajax over the past couple of seasons.

Joking aside, I told a red-nose mate of mine that Klaassen had signed and his response was "Klaassen? Davy Klaassen? Bloody hell!" Cue full bottom lip and dark mutterings about transfer dealings across the park – hard not to snigger.

Genuinely a great signing IMHO, as is Pickford. And to think I nearly didn't renew – like every year..

Koeman's Office; Ron sits, tracksuited, leaning back. Lukaku sits opposite, fidgeting.

Ron: "Well, Rom, it's September the first, guess what?"
Rom: "What, Boss... tell me."
Ron: "No fucker thinks you are worth as much as you do."
Rom: "No-one, Boss?"
Ron: "No, not one single phone call from anyone wanting your services."
Rom: "Oh..."
Ron: "Yes. Get your fat arse out on that field and get your head down."

TBC (No doubt)

Take Koeman on at your peril. He was given more than enough notice of the club's stance on the new reported 𧴜k a week.

Even if Sigurdsson doesn't come (and I sincerely hope he does), I can't see a future for Ross at Everton.

In short, he's been a bloody fool, and I can't see any team that finished above us last season taking him for 㿏m.

Where would he go? Chelsea, no. Liverpool no,. Man City don't think so. Spurs, not with Alli in the team, Arsenal possible!, Man Utd possible.

Silly boy, such a waste.

We will probably have to settle for somewhere in the 㿀m mark as a sweetener for a player/cash deal.

I just don't think we will spend much more than we get in. It's good to get players in early for once and hopefully the two new signings will justify their hefty price tags.

I hope Dowell gets a few games too. Both players are capable of good passing football with a few goals in to boot.

However, if we do sell Lukaku and Ross for a combined 𧴰 million, it will be hard to spend much more than that without getting ridiculous. It won't work to get in 10 players for 㿊 million each and I don't expect Everton to do so. Not because of some "Blue Bill – where is the Arteta money?" kind of conspiracy theory. Just because team management does not work like that.

I can see us fit in about five, may be six new players in and around the first team, but not more. And that means we will spend a maximum of around 𧵎 million. If (and that is an if) we sell Ross and Lukaku for big money, that automatically means we will not spend much more than we get in.

If that is what you mean, I actually agree with you.

Honestly, he reminds of Steven Naismith, but probably only because he looks a lot like him. A Dutch Nessi with skill, what's wrong with that!?

Good post

Are you the Mike Dixon that used to be a referee when you hung your boots up!!! If so, your reputation precedes you.

COYB

The gigantic white elephant in the room is Rom. In my opinion we will miss him dearly (clearly I think he's off...).

We need someone up top that can put the round spherical object in the back of the net.

Right now, I'm completely trusting Msgr Walsh and Co to find someone who will fit the bill in that regard.

Americans are prohibited from penning songs and chants.

But I absolutely love the Davy Crocket theme!

Davy! Davy Klaassen! King of the wild frontier.

Give him a musket in the event of an abnormally physical contest too?

I'm hoping Barkley will stick around as he is undoubtedly a good player to have come off the bench and be part of the project. Is anyone going to pay the asking price?

Then we have Lookman, Kenny and Dowell; maybe one or two others will press for inclusion. Had Besic and McCarthy not been sicknotes, how much time would Davies had enjoyed?

Born on a mountain top in Ellesmere Port, football was his favourite sport, Signed by Everton for a half a crown, Now he's playing for Huddersfield Town, Davie, Davie, Davie Hickson King of the forward line.