Klaassen: I had a good feeling about Everton

Is it just me or could he be Denis Bergkamp's twin brother?

We can't have it both ways: if we wait until the end of the Transfer window when the clubs and players are losing their bargaining power, we can miss out on many targets, like last summer, where we were all left feeling frustrated.

It's always better to secure players early so they can be integrated into the pre-season schedule and early Europa League qualifying in our case.

Of course, in most cases, players will wait until the end of the Transfer Window to weigh up all their options so I do expect us to still be doing some of our business on Transfer deadline day.

I really hope we get the Sandro deal over the line at some point as this was the player I, personally, am excited about; perhaps because I've seen him play a few times – he looks class to me. As for Klaassen, I'm more sceptical, but still intrigued nonetheless.

Pickford may seem a touch high but he could be our keeper for the next 12 years, not to mention there is always a premium on English talent. For me it's a fair price.

As for Klaassen, only time will tell but I think he could be a steal. A 24 year old Dutch international, goal scoring midfielder and captain of Ajax for 㿄m? That's not expensive in my eyes at all.

I think Everton can rack in at least £150 Million from selling Lukaku, McCarthy, Barkley, Besic, Stekelenburg, Funes Mori, Lennon, Kone, Valencia, Deulofeu, Niasse and McGeady, saving fees and salaries.

So relieved to get an outstanding keeper and a goal scoring midfielder. Now we need a centre-half, cover for Lukaku and a replacement if he finally goes.

Lerby I think was a Denmark international. Great technical player; yes, I think he was playing "that night". Goodison hasn't changed much since that night so an easy sell to Davy.

I'm answering my own question but is it Davey ,or Davy, like-divvy but with an 'a'...?

I also think there's a big possibility (as you say) that these deals have already been set-up via their agents weeks ago.

I do think we have overpaid for both players though because Klaassen isn't blessed with massive technical ability – he seems to have a good footballing brain, which allows him to find space and pop up in good positions (so I'm led to believe). That's in the Dutch league though, it's a massive step up in the Premier League. All signings are a risk I suppose and Klaassen is no different.

Pickford looked good in a Sunderland that was constantly under the cosh, by pulling off several top class saves. Does he have the rest of the attributes to be a top goalie though? 㿊 million is an expensive gamble.

The ٣/㾶 million players two seasons ago are now the 㿀/㿊 million players today, due to the sport being awash with money.

I think we are asking in excess of 㿔 Million for Ross and, comparing Klaassens stats, we have a bargain, or we are going to mug some team with Ross.

This was needed to give everyone in the recruitment team confidence. Good momentum but we do need to continue successes as this is only a start of hopefully bare minimum 6 and if we sell Ross and Rom then it is likely that another 3 will come.

Nine new players would normally be difficult to integrate but, with the Koeman brothers, Dunc and the whole Finch Farm set-up, we should be able to get a clear playing style and forward looking culture for the new boys.

It will be interesting if Bill has been doing the deals as the old penny-pinching needed for a club with slim financial resources would have sat heavily with him as well as us.

Barkley though we don't have enough leverage to command the fee we might expect. Everyone knows we want to sell. 㿊m, maybe 㿏m or more if there was demand... which there doesn't overly appear to be.

Fees for players are going through an exponential growth phase. It's difficult to work out what a 'good price' is currently for players with the sheer volume of money being banded around.

Would you pay 㾽m for Maguire 2/3 years ago? (Probably wouldn't now!)

Sissoko cost Spurs 㿊m and he's done nothing, getting a highly rated player like Klaassen for ٤m less is a gamble worth taking, I say.

The view was unanimous: we have done an excellent deal and he is really worth the money.

Now get Keane and a new left back. I hope Sandro joins; no to Niang.

Get rid of Barry and Williams as both are too slow and not up to playing for a club looking to go places.

Does Pickford have the attributes to be a top class ' keeper? Frankly, I have no idea whatsoever but Neville Southall and Peter Shilton think he has. That'll do for me!

Klaassen looks like Bergkamp? Yep, I can see that. A bit of the Andy Johnsons about him too.

On the subject of Barkley, no top 6 club are in a hurry to sign him because he is not a top player for any of those teams. He would be seen as a squad player and none of the top 6 teams will need to rely on him – they have better players.

Everton are looking to spend £150 million while Chelsea are looking to spend £250 million and they have already a strong squad. The two Manchester teams will spend £200 million each, if not more.

Davy, Davy Klaassen, King of the Merseyside

That's why Naismith (a very nice guy but not good enough for Premier League) is playing for Norwich (a nice team) and not for us.

Good to have the Dutch lad here. COYB!

The one thing for sure about Davy is that he is a proper footballer and a true professional. There will be no sideshow. He will do his talking on the pitch, and can only improve.

He could be anything, even future captain, though I've got Schneiderlin ear-marked for that role.

Fuck me – how good is our midfield going to be this season?!!

I like what Ronnie is doing, be part of what we are building and trying to achieve or jog on.

Now for the next phase of operation Goodison, those who want it: great! Anyone who does not, close the door on your way out.

Onwards and upwards.

By comparison, Sandro has 23 goals in 63 La Liga games.

But, if you divide the goals by games in both cases, the ratios come out as 2.7 and 3.0 respectively (rounded to 1 decimal place).

On that basis, there is not that much to choose between them.

Over a 38 game league season, should those scoring rates apply, the return would be:-

14 goals for Sandro and 13 for Zapata ( both rounded to the nearest whole number).

There are several indicators here:

Firstly, neither would seem as prolific as Lukaku;

Secondly, I think Koeman / Walsh recognise this and through Koeman have already said that they want goals from elsewhere in the team; hence the signing of Klaassen;

Thirdly, the combination of a good finisher, with a good provider should mean that the striker should get more opportunities than before, so we might look for some improvement on the projected returns from the strikers.

It appears to me, that what Koeman and Walsh are trying to achieve is to have a team where goals can come from anywhere in the team and that it is better to have a team with several players scoring in the low to mid teens rather than one player in the twenties and the next highest scorer on 4 or 5.

To begin with, who does the opposition mark most closely?

Presently, in Everton's case, mark Lukaku out of the game and you nullify our goal threat.

Under the new regime, the opposition's choice is much wider as they just won't know where the threat is coming from, causing a bit more panic in the defensive lines, if three or four potential scorers are all running towards them at the same time.

It's always nice to see an Everton player in and amongst the table of "Premier League top scorers". But, from a results view point, if spreading the scoring means more points in the League Table proper, I for one, will be happier with that.

Get in Sandro and Zapata, debate over.

I recall signing John Collins who was billed as a world class midfielder and he was very ordinary and never delivered at that level.

One of my mates ridiculed the signing of Arteta from Rangers saying he was too small, too weak and too slow!

Pienaar was dismissed in similar fashion by many people but he did pretty well in the end.

Richard Wright was hailed as a brilliant signing and was hopeless though granted he had awful luck with injuries that didn't help!

A certain Neville Southall was dropped and replaced by a journeyman keeper called Jim Arnold but with time to settle properly he did okay!!

Quite simply there are very few sure things in transfers because there are a lot of elements which need to be right but Davy has the pedigree to succeed and some nous about how to play football which Ross seems to lack. Some have likened him to Lampard which is good enough for me. All we can do is trust Walsh and see if it all works.

As for paying too much, sometimes in life you have to pay top dollar to get what you want before someone else comes along who is happy to pay more – no different to buying a house.

Just remember a couple of years ago posters on here were furious that we had paid 㿈M for Lukaku, saying it was a waste of money – I think Kenwright and Roberto did pretty good business that day didn't they!!

As for this fellah, never heard of him, wish him well – tear it up lad.

Perhaps we'll still try and replace McCarthy.

Keeper situation almost sorted.

Attack and defence still an issue though, especially with Rom leaving and Bolasie injured.

Keep 'em coming.

With these factors in mind, Barkley's days appear to be numbered and I have little sympathy as he's been holding out for a big club transfer that is unlikely to materialise.

I think we need to keep our better players and get rid of the real dross. Barkley is not dross!!

Could be similar with Ross and Rom. No-one is bigger than the club. No need to speculate or tout their wares around the market.

If a club(s) come in for them with an acceptable offer(s) then they will be gone. If not then they will have to adjust to the new strength in the squad and do things Ronnie's way or fall further away from the limelight.

Perhaps someone with a bit of nouse should have a word in their ears before they slip too far behind?

Our next captain is a big decision.