Season › 2017-18 › News
£40m Sigurdsson fee finally agreed
Multiple reports have emerged this evening that a deal between Everton and Swansea City has now been struck after weeks of wrangling, clearing the way for the Icelandic player to complete a transfer to Goodison Park this week.
The Blues have pursued Sigurdsson for a year and seen successive offers starting at a reported £25m rebuffed, including what is believed to have been a £40m bid earlier this month.
The Swans looked as though they were going to dig their heels in over their £50m valuation of their star player, who has missed their last few pre-season games and the season-opener against Southampton on Saturday because of the ongoing uncertainty over his future, but a compromise package of around £40m, with a further £2.5m dependent on appearances, appears to have been concluded.
That would smash Everton's previous club record fee of £30m paid for Jordan Pickford in June — Michael Keane's final price could reach that level as well — as, backed by Farhad Moshiri, Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh have put their top targets in place.
Reader Comments (306)
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2 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:32:55
3 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:34:26
4 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:34:59
5 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:35:47
If that £5 million is needed for another deal to go through then the delay will have been worth it. The fact that we fought so hard, and hung Sigurdsson out to dry in the process, suggests that we have an absolute limit to our spending and every million counts.
We are far from free spending and that's very sensible.
I think once this one finally gets over the line others will quickly follow. Out and in.
I think he'll turn out to be a fantastic signing.
6 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:37:35
7 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:37:56
8 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:38:47
That's one of my dream 3. Now on to Vardy and Van Dijk. Come on Koeman and Walsh you both know it makes sense. Still money to come in from Niasse, McCarthy and Ross - £50m plus from those 3, plus another £20m from the Lukaku deal. Money's not a problem then is it.
9 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:39:05
10 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:39:49
11 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:40:18
12 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:44:08
13 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:45:25
14 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:47:39
Need to offload McCarthy and Niasse. I'd get Dowell back if that's possible. Giroud and van dyke would be my preferences. I'd keep Barkley too , he could learn plenty from Rooney and Giroud!
15 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:49:01
16 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:49:22
Back 4
Klaassen Schneiderlin Gueye
Rooney Sigurdsson
Sandro or whoever comes in
17 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:49:38
18 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:49:55
19 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:50:21
20 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:54:08
21 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:54:31
22 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:54:46
And Frank Wade (#7), funny comment – Giroud was born to be a right wingback.
23 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:55:07
Probably just the protracted saga and hope to Christ he comes up to expectations but playing for Everton is going to be more than a tad different to playing for the Swans. We'll see once he is up to speed but as I say hopefully he will justify his price tag, and some.
Welcome to blue heaven Sigs.
24 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:55:26
25 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:55:37
26 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:56:23
Disclaimer: We are 7th after the 1st round of games. P. Walling was spotted naked, drinking rum and dancing round a fire on a beach in Cyprus.
27 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:59:48
28 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:03:25
29 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:03:35
Good luck to Barry it is a good move for him.
30 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:04:47
Yup, we have not yet replaced Lukaku's goals, and the Sigurdsson deal dragged on, but we got our main target, and have added quality and depth in other areas - therefore its been a massively successful window already.
If we get the three other positions I mention above - fantastic!
31 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:10:02
32 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:11:07
33 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:12:24
35 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:14:39
36 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:16:39
Anyways, welcome aboard Siggy.
37 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:17:16
38 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:22:04
39 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:23:01
Great signing though should we see it through.
Striker required quickly now - best options for me are -
Dost
Teodorczyk
Benteke
Dembele
40 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:23:46
Hopefully the extra striker will come in before the deadline.
41 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:24:20
42 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:26:45
43 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:29:02
Once our right full-back/wingback Coleman and flying machine Bolasie are back, we will be great to watch!
44 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:29:03
45 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:38:31
I just hope we land a Striker and another defender. Here's hoping
46 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:39:08
We could have a starting 11 now of midfielders .
A New striker on the other hand...
47 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:39:14
We desperately need a target man, indeed I'd say 2 strikers, but who if Giroud wants to stay at Arsenal, I don't know. A left sided centre halve, is another key area we need to get someone in for as well.
I still think we need a left winger & I think we could do with cover at left back.
I think McCarthy will be going, I think Ross will still be with us come September if this further injury speculation has any merit, which softens the blow letting Dowell go out on loan.
I would be suprised if anyone comes in with a purchase offer for Nissse I think he'll go out on loan again. The other player I think could be going is Lennon.
Then there's Robles who I think if speculation is to be believed wants out to get regular first team football. The worrying thing there is the player we're looking at to replace him, may be off elsewhere.
48 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:40:21
49 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:41:03
I've seen the kid tear apart some of the best defences in Europe. He's two-footed, fast, skilful and superb in the air. Remember the likes of Forster, Wanyama, VVD etc all cut their teeth is Scottish football before moving south.
50 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:41:06
Just like Lukaku was sold long before he was sold so we could get players in. I think the siggy deal was done but needed time for Swansea to get s couple of deals lined up first so people don't think they got rockafella money.
Barry goes to west brom, chadli to Swansea from west brom by the looks of it and siggy to us, football merry go round...
Now just for a striker, centre back and left back left winger...
Oviedo anyone?
51 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:45:16
Koeman will be after a player to maximise this threat, someone like Giroud who can always get on the end of a quality ball into the box.
If it's not Giroud it will be a player with similar style, with some height and a reputation for headed goals as well as being a good finisher.
I only hope they have a few irons in the fire and are keeping their cards close to their chest.
52 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:45:45
I know Barry is not at all the same type of player as Sigurdsson or Chadli, but just something that I have just considered.
53 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:49:53
Spot on mate. Spot on. If nothing else we have learned from Lukaku, it's that we need players who want to play for our great team. They shouldn't need an excuse. Siggy wants to play for us. The other signings want to play for us. Sod Giroud. When Wenger reverts to form and Giroud finds himself on the bench again following sanchez's return, then I'll have an ironic smile.
54 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:51:57
55 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:52:23
And Starbucks as well.
56 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:52:45
57 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:56:06
We can focus on the game with Hadjuk. Here's to Pickford showing his best
58 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:56:58
Well, it is. But it's not.
59 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:57:43
60 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:58:21
I wouldn't be against Wellbeck as he scores some great poachers goals - but he isn't unlike Sandro in physique and style.
I like Sigurdsson a lot - but the price tag is hard to adjust to - I'll try and forget it and enjoy a great player.
61 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:58:25
Well said.
62 Posted 15/08/2017 at 21:59:42
64 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:02:19
Am very curious to see what formation RK adopts once Siggy is fit to play.
Well happy even if the price is ridiculous. Also apparently our previous record signing is actually Lukaku at £31.8m, after we had to pay some add ons to Chelsea.
65 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:02:56
I'm not jumping through hoops at this he is not what we need at all the team is crying out for pace and width and Sigurdsson just doesn't help with that.
66 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:02:58
He is decent but we are desperate for a visionary.
Without an orchestrator in midfield we will struggle to catch the top 6.
67 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:03:37
68 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:04:37
Now we need to sign a striker, My own choice has always been Dembele. The boat has sailed for Giroud, he doesn't want to come and the names being banded around are getting less and less appealing. I think a goal scoring target man is the kind of player we need, especially now we're signing a dead ball specialist, so now Giroud is out of the equation, I'd make a concrete offer for Bentake who is the best in the league for heading a ball IMO.
Failing that, it would be an anti climatic signing but I'd get Islam Slimani who is good with his head and would thrive in a team that play to his strengths. Leicester didn't do that last season.
I don't think Welbeck would be a good signing. He gets injured too much and has never been a striker who plays down the middle and can command the box. Although to be fair, that may be because he's never had a the chance to do that consistently at United and Arsenal. Perez would be a snip at 㾹m and would be a better choice, if we have to target all of Arsenals strikers before we finally sign one.
69 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:04:56
It would have cost us a lot more than £5 million if we had stumped up the Swansea asking price. Everyone would know "Everton are pushovers desperate for players and we can ask what we like".
And it is only fair that there is a limit to the amount we pay. It ain't "our" money
70 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:04:59
We don't have better French restaurants than in France, but we certainly have more expensive ones...
For me, if we retain Barkley to give the attack some power and it will be good for him to play with nippy, technically gifted players like Sandro, Rooney and Sig, then our attack just needs one more striker to chip in some goals. We've lost Kone, Naismith, Lukaku and Niasse in quick succession and whatever our opinions, they were all senior strikers.
71 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:10:37
Realise they were in the 'senior' squad but that was more to do with age than ability!
72 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:10:38
7 - Since his Premier League debut, Sigurdsson has scored more free-kicks than any other player
8 - Sigurdsson provided more assists last season from dead ball situations than any other player in the Premier League
34 - With 34 goals Sigurdsson is Swansea's top scorer in the Premier League
29 - With 29 assists Sigurdsson is Swansea's most prolific creator of goals in the Premier League
433 - Sigurdsson covered more distance (kilometres) in the Premier League than any other player last season
73 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:10:54
74 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:11:43
75 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:13:03
76 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:13:03
77 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:14:16
Gavin, Dembele, for me, ticks all the boxes but I doubt we will make a bid for him.
78 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:15:55
79 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:17:20
I'd prefer Dembele anyhow.
80 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:21:24
Still it can't be effective in attack and difficult to defend against.
If we are going to lumber about we definitely need a more effective target man.
82 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:23:04
83 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:25:00
84 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:28:42
Exactly.
85 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:29:35
86 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:30:20
87 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:31:47
Why ffs, did it take this long?
I think they must live in a different world, than we do!
This guy, to me, is world class, but it beggars the question, who does he replace, in our team?
I know it's one he'll of an outlay, but I do think, in the long run, he will prove his worth to us.
I just pray and hope, that he will adjust quickly to our system, whatever that is!
A bit premature, or belated, welcome aboard, Fulfil!
88 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:34:32
89 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:36:34
90 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:40:13
91 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:40:19
Very shortsighted comment imo.
92 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:41:45
93 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:44:27
The lad is physically imposing and may have overcome his injury problems but to me it is a big gamble that he will ever be prolific. If Arsenal let him go they will obviously have decided he won't be.
94 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:45:29
95 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:46:21
96 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:47:05
97 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:50:23
98 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:51:15
99 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:52:06
100 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:54:05
101 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:58:06
102 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:59:43
Far more likely I think that Rooney Klaassen and Sigurdsson would manage 100 between them.
That said a striker required as well although very impressed with Calvert-Lewin so far.
103 Posted 15/08/2017 at 22:59:50
We appear to be signing players to replace players we have only just signed?
Unless he sees him as part of a front three with Rooney and Sandro, with Klaassen, Gueye and Schneiderlin behind them?
Which would rule out a centre forward coming in?
104 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:00:04
105 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:00:18
Like others have said, Striker, Defending and hopefully a winger now and squad should just be about ready.
And what is with the plums calling for Giroud (who doesn't want to leave), bring back Dowell (what to see in the U23's?), keep Barkley (who wants to leave) and get Van Dyke (who is another way over priced player who wants to play for the RS). Some people can't see the wood for the trees!!!
106 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:01:17
I would go for either of them if they were available but having said that I think DCL is starting to come along and who knows may make the position his own. He, like Welbeck is mobile,decent in the air and has youth on his side. Given that Bolasie will return maybe sooner than we think and Dowell doing his apprenticeship,so to speak at Forest. the future regarding strikers looks to be rosy come next year or sooner.
There are some tough games coming up and for now I would like that extra something to add to the offence besides Gylfi but time is running out and the powers to be may just stick rather than twist again.
107 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:02:05
108 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:02:57
109 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:04:47
Having said that, as far as I know, the goals are the same dimensions, and in the same place, as they are in England, and this lad knows where they are!
We have got money, so let's invest wisely, get him in, and Van Dyke, job done!
110 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:07:37
Would love to see Barlkey and Sigursson together in midfield - with Scheiderlein behind them and Rooney in front
Just need a couple of decent forwards to complete the equation
111 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:07:38
Would love to see Barlkey and Sigursson together in midfield - with Scheiderlein behind them and Rooney in front
Just need a couple of decent forwards to complete the equation
112 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:07:41
I think DCL will thrive this season too, maybe too soon to put the pressure of being no1 striker on him ?
Saying that though , the lad is the real deal . His unequalled determination to win and do well will make it impossible to leave him out of the team .
113 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:07:44
114 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:08:08
On a serious note. I am glad the saga will be over soon with 2 weeks of the window remaining. The focus has to be on a striker.
115 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:10:38
The Wellbeck "rumour"
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/rooney-reunion-arsenal-striker-welbeck-keen-to-hear-from-everton-4194765
116 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:11:48
We do still need a striker though for Siggy and others to feed.
117 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:12:23
118 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:12:25
119 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:15:42
120 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:16:37
Very curious to see how the striker search pans out (if it in fact pans out at all). Seems pretty clear Koeman favors someone who's battle-tested in the Premier League. I was initially underwhelmed being linked to the likes of Slimani and Welbeck, but at this point I'd take either one of them. Slimani could function in a similar capacity to Giroud and Welbeck, while injury-prone and inconsistent, would supply a much-needed dose of pace.
121 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:22:19
122 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:26:29
123 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:26:52
If either Chelsea or RS not wanna spend 60m then he could be ours, slim chance of van dyke in my opinion he worked with Koemen who brought the best out of him and coming to a club on the up. Think he could be tempted with a good pay packet as well.
Just a few more pieces of the puzzle to solve, defo need someone up top though don't think we quite got it yet looked a bit shit against stoke and the Europa league qualifier.
124 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:30:09
They were truly atrocious on Saturday, beyond Sunday league. Who has both their centre forwards taking a short corner?
125 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:30:25
126 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:30:25
Andy Robertson - Queens Park then Dundee Utd - now 㾶m move to redshite.
Our very own McCarthy - Hamilton to Wigan then to us - now mooted for 㿀-25m move.
Larsson as prev mentioned- Celtic - Barcelona &Man Utd.
Less successful but big fees were Craig Gordon (who Chelsea tried to buy last season) who went for record fee for gk in UK as well as Alan Hutton going from Rangers to Spurs for 㾶m.
Very naive comment from you. Scottish football in the doldrums yes, a lot to do with the obscene difference in finances, but to say no good players come from there due to the standard of league is nonsense!!
127 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:31:01
I don't know why but I find it annoying!
On Siggurdson, I've seen him play a great deal and he is an excellent player who will bring quality to the side!
128 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:31:35
129 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:34:41
131 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:36:34
132 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:42:36
Now we need a quality target man up front and some pace out wide and we have the makings of a decent team!!
COYB!!!
133 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:43:00
One less defensive midfielder .here is to hoping.
We have enough midfielders to string across the park. A bit suspect to the long ball .
134 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:47:30
135 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:49:08
His arrival will facilitate Koemans plan to build a very organized team that works hard and is tricky to break down but also is a team bereft of pace and genuine creativity, a team that will play the percentages and hope to grab a goal or two, possibly from a set piece. 1-0 to the Everton!
136 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:51:29
As for his deadball skills, what good are they with a team of midgets? We need someone similar to Llorente or it means. Nothing.
He can't play in the EL as he's not registered. He could play in the next round though.
137 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:52:46
Only ever going to be one winner in this one.
Mr Moshiri and Koeman will get us back dining on the top table.
138 Posted 15/08/2017 at 23:57:01
139 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:00:29
I'll have a martini.
Shhhaken not shhirted ðŸ˜
140 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:02:55
Courage of your convictions please. where will we finish this season and when will the Zombie football stop hurting everyones eyes ?
141 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:03:41
142 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:10:14
Pity about Ross but he won't get in the side now
It just goes to show we are wrong when we all thought diamonds are forever.
143 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:12:26
Not sure where he fits into the current system but is proven quality with a good track record in the league.
A centre forward who can hold the ball well, decent pace, is skilful and with good heading ability will hopefully follow Gylfi very shortly. As to whether this happens due to funds being available and the right player/s being available or wanting to come we'll find out soon enough in what has been the busiest transfer season I've seen as a blue.
I'd suggest either a £15m ish bid if funds are available or a season long loan if they are tight for Wilfried Bony who is excess to requirements at Man City is at a good age, has a good goalscoring record in the premier and other leagues and has a point to prove Pep & Co given how things have panned out for him at City since leaving Swansea.
Some migth not think a signing like Bony is ambitious enough but proven quality in the league, excess to requirements at a rival in a world cup year might turn out a prudent signing if it were to happen.
144 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:13:57
145 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:15:21
146 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:16:12
147 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:16:12
148 Posted 15/08/2017 at 00:16:32
149 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:17:59
150 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:22:17
I remember when a certain Kevin Keegan signed for the rs from lowly Sc**thorpe and how we all laughed at them. Or when we signed a lad from shitty little Luton called Andy King. Sometimes you just have to take a risk.
151 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:28:39
Thought he would be a world better when I first watched him before he broke into the first team. Never quite happened for him.
152 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:29:04
153 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:38:29
I've enjoyed what I've seen of him because he is a very good footballer with some time still available to become even better. I haven't seen any glaring weakness in him and whilst I'd like a talismanic colossus at centre-forward I think Gylfi will deliver just fine even if we don't get one.
As an aside, top teams regularly have benches with a proliferation of £30mill players on them. 'Tis the weird way of the world these days.
COYB!
So there!
154 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:41:49
155 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:42:27
Of all the players linked to Everton this summer, Sigurdsson was always my favourite one, and that includes Rooney. He is very versatile and exceptionally skiled, as we all know from his free-kicks, for instance.
I'm worried about the striker, though. Giroud seems to have told us off, Wellbeck I think we should keep well clear of. We could go for someone from the Continent. Who's this guy Dost some of you keep speaking about on here? Where is he playing?
156 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:45:51
I also think Ross, with a different team and manager, can become the player we all hoped he would become with Everton.
157 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:47:57
158 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:49:11
Agree 100% on Dembele.
Can definitely play Prem football.
One we can get as well.
159 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:49:12
Kevin Sheedy left Everton a short while ago - he obviously knew that he didn't need to tell Gylfi how to take a useful free kick...
160 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:50:07
Be great to see him finally in blue shirt. A quality player who gives up more options. Can't grumble with this, well apart from the fee that is.
Will no doubt need a few weeks now to get up to speed so wouldn't expect to see him start until after the international break.
PS best ignore darren. He's on one tonight trying to wind people up I think. Yes! Even more than normal!
161 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:50:30
162 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:53:17
Utd, City, The Arse, The RS, Chelskie, and thats last season
163 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:53:42
I'd bet it was a sizeable number
164 Posted 16/08/2017 at 00:56:59
Barkley, afraid not IMO
165 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:03:36
The striker signing (if it comes) will be interesting. I can't imagine he'll be a top scorer type - more likely a solid contributor leading the line and providing a focal point. I'm thinking he'll look a lot like a more seasoned DCL. I can almost hear the disappointment already.
166 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:04:00
167 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:05:33
Goodnight chaps.
A pleasure debating as always.
168 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:20:47
Hmmmm.
Someone, if they're sane, is 'avin' a larrf!
169 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:31:54
£40m? Wow. As my Utd mate says the Neymar transfer spoiled everything. Its all rather disgusting but the market is the market.
170 Posted 16/08/2017 at 01:34:19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRnr0iuXgiY
171 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:00:40
Scratched record. Must be Martinez incognito surely?
172 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:05:36
173 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:13:14
174 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:17:51
175 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:38:06
Giroud has said he's staying. Putting a bid in for him is pointless.
Dowell has gone one loan so no discussion needed as he ain't coming back this season.
Barkley wants to leave, assuming Koeman hasnt lied. We can't force him to stay.
Van Dyke. Good player but he wants champions league, so even if we could afford to spend 70m on a defender he's unlikely to want to come. It's like the calls for Mahrez. Good player but has had one excellent season, went missing last season when the chips were down and wants champions league. With Walsh's connections yo him there must be a good reason why we haven't gone for him.
I would love a team of world class talent at exorbitant cost but we have to be more realistic.
Also apologies for the plum comment. Just woken up and was grumpy. Wasn't solely aimed at you either. But like I say, I'm blaming 530am morning pre-coffee grumpiness.
176 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:48:53
I am surprised you haven't been called a plum more often!
"Every player is available"...er well yes to Real Madrid perhaps
"who cares if other teams are interested"...because it means we are wasting our time if the other teams are offering CL football
"Dowell should not have gone out on loan"...yes he should - he's not yet a first teamer, but hopefully he will be having spent a year out on loan.
But apart from that I agree with everything you say! And I genuniely like you gung ho optimism
177 Posted 16/08/2017 at 02:51:59
If we see the best we should go after them no matter what. I believe that is what Moshiri is trying to achieve.
I'm in the states at the moment with the family so still nice n early for me. Not back for another 10 days or so! Thank god for wifi and ESPN.
178 Posted 16/08/2017 at 03:01:12
179 Posted 16/08/2017 at 03:04:20
180 Posted 16/08/2017 at 03:27:38
181 Posted 16/08/2017 at 03:40:43
Maybe it doesn't matter as Koeman will rotate the midfield. We have made 2 excellent signings in Pickford and Keane who will make us stronger at the back but I do not believe the midfield signings are an improvement on last season and we have lost our goal scorer, so from my perspective overall we are significantly weaker as an attacking force.
From what I have seen of Klaassen who cost £24M, he does not look 3 times better than Cleverley who we sold for £8M. Also I just see Sigi as a like for like swap for Ross who is 5 years older and will cost more than we get back when Barkley leaves; so not good economics.
And where are the goals going to come from, will it be Dembele, Gironde or Benteke. I am not sure any of them will come and none of fill me with a great deal of confidence that they will score 20 goals a season.
So overall, I can only see another 7th position at best with a possibility of making a top 6 but not a top 4. Also in signing Sigurdsson, I am presuming that will mean Tom will be a bench warmer this season which is a big negative as I really see him as the future of the club as we had once hoped for Ross.
182 Posted 16/08/2017 at 03:55:24
The only other alternative I can think of is that Koeman shifts to a 442 diamond formation - which could explain his lack of winger purchases and could particularly work once Coleman returns to give width through the fullbacks - but he does seem to favor the 433 so I am unsure how plausible this is.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gylfi-sigurdsson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/90466
Here is Sigurdsson's career in terms of games played, scroll down a bit to view his career games by position.
183 Posted 16/08/2017 at 04:02:28
That could affect our attraction to the likes of VVD or Giroud (or others) and whether Coutinho pushes for a move.
184 Posted 16/08/2017 at 05:31:36
Sigurdsson may well prove to be the player who'll change things, I hope so. I agree with the comments above(Joseph Terrence) about where this may leave Klaassen. Don't see where there is room for them both and Rooney.
185 Posted 16/08/2017 at 06:04:37
I would imagine Gylfi will play any one of the wide left, wide right or number 10 roles. And no doubt interchangeably between them during the games as well. I don't expect it to impact Klaassen too much, more Rooney / Sandro / Mirallas areas for me.
Either way it's nice problem to have as at last we are getting squad depth behind an excellent first xi. Something everyone wants.
186 Posted 16/08/2017 at 06:58:43
Who cares how we'll fit Gylfi, Rooney, Klaassen, Ramirez, Lookman, Mirallas, Calvert-Lewin, Bolasie (when fit), and our incoming striker... the point is we have a myriad of options now. With games coming thick and fast this year, we're going to be needing all the options to suit different opposition.
Just typing that list above gets me all giddy as we only had Mirallas from 2 years ago still in there. We've definitely improved the team and with that comes higher expectations. Will there be days that nothing works? Obviously. But we will also have many many days when everything clicks and we can just kick back, sip our beers and enjoy the immaculate sight of our boys in blue in full flight.
We're moving in the right direction and that's all that matters to me. :)
Bring it.
IMWT. IKWT. COYB.
187 Posted 16/08/2017 at 07:03:07
A long season and we now are close to having a squad which can compete on all fronts. The fact that we can cover injuries and rotate when necessary to keep the team fresh will stand us in good stead.
The whole squad will have to get used to the fact that apart from 1 or 2 , for the good of the team , they won't be starting every game.
So it doesn't matter "who fits in where" it will be more "who fits in and when"
188 Posted 16/08/2017 at 07:35:57
If DCL emerges asa true CF, great, but it won't happen in time. Still 2.5 weeks to in the window. Priority plans by SW and RK, remain to be seen in terms of xfers in the days remaining before shut down.
Split should be a test..
189 Posted 16/08/2017 at 07:38:08
190 Posted 16/08/2017 at 07:46:32
Unless... no surely.... It can't be. Sigurdsson hasn't been bought to play right-wingback has he??? Hey stranger things have happened look where Calvert Lewin has been employed at times. And who'll ever forget his masterplan at Anfield in April. Tactical genius, our Ron.
Don't expect Sigurdsson to hit the ground running either – he hasn't kicked a ball in anger for months. No, I'm underwhelmed by this signing. We're crying out for an exciting playmaker, a quick striker, and a pacy right back – someone like Jonjoe Kenny... er....
No, we 'll end up with a Peter Crouch type forward – someone to lob balls into all game. Take it from me, folks, one thing's certain – we won't be easy on the eye... of that, I'm sure!
192 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:06:21
Is no one else concerned that we've yet to be linked with somebody no-one[s heard of? I'm thinking I might apply for a position in player recruitment, I could fit it in during my lunch break. Simply circle all those Premier League players in the Monday papers, with the highest performance ratings, then contact the club immediately.
I think I could do that in half an hour, what do you think?
193 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:09:39
We had a top striker and he left - so we have to go with potential anyway - Dembele is a decent shout depending on cost.
194 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:17:52
RK has bought five MF/number 10s.
Yes we need cover and rotation but after three turgid competitive games we still look like the team of RM's third season with a better defence.
RK talked about fitness and press. Well we are fitter but Ruzrmberok out-pressed us in both games for 180 minutes and we hardly tried against Stoke in that respect.
Great to see us having money to spend but can't for the life of me see where it's going.
If we need a big target man, or whatever, you play with the best alternative in his position, DCL, you don't stick him out wide.
Signed
Baffled from Bootle
195 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:19:24
As to comparing Barkley, well when Barkley can have a run of games showing he can play consistently then we shall know the answer to that. The fact that 150 games in he still can't show it suggests that comparison may be a long time coming. That and the fact that Barkley has never remotely come close to scoring the winner at RS says he's on a loser from the start.
Welcome, Siggy – most of us are wishing you well if not all.
196 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:24:08
197 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:31:15
Glad we got this deal finally completed, I was half expecting the usual Everton performance. Bluster and apologies on deadline day and talk about how close we were to getting it over the line.
198 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:33:36
Obviously we need more striking options now for them to feed - DCL and Sandro could both do well, but we need a bit of height/presence for either to play off. I'm sure this isn't lost on Koeman and co (clearly we'd been approaching the likes of Kalinic and Giroud) and hopefully will be sorted in the next week or two. Less keen on Wellbeck than others here - goal record has never been great and has had consistent injuries. TBH we might be better giving Niasse a run out.
199 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:34:44
"100m on Midfield players and many would argue"
"many would argue" .is that you? Many?
And who has Koeman inherited who is better than Sigurdsson? In your, and "many" other peoples, opinion.
200 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:42:59
201 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:47:12
2017 Why is the club buying top class players and denying our homegrown players opportunities?
Go figure.
202 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:52:02
I'm personally very happy with what's going on now, the potential and what the future holds. Lots of work to do, but we're making progress.
203 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:52:38
204 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:54:35
205 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:55:09
206 Posted 16/08/2017 at 08:59:36
A lot of people are saying where will Rooney, Sigurdsson and Klaassen all fit but I think the latter is there to compete with Schneiderlin, Davies and Gana in the middle three rather than the creative spots up top.
As for people saying bring Dowell back, why? Let the lad have a season of first team football week in week out. Better him doing that for 40 odd games than 10-15 as a sub for us.
Now just bring in a bloody striker, left sided defender and a winger!
I would love us to get young Sessegnon from Fulham and loan him back there for the season as well, we need a long term Baines replacement and he would be perfect.
207 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:04:58
208 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:11:44
You are obtuse sometimes, no rewind mostly.
A back up right back picked up for nothing.
Pickford, Keane, Klaassen, Sandro, Rooney and Sigurdsson in the same window. Just a typical Everton August.
209 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:13:30
We have some really good players but we seem massively overstocked in some areas and threadbare in others.
Does Koeman know what he's doing?
210 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:16:24
Don't spoil the defeatist moaners with POSITIVE stats. This last couple of weeks the crap on here has forced my mrs to lock the pills and razor blades away.
Two Euro games WON 1-0 Fist league game WON 1-0 if Everton WIN EVERY GAME 1-0 there will be some seriously pi55ed off pessimists on this site.
Even the DOWNSIDES are POSITIVE we are feeding a British club not a bloody Spanish one like the Shite.
211 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:16:38
212 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:20:14
I think that's why we've bought him.
Can someone please name the current Everton player who can do these things?
How about we put our agendas away and enjoy a good player?
213 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:22:00
214 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:24:37
Graham (208) a free transfer who moves right into the first team squad, let's give him a chance and see if he is better than Jonjoe Kenny, who isn't getting that chance even though he is well ready.
215 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:32:14
Its about whether he can step up a level.
He has done that once and it has worked well for him. He is a good age with plenty of years in front of him.
With most signings it is a case of can they step up a level and look as good around better players.
Siggurdson struggled with that before but I think he is better equipped to deal with a bigger club now.
Dembele has the luxury of being at a big club now so nothing will be a suprise to him.
If Jelavic, with limited ability and very one footed can score a handfull of goals here I am sure Dembele can keep improving.
216 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:32:41
217 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:35:07
https://twitter.com/EFC_Statto/status/884129726478127105
Genuinely excited about the potential of this team.
218 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:36:22
I have never been one for for Bingo antics and anyone can be right at least once.
In all the debate some great points are made on here.
219 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:37:00
220 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:39:43
I skirted through the posts before and the one that made me shake my head the most Neil, was the one were you said Iniesta, had no pace. Possibly the finest midfield player I have ever seen play, (bold statement) because players just couldn't get near him, and he had no pace?
Good points made about the centre forward needing to bring other players into the game though Neil, I would agree with you on that one 100% mate!
221 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:50:13
Am I allowed to be a self-proclaimed optimist yet? Or do I have to be doom-monger?
222 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:55:24
Sam # 216 - I think we have two, and at a stretch, probably 3 genuine wide players in Mirallas, Lookman, and Lennon. I do agree with you that we need a striker (target man)
Interestingly with all the debate on this thread about midfielders and possible combinations, I have not come across one single mention of Besic who was on the bench against Stoke. I think Koeman likes Mo and that is why he was prepared to let Gareth Barry to West Brom.
The position that I think we are most vulnerable in is full back, unless of course, he changes his mind about Kenny.
223 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:56:15
224 Posted 16/08/2017 at 09:59:02
225 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:03:43
As for full back, it seems we are trying to sign a versatile defender who can play left back (Vermaelen is the one most often mentioned) but also I think it's worth noting that Koeman is prepared to play players 'out of position' at full back. Both Davies and Calvert-Lewin have played wing back already this season. The Dutch generally have less fixed ideas about where a player plays than we do, and full back is probably the easiest position for good players to adapt to. There are examples of players of nearly every position doing well when adapted to play full back.
226 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:06:58
We're going to use 14 players per match, 18-20 per week and probably at least 30 over the course of the season. We want them all to be as good as possible.
227 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:09:10
228 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:10:23
Now to the "Lighter Side". Like Ciaran's 10 right sided wing backs team idea but would prefer Pickford to also play in this position. We'd have to score some goals and, with so many defensive minded players, how could the opposition score?
Bring in JJK please!
229 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:11:45
230 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:13:10
Tom Davies at right back I could come at, at a pinch, but Calvert-Lewin? I am an old fashioned sod - I just don't get it. But OK - I am not Dutch ;)
231 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:17:38
Unless the manager is going to move away from having two sitting midfielders, then it's going to have to be down to our fullbacks, to provide real width, and I just don't think we have the personnel for it just now.
But, Siggy, is another piece in Koeman's jigsaw, and he must be getting pretty close to the team he's after considering not one player signed by his predecessor, (after only twelve months) seems to be in his plans?
232 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:20:05
233 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:30:52
234 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:32:54
235 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:36:16
He was also a powerful little fucker, in his own way, so determined, his little turns, jinks, and non-stop little movements, are probably why he was one of the quickest little players, I have ever had the pleasure to watch.
You prefer Xavi, who was another great player, but Iniesta, was even up another level on him, for me. I remember watching Madrid the team, smash Barca the individuals, years ago, and thinking that if all (any) of the Barca players, could play for each other like this kid, played for them, then they would have a chance?
A few years later, Barcelona, became a great team, and I always thought back to that day, when I had watched the ultimate team player, surrounded by a team of individuals.
Sorry for the rant Neil, but Iniesta, had EVERYTHING!
236 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:42:38
237 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:48:27
I am still not sure about some people's worries here. Laurie Hartley (222), I agree entirely in what you say, the full back positions do look vulnerable, though would argue that Davies can do a good job at right-back, as can McCarthy if he stays. Martina didn't look too bad as a left-back when I saw him play a half there in preseason. At a push, could Besic play left-back?
We do have wide players. Mirallas, Lennon, Lookman and Bolasie when he comes back. In a certain system Baines and Coleman can provide width. Sandro looks capable of playing wide too.
Yes, we do need a target man, not to exactly replace Lukaku, but to provide a focal point and let Calvert-Lewin learn the job without having too much pressure heaped on his shoulders. I think Koeman is aware of this. The problem being trying to find one that wants to come and that his team are also willing to release. On top of this he'll have to get up to speed pretty quickly. I can't argue with the names put out there, but how hard will it be to get them?
As for having a glut of midfielders and No 10s etc. I call this competition. As Graham Mockford – #201 mentioned, damned if you do damned if you don't. Davies, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin and Holgate have all been given chances under Koeman, and I feel this will continue, but at least we'll have the luxury of taking them out of the spotlight when required, thus being more measured in their development. Maybe, Barkley would have benefited from treatment like this. Competition is a good thing, right?
We have done stellar business so far, no matter how you dress it up, so far being the operative phrase.
Pickford, Keane, Klaassen, Sandro, Rooney, Martina plus hopefully Sigurdsson and the lad we sent out on loan, Onyekuru as well as a number of good youngsters. It ain't bad. Yes, we do need a CF, we still have 2 weeks to get one, as said this will prove possibly the hardest position to fill well.
Also, I just don't understand people's negativity on Klaassen after just 1 premier league game in a new country, in a new league. The 84-85 team got beat 4-1 at home on the opening day of the season, imagine the slagging off they would have gotten if ToffeeWeb was available then. We followed that by losing to West Brom. The forum would have exploded!
Overall, I can't see how people aren't happy. But, we all have different expectations and perceptions. Who knows how the season will pan out. At least we have cause for optimism, you only have to go back to spring 2016 to see how we have improved.
238 Posted 16/08/2017 at 10:50:39
239 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:02:44
The only problem I foresee, is would Ajax let another of their players come to us, after all we have taken their Captain in Klaassen?
The other being he has only played for Ajax as far as I know, and has been seen in the case of Klaassen, it takes a lot of adjustment, to the Prem, I have no doubt Davy Klaassen will get there, the sooner the better.
240 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:11:58
Same as Dembelle, in the sense that he doesn't play in a very competitive league, but Kasper, looks to have a real touch of class, whilst Dembelle also got "a trick" in an old firm game last season, so why not get the both of them, because I'm also sure Dolberg, could play in a deeper lying role!
241 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:17:23
I think you will find that RK and his brother have a very consistent method of looking at each fixture.
They look at the opposition, see their style, strengths and weaknesses - pick out one or two and decide whether to play with three or four at the back and then decide a few basic tactics - they then send the team out to execute this. every fixture and every team different.
As per Stoke they felt there would be space down the oppositions left and decided to use 3 at the back and then a shock of DCL as the wing back .
It failed and RK changed it at half time.
This way of operating has a lot of benefits - the coaching team are well aware of what to do, look for etc . and he has readymade approaches.
This also means that they are not easy to read from the opposition coaching teams and more importantly they on occasion get it right and make some big wins against some of the top teams away and at home...
This is why they need lots of options and personnel - especially with 60 games this season on the cards .
242 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:19:53
I just think he has to do something about right back - or is Martina the answer? I think we will find out soon enough against City with Sterling on their left wing. (Wish I hadn't thought about that).
I think the ToffeeWebbers that are unhappy at this stage would, by and large, be those who are miffed that Lukaku has gone and hasn't been replaced. I might cop a bit of flack for this but I reckon Rondon or Benteke would suit us down to the ground.
243 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:23:33
I don't know where Lennon is at and whether Koeman likes him (rumours of him being loaned out to Watford) If he is truly match fit and sharp then great.
Mirallas has been far too inconsistent for the last few years. 4 goals in 37 appearances last season, not enough goal threat for me; especially when compared to the likes of Mane/Sane/Son etc.
Lookman I really like but only has a handful of starts. I hope we'll see him emerge into a top talent this year but we cannot rely on it.
I still think we lack reliable quality out wide, at least until Bolasie returns (and even then his end product is questionable).
Think PSG might be looking to ship out Draxler now they have Neymar and possibly Mbappe coming in. Very unlikely I know but for me that would be a signing that would really make a statement!
244 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:24:25
245 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:38:40
246 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:46:50
Agreed, the problem is if you are a RB with a lot of ambition, would you want to play second fiddle to Coleman when he returns. Yes, a few questions will be answered against Mn City no doubt!
247 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:47:11
248 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:52:05
249 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:53:45
250 Posted 16/08/2017 at 11:57:34
251 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:09:16
252 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:13:05
253 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:18:13
254 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:23:28
255 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:30:04
Well worth a listen this lad.
https://youtu.be/Bwk38srACrA
256 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:34:24
But all we have done is signed midfield players, and apart from Sandro a promising player no doubt no strikers. Giroud made his feelings perfectly clear weeks ago he wanted to stay at Arsenal, and his goal the other night has made it impossible for Wenger to sell him even if he wanted too. There has been some speculation about Benteke oh please do me a favour, people critisized Lukaku but he was 10 times the player Benteke is.
So we have wasted the whole summer with no quality striker brought in, and lets face it our major problem apart from Lukaku is scoring goals.
Now I agree Rooney will score some goals and Sigurdsson will definitely score goals. But if Sandro gets injured we have no back up for the main striker role despite spending a fortune this summer. I just hope that Koeman and Walsh will delight me by bringing in 2 top strikers and please not Benteke.
257 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:47:54
258 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:57:58
259 Posted 16/08/2017 at 12:58:18
He is back next season - he has a massive future ahead of him. It was a big coup. In him and Sandro we have two young strikers with room to grow. In Rooney we have a player with two seasons left in him.
So who do we buy? I like Dembele personally - but then 4 of our 5 strikers would be 21 or younger. Giroud is great but he doesn't want to leave Arsenal and Wenger doesnt want to let him - he also isn't exactly pacey and our front line is lacking in that respect.
We also do not want to buy a striker who can play deeper really - Sandro and Rooney already offer that. Both peel off, come deep for the ball, and Sandro drifts wide even when playing through the middle.
So we need an out and out striker willing to compete with several others for his position. Someone who can start for us through the middle, hopefully offering the pace we lack. Or else a real target man who can benefit from Sigurdsson's crosses - but then that will leave us potentially a little static.
I think the perfect buy has already gone for a pittance - Hernandez. There was talk of us offering a contract to him too, but that ship has sailed. He is quick but great in the air - a poor man's Morata.
Batshuyai is not a bad shout, but Chelsea are not going to let him go are there? They already have a small squad. Welbeck offers pace and a decent return per start recently, but has alot of injury problems. Batshuyai also goes missing and would likely cost £30 million.
I'd personally look at Vardy - he has pace, has scored remarkably well under the Shakespeare, and guarantees goals. He has the ability to take us up a level and would threaten the best defenders - we don't have anyone capable of doing that currently. He is older, and in time will be displaced by our younger talents.
I'd also consider Villareal's Bakambu - he can lead the line, and is strong and quick. He has signed a new contract but does not start every week - his goals per game ratio is very impressive. I think we could do worse than go in for Perez - he did not get much of a chance at Arsenal, but is capable of leading the line, and could work well with Sandro in particular. I also think Slimani is being overlooked by Leicester - as target men go, him and Llorente are both capable of scoring 15 league goals. I'm a fan of Josh King, but I doubt Bournemouth would let him go. Dolberg looks good too.
The issue, I think, is getting in the right striker for the right fee so close to the end of the window. I expect the delay is in part because of our current trio - The form of Sandro and Rooney in training and games is surely going to impact on the nature of our replacement. Will he be a starter? Or a back up?
260 Posted 16/08/2017 at 13:01:40
261 Posted 16/08/2017 at 13:05:35
But I expect that Koeman will most likely bench Davies. And stifle our midfield with Gueye...Schneiderlin and Klaassen all running around the same space. With Siggurdsson getting starved of ball.
Who knows? Our manager has some strange views on how the beautiful game should be played. He's stuck in some time warp thinking that this Everton set up can play the total football that Ajax and Holland once played.A pressing game? They can't play that way. We need tactics that suit our players. FFS. Calvert-Lewin playing as a RWB. Maybe Koeman might try Siggurdsson in that position. Anything is possible.
262 Posted 16/08/2017 at 13:13:08
The only thing we need is a striker, Welbeck would fit the bill nicely.
With what we have in the kids, there would be an excellent fusion of talent coming into the team.
263 Posted 16/08/2017 at 13:17:40
We've got Lookman, but big Ron won't play him. We've got Kenny, but he won't start either – it's a bloody myth that Koeman 'is dutch so he loves young players... Prove it!
Look at the other right-backs being given a go at the moment – Kyle Walker-Peters at Spurs and the Liverpool's young lad, Arnold.
Just far too conservative a manager, who'll never take us below or above 7th – Moyes 2.0
And No! Schneiderlin and Gueye shouldn't be in the same team – it doesn't work! Yes, we need a left back, but I don't know who's out there. Jags and Williams are liabilities.
My team: Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Baines
Gueye
Davies Klaassen
Sigurdsson
Sandro Lookman
Don't get me wrong – I think Rooney should play, but where do these players fit in together? I'll tell you – it'll be Davies Lookman and Kenny who are on the bench, plus Dowell at Forest, Liam Walsh in the U23s. These players aren't getting a sniff this year. You better believe a manager like Alec Ferguson would capitalise on the chemistry of these young lads – they win the Premier League 2, they win the U20 World Cup – and they're not even under consideration from this manager.
If I'm wrong, good! I hope I'm wrong.
ps: Long-time reader, first time contributor. I went to the Ruzomberok game and nearly lost the will to live. Had a lot to get off my chest. Ta!
264 Posted 16/08/2017 at 13:45:06
Not going to mention Giroud, apparently he's not available!
265 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:03:30
266 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:08:12
267 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:18:16
268 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:19:41
269 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:39:34
Provided more assists last season from dead ball situations than any other player in the Premier League.
With 34 goals he is Swansea's top scorer in the Premier League.
With 29 assists he is Swansea's most prolific creator of goals in the Premier League.
Covered more distance (kilometres) in the Premier League than any other player last season. I'm surprised at the last stat.
Will Ross leave now or will he see he's been a silly boy and stay?
270 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:41:27
271 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:45:48
I have no doubt this will be done next and some good shouts from posters on various attackers.
For now I am sitting back and enjoying seeing our number one target pass his medical and waiting for the photo of him holding the Everton shirt up.
272 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:46:44
We can but dream!
273 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:50:38
Get wizard Walsh and his mythical wand to find another of his equally mythical gems and treasures for us.
274 Posted 16/08/2017 at 14:56:45
I have said all Summer that we should go balls out for Vardy and spend Lukaku's level of fee on someone who can really take us to top 4 potential.
As it stands right now despite the euphoria and even with Koemans coaching I still cant see us breaking the top 6 over a season.
That top class striker may be the difference so cmon Mosh get the final piece of the jigsaw sorted.
275 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:05:15
By which I mean the clamour (by some) for Welbeck. You might as well advocate signing Usain Bolt.
276 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:06:55
Hoping for a 2 0 win tomorrow! I'll be following on BBC Sport or here depending on signal!! ESPN are not the best.
Yn..-66
277 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:07:00
"It can't be, we only sell to buy . We definitely won't sign a player until Barkley is sold Etc etc
278 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:14:08
279 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:23:44
280 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:26:50
I totally agree regards Sakho. He's an accident waiting to happen. Few decent games for Palace doesn't constitute the fee the RS are asking. If they rate him at such a high value why don't they just keep him.
281 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:27:33
Still think we 18/20 players who can seriously challenge for a first team starting place.
282 Posted 16/08/2017 at 15:29:26
. Dembele looks the part but I'm concerned that the premier league is such a different game to up there. A gamble.
Benteke always looks too static to me , a great header of the ball but wouldn't want us to persue him.
Welbeck , injuries and a bit of a lightweight .
DCL may well turn out to be better than most of the above.
I can see RK and SW signing someone from Europe , I m not convinced the answer is here.
283 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:01:23
I look at Danny Welbeck rumours and see his last 3 years and think, why bother. Whats the basis for going for him.
Then I read others really think its a good move. If he is good I want someone great. Theres tons of players I think are great but would never sign but generally I believe if we want to be better than Arsenal its no good signing players that can't do the business for them.
His injury record not great either.
284 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:08:16
"Kyle Walker-Peters at Spurs and the Liverpool's young lad, Arnold."
To be fair, Andy, these lads have got some game time due to injuries to the regular incumbent. They'd be on the bench otherwise.
And didn't Koeman play more young players than any other manager last season? I recall a stat along those lines.
285 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:26:21
286 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:27:14
I'd have Janssen from Spurs, they want to move him on and have never really given him a chance, strong, fast, good hold up play, good passer plus if Van Nistelrooy & Van Basten single you out for praise there must be something to this lad?
287 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:33:01
I agree almost entirely. Probably could add that VVD played in the same league as Dembele and has progressed well since.
Glad that you referenced DCL here too, he plays far better through the middle. Plenty yet to prove admittedly.
288 Posted 16/08/2017 at 16:50:34
Just hope we can give him 3 games to settle and not write him off as quickly as some have already written off Klaassen (Darren H and Mr Larkin obviously excluded due to problem with manager and need to criticise the signing as part of their roles in a kind strange Groundhog Day!).
289 Posted 16/08/2017 at 17:24:20
Yes. But they are playing aren't they? Coleman is injured but Kenny is not playing, he signed Martina to cover Seamus.
Klopp and Pochettino haven't gone out and bought a bang-average utility player and played him instead, they've played these youngsters and trusted them, and they'll probably keep their places in the side now because they have looked the part.
I really hope Kenny and Lookman are in the starting XI for the Europa League group games (if we make it) because I'm sure they're games these lads can handle, plus rotation will surely be necessary.
290 Posted 16/08/2017 at 17:30:38
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/aug/16/gylfi-sigurdsson-everton-swansea-transfer
Some excerpts:
"A quiet man in the dressing room, Sigurdsson was always seen as a model professional, inspiring those around him with his performances and commanding the respect of players and staff with his dedication on the training ground." "Sigurdsson has been directly involved in 53 Premier League goals since the start of the 2014-15 season, which as a midfielder is second only to Tottenham's Christian Eriksen. To provide a bit of context, next on that list after Sigurdsson is Mesut Özil, then Eden Hazard, followed by Cesc Fà bregas, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, Dele Alli, David Silva and Philippe Coutinho – you get the picture. Ross Barkley, for what it is worth, is down in 13th place." "There is a misconception about Sigurdsson that he is no more than a set-piece expert. Sigurdsson, without question, is brilliant in dead-ball situations... he is comfortably top of the pile for chances created from set-plays... yet the 27-year-old has much more to his game. An intelligent player who likes to roam and link play, Sigurdsson is at his best when he finds pockets of space to open teams up with a first-time pass or clever backheel. That bright football brain makes up for the fact that he lacks pace: he is, by his own admission, “not the kind of player who is going to get the ball and run past the full-backâ€. For that reason Sigurdsson needs to play through the middle as a No10, where he can have the biggest impact on the game." "Managers, coaches and players came to admire his work ethic in training as much as his goals and assists on a match day. Team-mates would talk about the way the goalkeeper coach would look at Sigurdsson on a morning at the training ground and ask: “Today?†More often than not Sigurdsson would give a nod back, which meant that he wanted to do some extra shooting once the session had finished. He would spend hours striking the ball from the edge of the area with both feet – naturally stronger on his right, he scored some terrific goals for Swansea with his left, and got his reward in those headline statistics."
I will be ecstatic to see him in blue.
291 Posted 16/08/2017 at 17:33:33
Of dire importance is a right back. Koeman loves to play narrow, just look at what we've bought.
Full back is the only real outlet for width. The fact we've not bought a geniune replacement there is baffling.
Whilst JJK is treated like the second coming on the basis of virtually no premier league minutes.
Baines is slowing down, and Coleman is a question mark, no matter what we think, you just never know with bad injuries like that. The fact we've to this point ignored the position so key to freeing space for the players we've gotten in is criminal.
Bodging a player in there for 5/6 months will affect the team for sure.
Somewhat ironically we do need a lazy, statue up front to complement the free moving parts we have. Sandro, Rooney, Gana, Klaassen, & Davies all move a lot, I mean a lot!
Maybe it stretches our shape too much, but lets see. Watching Klaassen gives me so much hope. Late arriving in the box, a la Platt, Lampard, Cahill, Speed needs the totem that keeps the ball.
Dzeko would for my money be the chap. Snide, technically sound, goal scorer and used to the prem. Good qualities for our requirements.
As for the right back, Michael Antonio at West ham is the dude we need. Up and down, can play both RB & RWB, auxiliary forward, excellent in the air, oh the lad can finish too.
As Koeman wants the flexibility for a back three, we will get a LCB in but I think that's not as important, 4 at the back is more attacking, 3 without a distributor is soooo defensive.
Could be an exciting deadline day.
292 Posted 16/08/2017 at 17:43:14
Andy, it's a good point you make but if you think that Trippier won't get straight back in I think you're mistaken. Kyle Walker left was ALLOWED to leave...because Trippier looks the real deal and can do as good a job as Walker defensively and can cross the ball better.
And you're pushing against an open door when you mention playing Lookman and, yes, Kenny. I've seen Kenny play several times and would have liked to see him get a run out but I'm not the manager. Whether Martinez can do a decent job remains to be seen.
But to imply that he, Koeman, doesn't play young players is a bit unfair.
293 Posted 16/08/2017 at 17:45:58
And now that striker.
294 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:19:57
Only ever going to be one winner in the game of who blinks first between Mosh and Swansea.
295 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:23:40
296 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:33:27
297 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:34:53
298 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:41:27
299 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:47:14
If they're out of contention by January, however, I hope we make a move. Powerhouse of a player.
300 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:53:38
301 Posted 16/08/2017 at 18:53:57
302 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:06:08
The highest sum Ajax have ever paid for a player = 16.5m euros.
303 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:09:59
We know the stats regarding Gana before he came in (distance covered, tackles made etc), and Sigurdsson seems to fit into the same catagory. Very impressive goal, assist and distance covered stats, so hopefully it will work out.
304 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:31:14
Surely you have to be in contention for that to happen. *cough*
Their best player by a mile. Surprised that he hasn't attracted more interest.
Got him for next to nothing from Forest. Excellent player, would cost a lot!
Jonny Evans is the fella for LCB. Strong, can play both positions, first team and prem ready. A lot of snobbery about a player like this, but won with united, and is superb at international level with NI.
305 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:38:23
I "wrote Klaassen off " Did I really ?
I learn something new about myself every day on here.
309 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:54:19
Now 㿙million for one Iceland player. Could be this new arrival will be getting the Gordon two fingered salute sometime in the not too distant future.
Strange days.
310 Posted 16/08/2017 at 19:56:15
311 Posted 16/08/2017 at 20:24:32
312 Posted 16/08/2017 at 20:30:59
Definite no for me on Kneecapper Evans. Too many mistakes. Besides, WBA is desperate to add another CB... strongly doubt they'd sell one.
313 Posted 16/08/2017 at 20:33:21
314 Posted 16/08/2017 at 20:49:30
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1 Posted 15/08/2017 at 20:31:06