Niasse: Galatasaray links are out of my hands

“My contract with the club continues. But there is nothing wrong with me. I love Turkey. Galatasaray is a big club and will play in the Champions League.

"They also have a big manager like Fatih Terim."

Classy indeed.

I was hoping by this stage we would have off-loaded a few already. Funes Mori being a surprise departure, in the respect of being the first on the list.

Here's hoping we get some business done because, after the World Cup, it's fast approaching pre-season.

Silva will know his shortcomings from their Hull days. I just hope that we start signing quality rather than just offloading.

Still over six weeks activity in the summer transfer window, and even more to transfer players to the Championship and maybe abroad. I'd keep Niasse but he will go if the money offered is right.

Peter neglected to mention that striker's name. So did you.

We all know Niasse is no 90-minute forward. It's one thing to watch Lukaku wander around most of the game but those games opponents had to blanket him with 2-3 defenders. Once he got the ball, though, look out.

Niasse the same? Never.

Where Niasse makes his impact is through his staying up top, combined with his terrific pace and acceleration. Waiting for a ball sent back to a defender and sprinting right at the guy.

As we've seen, this unnerves defenders so close to their keeper. Oumar's wheelhouse and what he brings to the Club.

I'm for keeping him for just that reason. The ultimate impact sub in the attack.

I know on the face of it, we probably paid too much, but in all fairness to him the first few weeks he was not played much. Then he was playing the lone striker role for most of the time.

I think he needs to play in a more balanced set-up, and hopefully we will see him realise his transfer fee.

We need to aim high. We want world class players.

The new part-owner is still learning about football business and has wasted what seems like a lot of money. If he is smart, he will learn by his mistakes and, somewhere down the track, get it right. If not, then Everton will remain stagnant or worse.

For those people who run football clubs, it's a business; for the fans, it's a passion... mostly deluded – especially if your team are not entertaining you.

It's all a bit silly, can't really be explained... but what the hell – it gives us something to get excited about, get angry about, and get frustrated about.

Niasse is one of those players that splits the fans... oh, wait a moment – every player at Everton splits the fans' point of view and that's what football is all about; it's a funny old game.

Come the start of the season, we will still have no idea how the team will do... one thing's for sure: there will be plenty of talking points... coz that's what we like to do!

Unfortunately, the club is going to have to take some pretty substantial hits in order to trim this squad.

Of course, we don't know that isn't being done but, so far, all we've had, and are likely to get until something is seen on the park, is that Silva fancies a No 6. Just nipping out for a Woody (would he?) doesn't cut it anymore.

Buy then sell can leave you further in the mire as the squad gets even bigger.

Sell then buy can mean you don't get the "better" players in before the window closes!

IMO – Sell first or even just about give away providing they take the ongoing weekly cost of salaries. Just take the asset loss and reduce the running wage bill but be clever enough to have lined up the target players.

Niasse is definitely in my 16 to leave, carthourse of a player... As for naming a striker, I would probably try Rashford, even on a loan – certainly better than the dross currently stealing big money from the club.

No way I would be letting him go for some paltry fee to Turkey. Suggestions of Rashford replacing him are pure fantasyland!

Let's see how successful Everton are at attracting the right players first. They haven't signed anyone yet. Niasse is that rare player who can change games and break down the status quo. Everton are going to need that type of player next season,

I think fans are expecting a bit too much of Tosun really, and people seriously need to remember Jelavic's first few months, which were devastating in terms of goals scored, but the chinks in his armour were soon exposed.

Tosun, for me, won't score many with the midfield we have, regardless of the manager – we don't possess a creative central midfielder; everything comes from the wide areas and even that in itself can best be described as inconsistent.

I don't think Tosun is mobile or strong or quick enough to lead the line alone either, so it's going to be interesting to see how Silva sets up.

Whatever happens, we need to quickly get our arse in gear.

Dolberg doesn't look cut out for the Premier League to me.

We need a 20-25 goal a season striker (we had one once... remember him?) but his 25 goals went unappreciated because of our shit bollock defence at the time.

Tosun is perhaps at best a 10- to 12-goal striker I believe, so that then means we need two midfielders or one midfield and a wide player chipping in with 10 each; given our midfield/wide options, I'd say that was highly unlikely.

So that means we need a striker here capable of hitting 20 goals at least, Tosun isn't that man but the Turkish striker should be the man to compliment HIM!!

It should have been Jamie Vardy last summer!!

Niasse has only 1 good feature, which is his gung-ho, never say die attitude. I certainly wouldn't mind keeping him, but I don't think he's the answer long term. I'm not bothered if he stays or goes this summer, but hopefully we'll be out-growing him this season either way.

Yes, his all-round game is not of top-six standard but, for whatever reason, he is able to do what strikers are there to do. As an impact sub he is right up there in terms of effectiveness.

If a great striker becomes available to us at a good price then great but otherwise we have other areas and players far more in need of improving.

Perfect summation of the ability of Tosun. Give him the service, especially from the wide areas, he will score plenty of goals.

I think he looks a great finisher and might get 15-20 goals if he's fit and firing and gets the service.

Jelavic scores 11 from March to May but never saw double figures again.

I just don't think Tosun is the type of striker who's going to make his own chances (much like Jelavic) – the service will need to be spot-on.

We shall see what happens, Sam, let's look at the end of the season and see what goes.

Yet people are praising Niasse for trying and scoring 8 in 22 games.

We need to raise our expectation and standard. We should only be looking at world class players.

And very few people criticised Lukaku for not scoring enough.

And Niasse was in top 5 I believe for goals per minute last season. Seems worthy of some praise.

I agree with that!

Fans have too long embraced workhorse type players over ones that actually produce things. I can understand people want to see hard work and a shift but you are never going to win things (not in the modern era anyway) with hard work alone. You need to have goals being scored, a mixture of class and flair aswell as hard work.

Lukaku is not our problem anymore but looking back and in general across the last 25 years or more, this club hasn't had anywhere near enough prolific goal scorers – and knowing the treatment Lukaku did get for not working hard makes us look stupid at times.

When it comes to a clearout I would be trying to offload the players who contribute nothing. The sicknotes, misfits and lazybones. Williams, Bolasie, Ramirez, Martina, Klassen, Besic and Mirallas, plus a few of the U23 hangers-on. Would we miss any of those listed? What did they contribute last season?

I can see the argument for giving Ramirez & Klassen another shot under a new manager, but if good bids come in for them I would cut our losses.

Schneiderlin would make that list too, but it sounds like Silva may have him in his plans.

With the cut-down squad (including Rooney to the US and Robles to Spain) that would leave us with the following before signings:

Pickford (Stekelenburg)
Coleman (Kenny)
Baines (Robinson)
Keane (Jagielka)
Holgate (Galloway)
Schneiderlin (Baningime)
Gueye (Davies/McCarthy)
Sigurdsson (Dowell)
Walcott (Calvert-Lewin)
Lookman (Vlasic)
Tosun (Niasse)

Looking at that squad, I think we need a left-back (especially if Baines is off), a center-back, a midfielder who can pick out a pass, a winger and a striker. From the names we've been linked with, Plattenhardt and Lozano would fill two of the spots. If he wasn't tainted by his stint at Anfield I would say Shelvey would be ideal for the midfield role. If we would tempt Koulibaly from Napoli and a top striker then we can look at letting Niasse, McCarthy, Galloway and other fringe players leave, but we need the replacements in first unless we're offered silly money.

Offering above-average wages to world class players is the way to go. That's how Man City and Chelsea got started.

If we were willing to offer ridiculous wages to average players like what we have done in the past two years (which proofs that we have money to spend), then we should be able to do the same thing this year.

We were on the right track in terms of handing out money to attract talents. The only problem was we offered good money to the wrong players. If we give blank cheques to the right players (and managers), then we will be set to be the next Man City or Chelsea.

It is about money and buying success in today's world – whether you like it or not.

Pace is not everything in a striker – Kane, Shearer, Van Nistelroy, Van Persie and Dion Dublin were not blessed but managed to bag a few.

It's all about the service – which hopefully will improve with Silva's style of play (along with the needed additions)

Niasse is a decent squad player / impact sub – any replacement would probably have twice the wage and would need to be a significant improvement to make it worthwhile.

On a side note on signings, I hated having Big Fat Sam as manager but his two signings have been better quality than others of late (Theo and Cenk). I'm not sure how much of the signings were his doing though

City and Chelsea were offering enormous wages when no-one else was. Even Rooney last season who was our biggest earner by a distance was getting half what he did at United. We still cannot compete with the big clubs on wages and so why would those world class players come to us? They won't.

Our best is to aim at players who we believe might become top class, perhaps the likes of Lozano etc, who have not done enough yet to earn a starting place in the bigger teams and will come here to get more minutes. Get a selection of younger stars on their way up with, established and reliable (if unglamorous) pros and then a few squad fillers who can bring something to the table when needed.

The term 'headless chicken' was invented for Oumar, but he is a goal-scoring headless chicken and they are hard to find.

Last season, the team collapsed as they didn't seem to believe in what they were doing, good players looked like bad players. They are still good players, no need to sell of those young enough, fit enough and with the class we known they have.

1. Don't concede (current squad in with a chance);

2. Win midfield (Current squad needs better balance, better workrate together, better understanding, start to believe in themselves);

3. Score goals (comes from the platform won in 2).

Centre-back, left-back needed due to age. Midfield needs balance.

Going the 'might become world class' route will leave us with big wages for the ones who don't develop as expected (Sandro, Klaassen, in a sense Garbutt, etc) and the good ones who would leave. This would get us nowhere. We need to aim at world class players if we want success.

If we offer Lukaku $1M a week, then I am sure he would come back and 'be very happy about the ambition Everton is showing and am very happy to be part of this project'.

Lukaku might have scored goals, but his whole attitude stunk when he was here. He has no interest in Everton.

And yes we can look at world class players, but we ain't buying any yet. The club isn't attractive anymore. We need to continue to develop young players and bring in a few top players.

Clearly we are not going to offer players ٟM a week so I'm not sure why you are suggesting that. Zero evidence to suggest we could or would do that.

I think you need to accept that we cannot attract world class players currently, we can't even attract the next level or two down easily: rumour is that Diakhaby of Lyon just turned down more money from us to go to Valencia because he wants Champions League football.

Why, only last season, we had Wayne Rooney. Why in the world are we letting Rooney go? He was super duper amazing last season, showing everyone why he is a world class player in his prime!

Now we must content ourselves with 'jolly promisers' and 'never-wases' or, in the case of Rooney, 'them as have seen better days'.

Whether Silva can get us nearer a challenging position will depend more on his ability to get another 20% or so out of what he inherits rather than new signings – rather like Moyes and for just one season Martinez managed.

If he can provide order, method, belief and effort, he'll do for me!

A far more realistic plan is, through good scouting, to identify the up-and-coming quality players – or the discarded ones – not currently on the radar of Barca, Madrid, Man City et al.

Admittedly the RS have had success in this area, eg, Coutinho & Salah – and plainly it's one Mr Brands will be following.

Too many new players coming into the team at once can also be disruptive. There is also the chance that players can flop (see last season and Spurs spending the Bale money). What we need above anything else is a management structure with a clear plan for the next few years, especially when it comes to a system of play.

I know it's early in the competition, but England seem to be demonstrating that, with a plan and style of play, it's possible to put together a team with a purpose that's more than just the ability of the individuals. Leicester proved what teamwork could achieve. Lots of teams with limited resources have punched above their weight by playing to their strengths.

If Silva can come up with an effective system and get the right blend of players then we might get by with a few signings in key positions. Players that looked useless as square pegs in round holes may prove what they can do when played in a balanced formation with a clear strategy (I'm thinking Schneiderlin, Sandro, Klaassen etc...).

We need to blend experience & quality with youth & athleticism. I'm no expert and will trust in Silva & Brands to get it right, but we do have talent in this squad. It just needs to be employed effectively.

Moshiri's money has given us the opportunity to catch up somewhat with the big six, but he's no Abramovic or Sheikh Mansour and we cannot nor should not expect him to act recklessly. We have a new stadium on its way which will help elevate our status, but we need to build on the pitch by challenging for trophies and getting regular European football.

I know it's the same old story as with Martinez and Koeman – a five-year plan, but that's the only way we're going to move the club forwards. There is no magic wand (or magic cheque book) that will instantly transform our fortunes. Man City didn't immediately become Champions when the money arrived and they still haven't got it right in Continental competition.

I was actually a big fan of Martinez, up to a point. He had a long-term plan, brought in some really good players, but ultimately could not adapt, especially when it came to defending a lead or playing more direct football when needed. I'm hoping Silva will have some of Martinez's positive qualities while being more pragmatic. Martinez became fixated with possession, even when it was not bringing any end product.

I may be talking complete nonsense, but my ideal manager at this point would be a cross between Moyes and Martinez. Somebody who will organize the defense, who has a plan to grind out results where needed, but also has a bit of attacking flair and fearlessness. A manager who is upbeat, but does not bullshit the fans. From what I know about Silva, it sounds like he could blend some of these qualities. With Brands taking on the recruitment side Silva can concentrate on the tactics and getting the most out of the players he has available. As always, I'm really looking forward to next season!

In the World Cup, Nigeria have actively lowered their age profile and whilst it didn't help them to progress from the group stage, it has given those younger players a good grounding for their next tournament.

That's the route that Everton has to take, try and get the younger players already at the club to improve and ensure that the elder statesmen at the club are motivated and aren't just here for the pay-packet. Unfortunately it seems as if we may lose Lookman as it's been reported he wants to leave the club, but it is players like him who we need to recruit and promote rather than those such as Bolasie et al who have failed to achieve at previous clubs.

It's probably going to take three to five years to see meaningful progress at Goodison, because we have to realise how far back we have fallen in the last five years or so. As long as visiting Goodison becomes a pleasure rather than a chore in the coming season's I'll be relatively happy.

I'm still pretty concerned that the team lacks goals and I don't see a solution to that issue without signing a proven front-man, Tosun wil score goals but he isn't a player who can lead the line.

"They also have a big manager like Fatih Terim. But it is between the clubs, because it is not up to me.”

No, Niasse, you love Everton, they are your club, they are paying you massive wages for the few goals you have scored. If Turkey's such a lovely place, put in a transfer request and sod off, you aren't good enough anyway! Have some respect for your club!

Slightly off topic, but rumours of Lookman still wanting away from the Club seem to be popping up all too often.

I can totally understand how he felt in January, Allardyce not including him etc, but roll on 6 months we have had a new Manager, new DoF, new CEO so fail to grasp why the lad would (if true) still want to exit.

Hopefully it is the media/agents playing fishing games, and being concerned for the lad, I have been misled.

I do not read into his comments that he is unhappy with Everton. I think he is advising management that he would be willing to go there if that is what Everton wants.

I think that is about the classiest thing he could do. The player scores goals. I find it odd that some criticize his perceived abilities while overlooking the end product.

BTW, for those with short memories about Lukaku, there was a particular poster on here who kept a count of Lukaku's games without a goal and called his goals scored meaningless etc, etc. There were many others who jumped on his bandwagon as well.

One can only imagine how good Rom would have been for us with an actual player who could set him up like Hazard does for Belgium. Instead, he had Ross Barkley and his mythical potential.

It's not like we are overflowing with goal scorers, is it??

More generally, hard to judge any of them after such poor management from Sam and Ronald.

My eternally optimistic side is we may have to reconsider some judgements we have all made re some players as they blossom under a new good management set up.

I wonder will I have to dine on my Schneiderlin comments?

"I love Everton. I will be very happy with Galatasaray." — I say the right things about my current team. I say the right things about the team I am being told want to have me.

As he says, it is out of his hands. If we want rid, he has not burnt any boats. If we want him to stay, he has said how happy he will be.

If players are willing to leave big clubs because of money to play in China, then I would assume Everton would be a better choice if we offer enough?

I mean, if you offer Courtois $800k a week, then he will probably forget about Real Madrid (for a couple of years at least). He may even go to China if the money is there. Everyone has a price in today's world.

Instead of paying $150k a week to sign 5 'upcoming talents with potential' or average players like what we have done in the past couple of years, why don't we just offer $400k to 2 world class players? It will increase our profile and attract better players in the following years.

That's how you build a winning team. You won't be able to do it in a year or two but we will keep getting better results and attracting better players along the way in the next 5 years.

Money is everything in today's world.

Better make the offer before Crawley Town double it!

There's zero evidence so far to suggest we are able to offer wages on parity, let alone much bigger than, the European big guns.

If we offer 2 players $400k a week, then we would be in better shape.

It doesn't really make a big difference in terms of the wage total.

Either way its a moot point as its not happened yet and doesdn't look at all likely to happen. Which is why you were orginally told that we cannot expect to attract world class players currently.

If we continue to be average then we will continue to be a small club. To most of the players we are not even as big as Leicester.

In Dan Pink's book, 'Drive' he establishes the need to pay someone what is viewed as a reasonable wage. After that, however, the volume of remuneration does not equal performance. In essence, if you double someone's pay, it will not double their performance.

If we pay Messi $1,000,000 a week and then up the offer to $2,000,000, even the great man cannot guarantee twice as many goals. And even if we did offer him that money, Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini still wouldn't want to live in or around Liverpool.