Vlasic envisages being sold by Everton

I agree, Anthony.

At present we have no real replacement for Sigurdsson, Silva blatantly didn't trust Dowell.

This is Vlasic's and Dowell's chance to prove they can be a capable understudy.

So I'm not sure whether I would like him to stay or not, there are no questions regarding his age or recently proved ability, but whether he wants to be with us, and would he be more than an occasional bench warmer?

Having said that, I am not sure Silva knows what direction we are going in, and whether Vlasic is part of any future that may contain. So if that is the case, it may be better to 'cash in' on him while he is hot property, and get someone who wants to be a part of whatever plan Silva envisages.

As for Allardyce, Nikola is just confirming what we all know, static survival football where progression is stifled by dinosaur tactics.

Think like the early days of Arteta: we played him in wide positions where he is not suited and central positions we have a, lot of competition.

With the way he has trained on this season on loan, creating and scoring goals from the midfield, perhaps he could get a run to keep Davies or Gomes out or on their toes...

Over to Marcel .

If we're to try and challenge at the top over the next couple of seasons, then we need a squad we're we have two players for every position. I do think he would provide an alternative to Sigurdsson when required.

In the brief moments, I thought he showed promise and quite liked him, and I would have thought he's a Brands-style young, developing player. So I would like to see him brought back for a proper assessment before being told to do one.

Whatever, Silva and Brands will have to judge if they see Vlasic as a player that may improve the team now, possibly next season or if at all., and they themselves may face judgement on that.

Hopefully he continues to do well so we can get a decent fee for him — I think we paid ٦m so anything over 㾻m is a good return.

7 goals in 22 matches. 3 in the Champions League. We are crying out for midfielders with more end product!

Dunno how suited he is to the Premier League but I hope he gets another shot with us.

Time will tell if he's good enough, but we don't have many options off the bench right now and he could offer something different to what we have today.

Basically his chances were restricted and after Koeman no-one even wanted him around. He was a teenager with language problems and only Besic who could have communicated with him.

He's been rather unfortunate, and never really been given a fair run. He may be very good and is certainly a prospect, but I doubt if he'll return to Goodison Park.

Still very young, he's proving himself at Champions League level, and although I also don't know if he's suited to the Premier League, Silva has already said he believes good players can adapt to any league.

It doesn't look like he wants to come back though, but maybe this might change if he's made to feel part of the manager's plans.

He's not a winger, he's too slow for the wing and doesn't like it out there. He's not a central midfielder, he lacks defensive capabilities and was caught out badly a few times when he played there. Sure, he could develop with games under his belt, but I can't see him becoming a lad who likes a tackle.

Which leaves the Number 10 position. The problem was that he wasn't displacing Sigurdsson any time soon, and I think he still lacks that explosiveness I'd like to see.

On Silva not giving him a chance, there was a training match over the summer, which was broadcast on the official site. Vlasic wore a yellow bib and appeared to play “both ways”, that is he was always on the attacking side, changing teams as the ball changed possession. He was also clearly playing centrally in a Number 10 position. Sigurdsson was not around at this stage and for me Silva had a good look at him then and maybe that's all he needed to see he's not what he wants.

I don't need to see Tosun 50 times to know he's not fast, not tall, and lacks the ability to beat a man. I can also see just how good his shot is. But if his style doesn't fit my style, I can make a quick decision that he lacks the things I like in a player in his position. And that goes for Vlasic and for Tosun for me. I don't doubt either could do very well in a different team in a different league playing a different style. Neither are for me, and I don't think for Everton.

He's got some quick feet and an eye for a pass; the rest of his game is simply not suited to the way Silva plays.

As others have said, though, where would we play him? He was an impulse, even a panic buy and like the other young lads; he had a roster of older, more expensive pros in front of him in the queue for minutes.

He seems to be doing well in Russia, but we have had a fair few from that league that have found the Premier League a tough nut to crack. Surely he will be sold asap.

Unless he destroys Barca, Bayern and Juve single-handedly his status or price is unlikely to be higher. On the other hand, if they feel he could be developed then reach out to him. Leave him in Russia where he's getting a game and doing well but send someone out to let him know he's wanted.

Personally, I think there is a decent player in there. He can pick a pass which is like gold dust in many of the tight games we're involved in. If we were linked with a new player at his age with his scoring and assist record we'd be excited. Understandable concern regarding playing in a weaker league would be countered by his performances in the Champions League.

The club has not only been wasteful with transfer money for young players the last couple of years, but buying all these players who are not given much of a chance or just don't work out for whatever reason, has also slowed the careers or development of some of these kids.

If I was a young player from a smaller club, I would think very very hard before coming here.

He came here and the team was desperately unprepared for the League campaign, unfit and unbalanced despite spending much money.

He got a few chances, mainly wide left, and looked very promising. Quick feet, skilful, eye for a goal, but also clearly not a left winger. Then Koeman saw things were going badly, and reverted to using only the 'big names', and more or less dropped all young players from the squad – with the exception of Davies who carried on on the bench.

Koeman got axed in came the caveman and his '27 or older' philosophy.

The lad moves on and shows that he is a talent, scores in the Champions League, a top performer for his club. All the while, he looks on and sees that Everton continue to be quite crap.

We have no one in midfield who can do what he does except Sigurdsson; our dependence on him is extreme, and he doesn't always perform. I feel Vlasic would bring something much needed to this squad.

However, he clearly feels betrayed by his experience with us, and rightly so. I could well see him playing for a top team in the coming years, and we could well continue to frustrate in mid-table.

Yet some people think Vlasic would not offer us anything.

Steve #18, agree with your assessment that he's a #10, but I think explosiveness is less than crucial for that position. Against Real Madrid, he showed silky touches and an almost insolent degree of composure on the ball. And he was the clear MotM in that victory. (Granted that it was against mostly Real Madrid's second unit, but Real Madrid's reserves would still constitute one of the top 20 clubs in the world.)

And back in October Silva said he was playing well and could return, which doesn't sound like he's made any final decisions on the kid. My guess is that, unless CSKA or somebody else comes in with a really strong offer this month, Vlasic will be back for the summer and the decision will be made then.

Let's start the cull... Hopefully another 7 or 8 to follow between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

He wouldn't get anywhere near our current team, behind Sigurdsson, Walcott, Bernard, Lookman, and Richarlison. Surely that's why he's on loan.

He'd get ruined in centre mid... come on, chaps.

The boy talks too much. That simple.

I'd like to see him back. Quick feet, excellent close control, vision, the ability to turn with the ball in close quarters – there is a touch of the Leon Osman about him (but with a touch more pace, which isn't hard...).

I agree with Steve Ferns (and others) that he seems to benefit from playing more centrally. I don't know if people would describe Juan Mata or David Silva as Number 10s, but he seems cut from a similar cloth.

As far as I'm concerned, he's another Premier League failure who's bitter. I don't want him back — he's a bad egg and, based on his comments so far, we can do without poison at Finch Farm.

What kills me about this, and as Daniel @ 35 says, is the kid simply is destroying his bridges.

I like this kid. I think there's a player in there. It's not abnormal for a younger talent to go out on loan to hone his skills, and return to the larger parent club prepared to fight for a position. He has skills to make a real run at it.

But his incessant yip-yapping is doing him zero favors! He needs real, professional counsel. It absolutely needs to be delivered in a different manner, with a different approach and word-choice, but someone has to tell the kid to just be quiet already!

Why?

Footballers give interviews, it is part and parcel of the game. Recently, Gomes gave one saying how great Everton have made him feel. Should he also 'shut his gob'? Is he 'blowing up the bridges' with Barca? Should he just accept that 'he was crap and failed, now he's at a mid-table team... at his level'?

Vlasic gets interviewed, heck, he's the best player in Russia, a Croatia international, possibly viewed in his home nation as Modric's heir. Should he avoid interviews? Should he refuse to answer any question he receives regarding his parent-club?

I'd like to see him succeed back with us, but he is making that more unlikely. If he'd left us permanently, it would be more understandable, but not acceptable while he is away on loan.

"Well obviously it's a game of two halves and obviously the gaffer said to the boys we need to pull together and do it for the fans coz obviously... blah blah blah."

“Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton] next season]” — obviously an answer to a question along the lines of 'do you expect to go back to Everton?"

“Everton spent $100m last year on reinforcements and about $90m on just three players — Richarlison, (Yerry) Mina and (Lucas) Digne." — which is true.

"They are looking for great names and players from big clubs like Barcelona." — true again.

"Despite these huge investments, the team is currently in the 11th place, which means there will be new big purchases." — oooh, contro oh no, just stating the obvious.

“I know they have firmly decided that they will try to be the ‘new Tottenham' [to try to] join the biggest league clubs." — uhum...

“[To sign the kind of player to achieve that] will require 㿞m [in] reinforcements. So I expect them to sell me as soon as they get their first bid.” — honest opinion.

“Everything changed after Koeman left." — in his case totally, he was frozen out almost completely.

"The football played under Big Sam was awful, if it could even be called football." — anyone disagree? That is why Sam got the sack.

"I did not have the status nor [did I get] the minutes." — true.

"I don't have a place in such football." — fair doos.

“Personally, I had nothing to do with Silva. He had known he would join Everton since the end of 2017 that he would take over at Everton [but] he could not see me because I did not play. During the summer he brought [new], very expensive players, and logically that he did not [see a role for] me." — again, nothing absurd, no insult, no arrogance, just the way he saw it.

“The club is great, the fans are very good and I do not have any bitterness in me but I didn't feel that they were very concerned about me. [They] somehow underestimated me because I came from the Croatia league." — how dare he say such things

“But when you bring three players out of Barcelona in a few days, then it's clear that you do not have much care for those who came from the small league.” — which is basically what most people on here say 'mickey mouse league' etc.

He obviously feels he didn't get a fair shot here. I agree.

It's those who seem to be frothing at the mouth at what Vlasic is saying who need to lighten up.

Clearly, Silva could have kept Vlasic for more options as weapons but that would be unfair to Vlasic as he will sit most games.

If Vlasic gets sold, it's another one that got away (out of the many hundreds) but, if not, we have a good young core to look forward to!

Though I do think he talks too much about his lack of playing time. We could do with him now perhaps couldn't we? Enjoy your IPA. I'm looking forward to a few tomorrow night.

But I do agree that Vlasic will be back in the summer.

Actually it is the frigging journos I hate not the footballers. Footballers are good at football so perhaps I shouldn't expect them to be great story tellers too. Journos, whose job it is to tell stories, are mostly shit at that, as well as football!

Want a side bet that he'll be back in training with the rest of the club come summer, with no grudges held?

Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs have all bought players to fit a pattern of play. We seem to buy players then try to play to their strengths (or weaknesses).

Walcott never liked playing on the wing at Arsenal. Richarlison does so we make him play as a No 9. We buy Sigurdsson, Rooney and Klaassen in one window? Need I say more?

They lost to an inspired CSKA because they're having a suck-ass season – mostly because 45 goals left for Juventus, but also because of two poor coaching hires and a president who has lost the plot. But the talent is spectacular.

New managers have to make impacts with the players they have or purchase, Silva obviously either didn't think he was ready / good enough or that he had sufficient cover already.

Purchasing impact players leaves promising ones with a mountain to climb and in truth only 11 can take to the field. Sometimes you have to move on because it didn't work out, and probably won't under Brands and Silva.

Good luck to him; I rate him higher than a bunch of others out on loan.

You little liar - it was already bloody awful.

Of course he's going to come back in the summer and say all the right things. He'll be back in our camp. What else is he going to do?

I've seen way too many interviews with this kid. He's got a big mouth. Why in the world do you say, “Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton [next season]”

That's just not an intelligent thing to say in the least.

And this whole "he said nothing wrong" I can't abide either. He's saying things in a slanted way that are negative and won't do him any favors with our team – the only thing I particularly care about.

“Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton] next season].” Read – "Yo Everton, I ain't comin' back."

"Despite these huge investments, the team is currently in the 11th place."
Read - Everton are brain dead and have splashed cash with no results.

Conversely, not a mention of "it's a project" or, "the manager needs time to adjust and implement his system." Nothing positive. Just step-in-it shit talk.

"I did not have the status nor [did I get] the minutes." Read – They bought a bunch of expensive dudes who have a reputation, so they shut me out.

None of this is positive. None of this is the type of thing a kid who's committed to improving while out on loan says, if he wants or intends to return to his parent Club and fight for a place in the squad.

Try this:

You ask, "What do you think of my Mom?"

I say, "Your Mom's fat."

Not nice. But let's say your Mum pushes maximum capacity, is around 300 lbs, doesn't exercise, and eats too much. In short, it's not politically correct, I shouldn't say it, but it's true. She's a lard ass.

You could say, "Jamie didn't say anything wrong. He just told it like it is. What do you want from him? He's not in PR! He's just answering questions!"

Hit the bullshit button – and do it quickly. That's disingenuous, or at worst simply flawed thinking.

Vlasic needs to shut his damn gob. He's calling Everton's Mom fat. If you can't see that, you're putting blinders on, or you're gullible.

Actually, he can say whatever the heck he wants. But his current track will not bode well for a future at Everton.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I don't know if he was scouted before we played Hadjuk but buying a player on a couple of performances, and one cracking goal against us, is not for me a proven means of spending 㾶M.

I do believe he can play but I don't see him as a winger, but may be more suited to a role that is more of a diamond type role, but this needs him to play to a system with the forwards. We have no proper centre-forwards...

For me, he's gone in heart, mind and soul, and – due to the last manager – didn't get a fair crack.

Let's hope he keeps his good form up and we can trade him for a profit for 㾻M.

I can't see him wanting to come back, so I'm sure Brands will advocate his progress and we get a decent profit on him.

Let's get him back in the squad and tell Billy Big Bollocks to back his mouth up! This boy could save us a fortune long term. What if Sigurdsson got a bad injury?

And I find nothing he said to be unintelligent or harmful to the club, and I don't think he has endangered his future at all. I think that will be determined entirely by his performance on the pitch, not in interviews.

You have a good one too.

Then there's the next big thing Dowell, where is he again and hows he going there.?

If we had an emergency and could bring one back, gobby interviews notwithstanding, football-wise, who would you pick?

There might only be 3 or 4 decent 'young' players in the whole Club (What price the academy? That's another question) but Vlasic and Lookman are 2 of them.

It also helps if you've got some ability as a footballer. Even in the clusterfuck of last season, he showed he has. He certainly has displayed it in his Champions League performances this season.

Whether he has a future at Everton will, I fancy, be determined by Brands and Silva pretty quickly in the summer.

That aside, I hope he comes back and gets a chance. There's definitely a player there if you have him in the right team and surroundings; and still very young.

Well said.

For the record, I'm not offended in the least.

Exasperated.

I'd prefer to see young Vlasic conduct himself differently to improve his chances of making the first team. I think he's got talent.

But as you say, it's certainly possible, although not my personal preference, that his “moxy” can help his assent.

Time will tell.

Under the right coach and players he could flourish but there's few similar players that make an impact in the Premier league without outstanding pace.

I believe in him, not sure about the current team but we are still progressing and adapting to Silva and hopefully, after a full season on loan, he can come back and play a big part in our success next season.

Frozen out under Allardyce? He wasn't first choice under Koeman, Vlasic showed a few glimpses and whilst it's never easy coming to a different country, better league and struggling side, the truth is his performances were not good enough to be anything other than a squad player.

Walcott seems to be everyone's favourite whipping boy at this time yet Vlasic, who is more in and out of games than him, is seen by many as a player who must be kept.

He has pace, his work rate has improved, but everything else – shooting, decision-making, dribbling, passing, crossing – is probably not going to improve and he's never been consistent or all that good at any of it.

Vlasic, on the other hand, like Lookman, Calvert-Lewin and others, has ability. It's a matter of improving that ability and becoming a consistent top performer through his own attributes, plus hard work and the right attitude.

At this moment in time, I agree the majority of fans, including me, would have Walcott ahead of him and that's why we loan players out. To learn and prove themselves that they are good players if given a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if, this time next season, Vlasic is ahead of Walcott.

That man destroyed Everton's first real toss of the dice.

I hope Vlasic makes it but who does he replace in the current line-up?