Everton make an offer for Lille's Mendes

While it is still to be seen if this is any more than a rumour it looks like Brazilians are the flavour of the present management but that we may still be promising players that they can leave after another or at the end of the season.

If Gana does eventually leave, there's already a natural replacement out there – William Carvalho.

Not sure about that, Colin. I agree that Carvalho is a superb player. But some players are made for certain leagues and Carvalho's languid style would suit Italy. He just isn't mobile enough for the Premier League. Fantastic alongside a Gueye, yes, but not a replacement.

A good shout by Colin, but I am not sure why the player has not been picked up by other clubs, he certainly always looks boss for Portugal. As for Mendes, I don't know anything about him but I do think that Gueye will be off.

The player hasn't been picked up by other clubs because they use time lapse photography to watch him play.

Silva knows Carvalho very well and there is a reason we were not in for him. As Si says, he may not have the mobility and energy for the Premier League.

Thiago Mendes on the other hand does. He's a very good player and was instrumental for an over-achieving Lille last year. He's not as big a tackler as Gueye but he is definitely better on the ball.

Having said that he's only had one good season in France having been fairly average in 2017-18. And didn't pull up many trees in his time in Brazil.

At 27, he doesn't fall into Brands's sweet spot so I'd be surprised if this one materialises but if Gueye does go then a Mendes able to replicate his form last season would be a strong replacement. I'd prefer Sangare from Toulouse though.

I prefer Gueye to stay.

Jack, wouldn't we all? But at the same time I don't think many would begrudge him his last 'dream move' to PSG.

Dream move to PSG it would be for Gana but a nightmare for us to replace him, they say, you never miss the water till the well runs dry, which would be very apt in the case of Gana.

As many have said, myself included, he is an unsung hero, a dynamo that often goes under the radar, in terms of recognition, but God will he be missed should he go?

I can't see Thiago Mendes being a 'like for like' either should Gana move on, plus his age doesn't quite fit the New Model, again I believe Brands will make the right choice or come up with someone we weren't expecting or possibly even heard of, fingers crossed.

I can't see us being granted a work permit for this guy as he's never played an international.

Carvalho is a No from me also, he's not energetic enough to be a success in our league. I would rather go for someone like Ndidi of Leicester.

I'd like to see Gana stay, Schneirderlin leave and Sangare come in. He and Davies to backup Gana and Gomes is a pretty tasty midfield.

Losing Gana would be killer. And finding a replacement would be nigh-on impossible.

Finding a similar tackling machine just won't be an option; it will mean finding a different style and adapting.

Be a sad day for this club if we do lose him. Been a pivotal player.

I don't know much about Mendes to comment but, like Sam, I've been hearing good things about Sangare. I think he could be a ready made replacement for Gana. He is younger and has comparative stats for being busy and breaking up play but is younger and has the potential to become a better attacking player.

As sorely as Gueye will be missed if he does move on to PSG and, given his age, I don't think it will be as big a miss as we think.

As good as Gueye's form was towards the end of the season I can't help but think it was a reaction to not getting his 'dream move' and playing out of his skin to keep him firmly in the mind of PSG for this summer – and who knows what promises were made back in January.

We've got Joe Williams coming back and apparently very highly thought of by Silva, there's also Baningime coming back off loan so game time must be found for these two if Brands is true to his word and wanting to develop youngsters.

As for Mendes, I know nothing of him and will be relying on the more informed and YouTube.

These players do a lot of dreaming. Lukaku dreamt of playing for United now he's dreaming of becoming a spaghetti waffler... perhaps cheese should be off the menu at Finch Farm canteen.

Whatever happened to midfielders with the ability to net more goals???

I too wish Gueye will stay. I also like the shouts for youth to be given its chance.

However, if Gueye does go, I think that we should be looking at Mendy or Ndidi from Leicester, or the one I really like (and fits the 'young' criteria) is Chodhury – I saw him 2 or 3 seasons ago vs U23s and he bullied our midfield; looked good for England at U20/21 level too. Cracking hair too.

Carvalho is not mobile enough? You've never seen him play if you think that. Don't confuse discipline and holding position with a lack of mobility. Sure, he won't chase around the pitch like headless chicken Gueye used to do, but instead he plods around in the midfield and always gets to where he needs to be.

If you ever watch him carefully enough, you'll see that every now and again he does break into a sprint and he will shock you with his pace. He's got long legs and lacks acceleration. He also plods around. But don't confuse that with slow. Also don't think he will be beaten for pace, because he won't. He just doesn't use energy he doesn't need to use.

As for signing him, that ship has sailed. I think we need a younger man, someone with his ability to hold and to pass. Qualities superior to Gueye has, and such a player can change the dynamic of the midfield and allow Gomes to move further forwards and level with Sigurdsson in a 4-3-3.

I hope we can retain Gueye as I would worry about the lack of energy, which we need with our pressing game, with Gomes, Sigurdsson and a plodder like Carvalho who will not vacate the middle.

It'll be very interesting to see how Silva assembles the jigsaw once pre-season finishes.

I watched this lad for Lille in 2017, when Bielsa joined Lille. Can't remember this lad, but Lille were shocking and their midfield was like a sieve. This lad was playing but was new to Lille, arriving with Bielsa.

Stats show that he got 10 yellows in 34 league games last season. This shows Discipline is clearly an issue and his tackling is not too clean.

Steve (18) “You've never seen him play if you think that.” Plenty of people have questioned Carvalho's mobility – including pundits who are commenting on a game he is physically playing in! You may disagree – and I agree with you that he has a deliberate laconic style – but someone asking whether he is “mobile enough” for the Premier League is a very legitimate question. Would rather have Carvalho than Schneiderlin – they are similar players. Gana is a very different high energy, snap-tackling rarity.

Carvalho plays to instruction. He's anchored to a certain position. It's not a lack of mobility. It's discipline that you can only dream Gueye could have.

If you ever watch Carvalho get the opportunity to carry the bal,l he can bomb forward at speed. It happens like a couple of times a season. He is rarely skinned by an attacking midfielder, such is his superior positioning and reading of the play but, if he has to get into a foot race, you again see how fast he can be. Again, you see this a handful of times per season.

Those questioning his mobility have not seen him enough.

I watched all of Portugal's games in the Nations League.

In the final, Portugal played with Danilo as an anchor behind Carvalho. Carvalho was pushed up to ensure fluidity in passing and anticipate and break up the quick Dutch interplay in midfield.

I thought he did fine. A replacement for Gana he ain't. At all. But then I don't think there are many players who have Gana's unique engine, tenacity and aggression rolled into a slight frame which helps him to cover the ground quickly.

Carvalho is a superior version of Schneiderlin. But would he do well as a No 6 for us? I doubt it. We have done better when we win the ball further up the pitch.

His age and likely cost are a factor too. Pretty sure he will do a good job in the Italian league.

Nicely put, Amit. A trio of Gomes, Sigurdsson and Carvalho lacks energy. If you were building a midfield from scratch, then you couldn't go far wrong starting with Carvalho. However, we need him to suit what we have rather than the other way round. He's not a good fit.

Beni Baningime??

Steve - up to you mate, but telling other people they have not seen enough of a player just because they don't agree with you is not conducive to a good discussion.

I like Carvalho, a lot of people do, but the issue is his degree of mobility. Is he mobile “enough” – and that's a judgement call for everyone to make individually – it's not an empirical truth! You may think he is, others may not. They could have reached that conclusion based on other criteria, and dismissing them as the product of not knowing as much as you is a bit insulting.

I would rather have Thiago Maia from Lille who I think will shine if Mendes leaves. As for replacing Gana? We have a ready made replacement in McCarthy who in turn needs ready made replacement leg muscles.

Seriously though, it's a shame McCarthy is injured a lot. I always like the look of Baningime, Carvalho also a decent shout but never underestimate the speed the BPL is played at! Some players that could offer us something:

1. Kessie
2. Doucure
3. Carvalho
4. Max Eggestein
5. Rafa Silva (more technical)

Once we have the midfield sorted we need to look at a striker. Given we haven't got megabucks to spend I'd try:

Haller - costly?
Andre Silva - Second chance.
Cutrone - Talented and decent size for BPL.

Vlasic is currently playing for Croatia U21s vs Romania. Trailing 2-1 but scored Croatia's goal into bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Playing Central midfield with licence to get forward. He's got talent, I hope he's properly assessed and given another chance.

We will regret letting him go. One of the best U21 players at the tournament and should be valued at 㿅M plus.

People talking about player's age, we can't have an entire squad of young players, there needs to be some mature, experienced role models in the mix.

"You don't win anything with kids"... unless of course you can play them with world-class players like Keane, Cantona. Schmeichel etc.

Either we keep Idrissa Gana Gueye and try to find a striker, or we lose him and we need to find a midfielder and a striker... that'd be a problem. But we've got Brands, so I guess proper work is being laid out as we speak.

It would be nice if Everton could bring in a world class offensive player in the mould of Rooney, Cantona, Di Canio or the likes.

Richarleson could be that much more productive with a player of that calibre backing him up as it would take the weight off him a lot.

Yes, Sigurdsson can light up the match on occasions but I fear his best days are gone, much the same as Walcott. Calvert-Lewin is average as is Bernard despite one or two decent showings toward the end of the season.

The biggest drawback will be Everton not playing in Europe as most players of high class are seeking the big teams and so I cannot see Gana staying or even Gomes for that matter..

Just watched England Under-21s go down to ten men and then the coach Boothroyd brought on two centre-forwards to play on either wing...

Easy from the living room, but if a team have got an extra man, then they usually keep playing it wide, looking to create a two vs one situation, and with forwards not really known for their defensive work. This is how the English manager, tried to see out the game?

Okay, I know Calvert-Lewin has played out wide, but talk about exploiting your own fullbacks? I wonder how much this manager earns to make decisions like this?

Sigurdsson just had one of his best seasons, to say he is past his best is totally without warrant. He's at his best now, in a functioning team, he's brilliant. He works hard, covers ground, presses and creates and scores goals.

In terms of midfield, for the pressing game, we need that engine in the middle. Losing Gueye would be a killer, and we need to do everything in our powers to convince him that he can achieve his ambitions here.

Getting the right man to play on the left or right of the attack is key to our desired system. Fast, direct attacks coming from both sides, goal threat from wide and with direct full-backs. With a midfield with power and elegance, Sigurdsson, Gomes and Gueye provide that. Davies developing further is necessary, and Vlasic should be kept as back up to Siggy... if not, maybe Dowell but I have my doubts so if Vlasic leaves, someone to come in there.

And I do feel Calvert-Lewin will have a great season, and will get into the Euro2020 squad as Kane's back up.

Thoughts on Phil Foden coming in on loan? Surely he wants to be playing every week and he will get that at Everton

Carvhallo is a no.
He's not slow and I'm all for saving energy if you can get away with it but you don't in the Premier league.
He's no Yaya Toure or Pogba who can sometimes get away with plodding along but I'm not convinced he has a great tool set in his box.
The Schnides comparison is unfair.

As for England u21s that's the English /British tactical niavity for you. No wonder Premier league owners look abroad.

Situation. 60 ish mins, 1-0 up against France. Midfielder just sent off. What do you do?
Answer. Take off two wingers and bring on 2 strikers and ask them to defend.

Result. Lose 2-1.

I don't want Carvalho as replacement for Gueye he's nothing like him, he is more akin to Schneiderlin type player but miles better!

As for people saying he's slow I haven't got statistic evidence but agree - he just sits in front of back 4, sprays passes and whilst does go forward on occasions he has no speed in his locker like Keane / Viera types always did.

I don't agree with Steve Ferns, maybe he is correct and is fact that he's not slow, but until someone proves me otherwise other than stating it's fact, my opinion is he's slow! Oh and I've seen him play live on plenty of occasions - admitted only on the box

Talking to a Villan mate at the weekend he was telling me Gana is a mercenary, using clubs as a stepping stone to bigger clubs.

He was apparently disappointed that he couldn't get a move to a bigger club than Everton.

So I have a feeling he'll be pushing for a move to PSG.

Anyone planning on watching the Brazil v Venezuela game, keep an eye out for Venezuelan central midfielder Yangel Herrera; 21 years old, captained a very strong Venezuelan Under 20 side that was beaten by England in 2017 (the squad with Kenny, Connolly, Dowell, Lookman, and DCL), and with huge potential. He's owned by Man City, and spent the last few years getting games on loan in various place - but he's a disciplined, strong-tackling midfielder who could achieve great things one day.

I'm not sure I'd say going from Lille to Aston Villa to Everton represents a particularly mercenary career trajectory. And as far as potentially leaving for PSG is concerned, I don't think anyone can fault Gueye's conduct or his respect for the club over the past three years.

Chodhury is a good shout Gary eEdwards...his girlfriends from New Brighton...so easily settled

Eric @ 36; Gana's disappointed? He's hidden it well enough...and been well paid to do so obviously. No mouthing off when abroad. Has put in decent performances.

If PSG want to make him an offer he can't refuse, especially at 29, I'd thank him for his efforts and reluctantly take 5 or 6 times what we paid for him.

Wow Steve (Ferns) @21.

'If you ever watch Carvalho get the opportunity to carry the bal,l he can bomb forward at speed. It happens like a couple of times a season. Again, you see this a handful of times per season'.

Get him in straight away! A 'couple' or 'handful' times a season he bombs forward (any reports on the outcomes Steve?). That's exactly what we need. It's worth the price of a season ticket alone.

No need to pull the 'you haven't seen him as much as me' line Steve as quite frankly it's not that classy and doubtless wrong in more than a few cases, and well how many times do we need to make our minds up?

I have seen Carvalho play may times and in my opinion in keeping with the majority on this thread I consider him to lack the energy and mobility necessary for the Premier League, although if he does come I'll sit on the edge of me seat waiting for the twice-season dash into the final third. He would without any shadow of a doubt be a shadow of Gana. You can have a dig at Gana all you like Steve but that is not the best strategy for bigging up your man against the grain.

You make many strong cases on these pages Steve but this I feel is not one of them mate.

I agree with Paul @42 on this one. Sorry, Steve @21.

I watched the fella quite a bit and he's not what we need. Especially if we brought in another industrious Gana Gueye, Kante type.

I wonder, if Gana goes, will we go back to Zakaria, the Swiss holding midfielder from Gladbach I think? Brands maybe having a Plan B in case the likely scenario of Gana to PSG happens.

Phil, I actually agree we should bring in a player with more energy, as I said at 23, the trio we would have lacks anyone in the engine room with acceleration to go and close players down.

The judgements people are making on here remind me of the judgements people (non-Everton fans) all made on Thomas Gravesen. Everyone was convinced he was Lee Carsley and not the graceful, technical ball playing midfielder he was. Hell even Real Madrid signed him thinking he was a Lee Carsley type and if an elite club can make such a mistake, then why can't a football fan.

First impressions of Carvalho are of a slow lumbering player, very ungraceful who barely moves and runs like he's shit his kecks. So, many mistakenly think he's slow. On those rare occasions he's exposed and needs to get into a foot race, then he demonstrates he has a turn of pace. Sure his pace is barely above average, but he's not slow.

His positioning is such that he is rarely exposed to the point that he gets into a foot race, so unless you watch game after game for Sporting, which I used to, then it's not something you are likely to see.

And I'm not putting myself forward as an oracle of football, I just follow Everton and Sporting and used to watch a lot of Portuguese football as a result. I have seen William Carvalho in the flesh and paid particular attention to him as an impressive player who seems to coast through games without breaking sweat, particularly in the domestic league.

I think he's not the right fit for us though. If it was fantasy football and you were building your side from scratch, then sure, you could do a lot worse than William Carvalho holding. But it's not and we aren't. So we need someone in the engine room with pace behind Sigurdsson and Gomes. I would like the player to have more positional discipline than Gueye and a better range of passing, but such a player is probably out of our reach and likely to cost a fortune. I just hope Brands can find a young fella capable of turning into such a player and we can coach him into it.

This Lillie Mendes... is she related to Sergio who did Brazil in '66?

FIFA 19 have him rated at a 92, apparently. Sign him up lol :)

Likely to be an internal French rumour, assuming they think PSG will buy Gueye. They've likely looked at available Brazilians, because that's who we are linked with these days! Also he kind of looks a bit like Gana and has similar hair. Seems wiry and energetic and likes a tackle. Didn't play in Europe until he was 27 so is he really top drawer? Then again, was Gana tearing up trees at 25? Chelsea were apparently scouting him last month.

Final bit of research gleans that Transfermarkt has him rated at £22.5m. He has 3 years left on his Lille contract so unless they have money problems I'd imagine he'd cost more than his evaluation.

From what I've seen of Carvalho he reminds me very much of Schneiderlin, but even more laconic. When we were linked with him a few hears ago I couldn't believe he was only 24, he looked 10 years older! Ditto with Sandro, actually. Anyway, he only moved to Betis a year ago, why are we even talking about him?

It may not be everyone's idea of a statement signing but we could get Aaaron Mooy for ٦M, possibly less.

He is a really good midfield player, a terrier and very much in the Peter Reid mould but thankfully faster.

Also, although 29 in September, he is a year younger than Gueye and could be excellent value as back-up.

What a pity that the really good players think so little of Everton that they can't wait to get away, I guess that's how it is with all non European trophy clubs these days.