Reports: Everton make first move for Højbjerg

Thursday, 16 July, 2020 192comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton have firmed up their interest in Southampton's Pierre-Emile Højbjerg by lodging a bid for the midfielder according to multiple reports.

The Blues have been linked with the 24-year-old ever since he indicated that he would be seeking a move away from St Mary's this summer but were said to be facing significant competition, most notably from Tottenham Hotspur.

Højbjerg began his career with Bayern Munich and joined Saints four years ago for around £12m and has made more than 100 Premier League appearances.

According to The Telegraph, Everton have opened the bidding for the Danish international with a cash offer of £18m while Spurs are willing to offer defender Kyle Walker-Peters in part-exchange. Paul Joyce in The Times claims that the bid is £14m, while Dominic King of the Daily Mail pegs the offer at £25m but Southampton are reportedly hoping to get as much as £35m for the player.  



Reader Comments (192)

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Bob Skelton
1 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:09:28
According to their fans he's not as good as Schneiderlin. Dear God!
Andy Riley
2 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:20:14
Our problem is that when was the last time we signed a really top player that the other top teams were pursuing. I racked my brains and firstly could only think of Gary Lineker but then possibly considered later signings of Cottee and Kanchelskis. Apart from that all our signings are ones below the top level or considered worth taking a punt on. Either younger players with potential, veterans looking for a last big payday or injury prone. If we really want to be playing in the Champions League that has to change and we have to blow others out the water for top players which is what Chelsea, Man City and now Liverpool have done prior to winning the league. They shop at Harrods but we are still five steps away from Waitrose! That is the basic problem.
Sam Hoare
3 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:32:55
Very decent player. Not fast necessarily (and that concerns me) but he covers a lot of ground and makes a good amount of tackles and interceptions.

He’s not creative per se but he’s good at moving the ball forwards. He’s a fighter and wins a good amount of duels. Don’t expect him to contribute much in the way of goals or assists.

Not a thrilling signing. And wouldn’t be my first choice. But a solid player who is undoubtedly better than what we have. £18m is a decent price for a proven ball winner with his best years ahead; though I’d prefer someone a touch more dynamic.

Philip Bunting
4 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:33:19
Andy, the top 6 cartel stops you shopping at Harrods as FFP prevents those massive signings and wages unless we can up our turnover. Hence Bramley Moore to move us that direction, Carragher even came out this week saying the same thing. Its not a level playing field and the top 6 do not want anyone else gate crashing like Man City and before them Chelsea as ultimately someone loses out. We need to be picking up proven British young up and coming stars such as Maddison at reasonable fees and building a spine of a team which can be built on. This heuring around Europe picking up in general mercenaries and over hyped rubbish must end.
Anthony Murphy
5 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:38:41
Is he quick? I hope so as we lack pace in central midfield. Does he score a handful each season? We desperately need goals from new signings. If the answer to both is no, then swerve it.
Paul Hewitt
6 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:39:51
Another average player.
Jeff Armstrong
7 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:41:23
Uninspiring journeyman, we need a dynamic midfielder who can drive us forward and pick a pass, not another Davies or Schneiderlin which is the mould Hojberg is from, mind you Ancellotti likes a sideways and backward pass after watching the last 6 games.
Christian Konttorp
8 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:46:05
Another mental weak player (from what I know). Not the type of player we need.
Gavin Johnson
9 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:53:12
Another Walsh, Brands type signing. What happened to the move for Allan?!
Kenny Smith
10 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:54:48
I know it’s a cliche but we desperately need a box to box central midfielder, I don’t think this fella has the legs to do that. Someone like Abdoulaye Doucouré at Watford would be ideal.
This is Brands biggest window. If he fails to get the right players this time it could be all over for him at Everton oh maybe not because we put him in the board to stop him being poached !!!
Anthony A Hughes
12 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:58:29
It pains me to say it but this is probably the best we can do now. We all know this standard of player isn't going to push us to greater heights.
Tony Everan
13 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:02:33
We need two central midfielders so maybe this is just part of the picture. He strikes me as a functional player who would add some strength in depth to our midfield. With our injuries, we need a bit of that. He is not worth stupid money so, if Carlo wants him, tell them to take it or leave it and start looking elsewhere.

I would be surprised if Carlo didn't bring Allan in, he could be a key player (sorry). At his age though any fee would have to be low or non-existent as there is zero resale value.

Paul Smith
14 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:06:01
This has to be bollocks surely.
Andy Crooks
15 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:07:15
Sam, he is slow as a snail in thought and deed. You are a good judge of a player and you know this would be a waste of money.

By the way, Sam, do you ever cast your eye over the lower leagues? There is value to be had there, also, in Ireland. Seems to me you can spot a bargain but I think you focus too much in Europe.


Colin Glassar
16 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:09:29
From what I remember of Hojbjerg, he's a very tenacious player. Not the most skilful but he hustles and bites, something we dearly lack.

I can't remember if it was this season or last but he bossed the MF almost singlehandedly against us. Not a great recommendation, I know, as most of us could do the same.

Tony Twist
17 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:12:03
Can't believe this club. It never learns. Not what we need. If this is Mr Brands's best work, then we are screwed. What is the use of a DOF if all the players he "finds" are players general fans think of, then dismiss as there are obvious flaws and better options available out there???
Christian Konttorp
18 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:17:38
I'd rather take a swoop of Danish Rikke Sevcke from Everton women, than Danish Hojbjerg.
Paul Birmingham
19 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:28:59
Christian, @18, that's perspective. In terms of internationals for Denmark, has he done much?

I'm thinking he's nowhere close to Tommy Gravesen? I'll take your steer.

Andrew Bentley
20 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:33:17
Kenny Smith (@10),
Doucoure?!?!? Seriously?!? We've had enough of other teams' dross. He is not what we need at all. We need to aim higher and better or we'll remain mired in mediocrity – or worse.
Robert Tressell
21 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:33:33
Hojbjerg. I can't get excited about this. Also not convinced it's true. He's like a more disciplined but less imaginative version of Gomes.

We need a dynamo – a Michael Essien type who has that healthy mix of talent and violence. Allan is the nearest out there in our price bracket and who'd come.

Ndombele at Spurs is better than Hojbjerg so I don't really know why they want him – other than Mourinho being a weirdo these days.

Joe McMahon
22 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:37:09
Like others have said, I thought we missed a trick not trying to land Ings, and certainly Vardy about 3 years ago. Lukaku's goals have still nowhere near been replaced.
Tony Twist
23 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:47:16
Too darn slow. Top of the list regarding our requirements for centre midfield is: speed, box-to-box, good tackler, and can pass accurately in a fast-paced game. Hojbjerg is severely lacking or just plain average in meeting these criteria.

I am very concerned that Brands doesn't appreciate the rigours of the Premier League; we finally get rid of Schneiderlin and then try and get a player with the exact same deficiencies.

Everton are a joke if they think that this player is the answer.

Steve Shave
24 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:59:44
I'm not opposed to this, I believe he would be one of two centre-midfield signings we will make; if that is the case, it could make sense.

He is tough, has a snidey side and is a leader. I think we will be looking to sign several leaders this summer. Koopmeiners would tick that box too.

Steve Shave
25 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:00:21
Let's see if they will swap him for Sigurdsson?
Tom Bowers
26 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:05:42
I think we need to ask the question: Why this player didn't want to sign a new contract for the Saints? Was it that he doesn't get along with the manager or does he want to sign with another club preferably qualifying for Europe? And if that is the case, why would he prefer Everton to Spurs?

If he is after more money, then he may end up at Everton.

He is a decent player and Everton do need more in the midfield but is he any better than what we have? Gbamin when fit may slot in but will he ever be fit enough.

Everton got fleeced over several midfielders like Schneiderlin, Bernard, Iwobi, Sigurdsson and some may argue Gomes who isn't the same since Son crocked him.

Trevor Peers
27 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:08:18
He's ready built for where we're heading next season – The Championship.
Patrick Finegan
28 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:15:17
He's not like Gomes. 2.5 tackles per game. No goals, but he's put 9 on target this year, so he's getting forward.

If his finishing is lacking he should probably be playing in a holding role. For comparison, he's not as good a tackler as Gueye, but better positionally. If his end product gets coached up a bit, he offers quite a bit going forward, but that's not what you buy a holding midfielder. We're buying him to replace a non-scoring/attacking midfielder in Gueye. He's not the same style player, but he fills the role.

If it looks like he's only half the solution in midfield, that's because we need two midfielders. He's a good first addition.

Christy Ring
29 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:27:30
He's a defensive midfielder, and can tackle, something we haven't got, he's only 24, and we could give them, Sigurdsson, Delph, Iwobi and Bernard in a straight swap, four players for one.
Fran Mitchell
30 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:38:55
He'd be an improvement in what we have, defensive midfielder which none of our current lot are.

Not an exciting or inspiring signing, but if he's competent he'd be an improvement. And we need to be realistic, we ain't gonna be getting Coutinho or Sergio Busquet. We need to become a good team before we can become a top team.

He's 24 so much room for improvement too. And maybe Ancelotti knows about him from Bayern, even if he did leave Bayern as Ancelotti arrived

It could also be a bit os posturing in terms of showing clubs we have other targets.

Peter Thistle
31 Posted 16/07/2020 at 23:58:03
How not to improve your team:

Buy shit players each season ad infinitum.

Lester Yip
32 Posted 17/07/2020 at 01:32:54
He reminds me of Lee Carsley. High work rate type of midfield can covers a lot of ground. Not exciting but useful. Maybe it's someone we need at the moment. Definitely won't spend more than $20M and not more than $50k wages/week.
Jack Convery
33 Posted 17/07/2020 at 01:47:34
Ralph Hasenhüttl made him Captain which must be a positive. Ask him to sneak Ings out with him and bring him to Goodison as well.
Vijay Nair
34 Posted 17/07/2020 at 02:27:44
Tom (26), please tell us how Everton got fleeced for Bernard, considering he came on a free transfer?
Soren Moyer
35 Posted 17/07/2020 at 02:36:40
Has to be a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kieran Kinsella
36 Posted 17/07/2020 at 04:18:30
Vijay,

His wages. Bernard's one of the (or maybe even the) top earners.

Minik Hansen
37 Posted 17/07/2020 at 05:21:19
This surprises me, that he is considered if that’s true. Is it because he’s been at Bayern Munchen? That’s pretty much the only clue I can think of...

Unpredictable transfer window is coming.

Jim Bennings
38 Posted 17/07/2020 at 06:55:58
We just never seem to learn.

He’s yet another holding midfielder, a midfielder that just helps the ball on.

We need dynamic and player that can carry the ball, once again what’s the point in Marcel Brands?

Andrew Brookfield
39 Posted 17/07/2020 at 06:56:57
Went on the Saints forum to see what they think of him, sadly it's not positive. Universally say he can't pass, slows the game down, has no pace, is inconsistent.

It's like reading our posts on Schneiderlin, with most fans amazed they'd get anything near £20M, and if they could ‘snatch their hand off'.

I wasn't opposed to this signing but, having read all those comments, I'm pretty worried now!

Sam Bowen
40 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:16:21
I think he's a pretty decent player from the few times I've seen him. And for that price, especially if Southampton are interested in taking a player or two off our wage bill, as per some of the reports, then it's a no-brainer for me.

Hopefully they're looking at maybe Sigurdsson or a reunion with Walcott which would leave room for another addition for us in vital positions as I still think we need another centre-midfielder.

Jim Bennings
41 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:21:55
Andrew,

I could have told you that myself. I watched Southampton quit and Hojbjerg, in my view, he'll just be caught up in our slow pedestrian way of playing and become another Davies or Gomes, same mould of just keeping safe passes, no risks.

If we were trying to sign Ward-Prowse, Ings or Redmond, they are players that would have driven a different dynamic to our style.

As I say, you wonder what the point is in Marcel Brands really.

Andrew Hight
42 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:24:54
Maybe the Saints forum has some bitter individuals also and they are narked that he wants out...
Paul Davies
43 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:33:46
In a word, No.
Marc Hints
44 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:39:45
Apparently on a lot of web sites, he wants to go to Spurs... so why don't Everton just move on to other targets?
Sam Hoare
45 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:49:17
Surprised at the negativity towards him here. This guy may lack speed (which I hate) but he’s not being brought in for his distribution; that’s what Gomes and Davies and Siggy are meant to be good at.

He’d be bought in for his ball winning. And he’s very consistent at that. He makes 10.5 recoveries per match which ranks him higher than the likes of Ndidi, Fred, Kante and Rice. It’s actually the highest in the league. About 4 times higher than Gomes or Davies! We are sorely lacking lacking someone like this in the middle.

He’s also very durable. In a season where we’ve lost Gbamin, Delph and Gomes to injury this is a player whose got slot of minutes and hasn’t had a serious injury since 2016.

He’s not my top option but if we got him for £14m it would be excellent business for a durable ball winner who’s very capable of playing in a midfield 2 with someone a bit more creative. He’s a captain at only 24 and he’s a hard worker. I think he’d prove popular. Though it’s true I’d prefer someone with more speed.

Mike Gaynes
46 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:54:58
Everybody's been complaining that what we need most is character in the club, players who will battle in every game and play smart, consistent, tough football. Højbjerg is such a player. Better tackler than anybody we have except Sidibe, better ballwinner than anyone we've had since Gana, likes to carry the ball forward, albeit not much of an attacker. Hasn't missed a game due to injury. He is what we hope Davies will be, but probably won't.

Don't know if he's the best choice available, don't know if the price is right, but I understand the thinking here. I won't be thrilled if he comes, but I certainly won't be disappointed either.

Andrew Bentley
47 Posted 17/07/2020 at 07:57:14
Is he better than what we have – categorically yes! He would be a replacement for Gana Gueye allowing our other midfielders to close the gap betweeen attack and midfield and protect the defence. When he came on against us the other day he looked a class above our midfield. He never lost the ball and moved it quickly round the pitch

Not a glamour signing no, but part of the jigsaw that Carlo and Brands are working on I hope.

Eddie Dunn
48 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:07:42
Can't believe Spurs are interested, it has to be the agent stoking the fire, Spurs are knee-deep in midfielders.

Hojbjerg is an average Premier League player and at the moment most of our midfield is below average. Therefore he is an upgrade. Shows how our standards have slumped.

Not a signing to get the pulse racing, but then again perhaps this is just the sort of lad we need. Tough, athletic and strong.

Still plenty of time for Carlo to find a cultured schemer.

Jim Bennings
49 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:17:28
Really he's the type of player that 15 years ago you'd have got for £1 million, that's why modern-day football does my head in.

People say he's tenacious, you could buy a tenacious player from the Championship or League One that would probably do a similar job for £15 million less.

There's seems to be no scope for transfer at Everton anymore.

Stephen Brown
50 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:20:49
Agreed, Jim.
Transfer fees are ridiculous!
Ian Bennett
51 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:23:26
Under-whelming. On a free, probably a good deal; at £20-25m, surely you can get better.

It probably says a lot that we just can't attract or won't go for up-and-coming talent. Plodders and failed top 4 players rarely have taken us forward.

Si Pulford
52 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:38:33
A lot of knee-jerk reactions here. People who clearly can't work out what we need. Yes he's slow. But he wins the ball. He's statistically one of the best in the league in his position. And I don't know if anyone's watched us recently but teams dance through our midfield like we're not there. This isn't a sexy target but it's absolutely the right kind of target. We have zero leadership. This guys is a captain who gets stuck in.

Not the best signing in the league but it's about time we went a bit more ‘Moneyball' and identified what we really need and go after it rather than buying Alex Iwobi because he's available.

The shouts on here every week are that we miss Gana. Need someone who breaks things up. Need someone who'll put a foot in. Need leadership.

We get linked with a player that demonstrably fits the bill and apparently it's a joke?!! Terrible signing. Just like what we've already got (he isn't)

And as for Doucoure not being better than what we've got... I give up.

Sam Bowen
53 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:40:37
Sam 45. Couldn't agree more. Exactly the type of player that the side is in desperate need of and everyone on here has been whinging we don't have.

I do hope though that he's one of 2 bought in for the centre mid positions and that the second in will have the pace and power we so need and that you and I both crave.

Quite happily shift Delph on if there are any takers, especially if Gbamin's injury isn't as serious as first thought.

David Pearl
54 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:44:35
He might not be a big name player but he plays in the position we are short of the most. You all wanted rid of Schneiderlin, this is what we are left with... playing Gomes in that deep role.

So let's get him in, so we can play Gomes further forward and play on the front foot. As it is, these tactics are worse than Allardyce. In fact it might just be big Sam with a mask on... just a bit thinner.

Derek Knox
55 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:47:59
I remember us being linked with him some time ago, (pre-Covid-19) so not knowing much about him I made a point of watching Southampton when able to do so. I fail to see what he has, or would provide that we don't have already.

I would much prefer to get someone dynamic, and not another plodder, and someone who can lift what players remain after the Summer Transfer Window. I know I am probably asking for a miracle worker there, but other (dare I say lesser) teams seem to find these type of players, why can't we?

Martin Berry
56 Posted 17/07/2020 at 08:51:00
Sam #45,

Your appraisal of the player and situation is spot on.

Also I think Allan will be brought in to play alongside, we will then have a competitive midfield that we sadly miss at present.

Henrik Lyngsie
57 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:05:06
I think it could be a good move. I fully agree with Sam Hoare and Mike Gaynes above. Good technique, good ball winner. But most importantly I like his tenacity we could certainly do with that in our midfield. He is a strong character and he was captain at 24 in Southampton for a reason.
Sam Hoare
58 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:05:27
Here's a little opinion from a Southampton fan that I thought sounded relatively balanced:

“Most Saints fans consider him at least 'good'. He's the heartbeat of the side and when he plays well, we play well. He's incredibly strong and sets the tone for our aggressive performances and he leads the pressing. My problem with him is that when he can try too hard and force it. That's when he loses possession and tries speculative efforts from range. In those matches, the harder he tries the worse he plays.

“I like him a lot and would be gutted if he went.“

Kevin Prytherch
59 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:06:01
The only times that Schneiderlin played well for us is when teams came at us, he could hold his position and gaps were left to exploit. This is also how he excelled at Southampton, teams would rarely shut up shop against them. We struggled with Schneiderlin when we had to chase a game, or when teams defended.

I hope that, if this is true, sensible scouting has taken place and he’s not another Schneiderlin who’s simply looking good in a team that others try to attack. Otherwise, he’ll be just as pointless as Schniederlin if we are trying to push on.

Vijay Nair
60 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:17:25
Kieran (36), yes Bernard is one of our top earners (along with Yerry Mina), but compared to some others in our team, at least he puts in a shift when given the opportunity. In fact, I don't believe we play him enough.

He's a class player and if we want to attract class players we need to pay commensurate wages as well.

If we're paying high wages and getting nowt in return (Schneiderlin a prime example) then I would consider that being fleeced. Both Man Utd and Arsenal have done that to us time and time again with their castaways.

Mick Conalty
61 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:41:33
I thought the R/S had first option on all Southampton players.

Aren't Southampton Liverpool's nursery club?


Christian Konttorp
62 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:42:17
Paul #19,

In 2018 he had a real "spoken fight" with the national team coach cause was spoken in media and not directly with the coach about disagreements.

So I don't think he has played for them since? (I could be wrong now in 2019-20)

Edit: He did play again for Denmark in 2019 but I know he was out of the team for a while in 2018 cause of those issues.

Si Pulford
63 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:47:23
Vijay, I respect your opinion but respectfully disagree. I think Bernard is a good player but not good enough. Carlo obviously agrees.

The fact that the two highest paid players aren't considered the first names on the team sheet is worrying. Maybe that type of thing goes towards the obviously dreadful team spirit we have (alluded to by Colman a couple of times now).

How can Richarlison, Holgate, and Calvert-Lewin feel about fringe players being on more money? Also, can you tell me the last time Bernard had any influence on a game?

Robert Tressell
64 Posted 17/07/2020 at 09:53:16
If Hojbjerg is part of a midfield rebuild then great. 24, captain material and prem experience etc. However, the more urgently needed player is someone with great energy and some pace (as well as talent!)

I think we'll all be much happier when that player arrives. Which he surely will – presumably in the form of Allan.

That does just leave one more incoming player if Brands can be believed. Which is probably a centre-half unless they change their minds after Branthwaite's performance last night.

So it might be Iwobi & Walcott on the right flank next season.< Grim as that sounds, both will probably fare much better with a decent midfield duo – and the possibility of Kenny crossing the halfway line now and again (which Coleman no longer does).

Gavin Johnson
65 Posted 17/07/2020 at 10:23:54
I am beginning to think a bid for Donarumma would be make more sense than going for a centre-back. We've got not one, but two emerging in Branthwaite and Gibson. If we sold Pickford we would also have some money to buy a striker.

If Roma are apparently interested in Kean, for me, it would make sense to swap him for Cengiz Ünder and then buy a striker. So that would be 5 new players in Hojbjerg, Allan, Under, Donarumma and a striker by offloading Kean and Pickford.

Len Hawkins
66 Posted 17/07/2020 at 10:26:29
Remember the heady days of being the Millionaire Club when the top names of British Football would crawl over broken glass to sign for Everton.

Since the '70s, it has been downhill except for a handful of top players and the Kendall Golden Years in the '80s. How are the mighty fallen.I'd love to hear what Sir John Moores would have had to say about the running of the club today.

I think it was on The Days of Their Lives when Kendall Royle and Harvey were on it and Kendall said he got in the lift with Moores who said something like:

"You're Kendall, aren't you? We paid a lot of money for you and we expect great things from you."

John Hammond
67 Posted 17/07/2020 at 10:35:46
I think he's exactly what we need: captain material and he's proven Premier League experience. He was crucial to Southampton's revival after that 9-0 battering forming an excellent partnership with James Ward-Prowse.

If we do sign him it surely won't be the only midfielder we sign. A box-to-box energetic type is desperately needed. If Gbamin ever gets fixed then we'd have these 3 plus Gomes as our first choice/backup. Davies and Delph would be next in line.

Sigurdsson has to be sold – he just doesn't fit anywhere and his legs have gone.

Stephen Vincent
68 Posted 17/07/2020 at 10:45:14
Gavin #65. Seriously, Donarumma is going to leave Milan for us and we're going to sell Pickford for more than we would have to pay for him? Jeez!!!
Shane Corcoran
69 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:05:08
It's a sign of the times that I fear seeing us being linked with a player that's going to cost us circa £20M or more.

Compare that to a couple of Moyes's pre-seasons when I was looking forward to a free transfer on August 31st.

You'd have to wonder why he'd swap Southampton for Everton, other than hard cash, of course.

Ian Horan
70 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:19:48
Interesting comments on Hojbjerg, they seem remarkably like those RS fans said when they signed Henderson. To be fair, they appear to have similar styles when compared to a 24-year-old Henderson.

We need to be a high performing team which is successful as the sum of its parts; no star players for me but players that compliment each other and have camaraderie and back each other up. That's all the likes of Wolves, Sheffield Utd and Leicester City have.

Let's be honest, we have to compete with them before we can get to the best of the rest on our way to getting top 4. At that point, then start adding a sprinkle of stardust each season.

Steve Ferns
71 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:19:58
Signing Hjoberg is a bit underwhelming. But he could be just what we need. So many great players in his position never had pace, so it's not that big a deal. The main reason pace is such an issue for the position is due to everyone else being so slow.

As for signing Allan, no chance. Everton will sign Hjoberg and he'll be added to the ranks with Gomes, Sigurdsson, Davies, Delph and Gbamin. Unless some fools want to take Sigurdsson or Delph off our hands, we don't have capacity in the wage budget for another central midfielder, even if he is better than what we have.

Hjoberg is relatively cheap, as his contract is set to expire. Therefore, we might be able to spend a little more to strengthen the team in other areas, particularly to bring in more quality wide. Judging by his tendency to switch his wide men, I think Carlo is unhappy with his options here and would be looking to bring someone in.

Gavin Johnson
72 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:20:17
Vince #68,

Where did I say we'd get more for Pickford than what we bought him for?! I didn't

Donarumma is going this summer, it's in his contract that he can go for €26M and Riola is his agent. It's very feasible we could buy him and frankly I don't care whether we get what paid for on Pickford as long as he gets out of our club.

Put it this way, we'd get at least the £12-15M it would cost to buy Alfredo Morelos from Rangers. That would do for me.

Steve Ferns
73 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:23:39
Donarumma will go to an elite club. Riola wouldn't even discuss him with us and would probably flog us some other no-mark.
Gavin Johnson
74 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:28:04
Steve, I think that depends if an elite club wants him. I can only think of Chelsea who want a keeper and they allegedly want Jordan Pickford. If Carlo wants Donarumma and we grease Riola's sweaty palm, I see no reason why we couldn't buy him.
Steve Ferns
75 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:31:44
Gavin, we have 0% chance of getting the most highly rated young goalkeeper in the world.

Real Madrid need a keeper (Courtois is not impressing there), Chelsea need a keeper, Tottenham need a keeper, Arsenal need a keeper, Man Utd need a keeper as De Gea is terrible right now, and the Italian clubs would fall over themselves to sign the new Buffon who could be in goal for them for the next 20 years.

Gavin Johnson
76 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:40:26
Steve, Man Utd won't be getting rid of De Gea anytime soon because he's on something like £300 grand a week and no one will take him, and if they did drop him they'd just promote Henderson. You also don't know about the other clubs you mention.

And saying Spurs are an elite club?! Maybe on sponsorship compared to us but they've had a terrible season. So have Arsenal... That is just being far fetched to prove your point.

We'll have to agree to disagree but I think you're doing us a great disservice by saying we'd have 0% chance. The same for saying we can't buy Allan. On your logic, we won't sign Hojbjerg then, seeing as Spurs are an elite club and we aren't.

Steve Brown
77 Posted 17/07/2020 at 11:59:29
Simon from Athletic Bilbao is good. He would be a more realistic buy than Donarumma this summer. As for Pickford, he will definitely attract a higher transfer fee than we paid for him whenever we cash in. For me, that should be this summer.
Stephen Vincent
78 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:11:45
Gavin, sorry if I mis-read, the implication was there though. Milan will be desperate to hang on, they are almost in as big a slump as us and, if they do allow him to go, the bidding will start at his release clause value and the bidders will include a lot of the European elite.

Raiola will look at commissions going forward in terms of bonuses for trophies won etc. Do agree though that Pickford is a busted flush and needs to be part of an overall restructure?

On the main topic – wouldn't dismiss Hojbjerg out of hand, he ticks a few boxes, but if we did get him boy do we need pace and a lot of it. It would be the end of Davies and Gomes other than as back-up.

Robert Tressell
79 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:24:06
Steve F.

I agree re Donnarumma. We might have a chance if accompanied by a sugar daddy bankrolled rebuild of superstars. But that's not what is happening so he'll either stay at Milan or go to an elite club.

I disagree re Allan. I don't like the age – but he is what we need now and has good experience. There is every chance we will get him – for a fee of £30 to £40m.

If we also get Gabriel Maghaeles there is a strong Brazilian spine to the side. Might cheer Andre up to have a few more Portuguese speakers around too.

On other comments, swapping Kean for Under is nice in theory - but Under is more of a 4-3-3 player, and losing Kean leaves us very light on forward options. I don't expect much wheeler-dealing from Brands – although he may bring in a few more teenagers, like the midfielder from Rangers, to follow in the footsteps of Branthwaite, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin etc.

Gavin Johnson
80 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:30:20
Yes, Vince, I can see that I wasn't explicitly clear that the incoming five players were from the three 1st team signings we're meant to be making besides from offloading Pickford and Kean.

Brands is going to have to look at possible part exchange deals as are all clubs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and it wouldn't surprise me at all if we bring in a player from Italy by swapping Kean, or even Bernard.

Expect the young striker Joe Gelhardt coming in from Wigan too.

Robert, you say we have no chance of getting Donarumma and in the next breath talk about us getting Gabriel. Gabriel has offers from 5 elite clubs. Why would he come to us?

Gavin Johnson
81 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:39:24
Sorry, Gabriel has offers from 4 elite clubs and then Everton.
Robert Tressell
82 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:51:30
Gavin, so far as I'm aware, Gabriel has been linked with us, Arsenal & Napoli. Maybe Spurs. I wouldn't describe them as elite although obviously better placed than us! By 'elite', I'm talking about (on current standing) Real, Barca, Juve, Inter, Bayern, PSG, Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd and probably Chelsea – maybe Dortmund and Athletico Madrid. I don't believe any of them has been linked but may have missed it.

I think we are in with a shout of getting Gabriel in that company. Comes down to wages, first-team prospects and confidence in the management. Ancelotti may be boring the tits off us at the moment but he has some cache as a coach.

Gavin Johnson
83 Posted 17/07/2020 at 12:54:32
If we're buying two midfielders now, I'd be going after Allan and Teun Koopmeiners from AZ Alkmaar who looks a complete midfielder who can defend, score, and make assists, albeit in the Dutch league. But he's young, a club captain and looks an exciting prospect and wouldn't cost as much as Hojbjerg.

Robert, Atletico Madrid are also after Gabriel but I'm glad you don't go as far as Steve Ferns in thinking we have no chance competing with so-called elite clubs like Arsenal and Spurs.

Martin Reppion
84 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:12:47
Fran #30 hit the nail on the head. We need to improve yes, but top ten, then top 6/7. Then aim higher.

We will not attract Lionel Messi and any other of the glitterati until we can prove we have potential. So all you dreamers who want 'Top, proven, Champions League performers' should take a dose of realism and get behind the club.

Our target next year is to compete with and be better than Burnley, Sheffield Utd, Wolves, Arsenal etc. Then we can build on that to compete with the rest.

What we have with Carlo as manager is the ability to hold onto players we get, either through the youth system or by good buying, who previously would have been snapped up by the current big boys. I think a young Rooney now could be told that we could build a team around him.

Therefore our transfer policy has to be to buy players that offer better than we have. From there we can build. Having started to watch Southampton closely since Hojbjerg was first mentioned, I would say that he does give us something we lack. Therefore he should be a target. He may not have got into the 85 championship team, but frankly, I can't name many around now who would.

A starving man won't turn down a burger because he prefers sirloin steak. We aren't starving, but we are in need of whatever improvements we can get.

Robert Tressell
85 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:13:21
Thanks Gavin (I think). We can definitely compete with Arsenal and Spurs. Athletico too since first-team football will be harder to come by there and our wages will be good.

Koopmeiners is one of those players that someone will take a punt on sooner or later – like Sangare, Roca and a few others. Certainly got talent but no idea how they would fare in the Premier League. Probably worth the risk for a moderate fee.

But get the impression that Brands / Ancelotti are looking for ready-made Premier League standard midfielders because we've been so terrible in that area. Hence Allan and Hojbjerg.

More speculative signings might arrive next summer once the squad is in (hopefully) better shape and the wage bill is light of Bolasie, Ramirez etc.

ps: Would be pleased to get Gelhardt and Cole McKinnon from Rangers. As important as players for now are, these are the sorts of signings that can really move the club forward.

Tony Everan
86 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:31:35
If Sigurdsson going in the opposite direction as part of the deal, it could be good business for us. Brands needs to get his magic wand out and make it happen.

If we can partly strengthen the central midfield by doing that type of deal, with a club we want a player from, it would be a result. I'm not sure Southampton will be as willing though.

Steve Ferns
87 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:33:53
Where are we getting all this money from to sign these players? And what about FFP?

I think you guys need to temper your expectations because you are going to be very disappointed this summer.

Brent Stephens
88 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:45:23
Steve, I've read reports that FFP could well be ditched now and replaced (eventually) with FFP Mark 2. Anything in that? If so, our summer might be a bit better than otherwise expected.
Gavin Johnson
89 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:46:47
Robert, according to the Echo today, Saints actually want some players in part-exchange so that could work in our favour with cash and them choosing anyone from Davies, Delph, Walcott and Sigurdsson.

Steve, I haven't got huge expectations but the club finally have a world class manager and they'll back him. Brands has said 3 players, and the players we're linked with are £20-30M players so I see us still spending £60-90M and it being closer to £60M and that's fine.

We could also do more business by offloading the likes of Pickford and Kean. Transfer fees are going to go down across the board so, while we might not spend as much as the last couple of seasons, that's going to be the same for all clubs.

There's also talk that FFP will be dropped this summer so that will enable clubs to spend more so the money drips down to smaller clubs.

Fran Mitchell
90 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:53:41
Exchange him for Sigurdsson, be a bangin' deal.
David Nicholls
91 Posted 17/07/2020 at 13:55:57
I know we want to see a bit of pace, but Gareth Barry was slow. If Hojbjerg is anything close to being a 24-year-old version of him, then I'd take him all day long!
Derek Knox
92 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:00:33
Gavin @83, good shout there on Allan and Koopmeiners; whilst Allan may cost us a lot more I think his experience would be invaluable, and he should have another 5 years in him easily.

I would prefer Koopmeiners to Hojbjerg personally, but the only thing in the latter's favour is he has proved he can do a job in the Premier League. Anyway, it is all speculation, and I'm sure the Covid-19 situation will greatly affect the transfer merry-go-round.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

93 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:11:19
The injuries to Mina and Holgate since the re-start highlight we have been walking on thin ice for centre-back cover all season.

But Branthwaite (and hopefully Gibson who got glowing reports during his loan at Fleetwood) and his performance last night may have bought Brands and Ancelotti some time and reduced the urgency to go for a big-money signing at centre-back, unless it is the intention to let one of the existing 3 1st team centre backs we have go.

Branthwaite is as impressive in this post-match interview as he was in the game last night:

Branthwaite Post-match Interview

Carl Manning
94 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:21:17
We should have learned our lessons when it comes to buying midfielders from Holland! Doesn't matter how many goals he's scored, he scores them in Holland! Look at Lozano who went from Ajax to Napoli.

We had people desperate for us to sign him last summer and his form this season shows we may have dodged a bullet. Hojbjerg is premier league tried and trusted. He doesn't set the world alight but neither does Kante.

We need team players and players with balls. This lad might be one. As many have said, he's better than what we have so any improvement is good. We will not be buying at the top end, we're about to finish 11th in the league! We're not all that attractive I'm afraid

Christian Konttorp
95 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:25:09
Some interesting views of him here:

Hojbjerg at Saints Web

Jim Bennings
96 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:37:27
People who say we can’t attract this player and can’t attract that player.

Wolves managed to attract skilful footballers like Diogo Jota, Raul Jiminez, Rueben Neves, Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho, when they weren’t exactly playing Champions League football.

I’ll say it again, what’s the point in Marcel Brands?

Dan Sanderson
97 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:40:12
I miss the days when we would decide we want a player, contact the club, the club would decide they didn't mind selling or the player would say he would like to move to us, and then we would sign them.

Since we went round telling everybody we've got tons of cash to spend on shite players every player we've seemed to be interested in has suddenly become the only player the club don't want to sell (even Bolasie and Iwobi for god sake).

Move on, yet another summer over-bidding for tosh isn't what we should be about as much as players have their own skillset none of these turned out to be world beaters why not spend the same sort of money on some better scouts as we have clearly slipped in this department since Moyes left.

Clive Rogers
98 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:48:34
Jim, 96, we have had our go at that and the DoFs got it all wrong. Players like Sandro, Sidibé, Gomes and Bernard were our attempt at Wolves like signings, but they have turned out to be not good enough.

Like Steve, I think we are going to struggle to sign the players we want to this summer. We are just not attractive particularly to foreign players any more.

Jay Harris
99 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:48:56
A lot of supporters were crying out for a "Dogs of war" type player.

Well Hojbjerg is a good example of just that. No pace, no finesse just grit and determination something sadly lacking throughout the squad.

On the other hand, Southampton players have not done so well at other clubs in general so that would be a worry.

Carl Manning
100 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:55:15
Jim,

Those players you mentioned at Wolves weren't hard to attract! At the time they were bought, they were question marks! Especially Adama! I'm agreeing with your point about Brands; Wolves saw fit to take a risk.

I remember reading many articles a couple of years ago about Everton watching a striker at Benfica, a Mexican international with a below-average goals ratio but big, strong and the style of play that may suit the Premier League! What did Wolves see in him that our scouting department didn't?

Same with Traore, the whole world knew he was rapid and no end-product. Wolves thought Nuño could sort that! Again, why didn't we?

Carl Manning
101 Posted 17/07/2020 at 14:57:23
Jay,

Hojbjerg is getting a rough deal I think. I just saw a stat that he's played nearly 700 forward passes this season. Our highest is Sigurdsson with around 380! Says it all really!

Dan Sanderson
102 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:00:14
After that summer defiantly not selling Lescott to Man City unless they pay well over the odds, we are idiots continuously trying to force average teams into selling slightly above average players. I really really miss being the other side of the coin.
Brent Stephens
103 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:03:25
Jay #93, good interview that. Feet on the ground (except when he needs to jump). Sounds a good lad.
Jason Li
104 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:06:00
Brands can't sign players unless Carlo says Yes!

Trust Carlo. He demanded Bale at Madrid, managed Ronaldo, coached Lampard and Terry. Brought through Crespo.

We'll be better off at the end of the transfer window in each position in his formation, that's guaranteed.

Robert Tressell
105 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:20:48
Steve F – hard to predict the market this summer given the economic situation. My guess is we'll have a net spend of circa £60M on 3 first team players – and a modest outlay on Nkounkou and a couple more like him. We could get Allan, Hojbjerg and a centre half for that with a few outgoings.

The obvious one for Saints as a swap is Walcott. Much as I've been underwhelmed by his whole career, it was a super header last night.

Any less than that £60M and there's no point having Ancelotti. We might as well have gone for Dyche.

Christy Ring
106 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:20:54
Hojbjerg would be a big improvement, hopefully we'll get him especially as we have no defensive midfielder, (Gbamin out until at least Christmas), we need 2 defensive midfielder, hopefully Allan as well, this is the reason our midfield is so toothless, and we need to offload our midfield deadwood, Sigurdsson and Delph.
Danny O’Neill
108 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:01:15
Now I'm going to contradict myself here so humble pie abounds.

I suggested we focus on 2 or possibly 3 quality players in the £40 - 60M bracket rather than shopping for 6 in the £15 - 25M range. I appreciate this is optimistic, especially without European football, but that's where I'd rather be.

But if this materialises, it could be a real coup. Started at Bayern and I've been hugely impressed with Southampton. Their tenacity is envious.

Tony Everan
109 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:21:29
This player has been reported as saying he wants to go to Tottenham as his first choice. Southampton and the player's agent will be using us to bid up the price what Tottenham pay and to get a bigger wage deal. On top of that, they will keep us hanging on so we can be the safety net if Levy pulls the plug.

It's tough for Brands in this cutthroat world of agents and getting fed bullshit on a daily basis. But with this type of signing, give the player a deadline to make his mind up and, if they are still messing us about, be 100% prepared to walk away.

If so, the reality will be that he didn't really want to come here anyway.

Michael Lynch
110 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:27:12
I'm not sure if he's worth the Everton premium that will be wacked on top of every signing we try to make.

"Yeah he's worth about £18M. What's that you say, Everton are interested? Tell them £35M and then go down to £28M plus add-ons Oh, and see if you can get Besic thrown in."

Richard Lyons
111 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:32:36
Interesting that Southampton, in their last two games, play Bournemouth and Sheffield Utd, exactly the same as us (although we play Sheffield Utd at home & Bournemouth away, and the Saints do the opposite). So that should give everyone, including Højbjerg, a good view of how good we are as a team, and maybe influence his decision.
Richard Lyons
112 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:33:35
Oh, and Michael #110 - "Besic thrown in" - that was a joke, right?
Jason Li
113 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:34:23
Looks like centre-half looks good for us, if Branthwaite passes the Sheffield Utd test. He already took out Traore vs Wolves.

At least we can focus on specialists as the management say.

One very good thing, Gordon and Branthwaite have come through very well this season! We did well on the youth side this season.

Let's see how Dowell, Kenny and Gibson feature in pre-season next?

Kim Vivian
114 Posted 17/07/2020 at 16:56:27
Jay... "On the other hand, Southampton players have not done so well at other clubs in general so that would be a worry."... Eh?

Your thinking of the Schneiderlin, Cucina, Beattie etc. brigade.

Think about Bale, Walcott, Van Dijk, Mane, Lallana, Luke Shaw (I think), Wanyama (I think), Chambers, Tadic – and there's probably more I can't think of.

Southampton seem like one of the best feeder clubs for some reason. I like the look of their current set up and was saying in the early part of the season that they were seriously under-performing, especially with this manager who I fancied for us tbh before Carlo was mooted.

Whether this lad would be any good for us we can only hope (if he comes) but, as you say, some grit and grunt wouldn't go amiss.

Joe McMahon
115 Posted 17/07/2020 at 17:36:48
Kim, didn't Bale start at Southampton? Virgil van Dijk, from Celtic then to Southampton. Wanyama, Walcott to Arsenal was a success. It's more Everton miss opportunities such as Van Dijk, and end up paying £45M for Sigurdsson.
James Newcombe
116 Posted 17/07/2020 at 17:40:28
The relegated teams, assuming they are Bournemouth and Villa joining Norwich, are chock full of talent and would be well worth raiding for the likes of:

Full backs: Lewis, Aarons
Midfielders: McGinn, Grealish, Luiz, Lerma, Cook, Buendia, Cantwell.
Forwards: Wilson, King

I really think we'll need to pick up at least three centre-midfielders with Schneiderlin gone, Sigurdsson on the decline, Gbamin a write off, and Delph (who should never have been signed) always out injured.

Paul Birmingham
117 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:04:23
Thanks for getting back, Christian.

Certainly this transfer window is massive but with little time in pre-season, you'd like to think that Marcel has done his homework and Carlo has also used his contacts to influence getting in proven players who are dynamic box-to-box midfielders.

Let's see what happens.

Ian Riley
118 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:20:19
I love the comment "another average player". What have you been watching? I would take average now.

Does the Director of Football know any young talented players from Europe? Got to be talented players from lower leagues with hunger and desire worth a chance. Surely Carlo has certain players in mind from clubs he has managed?

At least one signing must be a player who has won trophies. This is paramount to put a winning mentality in the team. Currently, the economic standing could mean selling players and a budget of £40 million? Our next two signings with a couple of loans is crucial to us going forward. Unbelievable how we have spent with no improvement.

Jack Convery
119 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:22:27
Give him 48 hours to consider our deal and walk away if he can't give us an answer by then.
Jamie Crowley
120 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:38:24
This is exactly the type of signing we do not need in my opinion. An average player who won't markably improve us.

Stupid to waste £18M on a player of this ability. I hadn't even heard of the guy until yesterday. A couple of Google searches later, and reading the comments about this guy from other TW contributors, my only conclusion is this is another waste of resources by Everton Football Club.

Jamie Crowley
121 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:42:24
Robert @ 105 -

My guess is we'll have a net spend of circa £60M on 3 first team players...

Therein lies the problem in my opinion. Spend £60 million on one player who can make a difference. Swap dollars on our remaining players we have that aren't on board / aren't trying for new, young players with a point to prove.

Robert Tressell
122 Posted 17/07/2020 at 18:57:31
Jamie, I kind of agree. Quality always makes more of a difference than quantity. However, we're in a mess. We need a bit of a rebuild and don't have £180M to spend.

The other issue is precisely who these £60M players are who would want to join us.

With a bit of luck, we might be a more attractive prospect for an icing-on-the-cake player next year.

Gavin Johnson
123 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:02:27
Having read what Saints fans think of Hojbjerg from the link Christian was kind enough to attach, he sounds like a player we should let Spurs have. He has no speed or dynamism and is another Ray Wilkins crab merchant with his passes. Anything approaching £25M for someone who can tackle is ridiculous given other players available for the same cost.

Allan is exactly what we need. We need to get that over the line and then buy a player like Sangare, Koopmeiners or Soumare from Lille as the 2nd midfielder. People are going to be laughing at us if we overpay on Hojbjerg. Any of the aforementioned three can do the same job but also have the athleticism to carry the ball up the pitch.

Ajay Gopal
124 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:29:24
Okay, so this is my 1st fantasy list of the summer:

OUTs:

Kenny - £5 million love the guy, but afraid he won't cut it in the PL
Sigurdsson - £5 million - I think he would fit in really well in the German Bundesliga, where the pace is slower and technicality is more valued
Tosun - £10 million to Crystal Palace, if they are convinced that he has overcome his injury
Iwobi - £10 million, again a player I think would do very well in Germany
Bernard - £5 million, Italy, Germany, Spain
Mina - £15 million, Spain would be good for him, or a newly promoted PL side
Bolasie - free
Sandro - free
Besic - free
Sidibé - return back to France
Pickford - £25 million, I am sure that one of the PL teams will be eager to have the England No 1

Revenue from Selling: ~£75 million

INs:

Right Back - Aarons from Norwich - we need a long term replacement for Coleman possibly as early was next season, £20 million
MF - Hojbjerg - looks like a good fit, £20 million
MF - Buendia - looks a very, very good right mid-fielder, £20 million
MF - Douglas Luiz - I really liked the look of this guy yesterday - he is Brazilian, much younger and cheaper than Allan, plus PL experience, which is worth gold, huge potential star, IMO, £20 million
Goalkeeper - go for a cheap option - Fraser Forster would be great value; he has solid PL experience, a bit on the older side (32 years), but could give us a good 3-4 years of safe, reliable service, should be available for around £10 million. He won't be worse than Pickford

INs: £90 million

As you can see, my preference would mainly be players with PL experience, but quite an international cast - 2 Englishmen, 1 Argentinian, 1 Brazilian, 1 Dane.

Net spend £15-20 million, max £25 million, plus we would get some of the high earners out of the payroll. If we are lucky, get a good experienced PL striker on loan - someone like Giroud, someone who can make an impact coming off the bench or to give rest to our main strikers. We need to hope that Delph and Gbamin will return fit and healthy and offer options in our MF.

The Everton 2020-21 squad:

GK: Forster, Virginia
RB: Aarons, Coleman
LB: Digne, Baines/Nkounkou
CB: Keane, Holgate, Gibson, Branthwaite
RM: Buendia, Walcott
LM: Gordon, Delph
CM: Gomes, Davies, Gbamin, Hojbjerg, Luiz
Forwards: Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Kean, (New Loan Player)

Steve Shave
125 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:37:15
Do people seriously think we can do better than Hojbjerg right now? His present destination is allegedly Spurs so we might be lucky to get him and most of you lot are turning your noses up?!!

Great breakdown of his stats in the Echo online today. He would be a really solid addition, I think it makes sense, we get one in with PL experience and great capacity to improve and then maybe we can afford a punt on more of a wildcard option... Sangare for example.

Robert Tressell
126 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:43:38
Sadly we will not raise more than about £20m through sales. And that is if there is a taker for Sigurdsson.

There will be no major rebuild. Just a few in and a sprinkling of that magic Ancelotti fairy dust.

Lots of players we dislike will still be in and around the first team next season.


Gavin Johnson
127 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:45:02
Steve Shave - YES

The three players I mention in #123 would all be available and two of them would cost around half the price of Hojbjerg.

Allan should be our first priority and Hojbjerg will be fine, but paying more than £15m is ridiculous and we could buy better. Soumare had got Lille fighting for Champions league place. He's tall, rangey, can tackle and get us up the pitch.

Steve Shave
128 Posted 17/07/2020 at 19:54:47
Gavin I'd be happy with any of those options you mentioned, as long as they came with one other centre-midfielder as well, we are that poor in this area. Sadly we can't build on a plan involving Gbamin; let's hope he comes back strong and surprises us all.
Steve Shave
129 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:00:12
Ajay I wish it was that simple but it isn't. I would love Aarons and Buendia though. In fact, I have banged that drum so much on various threads, if we actually did sign Buendia he might become my Steve Ferns/Marco Silva moment of truth (sorry Steve!) let's hope he fairs better than Marco.

A family full of Norwich fans means I have seen a fair bit of these lads, I just love Buendia's industry and guile. I think we will be picking the bones of the relegated clubs this season trying to sniff a bargain with Premier League experience.

Gavin Johnson
130 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:09:24
Buendia's amazing. My only concern would be his lack of goals but maybe he'd get a few more goals with better players around him. While I'd be very happy if we signed him I think Brands will probably go for a more direct goal scoring type of winger like Under or Lozano.
Jay Harris
131 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:21:30
Kim #114,

Van Dijk made his name at Celtic and was bought by saints and wasnt there long.

I don't consider Wanyama, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain or Luke Shaw successes as they have all been very inconsistent over the years and in and out of the teams they went to. Clyne was another one.

I hadn't thought about Bale but he always had exceptional speed and looked a world-class player.

Ian Horan
132 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:45:10
I would rather get Deulofeu back, give him the No 10 role behind Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Then 3 centre-midfielders, wing backs and 3 centre-backs. Not sure about the keeper...

Oh, fantasy football has started early this summer... Time to dream, Blues.

Jamie Crowley
133 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:53:44
If this guy is that good, why in the world would Southampton sell him??

They're going to probably finish above us in the table this season. Wouldn't they be looking to improve? If so, if this dude were decent, they'd hold on to him, no?

I do not understand this transfer if it actually goes down. Just don't understand the logic behind it.

Robert Tressell
134 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:29:41
Gavin – Soumare would be a brilliant signing but he knocked back Newcastle in January as he wants champions league. Seems unlikely.

Jamie – Saints will sell Hojbjerg because he wants to leave. And he only has a year left on his contract. He is looking for the next step up in his career and (ignore the league table for a minute) we are a step up.

Also @ Jamie. Sad, but the circa £60M signings we could (big if) make would be the likes of Icardi (always trouble), Dembele (always injured), Coutinho, Chiesa and Oyarzabal. These could be available if no-one else comes in and the clubs need to sell. I could just about see Coutinho coming in on loan. Chiesa and Oyarzabal would be incredible signings but almost inconceivable.

Colin Glassar
135 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:31:27
If we want a winger with pace, why not go for Sarr (Watford)? He's got pace, bags of skill and is still only young. Get Doucouré as well while we are at it.
Sam Hoare
136 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:45:42
Colin, if Watford go down then Sarr would be top of my right winger list. Very good player; rapid, good dribbler and brings goals and assists. Though they'd probably want £30M at least.
Paul Hewitt
137 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:48:52
Southampton and Watford players. And you wonder why we struggle.
Colin Glassar
138 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:57:47
Andy Robertson (Hull), Maguire (Hull) to name two.
Paul Hewitt
139 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:08:41
Colin. If you're putting players like that in good teams, you can get away with it. But we're crap. Plus Maguire isn't that good.
Gavin Johnson
140 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:19:34
Didn't Watford pay over £30M for Sarr?! I know he's their record signing. He wasn't justifying the fee but he's been playing very well recently. I should imagine they'll want the same kind of money we paid on Richarlison.

Robert, it's true that Soumare turned down Newcastle in January but that was before there was talk of a takeover so no-one can blame him?! Personally, I think he'd be interested in an upwardly mobile premiership club, which we should be under Ancelotti next season when he starts on the same points as everyone else. Of course, it would depend on who else went in for him.

Btw, Robert, I think the boats sailed with Gabriel now. I've just read a report saying that PSG want him to replace Thiago Silva. Damn! And to think the deal was all but sealed before the pandemic.

Sam Hoare
141 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:24:34
Paul Hewitt, who are we meant to sign then? If it was Man Utd or Chelsea players, you'd be saying "No cast-offs" probably? If it was players from France or Holland or Russia then it's "No farmers' league players"?

If a player is good enough, it doesn't matter who he's been playing for.

Steve Shave
142 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:26:45
I think there is some mileage in the model of pillaging the relegated clubs. If you do your homework, you can pick up quality with Premier League experience on the cheap. Walsh did his homework on Gueye and it worked out well.
Sam Hoare
143 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:27:57
Gavin, PSG are reportedly chasing Todibo now so who knows? 95 percent of it’s probably rumour.

Also Soumare is not a great ball winner. He’s a good passer and can run with the ball a bit but he’s more Gomes than Hojbjerg so to speak.

Rob Halligan
144 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:36:22
Paul 139, you say Maguire of Hull is no good. Have you seen him play? I have never seen him play, so I wouldn't know, but on what basis are you saying he's no good?
Paul Hewitt
145 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:39:40
Rob, he now plays for Man Utd. And he's still crap.
Ian Riley
146 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:40:28
Any player we bid for add a further £10 million plus. Our £300 million spent was probably £120-150 million over but we have to rebuild again.

Colin #138 players that you mention are the sort of players that give 100%. Sometimes it's not the fee or club but what they bring in terms of hard work and doing their job.

Next season is building confidence to press on. We must first be difficult to beat. Let's go back to the Dogs of War in midfield. It's not pretty but competitive. We have lost that. An easy touch. Money changes our thoughts but there are different methods to become successful. The management team need to be creative.

Rob Halligan
147 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:43:25
Oh, sorry. Thought you meant there was another Maguire at Hull now.
Tom Bowers
148 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:44:56
It's that time of year again when the window opens and there is all kinds of speculation by the media most of which is just balderdash.

Of course the teams with the supposed big bank balances will be named at the forefront of the biggest deals with Everton not far behind.

Most agree that Grealish and Zaha will be the big money movers.

Experience tells me to ignore every headline until it translates to a done deal.

Gavin Johnson
149 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:59:05
Sam, It was on the Everton NewsNow today that PSG want Gabriel. I hope they are after Tobido cos I don't see us getting Gabriel if PSG want him.

I wouldn't say that Soumare is like Gomes, Sam. The lad can tackle while Gomes is the most dribbled past midfielder in the whole of the premier league. Soumare usually plays in a pivot of 2 in a 4-2-3-1. I think you're right that Hojbjerg would edge it for just winning balls, but Soumare can tackle, pass and move. For me he's more like a Robiat or Viera

I don't see the point of buying a one dimensional player like Hojbjerg if we genuinely want Allan, as he'd be the player running around doing the dirty work.

Paul Birmingham
150 Posted 17/07/2020 at 23:06:01
Ajay, that's a good list, of potential targets.

Shifting the deadwood will be very difficult but, if the club can see the light and lessons learnt, could be they can try and have a crash dead wood sale.

Some of the promoted teams, perhaps or as you say Belgium, Germany, or Spanish teams.

Fingers crossed.

Jay Harris
151 Posted 17/07/2020 at 23:32:34
I would go balls out for Allan who can pull the strings and swap Kenny for McKennie who is aggressive and can score goals.

Simple, this Fifa Manager lark.

Justin Doone
152 Posted 17/07/2020 at 00:57:32
The one thing he would bring to our midfield would be aggression. He's a dirty so-and-so.

He's not going to make much of a difference as it's the transition into attack that we struggle with.

If we only bring in 1 central midfielder it's a fast, energetic, disciplined player that can tackle and pass. He isn't any of that.

Danny O’Neill
153 Posted 18/07/2020 at 06:55:08
Jamie @133; it's Southampton's business model. Find unheard-of half-decent players and combine that with academy products to make a pretty decent team. Sell them on and start again.

Beattie, Walcott, Oxlaide-Chamberlain and remember that year when Dalglish's Liverpool seemingly bought Southampton? Not to mention Van Dijk more recently.

It's what Southampton do.

Danny O’Neill
154 Posted 18/07/2020 at 07:33:18
**Acknowleding Van Dijk was heard of previously before I get picked up on that one!! But despite the talk, none of the big guns took a punt until he'd been tried out it seems.

Agree with your earlier point, Jamie, about rather spending £60M on one player that makes a difference. I said the same earlier in the thread you are slightly more realistic with your one than my optimistic 2 or 3!!

Ian Bennett
155 Posted 18/07/2020 at 08:27:24
Here is a list of good awful players transfer fees. The wages are probably between one and two times more for context, no just the transfer fees that have been squandered. Just look at the sheet scale of wasted money of crap since Moyes. I counted on one hand the success stories.

Iwobi £28m
Kean £25m
Gbamon £23m
Delph £8m
Gomes £28m
Mina £28m
Walcott £20m
Tosun £21m
Sigurdsson £40m
Keane £25m
Ramirez £5m
Klassen £24m
Schneiderlin £20m
Bolasie £22.5m
Niasse £13m
Kone £5m
Robles £5m
Williams £9m

What is the common link between all of these.? Most were either at big clubs and have stepped down. The mental picture of going to something where there is less pressure and less success works negatively in performances clearly. Ratcliffe said playing for any other club after Everton and the defeats don't matter anymore. This is clearly a professional talking.

Some of the others have always been at inferior clubs skirting around relegation. Again damaged goods unless they really shone.

Of the list, how many are on the up. How many have battled in a lower league and want to prove themselves on the big stage. How many are winners, and how many are mentally weak?

How many will put their body on the line in a derby, or away at the big 6? How many will fight for the cause in a tricky away cup game? None. Not fucking one.

I see a recruitment list of cowards. £350m on transfer fees and probably the same again in wages. The recruitment pattern of just buying technically average players isn't working. Dortmund have shown away that they're buying the best young talent with something to prove.

In the team you have Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Coleman, and before them Cahill, Lescott, Jagielka. All lads that had something to prove and fight. Not big fee, but big guts.

Trevor Powell
156 Posted 18/07/2020 at 12:29:00
Never, ever get involved for a "want-away" player who is angling to play for another specific team. Hojbjerg seems to be making no secret he wants to leave Saints for Spurs; more fool him with Maureen in charge.
Danny O’Neill
157 Posted 18/07/2020 at 14:53:01
Devil's Advocate, Trevor; on that basis, Liverpool shouldn't have gone for Van Dijk. Although, fair enough, Van Dijk's heart was set on Anfield, but still a want-away.
Mike Allen
158 Posted 18/07/2020 at 15:15:30
Having the TV saturated with football since the lockdown, it only goes to prove that many of the players are grossly over-rated and over-hyped.

Good managers will play a system that suits his squad so, before we start picking media-hyped names out of the hat, the manager needs to have a plan. We have seen nothing yet to give us any hope of moving forward.

Graham Hammond
159 Posted 18/07/2020 at 15:39:19
I am sure the Southampton guy is a little better than what we have currently but I would prefer to save the £30M and stick Besic back in if he is needed. Build for the future elsewhere and go for McNeill at Burnley and Sarr at Watford (no more late-twenties players with little resale value).

They would be big upgrades on what we have currently and would allow some high earners to leave also. Raise some money (while we can) and get shut of Pickford!

Marcel Brands, you have a hell of a lot to prove.

Allan Board
160 Posted 18/07/2020 at 16:05:09
Hi all, hope all are well.

There is a lot of chat amongst us about how there is zero consistency in the teams play. Take Villa the other night, apparently we started well, zipping the ball around and making Villa do all the running(this is from my nephew, Villa mad and watched on TV). Then it just stopped, may have had something to do with Holgate going off, it would seem coincidental.

My nephew also commented that 'you look a good side and play lovely stuff from time to time', then it just stops.

For what its worth, this is my opinion, which I explained to him.

We don't have very good player's and this is born out in the fact that they can play well for 10 mins, but if not ultimately successful in those 10 mins, ie score a goal or 2 then they give up as it all seems too much work and not worth the effort. They can't see that if they just keep playing exactly as they are, they will have success, however long it takes. It's called patience and belief - average player's do not possess this trait. These players lack either, desire, discipline or determination - the better players all have this, ours do not.

The very best never give in, and refuse to believe they are beat.

Instead of targeting the latest flavour of the month player, Everton need to target young, hungry lads who are up for it. Vandervalk needs to do his job properly, stop taking the easy option, do his Groundwork on young player's, find out if they are at it on the 3Ds, desire, discipline and determination, are they the right character, can they be a nasty bugger if pushed, do they fancy putting a few noses out of joint amongst the elite, where do there loyalties lie in a group of mates, do they realise what hard work and team gets them?

I don't see any of this in our team. Cosy soft arses, whose money comes too easy, that what I see.

Ancelloti needs 10 player's to replace this sorry bunch immediately and top of his list should be Grealish. You can forget it if they just keep buying cosy arsed players, we need lads with a pair please.

James Flynn
161 Posted 18/07/2020 at 17:54:25
Ajay @124, re your Outs:

Kenny – £5 million; love the guy, but afraid he won't cut it in the Premier League. I agree, his an average player at an average club in a league not as difficult as the Premier League. £5 million would be a steal. If even less of an offer, say yes.

Sigurdsson – £5 million – I think he would fit in really well in the German Bundesliga, where the pace is slower and technicality is more valued. That means we'd have to eat the other £5 million. I'd rather keep him another season. Bad as this season has been, he did just score 14 goals last season.

Tosun – £10 million to Crystal Palace, if they are convinced that he has overcome his injury. A miracle if they or any club would pay that. He's not a top league player. His last 2 seasons would cost around £5.5 million in wages. If someone would pay that to him, let him do a Mirallas or Schneiderlin, leave on a "Free".

Iwobi – £10 million, again a player I think would do very well in Germany. Nah. Keep him for now.

Bernard – £5 million, Italy, Germany, Spain Maybe. 2 years wages left, about £10.5 million. Think we're keeping him another season.

Mina - £15 million, Spain would be good for him, or a newly promoted Premier League side. Nah, keep him.

Bolasie - free. Yes, a Mirallas, Schneiderlin "Free"

Sandro - free. Same as Bolasie

Besic - free. Same as Bolasie

Sidibé - return back to France. I liked him. But isn't he going back anyway?

Pickford - £25 million, I am sure that one of the Premier League teams will be eager to have the England No 1. He's not going anywhere until we hear of us in serious talks with some other club's first-string keeper. Certainly wouldn't want to sell him before his replacement is signed, sealed, and delivered.

Jed Wards
164 Posted 19/07/2020 at 04:56:15
Another average player to add to the pile.
Neil Cremin
165 Posted 19/07/2020 at 09:25:07
Not sure about the guy but somebody compared him to Lee Carsley; if that is fair, I would certainly take him. Some say that Real got Gravesen mixed up with Carsley.

As I said in another thread, stop looking for elite players but focus on players who:

Can pass the ball especially forward
Have an engine to work box-to-box
Hate losing games
Have the potential to be leaders

I always think of Roy Keane who had very Average ball skills (he was no Ronaldinho) but had all of the above and almost single-handed dragged Man Utd through the Champions League semi-final against Juventus – even though he knew he would miss the final.

Peter Reid, John Morrissey were others.

Annika Herbert
166 Posted 19/07/2020 at 19:40:33
Ajay @124,

Forster is absolute garbage.

There is a reason he is on loan at Celtic and it's because he isn't very good.

Jay Harris
167 Posted 19/07/2020 at 19:52:03
Totally agree, Annika.

We need to improve on players, not replace with inferiority.

Matthew Williams
168 Posted 20/07/2020 at 11:36:13
Why?

Have any Blue watched this bloke and thought...fuck me the lad's total quality?...doubtful.

Concentrate on the teams that go down and bid for their best players,it's what the rest of Prem. would do.

As of now,bid for Cantwell and make a cheeky bid for Krul...a decent shot stopper with bags of experience would would not give us Blues palpatations.

So it's no from me...jeez the lad at Cardiff Tomlin would do me, kind of reminds me of Cahill in his Millwall days, only age is going against him.

Liam Reilly
169 Posted 20/07/2020 at 15:00:28
Paraphrasing but the general consensus of Saint's fans appears to be that:
"He has a good engine but passes sideways and backwards a lot!"

Sweet Jesus.

Danny O’Neill
170 Posted 20/07/2020 at 16:28:13
Anyone see his beautifully crafted lofted and "sideways" pass to put Ings in on goal against United? I'm being pedantic, it was a forwards pass. When a midfielder has forward options, they can make forward passes otherwise they "pass" to the opposition defense.
Bjørn-Ivar Pedersen
171 Posted 20/07/2020 at 17:25:08
Instead of Høiberg, we should utilize Carlo's Milan connection and lure Franck Kessie away from AC. Kessie will be a great upgrade from Gana.
And we should try for Florian Thauvin from Marseille on the right midfield.
And we really should tempt Torino with a swap deal, sending Kean back to Torino and we get Bellotti.
And then with Jiri Pavlenka in goal we would look like a much prettier side next season.
Someone mentioned Odrizola, a good call.

Well we got to have a wishlist. right?

Derek Knox
172 Posted 21/07/2020 at 06:56:24
While he seems to be the journo's tip for him coming to us or Spurs, I can't basically see how he would improve us. Matt Le Tissier, who is always savvy on all things Southampton, says that "Since his move from Bayern Munich he has never really kicked on." Let Spurs have him, his preferred destination anyway!

I'd rather we get someone possibly about the same age, with a good engine and an eye for goal, possibly who hasn't been 'discovered yet' on the big stage.

Don't mock, they are out there, it's just finding them and giving them the opportunity to do it on the big stage. Been alerted to Alexandru Cicaldau in the Romanian League who is a live wire midfielder who has scored 15 goals and 6 assists, and would be available for around £3M.

These are the sort of players who, if it didn't work out, would at least get your money back on, wouldn't be demanding Megabucks per week, and quite possibly could be the gem we have all been wishing and looking for!

John Keating
173 Posted 21/07/2020 at 10:54:10
A rumour we've upped our initial bid.

I hope we don't do a Sigurdsson and bid against ourselves!

To be honest, I don't see Hojbjerg being much better, if at all, on what we've got at present.

Danny O’Neill
174 Posted 21/07/2020 at 12:57:31
I certainly won't mock Derek. I'm fed up spending on Premier League players with inflated price tags because of the "they have Premier League experience" myth.

Rubbish. Look no further than across the park. Liverpool's business model over the past decade has been to buy up-and-coming or yet-to-be discovered talent from the continent.

Torres: in for £25m, sold for £50m.
In comes Suarez for £22m, sold for £65m.
Cue Coutinho for £8.5m, sold for £105m.
They even got Firmino for £24m and the £40m they spent on Chelsea reject Salah is looking like spare change they found down the back of the Anfield couch right now.

The buy and sell seems to have stopped, but the principle of finding talent around Europe has served them extremely well. With the exception of Salah, none had Premier League experience. Even Salah never really got his chance at Chelsea, but then that's also the club that loaned out Kevin De Bruyne to Werder Bremen and then sold him to Wolfsburg doh!!

I'm with you Derek.

Steve Ferns
175 Posted 21/07/2020 at 13:04:58
Derek, I wouldn't require the defensive midfielder to weigh in with goals. Preferably we'd want someone to replace Davies in last night's team and sit deep, holding, and covering up for the other two. I don't want him venturing forwards at all really.

This would allow Sigurdsson and Gomes to play and then you ask for more goals from them. They both have the ability. I know we'd prefer to get shut of Sigurdsson but that's unlikely to be a possibility, so we try to get the best out of him for what's left of his contract (2 years) until he departs on a free.

Danny O’Neill
176 Posted 21/07/2020 at 13:05:58
So the Guaye replacement we're missed this season then Steve??
Steve Ferns
177 Posted 21/07/2020 at 13:07:31
Exactly, Danny, but I'd be greedy and require him to be better on the ball so he can pass it himself and initiate attacks as soon as he won the ball and the opponents are in disarray.
Danny O’Neill
178 Posted 21/07/2020 at 13:16:34
I can't argue with that Steve! Important to turn the game quickly once possession is won or when we go forward.

Even Man City, who are way more patient on the ball, when they do decide to go forward, it is done with purpose and intent. Not forced or in hope!

Sam Hoare
179 Posted 21/07/2020 at 13:29:16
I like Hojbjerg. He gives us energy and more recoveries in the middle. But I wouldn't fancy paying more than £20-25M in this market; especially with one year left on his contract.

Spurs won't pay more than that and Southampton are just bargaining hard. They won't want to lose him for nothing in 12 months though so really we should hold the cards.

There are a few other decent box-to-box centre-midfielders out there (Sangare, Mwepu, Zakaria, Wendel, Dominguez, Laimer, Soumare, Kessie, Fulgini, Cyprien, Roca, Santamaria, Barrios, Owusu etc.)

Sam Hoare
180 Posted 21/07/2020 at 18:50:16
Offer accepted, I'm hearing, for £25M. I think that's pretty generous given he's in the last year of his contract but it was needed maybe to see off Spurs.
Jamie Crowley
181 Posted 21/07/2020 at 18:55:26
Sam, if that's accurate, I'm not happy. I hope to God I'm wrong, but this is a player who will not change our fortunes, whom we just paid a stupid amount of money for.

Who else in world football would pay $25 million for this guy?

He'd better shit rainbows.

Rob Halligan
182 Posted 21/07/2020 at 18:59:21
Jamie, hope it is $25M, as that's just under £20M GBP.
Brian Williams
183 Posted 21/07/2020 at 18:59:24
Hearing from where, Sam?
Rob Halligan
184 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:02:32
https://mobile.twitter.com/EvertonNewsFeed/status/1285631352860278785?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Sam Hoare
185 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:10:17
False alarm. Dodgy source! As usual.

Jamie@181, I think £20-25m is probably going rate for a good Premier League centre-midfielder with his best years ahead of him. It's what we paid for Gomes.

Hojbjerg may not be a glamorous player but he's a dependable: 7 out 10 most weeks. A player who wins a lot of balls and makes us harder to beat.

Robert Tressell
186 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:10:28
It's another signing that feels like a lot of money for an ordinary player.

However, we do need the attributes he brings so there's a good chance that it is a good signing. And I suppose a slim chance that it's a bad signing.

Rob Halligan
187 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:14:05
Sam, what is your source, as according to the Daily Mail (I know, I know) the bid has been accepted:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8545935/Everton-25m-Pierre-Emile-Hojbjerg-bid-accepted-Southampton-blow-Tottenham.html

Paul Hewitt
188 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:15:32
The player has told Southampton he wants to go to Spurs. Stay well clear.
Brian Williams
189 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:20:21
Probably the same source as the rest of us, reading it online?
Sam Hoare
190 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:24:42
Yes, ‘source’ is misleading. Just following various pseudo ITKs on twitter.

Talksport broke the story I think. No idea if it’s actually true or not.

Brian Williams
191 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:28:21
I hope it's not true if there's any truth in him wanting to go to Spurs.

Mind you, how the hell do we know what's true and what's not in these days of anyone being able to put any old shite out there for it to be taken as gospel!

Barry Rathbone
192 Posted 21/07/2020 at 19:55:51
He would be advised to go anywhere but Spurs – the new football stadium curse is still in its infancy there.

2 years from now, they will be in penury and possibly relegated. We have at least 5 years before committing our version of stadium Hari Kari.

Pastures new will have beckoned long before if he parks his Bentley here.

Geoff Williams
193 Posted 22/07/2020 at 15:50:42
There are better players than him who would be happy to join Everton. Wouldn't touch a player who isn't 100% committed to the club.
James Flynn
194 Posted 22/07/2020 at 16:44:40
What I learned over the years in here regarding transfers is to wait and see when the BBC chimes in.

It's 5 days since they mentioned Everton's approach regarding the player. I'll wait until they have more to say on it.

Alan Rodgers
195 Posted 22/07/2020 at 17:02:47
Can't say I care whether he signs or not. But I'm certain he's getting booed next time we play Spurs!
Roger Helm
196 Posted 22/07/2020 at 17:33:02
I think we have to accept that no "top" footballer is going to want to come to us, without we spend silly money we haven't got.

This fella by all accounts is no Messi but he wins possession, keeps running, is rarely injured and is a battler. Maybe he is not as good as Idrissa, but you get what you pay for. He sounds like he would beef up the midfield and provide some ammunition for those players who don't like to get their shorts dirty.


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