Ancelotti acknowledges need for transfer reinforcements

Does this translate as “I have asked them to get Allan in from Napoli“ but Napoli want a vomit inducing amount of money for a 29/30-year-old and the board are not willing to pay it.

Who will actually be identifying the players? We really need Ancelotti to be insisting that Brands and the board sign the players of his choosing. The alternative is that Brands gets to spunk another £200M up the wall while Ancelotti goes through the motions for the next 18 months or so.

It's quotes like this one I don't like:

"And when the season is finished, we are going to talk together and find the right solution for this.”

No need to wait until the end of the season. These conversations should have been happening for the past seven months and especially during the football shutdown, given that were was sod-all else to do.

By now, Ancelotti, Brands and the board should know exactly who they intend to sign and should have already had conversations with the respective clubs and agents.

If Brands chooses them (and we end up with equivalents of Bernard, Sandro, Bolasie, Moise Kean etc), then expect more dire and losing football.

Marco Silva requested Richarlison. We signed him. We also overpaid for him, such was the desire of Silva to bring him in no matter what.

If Ancelotti really wants a player, we will sign him. If we have to overpay for him, then that will be Ancelotti's decision too, but Brands will tell him that this will reduce the pot for signing other players.

Ancelotti will not, and does not want to, do what some of you want him to do. That is to be David Moyes and be scouting players and negotiating with clubs, then agents and players. A modern manager doesn't have the time for this. That's why we have a director of football.

Where we have had problems is when the director of football has been left to bring in players for the manager. Brands clearly failed Silva last summer with his failure to replace Zouma. This was massive as it meant Silva's tactics with a high defensive line could not work. The injury to Gbamin also ripped the engine out of midfield as we effectively failed to replace Gueye. Brands was unlucky with Gbamin but the lack of a pacy defender was a big mark against him for me.

Ancelotti may give Brands a load of names. He may also give him what Silva called “profiles”. A list of qualities he requires in a particular player and it's up to Brands and his team to sign a player to fit, eg, a big, fast, powerful centre back who is good on the ball like Zouma or a speedy defensive midfielder who puts in lots of tackles and makes lots of interceptions, but can also carry the ball himself and drive the team up the pitch quickly to speed us up in transition. The latter is exactly what we needed and exactly what Gbamin was meant to be.

Brands is not a scout. Sure he runs the rule over the scouts findings and will use his own eye to be sure of a signing, but his qualities are not meant to be his own eye in finding players. That's Steve Walsh. Brands is a pure administrator. His qualities are meant to be preventing us getting ripped off, getting shut of the unwanted players, and having joined-up thinking with a long-term plan to make sure there is a clear pathway for youth development.

He's only been here two years, but he only has a year to go on his contract. The lack of talk of a new one hints that the board may not be as happy with him as we thought.

If Brands goes, we will only go and get another Brands. There will be no return to the Moyes era, and there shouldn't be. The manager needs to coach the team, not jet-set around Europe scouting players.

No-one, absolutely no-one, should suggest that, in a time when good folk are losing their jobs, we are supporting, without a single exception, a pack of lazy, talentless, utterly, fucking utterly, pack of useless cunts.

He's appointed Ancelotti, a manager who's shown his abilities only when authorised to personally shape the squad he manages. He's paying a fortune, annually, to Ancelotti. Ergo, unless he provides significant funds to Ancelotti this summer to sign quality players, he's announcing to the football world that we, Everton, are not seeking to improve from the mundanity of Kenwright's "knives-to-a-gunfight" mentality, a mentality that for decades has robbed us fans of what the history of our great club demands.

EFC remind me of the TV Programme The Curse of Oak Island – two brothers pouring millions of dollars each year into finding a mythical treasure, only to come up empty handed after following the latest lead. Only thing is I reckon they have more chance of obtaining their objective than we do as Evertonians.

I'm not sure you understand the Director of Football model to be honest.

It's not that the manager says go and get me a player and the DOF goes and gets him, like you mentioned Silva insisting on Richarlison. Nor is it that the DOF buys the players for the manager.

The problem is that the manager and the DOF have to agree, otherwise a player isn't bought.

The DOF is meant to protect the financial interest of the club – if the DOF doesn't feel the deal is value for money, the transfer doesn't happen. It sounds good in theory, but that's how we ended up paying £35 million for Iwobi when the first choice target was Zaha. I didn't want either if I'm honest, but the wisdom that Iwobi represented good value was fundamentally flawed.

The Director of Football model has been an unmitigated disaster for Everton. I think we have spent £380 million in 3 or 4 years, and we have spunked that money.

I dread what is going to happen this summer in terms of recruitment. We have a manager who has won the lot as both a player and a manager. Can you imagine Carlo Ancelloti wanting us to buy a certain player, eg, Allan from Napoli, but having to get Brands to agree? I suspect Brands would overrule him based on age and finance, and we will probably end up with Hojbjerg from Southampton or someone similar. And this is the problem with the DOF model, because every transfer is a compromise. No one gets what they want.

We need to ditch this model and get back to the club giving the manager a budget for him to spend. The club could still have a scouting department, plus legal and financial people working on the deals. But in terms of power, there is a conflict of interest by having a DOF who wields as much power as the manager. We can't carry on recruiting the way we have been in any case.

Brands didn't sign Sandro or Bolasie... or Klaassen, or Williams, or Martina, or Schneiderlin, or Walcott, or Tosun, or Sigurdsson.

I have no faith in Everton anymore – not even with a world class manager at the helm...

"Same shit, different season" will unfold again!

The “there'll never be an Alex Ferguson type again we need DOF” argument doesn't ring true to me. Ferguson won everything. Why in the fuck throw out that model and go for the failed Damian Comoli, Steve Walsh, Marcel Brands approach just because “times change”? If it ain't broke don't fix it

We've a gaffer who has done it all. Let him take the reins.

Lyndon mentioned in his article about the uncertainty surrounding how much money may be available to bolster our squad due to the coronavirus shutdown. Surely the effect of that has hit all clubs, and some have obviously suffered more than others.

I find it a bit disconcerting too by rumour, hear that some clubs (allegedly) are still demanding OTT prices for players we happen to be interested in. One question that has been answered since the restart, is just how poor our squad is, and that previous overspending has yielded very little in terms of quality.

Hopefully we can offload a few more high earning under-achievers in this upcoming window, no doubt again, at a massive loss. We desperately need an overhaul of our midfield, as has been patently obvious during the reconvening of games, that is where we are lacking. The defense has been okay in the main, so possibly just a right-back, unless Seamus can go on for another season.

I feel Pickford's combination of brilliant shot-stopping and in contrast court-jestering is too much of a risk, if we are to be serious contenders, and can't instill much confidence in those in front of him.

I am not sure about our striking options, while they have had very poor service or supply from midfield or the wings... are they good enough to ignore reinforcements?

I think you are right in your description of the Director of Football role and the need for such a position in the Everton Management structure.

The problem is that Brands has had to depend on the level of competence of the Manager he had to work with, an academy where he had no say in the recruitment policy, a Chairman, and possibly Moshiri, who seemed to be involved in negotiation of transfer fees and contract terms and could approach Clubs regarding recruitment.

Walsh had similar problems. Brands had the additional job of trying to sort out the mess created in previous tenures, which seems to be a condition to raise funds for recruitment. It also is assumed that Brands had in input into the Finch Farm operations. I don't think he has, other than managing the gates to keep irate fans out.

I am hopeful that Brands will be able to do his job properly with Ancelotti as Manager. Ancelotti has put him in charge of Academy recruitment, which includes Under-23s and I doubt Ancelotti will be as weak as previous Managers regarding interference from Kenwright and Moshiri.

Brands was totally undermined last Summer, which could be worrying regarding his contract extension. I'm glad we have Ancelotti as Manager. I am concerned that Brands was not able to impose himself on the club more. His role in the Board seems to have had no impact regarding this and I can't see how him being on the Board works with Ancelotti as manager.

Danny is right, there has to be a consensus.

Carlo must have a limit in his head about the ceiling price of a player. Say he wants Allan who will be 30 a few months after he kicks a ball for us, but Napoli want £45M + £25M wages. Even if Ancelloti really wants him, I don't think even he would agree that that is sound business and in the best interests for the club for a player with zero resale value.

Possibly they are negotiating a deal with Kean going the other way, which may suit the players and their clubs.

It is good now that the playing side is handled by the manager and that there is a definite split between the responsibilities. No modern business would look at a system where a single person looks after the HR and Engineering side of things.

The DoF position is essential but the problem is in having a structure and procedures in place to make it work. The problem at Everton may be that both Brands and Carlo correctly report to the CEO, they are professionals and Kenwrighti is a thespian who thinks the club's his trainset.

When you have a situation where the club underperforms, whoever is head coach and DoF, then the problem is the people that they report to. Everton's problems to me are caused by the very top management which is where success ultimately comes from.

As you say, the manager and the DOF have to agree on the player. Iwobi, Sidibé, Kean, Bernard and Delph – they were poor decisions by Silva & Brands.

Brands's negotiation of wages and contracts was poorer still: giving Delph a 3-year contract, on bigger wages than he was on at Man City, and Bernard is on £100k+ per week, which makes it impossible to move them on.

More consideration about the pros and cons of offering massively inflated salaries which effectively rule out a player being moved on if it doesn't work out.

A hunger and passion to actually want to play for Everton, not just add to a fat bank balance.

A strong mentality, not one of these flakey types that takes criticism personally and can't handle it.

A thorough background check on the said one's personality and history of any off-field troubles and baggage; if they do not match to our standards we should steer well clear.

Have a clean recent injury record, not one of regular intervals out with niggly injury problems.

If a midfield player it is,

Does he possess athleticism and ability to get up and down the pitch an play a full 90 minutes and not just in a 10-yard circle?

Some semblance of ability in a relatively strong league, and have some strengths, for example, if again a midfielder, then: Can he pass? Can he shoot? Will he add energy and a dynamic to the team that's lacking?

It's up to Carlo and Brands to start producing the goods here.

That club are insane, how many managers do they want?

Pearson was a decent manager and I don't know who Watford think they are going to attract?

I remember Norwich did the same and promoted an ex-Evertonian to replace Chris Hughton with, I think, four games left against the top teams.

Didn't work out for them, I don't think it will for Watford but they may get away with it if Villa and Everton (against the Cherries) fall short

Watford were rooted to the bottom of the table when Nigel came, and they will probably stay up. Hope they go down now. Interesting that, when Pearson joined bottom club Watford in December, Everton were 17th.

The problem with a DOF is they tend to look at longer term value for money, when a player is sold be judged accordingly on profit.

Our priority has to be to greatly improve the first team. A player the manager wants or at least fits what is needed for the current and possibly following season.

It's not my money to agree or disagree transfer fees or wages so the cost and price is of little concern to me. I don't care about age, it's genuine top class quality for a season or two that is needed.

I trust Carlo to get the best out of top professional footballers, unlike our other, less experienced and strangley stubborn managers.

I don't generally talk about other teams but I hope Watford get relegated. They treat their managers terribly and yet still retain their ownership ie with Silva, how's that possible?

I would not be surprised to see Silva go back there. Pearsons experience helped galvanise the team, made them hard to beat, get the fight and spirit up to fight relegation. But the board want a swashbuckling attacking team to do a Wolves or Sheff Utd. They have both been excellent in adapting and always giving it a go. I'm sure Leeds will do likewise.

The sad thing is that they seem to know what and how they want their team to play, we (Everton) it seems, haven't got a clue.

Whatever the role of Brands; can't see Ancelotti accepting being overruled on incomings. He'd walk and who would blame him.

We'd also never get another Manager like him again, so it would be insane to let him go.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti says he and Director of Football Marcel Brands will share responsibility for this summer's recruitment at Goodison Park.

“We have to be both agreed,” said the Italian. “I have a beautiful relationship [with Marcel]. We meet each other, we talk to each other every single day. We are here, close, our office is really close.

“We have to improve the squad. We have to improve defensively, in midfield and we have to improve in front. This squad has to improve.”

You say that we can't have a David Moyes type manager flying around Europe scouting teams in person. What about having David Moyes as a DOF to replace Brands? His contract at West Ham is up in 12 months.

The one thing we all (mostly) give the Ginger One credit for is his ability to spot a player: Cahill, Arteta, Pienaar, Lescott, Distin, Martyn, Coleman – the list is endless. He was also very adept at finding players at value prices (mainly because he was forced to).

Would he be interested in a DOF role? Maybe not, but it would be an interesting combination.

No one knows for sure what Brands does but, when it comes to recruitment, I'm guessing he's in effect the chief scout but wants a manager's input into specific players or position priorities and skill set wanted.

The scouts still do the donkey work and some scouts will work for several clubs and have affiliation to agents.

As for Moyes, yes he'd probably agree to 90% of incoming players but he wasn't scouting them, merely watching a scouts recommendation – especially if they were meant to be expensive / first-team ready.

It's not changed that much apart from more money, more competition and more global.

Fanbase aside, I despair the mentality of some to rejoice in a big win now and again. Very sad.

We played good football under Moyes and we had stability about us on and off the pitch. And we averaged about 7th or 8th. It wasn't perfect but I'd take it now above the shame of spending so much to be so shit.

Moyes is not the right man for now. He's not a director of football and he's had his time at this club.

There must be about 5 positions that need addressing, starting with the 'keeper. If this window falls flat, similar to last summer with the likes of Iwobi, we will be nearer the bottom six than the top. We are the worst team to watch since the restart and, with this present team and the feeble attitude of many players, relegation is real possibility next season.

Not sure he lasted a year anywhere despite trying the lot from Champions to relegation fodder with mid-table monkeys here and abroad in-between.

It's going to be hard to shift players out. There certainly won't be an overhaul.

They've already said the aim is just 2 or 3 signings (although that won't include the likes of Nkounkou and other youngsters earmarked for the U-23s).

I agree goalkeeper needs improvement but there have been almost no rumours as regards that position. Pickford looks likely to be No 1 next season as things stand. He'll be better in a better team.

Probable incomings will be centre-midfield (possibly x 2). Then one or two of right-winger, centre-back and right-back.

Branthwaite's emergence probably puts a question mark on centre-back recruitment (which appeared to be the priority). Kenny's situation makes the right-back slot uncertain too.

Not all doom and gloom though. 3 quality players can make a massive difference.

I suppose it's an age thing. Blues under say 50 have been spoonfed mediocrity with the odd good day while I have the kopite mentality of wanting or demanding better and thinking bigger despite the Chairman's motto: Make do and mend — Whatever the Latin is for that!!

Everton's scouts are rubbish and have almost bankrupted the club with the garbage brought in for over-the-top amounts on ridiculous wages, only to hang around like a bad smell for years, milking the club for everything they can get, and achieving nothing on the field. We've become a retirement club for losers.

As much as I hate that odious twerp I don't blame him for saying that; watching us "trying" to play out from the back is totally embarrassing. Anyway, to the crux of my post (which is why I posted it on this thread) we must MUST find a way to ship out Sigurdsson for a fee in the next few weeks.

The only way I can see this happening (given the wages he is on) is we take a very low bid (say below £10M) from a Premier League side or his agent touts his services around China and the MLS. It is possible we could get a slightly better fee and they would fulfil their quota for an ageing international star.

He has to go, he has hamstrung us for too long, he doesn't score, tackle, create, he's not got any pace and he simply doesn't fit! He must go, now! We have players who can fill in when we play with a No 10, Gordon, Bernard (I want him out also but accept we might not have any takers, again due to stupid wages, also I much prefer him coming inside behind the front two) and Iwobi (I know, I know).

I am not being reactionary when I say that I would listen to offers for Davies (I'm sorry, Tom, I love you but your role should be limited to substitute at best), Iwobi, Coleman (MLS?), Keane, Tosun & Walcott. Obvious players who need shipping out desperately are Besic, Ramirez, Bolasie, not to mention some of the young lads like Pennington, Dowell et al.

Brands has a HUGE job on his hands, I simply don't know if any of the above is even possible. Then there is the purchasing, totally agree with Gavin on a previous thread, we need a centre-back (if we are shipping one of Keane or Mina) although I accept this is not a priority, 2 quality centre-midfielders, a goalscoring and hardworking right-midfielder (left-footed) and a new right-back. I almost feel sorry for Marcel, it's not going to happen basically.

Carlo Ancellotti not even mentioned in this bloody article - yet other newspapers and media have adequately done so about mental health issues.