Allan expected to lead midfield influx

Let's have the others in quickly.

The waiting is killing me...

Brands has done well, but Carlo's influence is all over this seismic shift in our recruitment process.

I think it bodes well for the team spirit and strength of purpose that all these three players were adamant and unequivocal about playing for Everton and Mr Ancelotti.

When the chips are down, this desire will come to the surface; points will be saved and won because of it.

I think Bill's had them kidnapped until he finds the Arteta money down the back of his sofa.

I don't know much, but Fabrizio Romano, who seems to work for both Sky and The Guardian, has been seemingly quite accurate.

I also know that if Phil McNulty at BBC Sport reports something then there is always substance to it, but he never cracks a story first as far as I know.

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on which journalists or sites make for reliable transfer rumours, presumably due to genuine inside knowledge, and which ones just play pull-the-name-our-of-hat?

He probably read comments on ToffeeWeb comparing him to Bolasie. I did hear Fasutino Asprilla saying James left Munich because it was too cold. Maybe he thought Everton was in warmer climes and realized the reality when he arrived?

Or maybe Willian tapped him up when he was at his London restaurant and now he's headed to Spurs.

This is so Everton.

Does anyone know if signings will be confirmed tonight?

Oh Joy. Sandro would have had lovely things to say about us. It's also possible James did a Muller and thought his pay was "netto" and learnt about UK taxes.

The latest rumour is that Allan and Doucouré have both signed but Rodriguez is catching a plane back to Spain without signing.

Who Knows. This is so Everton. Pay multimillions for players but don't send anyone to "look after them" when they get here.

It is being suggested that there was a complication about his contract with Real Madrid but I would have thought in these days of high tech it could have been sorted out at Finch Farm.

Hopefully it's not like when Madrid reneged on selling Bale at the last minute.

Where are you getting that? Can't find any reports saying he's gone back to Spain.

It was apparently tweeted from the staff at the Titanic that he had booked a taxi back to the airport. There was also a report in the media (I know) that there were problems with terminating his Real Madrid contract.

I don't know if any of it is true but reporting on him has gone quiet and he definitely isn't at Finch Farm.

Appropriate hotel if this deal sinks.

Everton and Wolves join the race for Thomas Lemar

The club getting it in the neck again on the strength of unsubstantiated rumours.

If he has changed his mind due to weather, his Mrs saying no way or seeing Goodison – we only want players who want to play for Everton.

He is in the latter part of his career and has had injuries so, if it doesn't happen, maybe not all bad.

Please no-one say Peter Reid or Andy Gray – that was a different era.

How about Ronaldo at Juve? He's not too bad.

No, it has to be "Everton that" or "the club's fucked up again" blah blah.

I can't understand sometimes why our own supporters seem so quick to jump on the negative and denigrate the club they supposedly love at the drop of a, possibly, imaginary fucking hat!

You mean like giving Nigel Martyn directions to Leeds instead of getting him to sign on the dotted line?

Or like Manny Fernandes being invited to a game at Goodison Park, courtesy of Bill Kenwright, and then claiming he was signing in the morning... when we hadn't even contacted him next day, he signed for someone else, stating that he was waiting on Everton but they hadn't even offered him a contract.

Spoke with a guy about an hour ago in the supermarket car park that had an EFC sticker in his car. He'd heard a contract issue too, but apparently surrounding "Image rights".

Rumours eh?

Maybe because we have been let down so many times by believing and then finding it isn't true.

But for the old days when you could go to the factory and offer a lad a shilling and some second-hand boots to turn out for the club on Saturday.

But, you're right, even if the point is exaggerated!

This is torture!!

The Arteta money is probably useless by now. Haven't they changed the bank notes in circulation a couple of times since he left?

Cheer up, Lad!

Just to cheer you up, it is being widely reported that Allan and Doucouré have signed. There does appear to be a problem with Rodriguez and quite a few are wondering why no announcement.

Hopefully they are sorting Rodriguez out and will announce all 3 together.

I'll get another beer!!

The starting 11 gets announced for Spurs. All 3 are in the line-up. still no announcement from the club. 😂 The fume on Twitter is unrelenting over this announcement. I get the excitement but chill, it's coming.

Looks like we're waiting on Hamez but he's been spotted paddle boarding in the Mersey, he's been spotted egging buses off the bootle flyover, he's been spotted scranning in San Carlo so he's here and it's happening.

If James is not done yet, I'd rather wait for all 3 to be boxed off and announce them together. The PR of James alone, is worth it.

As I said earlier, get one each in the new kits and watch the kits sales soar globally due to the army of Rodriguez fans. The kits are lovely anyway but they'll look a damn sight lovelier with that sexy Latin American bastard in them!!!! COYFBB!!

He's (been) a class act, of that there is no doubt, but I feel he'd offer us far less in terms of 'Value-For-Money' when all said and done.

That said, if he does rock-up, and transform those around him, I'll happily suffer the slings and arrows!

Benn....’James Rodriguez been spotted egging busses off the Bootle flyover’’, been laughing for 5 minutes already.

Steve 56 , I understand that sentiment, but if James can stay fit he will give us a hell of a lift in quality and creativity. Admittedly it’s a big IF.

Then he saw the U23's, and couldn't figure out why they all looked 40 - Bloody Unsworth.

Then he spoke to the first team coach and decided he was only there because of sentiment and, after speaking to Dunc, he concluded that he'd never learn the language.

Then he saw Davies, thought that Bill had bullshitted him all along and he'd actually be playing in the Championship.

Todo parece indicar que se va a demorar un poco más, hay algún detalle con el Real Madrid para cerrar todo. Pero no creo que haya problema.

which translates as:

Everything seems to indicate that it will take a little longer, there is some detail with Real Madrid to close everything. But I don't think there's a problem.

Todo es culpa de Kenwright. perdió el dinero de mikael y trató a los fans como una mierda. No voy a ir a un club dirigido por este hurón malvado, y su teatro es una mierda. Y si crees que estoy jugando junto a Davies, entonces debes estar loco.

Arias just diagnosed with Covid so not available for transfer.

Iwobi is never in bad form. He is just permanently garbage. Can't dribble or shoot, can make a decent pass which any footballer should be able to do.

Finch Farm es como una casa de ancianos, llena de ex jugadores y parece estar dirigida como un campamento de vacaciones para jugadores que no han logrado nada más que ser amigos del Presidente, bueno eso es lo que Don me dijo.

He estado en el camino del muelle y para ver el nuevo estadio en el que jugaré, pero todo lo que puedo ver es un vigilante de gallos y una cabina portátil.

Meanwhile, Bill's still telling Allan about Uncle Cyril's bike...

More anti-Everton shoite!

Seriously why do we always take so long?

Happy Bill

Here we go, chaps.

James, Carlo and Doucoure having a meal.

Allan has got his bird the jacuzzi in the titanic.

Sound. A triple whammy tomorrow.

Typical!

I hope James isn't put off by Dixie and Kenwright's offer of a golden shower too.

Let it be Brands.

It's a good sign that people are talking us down and mocking our ambitions. That means they're worried.

Chelsea have done some excellent business with what was already an exciting and vibrant young squad.

Pulisic is potentially world class. As are Werner and Havertz.

Hudson-Odoi... who knows when he returns from injury but the signs were there.

Reece James. For me should now be our number one target. There is a top s player here who is waiting to find his position. Pay the money and he could be our right-back.

Have a look at the pictures from the restaurant that Benn posted.

Perhaps it is the golfer after all?

I miss the days of waking up in the morning to find we've signed Bob Latchford for a British record fee without all this modern 'will they, won't they' bollocks about every foreign mercenary, most of whom I've never heard of.

Big Bob for £350k! Imagine what he would be worth now! Goal scoring machine!

It'll be all announced tomorrow.

It's a shame we lost Howard in the same deal.

I hope to god the goalkeeping problem is also being addressed.

I have seen nowhere near enough live games over the years, but I was at Upton Park in March 1974 to see big Bob's debut. We lost 4-3 after being 3-1 up. even then. I can still clearly remember Bob setting up George Telfer for the first. I wonder if anybody else on here, was there...

Well, I'm normally mustard on all things Everton especially the bad old 70s but can't recall that game. Obviously his debut season.

Having said that I was there in 76 at Upton Park with my older brother telling me not to speak when Gary Jones scored with a header in a rare away win. Scary place them days.

Also, promote Simms if we can't find a striker who bags more than 13 goals a season.

It's only the tip of the iceberg!

But makes sense to unveil the 3 amigos together. Hopefully Monday at the latest.

Although he wants some reserve team player that we signed on his shirt from Dungannon Swifts... any ideas who that is, folks?

He will improve our midfield no end; delighted we have signed him and Ancelotti will be buzzing too.

Doucouré next, I hope.

Well done Carlo and welcome aboard, Allan, lad.

Come on, get on with it!

It's a real coup for us – a bit like a top player turning up in Barcelona, and signing for Espanyol.

I don’t care if they are loanees as long as they are good. Martinez did it in his first season (to Martin Samuel’s horror) and it worked out brilliant.

So, six in, six out - Iwobi, Iwobi, Iwobi again, Iwobi one more time and Iwobi just for good luck. Oh, and Iwobi just to make certain!

Remember it not really for the football but for getting chased into the market on the way back to the coach and got pelted with melons. Could have been worse!!!

He was asked why he has signed and he looked quizzically at the interviewer and said: “To win trophies, that is what playing football is about.”

He also went on to say that he plays his football like a child. He doesn't stop. I like this guy he reminds me of Peter Reid.

It's strange times, I've seen plenty of queues outside nightclubs at half-eleven at night but you wanna see the queue outside the Wetherspoons in Great Charlotte Street right now. And it's only half-eleven in the morning.

I do hope loan rather than permanent as I do hope he comes good. Just not convinced at the moment.

Dan, why would Tom unfollow us? It doesn’t make sense unless he’s totally pissed off. I hope he doesn’t go the Barkley way and disrespect us.

I have been critical of how often he gives the ball away but perhaps being asked to play a role he isn't suited to.

Hopefully it is all a load of rubbish. The thing is, as it stands, no top 8 club would buy Davies off us after the last 12 months of performances so why should he start in midfield for us if we have ambitions to get into Europe.

I absolutely hate Costa, more interested in being a dick than scoring goals. No Thanks. I would take Cavani on a 1-year deal but can't see it happening.

We really do have a strong South American presence now.

I wouldn't say no to either of the forwards you suggest, certainly someone with experience for Calvert-Lewin and Kean to learn from. I just think neither are quite ready to take on the job of being the main striker, but in a season or two we might have two very talented forwards.

When you look around the Premier League there aren't too many young strikers leading the line. I now Jesus is a great talent but, for me, he is not at Aguerro's level and him missing so many games through injury probably cost Man City getting to the Champions League Final.

I know Tammy Abrahams has done well for Chelsea, but even he found himself playing second fiddle to Giroud for the back end of the season.

I'm with you, Brian, our beleaguered defence may not be the best, but neither is it the worst. With a far better midfield in front of it, they won't be as exposed. Hypothetically, you can have the best defenders in the league but if they are continuously exposed, they concede. It's the law of averages. And protecting comes in 2 forms; helping to defend and win the ball, but then go forward with purpose and creativity when we have the ball. All keeps pressure off the defence.

Our priority has to be midfield followed by attacking options. As I've said elsewhere, we only have to look across the park. The last pieces in Klopp's plan was a centre-back and goalkeeper. I know it's relative to where we or they are, but the priority was other areas. Yes, the defence & keeper need improving, but in terms of progress, I think it can wait for now until we fix the bleeding in front of it.

Really pleased with this, already, a presumable 4-3-3 of back 4 + Doucouré, Allan & Gomes, with Rodriquez, Richarlison roaming in front of them with Calvert-Lewin or Kean as point man seems light years away from how we ended the previous season.

For the wages he would cost, I'm not sure why we would want someone who scored 1 goal every 5 games for the last 3 years.

As for Davies, I would love to know what people think his best position is?

He's not a classic defensive midfielder as he's too weak in the tackle and is physically not very strong. He's not an attacking midfielder as he's quite slow, not very creative or aware, and runs with his head down etc

I know he has a loyal fan base on here but I would love to know what are his main attributes besides being a local and enthusiastic.

I believe that Carlo would get the best out of Costa. And you never know – his will to win might rub off on our current incumbents.

What happened too the 25-and-under policy, which Marcel stuck too rigidly?

We now have over 25-year-olds coming in. Why? because Carlo says so.

I'm not knocking Marcel, but apart from negotiating fees, finances etc, he must feel that his role is being devalued!

I don't advocate Carlo dealing in the finances, but his influence on high quality proven players is there for all too see.

I reluctantly gave my season ticket up this year (health reasons) but I'd love to see the current predicted team shoot us up the Premier League and into Europe next season.

How we got Carlo I'll never know.

COYB

But, rather than turn this into a "let's slate Tom" post, I think if we keep him as a useful squad member. At least when he does play, he will benefit from having better midfield partners around him. And, with that and better attacking options ahead of him; perhaps he won't need to dwell on the ball and lose possession?

I agree with others, the more we have the ball to attack and create chances the less defending we do and the more goals we should score.

Brands organises recruitment strategy whilst Carlo defines the playing style and together they come up with what type of players are needed.

After fully assessing the current squad, they prioritised the engine room which I and most others agree with. Not for the future but for now! Players Carlo knows and trusts to play his style.

Sorry, this isn't meant to be provocative to your post and I get what you're saying in a way, but the Premier League experience tag is what has kept a generation of sub-standard British managers in jobs as they continuously get rewarded for failure or mediocrity.

Back on positive track, let's get James & Doucouré nailed to join our new Columbian Peter Reid!!

Having to run midfield at such a young age isn't easy and not helped by the lack of movement and creativity around him.

He's a central midfielder. Box to box. Lots of energy but has often tried to do to much being paired with snails who all equally give the ball away as often if and when they try and play the ball forwards ie Schneiderlin, Gana, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Delph.

I hope he continues his footballing education at Everton learning from real top class experienced players and he'll keep improving.

More sensible to get rid of other expensive and experienced players like Delph and Sigurdsson. But money talks and there's few surprises left in football transfers these days.

I hope we can keep all our players to help with congestion. Delph and Sigurdsson aren't bad players, they just weren't the top class players we needed to improve the first team.

Justin, I've no idea what you are drinking when you watch games but I'd like to drink it too. Davies best and most consistent? I have never seen any player give the ball away in midfield more than Davies, except maybe Joe Parkinson who deliberately passed it to the opposition so he could then tackle them as hard as possible.

I'd love him to come good, in answer to Colin's question I think he is an attacking midfielder. I hope he stays, I'd love him to play with Allan and Rodriguez, even Gomes who I think could be a different player with Allan alongside him to win him the ball. He will hopefully learn and blossom.

Ha! Guy was mega.,"...except maybe Joe Parkinson who deliberately passed it to the opposition so he could then tackle them as hard as possible."

Ha! Guy was mega.,,,1,13:32:51,,80.3.202.204,ok,19747,09/05/2020 13:32:51,Overdrive,reader,,,no 1090148,39851,toffeeweb,05/09/2020,Paul Birmingham,Paul.birmingham@bt.com,"Great news, and some genuine hope for this season, let's hope the others due incompetence no, arrive soon.

It's a good piece of dealing by Brands and Co if we get all three of them, at the quoted costs.

Hopefully the start of an era where Everton gets back its pride and can challenge the top six.

Our midfield has been poor for many years, there's a few different reasons, managers, played out of position, lack of passing options etc. but ultimately the individuals have not been good enough. I think we all acknowledge that.

Davies has played consistently well (for mid-table) in tough circumstances compared to injury prone Delph, no tackle Gomes, slow and out of position Siggy, backwards pass Schnides and Gana who was great but couldn't pass (more give aways than a Christmas raffle).

Are any of them top 4 standard, maybe Gana, but the biggest let downs for me have been Schnides and Siggy. Others have commented on them being the best partnership after a win.
Neither are rubbish but both have had many poor, inconsistent runs of games but always got picked.

When we win fans are happy and praise players. Sadly the last few seasons has meant our fans have often been very critical. I hope we can soon have more to celebrate and our opinions more aligned.

I'm not a Tom basher and as I've said above, think we should keep him in the squad for now, as at least with better players around him, he gets a fairer crack at the whip so to speak.

My opinion is he isn't good enough for where I want Everton to be. Not anti-Tom, just my view from what I've seen. Sadly, I think Kenny falls into that category too.

Go and prove me wrong lads as I will gladly eat humble pie.