Everton announce arrival of James Rodriguez

Two years with an option for a third year.

Hopefully we have seen the last of five year deals for older players.

Excited now.

Welcome aboard you absolute piece of class HAAMEZ!!!

Now stay fuckin' healthy please, we really need you.

I won't lie, I was worried he wouldn't - and he'd quit.

Even if he's continually on the physio table, this is worth the gamble.
The upside is greater than the downside for me.

That being said, 85% wages to turnover isn't sustainable. We have to cut the deadwood after this season and start to run a profitable operation.

We're all hoping so James, welcome to L4.

If the club gave some of our fans money for free, they'd complain, either it wasn't enough and an insult, or it was too much and how could they afford it.

The player I wanted to see was Doucoure, he hasn't signed yet, but there's still a chance of it happening.

76k a year? That's only £1400 quid a week. Very reasonable if you ask me. I know he was taking a pay cut but somehow I doubt it's as much as that. Maybe you missed off a few zeroes.

Allan and James will not give two shits stepping foot into Analfield, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, etc.

Do I seem excited?

Welcome aboard y buena suerte Jimmy

Genuine hope on the horizon for EFC, this season.

No. But what about a cold and rainy Wednesday night in Grimsby?

If he can get and stay relatively fit then he could bring a huge amount, both on and off the pitch.

Aside from that, he's a quality high level footballer and professional - this will give all our players a huge boost as well. James is class and I'm well happy.

Hope he stays fit and let them goals come.

I guess someone has to leave now.

This looks to be a really good window.

I'm not the one moaning and I'm not Irish despite the moniker. I was born in Mill Road, Liverpool.

HAHAHA! Anyone with a heartbeat would be scared of that I'd imagine!

Look at this thread 37 posts in, and by the time I hit 'Submit Your Comment' it'll probably be over 40. Such happiness and excitement.

It goes to show you, through all the arguments and petty little back and forth comments and threads, everybody was on the same page in this respect:

There's a good core at Everton, we've landed a top-class manager, our owner backs us, we just need 2-3 impact players to reverse this downward spiral.

Well done the Club. The reaction on TW here warrants such a comment towards Everton. Everton have done well.

Bring on that new season and let's look up the table and start the ascent we've been craving.

#31 Michael O'Malley, wish I was there to see that tomorrow!

If you re-read my comment, it said I was disappointed to learn it's only for 2 years. Which surely implies I wanted it to be for longer?! You shouldn't be so quick out of your blocks to have a go!

A good deal, and not even a gamble if those figures are right. Hopefully now he can stay fit and enjoy his football; if so, he will be a game-changer of a signing.

Doucouré to follow, we now have an excellent foundation for Carlo to build on.

Still a month to go in this window so we can explore one or two good swap and player plus cash deals. We will have suddenly become an attractive proposition to any player we are after.

Really good work so far by Brands and Ancelotti, excellent players for reasonable fees on more realistic contracts.

And how good is this bargain? Well, here, just as a reminder, is a list of the Blues who make more (some a LOT more) than James' £76,000/week:

Bernard
Mina
Sigurdsson
Gomes
Pickford
Walcott
Richarlison
Digne
Delph

Rodriguez is making £1,000 more per week than Yannick Bolasie.

Whoever negotiated this deal is a master bargainer.

This is an excellent deal, and prudently done.

We've obviously got money (I think the USM logos on are wall are a big reason for this), but we are not being reckless. 2 very good players, but we didn't pay over the odds on any. Hopefully a third to come tomorrow in a similar fashion.

If he can play to his best, we've gone and signed one of teh best players in Europe. If he plays to 75% of his ability, he's still our best player. Use him prudently, keep him fit...but this is exciting, and that is what it is all about.

Can't wait to see kids all over with Evrton kits and his name on the back. #

and jeez, he's a beautiful man.

Find it unbelievable that he is only on a basic of £76k a week!

I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow cos they are panicking cos they've signed no-one bar the left-back, and can't believe we've got James.

My original post wasn't specifically aimed at you as there was more than one post pouring cold-water on the signing.

Although how you worked out the length of the players deal is somehow linked to the Manager's likely time at the club is a mystery as Carlo signed a very long-term deal when he arrived at Christmas.

Anyway, I'm as happy as you are that James has signed and hope that he brings only good times to Everton.

Excited in the dictionary is quoted as:

1 Passionately aroused,

2 stirred up; agitated and

3 Raised to a higher energy level.

So I guess your neighbors in Seattle will be wondering what all the noise is about.

Hope Rodriguez can retain his previous form and will become as you have always said a great signing.
And yes you do sound excited.

Let that sink in!!!

You were right all along. We won't miss Sidibé.

Him and Andre in the same team! 😍

Our social media exposure was mentioned by Mike earlier.

My 19-year-old son just called me about 5 minutes ago from the University of Alabama. Why you ask?

"Dad! Did you see Everton signed James??!!"

Again, my American 19-year-old son who is much, much more interested in drinking beer and chasing chicks at Alabama just called in utter excitement to talk about the J-Rod signing.

Fuck ya! UTFB!

HAHAHAHA! Told ya! 😜

I'm so excited

It would have been nice to have had them in sooner so that they would be ready for the Spurs game but at least those who do start will know they have to be up to snuff if they want to get more starts.

Moise Kean not playing too shabby for Italy so far today.

As for his looks, I couldn't care less if he's the Elephant Man, the only metric that matters is that he's a far better player than anyone else in midfield we've had for a long time. As is Allan, it appears, and Doucouré as well. Just waiting now for fan ire to shift to our limp strike force and sloppy keeper.

Stranger things have happened, what with the virus still around for the next year or so.

Patience, grasshopper, patience.

Think I'm getting a bit giddy...

I thought I remembered you saying about selling a beach house in Seattle. Never mind... I was just one state out.

These two deals so far may have taken time as going on the contracts signed they seem reasonable compared to the quotes when they were first talked about. Hopefully with Brands we have got a serious negotiator, and in Ancelotti we have a manager who players really want to play for.

I think many on here owe Brands a big apology – I certainly do – he has now shown what he is about.

Well done, everyone and roll on Sunday – as others say above, Allan and James will not fear the big 6 away – those are the games these type of guys live for!

Well done, Everton – this player is going to bring so much interest to our team. Everyone will want to see how he performs every week in the Premier League.

He is he 4th most followed player on social media in the world... and the most followed now playing in England... and we have him! Love a bit of limelight for our club!

I just hope he rips the absolute piss out of Liverpool when we play them, and lots of other sides as well, like!

Eto’o was well spent when we got him. In name he was huge, but he was 34/45 wasnt he ? A huge name no doubt but James is 29! Still has many miles on the clock, hasn’t had a lot of football mileage last season so I’m

Hoping he fresh and he’s never been electric pace wise so I’m expecting close to his best if he’s can stay fit.

Regarding Alan Ball, I was a twinkle in my dads bollocks, I’m 37 just turned and I can only imagine that this is what it felt like to the older generation when we signed Alan Ball.

Unbelievable.

Oi, our midfield is potentially Allan, Gomes, Doucoure and James Rodriguez! My head is cabbaged here. Is this real? The fuck is actually going on!!!!

Feck me I’m as giddy as a pre teen tart at a Beatles show

But a load of you were excited, and the YouTube links started coming thick and fast. A few who have seen him play in the last few years, particularly the none Everton guys, said he ain't as finished as you might think, and I began to reconsider my position on the lad.

Now he's signed and I've seen that he's on almost £50k a week less than Bernard! He only cost £20m, and it's only a two year commitment if he's as bad as in the nightmare scenario. Well, thank you Mr Brands. You've outdone yourself on this one. I think this is as close to a no risk transfer as could realistically be done in the circumstances. A player who genuinely was once world class who is still in his 20s on a (comparatively) reasonable wage and for a (relatively) low transfer fee. Can anyone really ask what Brands does and why these deals take so long? The man is really earning his coin right now. This is what a Director of Football does, and right now, he's doing it very well.

Our new midfield spares us having to watch last season dross.

Great times.

That’s a side-splitter!

Can’t wait for the weekend now. Although how do you include 3 new players in a team after just 4 days together.

If we can get Doucoure, this would represent a top quality window. A new keeper would be the icing on the cake.

Top 6, four points (min) off the RS and the league cup is all I ask for this season.

COYB

Credit where it’s due!

I’m getting greedy now. Doucouré next then another couple for deadline day!!

I am not expecting any marketing miracles from our beloved club.

Everton's official website will have Spanish landing pages and both Spanish and Portuguese will become permanent additional languages in the coming weeks.

Ambitious Plans

I once ordered a Seinfeld box set, thinking it was cheap and a good deal. Turned out it was a Japanese copy and it was called Seimfeld.

Tell ya what, though, if he makes those kinds of runs and shows that kind of searing pace when Mr. Rodriguez is on the ball, he's gonna get more chances like those.

I think that failing to sign a centre-back, his refusal to get mugged, which made me livid at the time, and cost us big time last season, is a sign of how tough an negotiator he is. He won't squander Everton's money like Walsh did. Sure he overpaid for Richarlison (as it appeared at the time), but we had no leverage in that deal, Watford always had us over a barrel there.

Sure, Brands has a long way to go to really fix this team, and Doucoure is not enough, but he's showing himself now. Particularly if he keeps delivering Branthwaites and Nkoukous on the side.

After 35 years, however, I'll believe it when I see it.

My head is rolling down Everton brow!

I still can’t believe our midfield 3 is gonna be Allan, Doucoure and James.

This is like an episode of Black Mirror. My head is absolutely cabbaged here.

I’m meant to up for work at 4am, that’s not happening. Not a chance I’ll be sleeping any time soon. Feels like Christmas Eve only instead of Teenage mutant ninja turtles, a boglin and Stretch Armstrong, I’ll be unwrapping a new midfield of which the likes I haven’t seen in blue.

No more Claus Thomsen, Steven Hughes and Simon Davies!

Milk this lads, milk it dry! ..... before Salford knock us out the cup!! 😂 Oh Everton we love you!

A proper MF with world class players.

It will take time to gel and I hope we have patience but once they gel watch out Premier league.

Dacoure joins spurs

Ancelotti resignes as a result of not getting what he wanted

Richarlison gets pissed off and joins Arsenal for 10m on deadline day

Allen gets injured for the season in the first game after a tackle by Dacoure who also scores the winner

Everton apppint Eddie how as manager

James keeps mispronouncing his name as Eddie Who

Eddie gets annoyed with this and send James on loan to a club in Columbia - we pay all his wages

It’s turns out that a lesser spotted speckled pigmy otter lives on the site of Bradley more and the stadium is cancelled.

We finish 12

We should go all out for Max Aarons.

They like to WIN!

Another shared comment they have in common is that Carlo Ancelotti was a major contributing factor in why they chose Everton. I see some on TW already attempting to degrade the Italian's influence, arguing it's all about the money. And of course, a professional sportsman will look after his own best interests by getting the best financial package he can.

But then you read in James Rodriguez case he has taken a considerable drop in salary to join us, so the money argument doesn't carry much weight. I think they are being genuine in saying Carlo's presence at Everton was a huge determining factor for them both.

It certainly makes a refreshing change on transfers in previous years in which the name of BK was always slipped into the script for particular praise.

A caveat I should add is that maybe we have got James on the (comparatively) cheap both on the transfer price and his salary because he has retained control of his image rights. Given his number of followers on social media (4th in players still playing, only behind CR7, Neymar and Messi) that dwarfs Everton's own following, that is probably prudent on his part.

Another thing that may have slipped people's attention is how the club site is seemingly getting its shit together on these Latino signings. There was a detailed page in Portuguese on the Allan signing. They have done the same today in Spanish for James:

El Ganador James Promte Traer Su Mejor Juego a Everton

So well played Everton, on a number of fronts.

Oh! And I agree with Rob Halligan. The James Rodriguez Reveal Video is a corker.

Talk about pissing on my chips!

Edit. I can't find that info anywhere but was sure it showed him on SSN scoring against us and then how he's signed for Newcastle.

I may be suffering from Rodriguezitis!

Think James will help me get over not signing him.

And as good as Brands has been at getting the deals done for a more palatable price, he wouldn't have pulled them off if it was Silva he was signing them for.

Ahaa it was Jamal Lewis and he's "close" to signing for them. D'oh!

No, Aarons hasn't signed with anybody. Latest news is that PSG are in for him after Mourinho ran the rule over him and decided he wasn't for Spurs.

I think the past 2 days have proven that players will come because of a coaches reputation and name. We wouldn't have been shopping in this supermarket were it not for the coach.

Now he has his players, he can be judged on what's served up on the pitch.

Great news, as many skeptics have doubted this signing he's here now, I can only see the positives in this acquisition.

Talking of signings, what has happened to Doucoure? Has he vanished into the Watford Gap?

I edited this as I got them confused too! Easily done. Both great young prospects, but we've got Nkoukou on the left and I think we won't have enough left on the revised FFP budget to sign anyone else.

Giddy times for many years ahead.

These guys are not here to enjoy a well paid holiday they are here to win things and have got the ability and determination to do it.

Hope you and the family are still doing well and thanks for the support and advice.

Im quite happy that weve sorted out our carbuncle of a MF out.

It would be a real bonus to get a quality RB and GK in too.

How do our " experts" feel about the chances of the 3 amigos (subject to Doucoure signing) playing against Spurs this weekend who are desperately trying to get the league to allow them to let supporters in.

I haven’t missed football, I can’t get excited about the season starting on Saturday, but it doesn’t mean I can’t relate to Benn@150, and smile when I picture Mike G, scaring a couple of seagulls when he let out his roar, all the way in the USA!

Ancelotti has sold the dream to a couple of his ex-players, and now we just need to see them make our dreams come true. Especially for people like Benn, and my sons, and the young lads everywhere who follow Everton so passionately, but have yet to see us win a cup.

For the people who get up in the middle of the night, or the people who travel wherever Everton play, and have often witnessed shite. Win us a trophy, then let Carlo and our players witness a celebration that will live with them forever... COME ON EVERTON, DO IT FOR THE FANS,!

The fees paid are refreshingly reasonable compared to what was quoted. Brands and Everton have possibly held their nerve in not paying over the odds too early.

I had hoped to have seen more from Brands in signing the little-known rough diamonds which he achieved with tremendous success in Holland. But then, Brainthwaite and Nkoukou may well prove to be exactly that type of signing.

Right now, the Brands-Ancelotti combo appears to be working in great harmony IMO.

Tony, #177 I was at the old Wembley and I seen us win the FA Cup in 95 but I was 11 and it’s been a long long time. I’ve been there when we’ve come close again a few times but this genuinely does feel like a turn in the tide. The Everton Moshiri said he’d bring us. I hope the players can cope with the expectations that players like James and Allan will bring. Exciting times mate.

Shaun #167, Twatter? Sounds like a service I want to join... but shouldn't tell my wife about.

I feel that since Martinez' first season finished, there's been a general culture that developed at the club, that became our identity. A team that under-performs, that is easy to beat, that has a soft centre, that throws the towel in too easily, that cannot fight back and win, etc. The players and managers have changed, but this culture lingered on. Like the older players passed on, "this is how it's done here" to the new guys, and our biggest players were too comfortable on their ridiculous contracts and five year deals, safe in the knowledge that they can see off any manager, and that when the going got tough, the manager got going, not them (in both senses of the word).

Could it be, that a general sense of culture change at all levels of the club is happening this summer. The "Carlo Fantastico" wave of euphoria quickly faded away with the lack of fans cheering the lads on after Covid, and the players reverted to the culture I mentioned above. So, now we have 3 big new signings, Allan with his Champions League experience, and the form that saw PSG covet him, and a genuine world superstar in James. The fans, if they were allowed in for the first game, would be bouncing. This, even if we aren't present, will rub off on the players. It will get through.

Gylfi, one of the aforementioned comfortable players, has already turned down playing in competitive games for his nation, in order to be at Finch Farm and to play against Preston in a friendly. Could he be shifting attitude. I don't insinuate for a second that Gylfi, or indeed any specific player is a bad apple. But having a five year deal, knowing Everton sack the manager every 18 months, and surely, at least sub-consciously, the player on a long deal will think if it all goes wrong, he's safe, they'll just get another manager in and buy some players to play around him.

Well today that changed. At least I hope it has. This could be a real turning point in Moshiri's tenure. If we can get some momentum going now, we could ride an ascent all the way to the new ground, and then, well the sky could be the limit.

I think I've had too much Champagne!

Great dealing by Marcel and Carlo, if we get Dacoure, it’s been, on cost, perhaps the best window in recent times, only time will say, if they’ve delivered, but I believe under Carlo, and with h8s choice of players, we now have the framework, for a new Everton style of play.

it will be interesting to see the shape of the team on Sunday.

Can’t wait and hopefully we’ll be celebrating on Sunday night!

I just had concerns is all. The fees revealed completely allay those fears for me. It's a gamble very much worth taking.

I think Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin would line up like they do in a 442. Richarlison pulls to the left anyway, he runs the channel and tracks back. Calvert-Lewin is a bit more central, doesn't run the right hand channel as much as Richarlison and tracks back less.

So you give Rodriguez a complete free role. Go wherever you want. Play from the middle, but hit the right channel if you can, sure as Gaynes said, he can track back, but that's a bonus rather than a key component of the tactics, so if he does switch off, it's not the end of the world.

With 9 disciplined players, and those 9 would all be so, and are so, then you can have room for a maverick. But he needs to be a level above the rest. James should be able to be a level above our squad, even if he's only 80% of what he was. And at 29, and looking as fit as he has been looking in those gym photos, could anyone really rule out him getting back to 100%?

Free role in a 433 playing behind Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, slightly ahead of Doucoure and Allan with Gomes at the base of a diamond, for me. Lacks width for sure, but right now we lack effective wingers, and Walcott, Bernard and Bolasie could be options from the bench if we need to change tactics, and indeed you can just put one of them on, on the right and move Richarlison left and you have the personnel for a 4231 and different tactics with a lot more width.

A genuine top class player. We need to introduce him slowly into Premier league life and don't play him in the cups or when not fully fit.

I still think we could and should have loaned him for a season, an £8M loan fee. I've no idea how fragile or what pace he has retained but we have Ric and DCL to do his running. He's only 29 so he should be in his peak years!

I'm hoping he and Mina can quickly gel on the pitch and Bernard re-learns a few samba beats. We should get rid of the Colombia coffee from the physio room too. A few have been enjoying time in their far too much.

I thought Eto did well for us and I know they were past their best and we were in a very sour pickle but I loved watching Gazza stroll around the pitch spraying passes around. Ginola's skills on the wings. Bright but fading light's that still shone brightly against the rest of the darkness.

I'd love a proper winger to entertain us. Why we didn't move for Fraser on a free I don't know. I'm not complaining, just an exciting winger would be the cherry on top for me.

I'll mentally right September off whilst we adjust and get up to speed.. points gained will be a bonus.

If we had Carlo and Steve Walsh, well we'd have signed the pair a week ago, but on 5 year deals, twice the transfer fees and thrice the wages!

I saw your post in Saturday's match day thread that you were feeling better since catching CV-19. Hope the uptick continues. The transfer news must be helping!

Hope you found the linked article I posted interesting. Very in-depth, heavily laced with scientific and medical terminology, it took a good 2-3 reads to take in.

Given the millions of data and billions of possible combinations, it's no surprise the world's 2nd most powerful computer took a week to churn out the results.

Very interesting that the conclusion is that CV-19 is now considered more a vascular rather than respiratory virus and that, by and large, we already have existing approved medicine that can treat the ten most common conditions.

Keep safe! Keep healthy!

The last time I was with you, I could have sworn it was masquerading as Desperadoes! :-)

As my many fans will expect, I lay the blame for this culture of mediocrity wholly at the feet of the one man who in the past thirty years has been active in our boardroom, filling USMFF with unqualified, ex-players who'd all squandered their playing careers but still doffed their cap to you-know-who and thereby became part of the coaching staff

In such an environment they'd be totally bonkers to sublimate their allegiance to you-know-who in favour of any manager, eighteen months being the average span of a manager's tenure here since Moshiri bought in, with him most recently announcing to the world that you-know-who is, as chairman, being given a more enhanced role.

Sigh.

Are you sure he's playing a more enhanced role at the moment?

It's an elegant summary of the Rodriguez signing and one of his best pieces ever. Go.

(#211, oy vey. Talk about a one-track mind. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.)

Vinny O'Connor, Sky Sports Everton reporter (or at least one of their North West contingent) is on the record saying that he expects us to sign a winger and a right back and that our spending is not finished.

Being realistic, how about £10m for Diogo Dalot and somehow cobbling together enough to sign Zaha?

I follow Portuguese football, but Dalot barely played for Porto before Jose Mourinho signed him for Man Utd. I know he was extremely highly rated, and is a right winger converted to a right back (as many of them are, even our own Tony Hibbert played right wing in the FA Youth Cup and our excellent young right back against Preston NE, Kyle John played right wing all his youth career up to this season when he played a few games at right back). Dalot has looked shite for Man Utd, for sure. But at 21, cheap, he could be worth a punt, particularly to come in against weaker sides and offer pace and width down the right. Max Aarons is a good shout too, but he'll cost double.

Can we afford Zaha? Is he worth it? I think last summer Palace held all the cards. This summer, it's them looking to cash in. He wants out, he's unsettled, and they have lost most of their leverage. Can they afford to keep him? They need reinforcements in other positions, and perhaps an exchange for the resurgent Bolasie (who will have impressed them in the two friendlies, at least showing he is over the injury and capable of getting back to previous levels with them). Brands might be able to make them an offer they can't refuse. Imagine James, Zaha and Richalison making up the 3 in a 4231!

To be honest, I'm not advocating spending silly money on Zaha, and think he might be slightly overrated, but that's a mouth watering attack, and who knows how good Zaha could be if he ever brought his "A game" to a top side with top players, which is where we will now hope to be.

Best of all he's matured, humble and hungry and he's willing to take a pay cut to prove it.

There is still a lot of work to be done but honestly well done Marcel Brands and Carlo Ancelotti. We have signed a player who at his best shares the same level of craftsmanship and ability as Zinedine Zidane... and that is no exaggeration.

Once your heart is touched by Everton you are never the same. Here's hoping James shows the world just how good he is.

Who'd you like to see if we added a right back and a winger?

But yes, I think most of those four plus Delph and Walcott will likely be given their chances to blend in with the new arrivals, and whoever fails will be cheerfully provided with new employment in the New Year.

My glass will never be full, I'm an Evertonian after all, but it won't take too much to top it up. In fact this is one of the great days. Sitting with a glass of wine overlooking Eyre Square in Galway, reading this news. Yeah, this is alright.

Kanchelskis, I was 16 at the time, so much more aware, was also a big deal. Cup winners and back in Europe, we'd signed a player that was arguably world class. Alright, he was deemed surplus to requirements by Ferguson, but that was put down to off the field reasons (Russian mafia stories) than anything else and top sides were envious that we had signed him, though he wasn't coveted by the Champions and the Chelsea / Man City of their day, Blackburn Rovers.

I also saw today that the club is planning for their first international office, either in California or South Florida. I’m kicking myself now as I moved from South Florida a couple of years ago. I wonder if Jamie would move down the coast?

The difference then was the Ball signing was, in typical Catterick style, completely out of the blue. No blanket wall to wall, 24/7 coverage;I heard it on the 10.30pm Light Programme (radio) news!

Excited!!!

"9 months ago, West Ham sacked Manuel Pellegrini and Everton sacked Marco Silva. Look at the difference in ambition in just 9 months. They employed Ancelotti, we employed Moyes. They've signed James Rodriguez, we've changed Bowen's shirt number!"

Loads of Everton fans quoting Rio Ferdinand when he questioned what us Everton fans wanted when we made it clear we would not be happy with David Moyes returning, and pointing out that we wanted Ancelotti, Rodriguez, Allan and Doucoure!

Most of the comments were along the lines of "Thanks for rubbing my nose in the fact that the kit I bought my kid last week is now worthless."

Up The Toffees

I'm so happy with the thread and the absolute joy of our two Yanks, Mike and Jamie – you've both put a big smile on my kipper since I came in. Youse are definitely Scousers, love yis.

I've been talking and gloating with my West Ham supporting mate today and he's absolutely horrified about his club at the moment. They are in the same situation that we were 15-odd years ago, without a penny to their name.

They had to sell that Grady kid to West Brom just so they have some money to get anyone this window.

I was thinking it's a bit ironic that Moyes left us for the 'big time' but he's basically back to what he started with. I can't imagine what he's thinking seeing us have Ancelotti at the helm and signing James today.

I might visit, but I'll never, ever live in South Florida! Love my northeastern corner of Florida. I have a lot of family in Fort Lauderdale. They call my Florida, "South Georgia" and I call their Florida, "North Cuba." I'm staying put mate!

Dave Abrahams @238,

If I get over there, you have to promise to take me to Ned Kelly's. Sounds like my kinda of pub. And based upon the happiness I glean from your post, and the time of the post, go to bed! You posted at 12:40 am over there! Tomorrow morning might be a bit slow. 😜

Sleep well and dream of trophies.

Two years ago next week, he destroyed us, but that turned out to be the best day of his West Ham career, and he's had two major injuries since. Barely played after the restart and wasn't a factor in their staying up. And he's 31.

He did score for Ukraine the other night.

He's a player who needs to be the star, I hope Carlo build the teams around him. It's a risk because this form of team building is generally outdated. This is a big swing from Moshiri; with financial rules relaxed for one season we might make it happen when others are financially hamstrung. It's now or never.

The season will be built around depth, the squad has to be deep and will face unprecedented levels of physical stress; those with shallow squads will suffer. With that in mind, I expect more incomings and, despite our deadwood perhaps less will leave.

I'm still expecting a right-back and a centre-half, Holgate's injury highlights the chronic need for a pacy replacement. Despite his errors, I'd look to get Zouma back on loan until a long-term replacement is available. He will want to come and he's way down the list at Chelsea.

We need him to be a talisman, and have the best season of his life, so it goes against everything I believe... but we will need to indulge him. I can't wait!

His “up the Toffees” sounds a lot like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Had no clue Austrians and Colombians spoke English similarly badly.

On the plus side, I can't wait to see Eric Dier smash him in half only for James to reform and say “I'll be back”.

At this rate, I'll be smiling all day!

Exciting times indeed. Agree with the need for another centre-back – even if on loan.

The fee and terms for James are the exact opposite of our approach over the last 4 years. It demonstrates that players want to come to work with Ancelotti. No need to persuade average players to join with massive salaries any more.

Your list of those earning more than or close to the salary for James demonstrates exactly where we can make progress in reducing our costs:

Sigurdsson
Pickford
Walcott
Delph
Bolasie

I wouldn't bat an eyelid if any of these players left and their sale would not noticeably impact the squad if we signed a replacement keeper. (Sorry, I still like Bernard as a player – minority of one!)

It's just a matter of time before someone says we'd be better off with Adeniran and Baningime.

And as for Pickford, the trouble with "signing a replacement keeper" is that all anyone on TW seems to be able to suggest is various hulking Englishmen with three things in common -- they're tower-sized, they play for lesser clubs, and they have all failed to beat out Pickford for England.

If the replacement is one of a half-dozen exciting young keepers on the Continent, I'm all for it.

Now he's got the players he targeted in the transfer market, time to start making progress with the new squad and WIN something. And by the way, Brands has played a blinder in getting these players in on these terms.

Don Carlo had a dream...

To get a player of this quality on the terms mentioned is a great deal. More importantly, it gives great hope for a successful season ahead.

James in, Allan in, let's hope Doucouré soon follows. It's an exciting time for all us long-suffering Evertonians!

James is similar in that he will be expected to be the same type of player although probably less energy and that's where Doucouré will hopefully take over in the final third.

Bit unfair to mention Ball in the same breath. I'd say Peter Reid is the only one to come close.

Imagine Davies now, he's now going to get help if he's good enough to get in the team, no more Schniederlin-hiding, or Iwobi-looking like he doesn't want to be there.

Allan has been described as a bit of a bastard, Rodriguez is a fresh 29-year-old - hopefully, and Doucouré already knows the league and has the engine and the physicality required.

If nothing else, these signings have raised the bar, so no more limbo-dancing at Everton, we have finally got ourselves some proper competitive footballers.

As has been mooted hopefully this will get us noticed more and commercially benefit the Club as a whole!

Yes, I'm not sure how many of my Mersey Mystery series you've read, but the most recent release, A Liverpool Lullaby, (book 8 in the series) is doing well on both sides of the pond, and I'm currently working on book 9, The Mersey Ferry Murders which will be followed by the 10th in the series, Under a Mersey Moon.

I'm pleased to say that every book in the series except the latest has been an Amazon bestseller. I'm hoping Lullaby will be joining them soon.

Many thanks for your interest. Have you read them all?

Can you post the link

If Everton are behind this then it is even more evidence that times are changing. Done right this signing will have a significant commercial impact on our club. Our profile has already gone up significantly. It will also make future signing easier.

Sorry Darren, couldn't resist the opening for a bit of mirth, unfortunately at your expense in this instance. :-)

I am really not into social media but they say he has 19 million more followers on instagram whatever that is than Man Utd, surely that is something the club need to exploit. But its on the pitch that matters and I always felt Ancelotti wasnt here to top up his pension and as he said himself he didn't need the money, and given the clubs he has managed and the salaries he would have earned I believe him.
Because we as a fan base have had so many false dawns over the last 20 years, I can understand the scepticism that some fans will have. But I really believe given a bit of time Ancelotti will turn this club around and will have us winning trophies again.

Finally I think Moshiri deserves huge credit, He has backed all the managers he has appointed he even gave Allardyce £50 million. Despite him seeing hundreds of millions wasted he is still prepared to back Ancelotti to the hilt. I am sure before he signed Ancelotti would have wanted to know how much he would be allowed to spend, and whatever happens then Moshiri has more than done his bit.

Apparently buildings in Bogota were lit up blue as well!

Ancelotti reputation has pulling power, something that has been missing at Everton for so long. This has been enhanced further by better negotiating skills, based in knowing what you want and sticking to it.

Moshiri is seeing money been wisely managed for a change.

k
Bogota Lights Up In Blue

It shows a couple of videos.

Impressive. It's the equivalent of a big name player signing for a London club who then projects the club's colors and player squad number onto Big Ben.

Take a look at this following graph also from Google Trends. This is a tool that shows what are the most searched for topics on Google, at any time, anywhere.

Since yesterday, Everton FC is Google's most searched for term in Colombia.

As the 12 month graph shows, back in December there was interest (Mina's goals in the win at Watford? Rumours that Ancelotti might go for James in the January window?), then Everton flatlines until recent weeks when James to Everton rumours circulate again.

Everton #1 Trending Search Term in Colombia

Yesterday, it went through the roof.

This is BIG news down Latin America way.

The reason I didnt mention Brands is, I don't know what part he played in these transfers, but what I do know is that both Rodriguez and Allan both said they were here because of Carlo Ancelotti, neither mentioned Brands. Now maybe Brands negotiated the fee and the salaries and if he did he seems to have got both players at the right price.

Most Clubs have a much better Media set-up than we have, and every hitherto pre-season that I have 'signed up and paid' to watch games, I can't recall there ever being no technical difficulties.

Okay sometimes it is down to the hosting Club's apparatus, or the provider that Everton have used but mostly it is a very amateurish effort from the Club.

Wake up we are now in the real world, and have a couple of World Class players, one of whom has 36M followers on Twitter alone, get the thing operational and functional Everton, I promise you won't regret it!

I take it then he arrived under cover! :-)

Time to look professional and serious.

Link as requested:

Bradykinin & CV-19

I also watch via Mag/Satellite/IPTV (paid for) usually from US sources or Bein Sport, however the downside is that, because of transmission delays and it being via Satellite there can be a delay of up to and over a minute at times.

If, it happens to be on Sky and those others who are on the Live Forum, get their stream before I do so there can be a 'spoiler or two' if there is a goal scored which hasn't happened on mine, for a minute or so.

Apart from that it's good fun, and a chance to ' meet up with many familiar names ' some, who I have met through ToffeeWeb Get Togethers' which I also recommend should they happen again!

He seems to have been out favour with Zadane. He clearly has identified Ancelotti as the right mentor , prepared to take reduced wages to play under him. I hadn't quite realised the high expectations around Rodriguez , clearly a lot of people expect this pairing as being a way for him to reach the unclaimed heights of his promise.

This is a player who will have outstanding talent and total commitment.

As for Evertons Commercial Department, I agree don't hold your breath.

James’ life-long dream of wearing a Hummel jersey realized.

His signing doesn’t fit the footballing world’s narrative of Everton. I love it. Time to shake up the football power structure.

Brian Harrison, it’s the Director of Football’s primary job to negotiate these deals. If Brands hasn’t done it, and certainly Ancelotti hasn’t done it, then who do you think has? kenwright?

These three signings are joining a very poor squad, although there are a few promising ones there or coming through.

How did you feel Bill, when Bobby Collins came to Everton in 1958, an Everton down and nearly out, I couldn’t believe that Bobby had decided to join us. He dragged us up off the canvas and urged and shouted us into a team that started fighting. Then with the help of some signings by Carey and Catterick made us the best team in the land, only to be sold before he could get his hand on the championship medal.

Can these three signings, aided and abetted by a couple more take us to the top of the ladder?

Bobby Collins became, for me, the best signing we ever made, but doubt, very much, he caused the sensationally feelings that James has aroused.

See what you’ve done James, you’ve turned an old man into a seventeen year old kid again.

You’re a bleedin’ magician.

I'm glad I did. I would strongly recommend it for all to see.

I'll repeat the link here:

James Interview with Rio

I am seriously hard pushed to recall as good an interview of a footballer about his development, his attitude towards football, his drive and ambition, his single-mindedness at every age in knowing what he wanted to achieve and the best way to go about it, his philosophy, even.

I was also seriously surprised how good an interviewer Rio Ferdinand was.

We have recruited a very, very serious player. And I don't mean footballer. I mean person.

Watch it.

DK #286, amen, brother! But as somebody mentioned above, now it's in the hands of Everton's marketing team, which I consider fantastic news, because it's the first time I've ever heard that Everton actually has a marketing team.

Dave #303, that made me smile from ear to ear.

John #306, that made me fall off my chair.

Brian #267, I'm adding you to my author's list on Amazon. Are your mysteries purely intellectual or is there sufficient sex and violence for weirdos like me? (Full disclosure: I'm a big Lee Child fan.) I particularly like the title Last Train to Lime Street, since I've actually been on it!

Getting my house repainted. The whole crew's first language is clearly Spanish.

So I asked one fellow if he was a soccer fan. He says, "Not really, I played baseball."

I said my soccer Team in England had signed James Rodriquez. Instantly, he asks, "The Colombian?"

Even he knew who James was.

The live forum, "not for the squeamish"?

It is the home of interpersonal rectitude. I can't wait for its return.

Reading between the lines here, it seems that there are a series of novels you have written and I always like to read an author's works in chronological order.

however, having scanned various sites, I have found reference to a number of your books (and to you), but none seems to offer a chronological bibliography.

Can you point me in the right direction please, as I would like to get started on your works?

Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Allan & James in Training

In the longer version of the clip, he audaciously chips Harry Tyrer, scores another beauty off the post, does a few flicks and looks ever so sharp. He's in a condition that most of us would hold up as physical perfection.

If he can only be lucky with injuries then who knows where he can take us. Forget who wears the armband, this will be James Rodriguez's team.

Back to Everton, If Tomori and Cilleson follow Doucouré, James and Allan... I've got to say, that's a good window.

I saw some images earlier of James image being projected on city buildings last night, including Goodison Park itself.

Did that happen, does anybody know, or was that someone just having fun with Photoshop?

It was also in the red Echo. Very impressive, mate.

Jay #324. Oh it happened mate!

Just wait for the “Lucas knows” tweet from the official twitter and it'll be confirmed.

It's on the BBC transfers done. They seemed pretty sure...

I wonder if the terms can be renegotiated.

Kia is Iranian, like our owner, and a friend of his. Remember when Vitor Pereira was heavily linked to take the manager's job before Carlo Ancelotti? Only to then land a bumper new deal with his Chinese employers that put him as one of the top 5 earners in world football management? Counter rumours afterwards was that he was never in the frame and we allowed ourselves to be used by the agent as a negotiating tactic. Did this have any impact on the James Rodriguez transfer?

Also, the three new signings all belong to Kia Joorabchian or Jorge Mendes as does a raft of our other recent signings, like Andre Gomes. Jorge Mendes was also involved in the James transfer as well. He's playing a bigger role in Everton transfers.

With regard to Messi, Rob Halligan's got the lowdown.

Carlo didn’t hesitate when asked if Allan could play.

Kia Joorabchian on James

James is still part of super-agent Jorge Mendes's stable.

Nice to know he is willing to work with other Premier League clubs and not just Wolves!

Many thanks.

Fancy going halves on a time-share in the Cayman Islands he persuaded me to invest in..?

Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles would do for the nets to replace Picktheballoutthenet, and we are challengers.

Bang on with your predictions again, Rob. Krikkit going slow without Jos.

He seems a very intelligent, thoughtful lad. “The game has become monotonous- there needs to be more fun”. “The number 10 needs to control everything”. “Pass and go, pass and go”. He clearly loves Ancelotti. He knows his own worth, he knows his own skills. It’s a very lucid interview, with a hint at times that he may have overcome a speech impediment - if so, it demonstrates another strong element to him.

The joy of being an Evertonian. I’ve gone from deep disillusion with our performances, VAR, our wasted money, to excitement with our signings (especially James) to utter frustration at not being able to be at Goodison to watch us play.

It's a very impressive interview, isn't it?

A very aware, intelligent and mature young man. Self-confident without being brash. A deep thinker of the game and, dare I say, a romantic still in love with 'the beautiful game' as demonstrated by some of the quotes you share.

He gives the impression that he is very hungry to play after sitting out so many games in the last two seasons.

I also like how he says he revels in pressure and responsiblity, in being the main man.

Like you Peter I also wondered if he has overcome a speech impediment. He has a noticeable stutter at time.

If he is as fit to play as he looks fit and ripped in the gym, we could have a lot of fun this year.

It would be even better with match going fans roaring the team on.

Stay safe.

Update, September 9, 11:01 BST: Contrary to previous media reports, the midfielder is joining Everton on a free transfer. According to information acquired by Transfermarkt, Real only secured themselves a sell-on clause, which would earn them a percentage of the Colombian’s next transfer fee. The percentage is understood to be in the lower and conventional range.

Free?

Were going to need some new songs for our new three amigos,

Hames could always have Jimmy Jimmy ohhh (undertones)

Any suggestions??

Link as requested:

Bradykinin & CV-19

Sorry about that. I stiffed them on a job they did for me. Been hunting me down since. Pretend you don't know me.

Thinking about our lamentations over the years regarding the Club not exploiting our Timmy and Landon playing for Everton. A little story, I think you, Jamie, and other Americans in here might get a kick out of it.

5 years ago, living in Springfield VA, several miles south of DC in Northern VA. My wife and I go to the mall on a Tuesday about 10 AM. The Springfield Mall, a popular one, is an old school Mall; indoors covering acres of land. Few people in there at that hour on a Tuesday.

We're done shopping and while walking towards the exit, in front of us in the middle of the mall walkway is a fellow setting up his big wooden wagon filled with soccer jerseys.

My wife has seen me look for Everton gear in stores over the years, so as we approach this guy and his wagon conversation goes:

Wife: Hey look, maybe he has an Everton jersey.

Me: No he doesn't.

Wife: You can ask.

Me: Nah.

We're passing the wagon at this point (usual clubs shirts hanging featured: RM, Barca, ManU). The fellow there hears us talking.

Him: What team?

Wife: Tell him.

Me: Nah, you don't sell it. [Disclaimer: I only started to wave him off because I didn't want to suffer yet another blank stare when I said "Everton" while shopping for a shirt.]

Him: Nonono, what team?

Me: Everton.

Him: Everton, yes, yes.

Wife: Silent. Just that look and smirk when the wife knows better than her husband.

His big wooden wagon has the skirts hanging off it to hide the boxes of his other shirts. Two stacks of boxes. He lifts off the top box and (sorry) has to DIG INTO the bottom box. He pulls out a legit Everton shirt, the #29 shirt of that Everton legend, fucking Mo Besic.

Wife: Ha! See.

Me: Nonplussed.

Him: Only $45.

My grandson wears it.

Exciting times.

Colombian Everton Cans