Khedira in England seeking Premier League move

Not seen enough to know if he'd any good or not anymore. If we sign him, I hope he is; if he goes elsewhere, I hope his legs have gone.

Sounds like he has been doing double training sessions, so he should be fit as a butcher's dog.

We have Gomes, Delph on the books so I just can't see it unless one or both of them two is already lined up for a move. Also Gbamin is due back at the end of January. If Carlo is pushing for a short-term loan deal it may happen.

With major doubt over Gbamin, it would take the pressure off as an experienced extra body.

Is it a law of nature that, if we are seen to interested in a particular player, then so must Spurs?

Khedira too slow for what we need – sadly, Gomes has for that reason, lack of energy and giving away cheap free kicks become a liability; neither of them chip in with enough goals in a side hoping to challenge for titles.

He could do a job sitting in front of the back 4 which would give Allan more licence to carry the ball. On whether it should happen, I think this would only make sense if we take him on a 6-month loan, then review things at the end of the season.

I've seen stories saying we might sell Bernard and Davies in this window. Well if the latter is sold, we will need to bring someone in irrespective of how far along Gbamin is.

Gavin, I think it would be crazy to sell Davies, at least until our squad has a stronger group of midfielders than at present – in spite of the many critics of Tom I've seen on this site, I don't believe Carlo & Marcel plan to do that.

Keith, you say he doesn't score enough goals to play for a title-winning team but he's won about a million league titles. Hate to be ‘that guy' like.

The rumour regarding Davies is Newcastle are looking to loan him. As for Bernard, they are saying Napoli want to buy him.

Pennington just loaned to Shrewsbury so he is gone now as his contract will expire in June. More pressing is Besic, Bolasie, Delph and Tosun

Keith, Tom had a good game the other night, but we need to balance the books and for me, Davies is a player we need to offload, along with Delph, to improve the squad and take us to the next level.

If West Ham or Newcastle want to pay £12M for Davies, I'd snap their hands off. The same if Roma want to pay £9M for Bernard. If we reinvested that money and bought Max Aarons and bought in Khedira on loan, I think it would be a very good window.

Gavin, I tend to agree about Tom Davies, okay he had a great game the other night, but prior to that has been so inconsistent.

As many have said, that game against Man City (4-0) where he scored within seconds of coming on, has carried him along since. I like the lad, his heart is Everton through and through, but that doesn't make him a great player either.

If we got a decent offer for him, I would be tempted to cash in.

Derek, people are saying Khedira has no pace, but neither has Tom, and he's only 22 years old. Tom's good enough technically but he hasn't the frame or pace to be a top midfielder in the Premier League.

Khedira wouldn't give cheap tackles away like Gomes. The guy can tackle and should be able to rely on his experience if he just sits in a deep-lying role. He wouldn't be brought in for his work in the final third. If he came in and became a Gareth Barry type signing we could review things in the summer. Is Khedira only going to come for 6 months though?!

Gavin, I find the whole thing a bit puzzling. If all is to be believed, he is presumably, still under contract yet he is allowed (again allegedly) to come to England to tout himself for a potential suitor, or is there something (behind the scenes) already agreed and he has been invited over, to view the facilities seek out the Housing Situation?

If he is anything like Gareth Barry, he has my vote straight away.

Derek, I guess the deal could go two ways. Either, it's a Theo Saints type loan, where we just pay his wages for the remainder of his contract (this gets my vote) or the more likely option, he gets an 18-month deal with someone.

But yes, I agree, it's an unusual scenario and you might be right in suggesting that something might already be agreed.

33 years old!!

Wouldn't be concerned about his pace... surely the question is: Can he walk?

Everyone seems concerned by pace. As we all know as a player he has spent his career as a lightning fast winger. He’s synonymous with being ‘dead quick’ and has been his entire career.

Either that or he’s never had pace so won’t miss what he never had.

Si, Gareth Barry never had pace. Neither has Khedira. It shouldn't make too much difference with his quality if he stays fit. My worry is we sign him on an 18-month deal, he doesn't stay fit, and we have a Delph Mk II.

He's nearly 34, and injury-prone. He sounds just up our street.

Gareth Barry was unable to win the attention of any trophy-winning club when we signed him. He was a City bench-warmer, yet some on here revere the likes of him as just what we now need, a bloke devoid of pace, a serial collector of yellow and red cards, but admittedly not as inadequate as some of the other defensive mids we had at the time.

We already have one ageing new signing who's a passenger without the ball so do we really need another, such a Khedira, a bloke who's football experience of muck-and-bullets Premier League matches is zero as he closes in on 34 years of age?

In his four seasons at Juve he's played less than 100 games.

Should Moshiri not be aiming higher this month especially, in a peculiar season, in a bid to boost his investment and return towards his monetary fortune?

Don, no top 4 side looked at Barry because they have the success and money so they can sign whoever they want. We don't have that luxury yet. We signed him and he was a masterstroke signing for the first 2 seasons. There's no reverence, some of us just appreciate the job he did.

Khedira has 77 caps for Germany so must have some class about him, but I honestly never understood what he was doing at Real Madrid.

Worth a punt? Maybe... possibly.

We want big names. I suppose we can't have our Khedira cake and eat it (okay, I'll get me duffel).

Shocker Brian! :))

Surely we need a young, pacey and energetic midfielder if we are going to spend in January? Ideally, cover for defensive midfield.

It is shocking for me to read that some fans would be okay to dump a 22-year-old 100+ capped player who seems to be hitting his stride this season for a 33-year-old who has never played in the Premier League! I wouldn't mind getting Khedkar on a 6-month loan and if he makes an impact offer him a short term deal, but selling Tom Davies would be stupidity.

Too many players in our engine room who are 30 or thereabouts already - Allan, Sigurdsson, James, Doucouré, etc. We need younger and more energetic legs to ensure that we have a high energy midfield.

Ajay, I'm not sure why you find it shocking and while it might seem stupid to you, a lot of Everton supporters will tell you that Tom Davies just isn't at the level of a club aiming for Champions League places.

He had a good game (by his own relatively low standards) against Sheffield, and now people are going into revision mode and discounting that he's stunk the place out in the majority of those 100 games. He's played many of them because we've had no choice. The lad is one dimensional. He has a slight build, he is one-paced, he isn't a particularly good passer, and he can't carry the ball.

I also don't see why Khedira has to be a replacement for a 22-year-old. We have too many average midfielders in Davies, Gomes, Delph and Sigurdsson. We also need to balance the books because of FFP. I don't see how we can buy yet more players without offloading some.

Khedira can be a transitional player (on a 6-month deal) who can sit deep in front of the defence. He can tackle, has a winning mentality and he can come in and do a job until Gbamin is fully fit and do that role.

I think it's likely that we will see a better level of performance from Davies the more he plays with better players and more confident players. To sell Davies would be a huge mistake. He is the perfect squad player for Everton.

As for Khedira. A wonderful player in his day. But his day is long gone. I don't see that he is any kind of improvement on Andre Gomes and he is someone I fully expect to pick up injuries straight away. It's a No from me.

I was lucky enough to go to the World Cup in 2014 and in every match I watched, I was in awe of Khedira, who stood out to me in a very good German side.

Six years ago, yes, but class is permanent. These are the types of players that people like Davies, so often mentioned on here, can learn a wealth of experience from.

If we signed him on loan for six months, with the option for a one year contract thereafter, that would be very good business in my opinion.

Before this sodding Covid renders me completely useless, I'd just like to say, RIP, Tommy Doc. I loved the football his Chelsea and Man Utd teams played.

Oh, and I'd take Sami on a 6-month deal to see if he still has it.

Sell a promising 22 -year-old and bring in a been there, done that 33-year-old who's taking extra fitness programmes to be, by his own words, fit for the demands of the Premier League.

I can't speak for everyone but I seem to have a few worries with this and partly because I wonder what happens next year. At best, a rolling contract and may be a ground floor flat in the country.

This has been mooted for a while. I think it will happen and will help us in the short term. Have faith in Ancelotti...

It would be a gamble. At 33 and no Premier League experience we could be left with another guy who is too slow or injury-prone in the engine room.

Let's stick with what we have in midfield – it's not doing too badly. It's up top where a short-term fix is required.

Colin #29,

The Doc was on TV talking football when he talked about a meeting with the Chairman I think it was at QPR. The chairman said to Tommy "Sorry, Tommy, but I'm afraid it is a parting of the ways." The Doc replied "Really, Chairman... I thought you were doing a great job."

I too am excited at the Khedira possibility; as pointed out: class is permanent. Barry was a great signing but Khedira is several levels above, when trying to build team you need an old head with bags of experience to influence the team. Peter Reid was supposedly knackered when he came but he had a great influence on a young team.

I'm not sure, never really am with 99% of the players we sign, but if he's played 100 matches in 4 seasons, that equates to 25 games a season which isn't a bad return imo, Don.

I remember reading Alex Ferguson had told Giggs and Scholes that he would only be playing them about 20 games a season but, because of their experience and quality, that would mean he would get 20 great games out of them in return.

Too old, too slow and just looking to extend his career.

If we have ambitions to get in and stay in the top four we need to be looking at younger and more mobile players. Already overloaded with slow midfielders and really should be looking at more forward options to put teams on the back foot and take some pressure off our defenders.

Colin @29

Well said.

The Man Utd team that the Doc rebuilt to storm out of the 2nd Div was one of the most exciting I ever saw. Can't remember if it was 5 or 6 they rattled in against us at Goodison Park when the lights went off. They absolutely murdered us that night.

RIP, Doc one of the great characters of the game.

How old is Cavani? He looks past it. 33 is not too old. I wish I was 33. As for no pace in our midfield, both Allan and Doucouré are no slouches.

Colin @ 29, Yes agree there about Tommy Docherty, an under-rated Manager, who certainly got his teams playing attractive exciting Football. Question is, what will Mary Brown do now?

Sounds like this is happening. Hope it’s a short term deal. Unlike Rodriguez it’s been a long while since Khedira performed anywhere near his best. Plus he’s injury prone.

Maybe he adds a genuine DMC option till Gbamin is fit or we buy someone this summer. Feels a bit Delphy to me.

If we could sell Besic and Delph it would make more sense to me but it feels currently like we are adding to our stockpile of mediocre CMs. Allan and Doucore are good, Tom Davies is a work in progress. We also have Siggurdsson, Gomes, Delph, Besic and Banigime. That’s 8 CMs; not including the younger lads (like Onyango who’s now training with first team).

And Gbamin! That’s 9 CMs with senior appearances. Gotta shift some of them if Khedira comes in surely?

Would be a great replacement for Gareth Barry!

Not what we need, we are well stocked in this area (though I'd love to offload Delph!). I'm sorry for being a bore but am just going to keep repeating myself until Everton do what I say! ;) Buendia is the man we need, I would love for us to try and buy him and Aarons from Norwich with Kenny going the other way, unlikely with Norwich pushing for promotion.

We'd be mad to sell Tom Davies and get in a 33-year-old, doesn't matter how good he is/was. Tom never hides, we'd really miss having him as an option.

I cannot understand the obsession some people have for Aarons. An attacking full back with absolutely no defensive ability nor any positional sense.

If you want a solely attacking full back/wing back, by all means sign Aarons. If you want your full back actually to be able to defend, look elsewhere.

Same goes for Lamptey. Clueless when it comes to positional sense and defending.

It’s got to be an initial 6 months if it happens so we can pull the plug if it doesn’t work out. We don't want an injured 34 yr old on our books damaging our chances of signing a young dynamic midfielder because of the wages we are paying for nothing. We’ve been there done that and got the T shirt.

If we can move on a couple of players and get him in for 6 months at less than 2m it’s virtually risk free. He could offer some stability to he centre of our midfield, he is top class and will not be overawed by any team and is a winner, whether he can cut the mustard at 33 in the Premier League is yet to be seen. On balance it’s worth a punt on those type of terms.

Not the type of player we need, after watching that performance tonight (and quite often lately) we need dynamic fast footballers, not just faster physically but mentally too.

Nein! Nein! NEIN!!!

This manager hasn't got an original idea regarding building a team. Moyes is better than him for doing that. I fear for us if this is true as we are just being lazy with our recruitment. ordinary player.

33 certainly isn’t too old for certain types of midfielders, the genuine ‘sit in front of the defenders and distribute cleverly and accurately’ being one. I don’t know what category Khedira belongs in.
More than his age I’d hope his injury record would be the focus. Mobility is less of an issue with the likes of Godfrey, Holgate and Branthwaite looking (generally) good so far.
A six month loan with option to buy seems like a reasonable roll of the dice for a player who might improve us short-term and get us to the stage where contracts have run out for those we can’t move on for a fee.
I wouldn’t be happy with selling TD but a loan deal to a team at the level where he would currently stand out wouldn’t bother me to help balance the books if Khedira joins us.
Terry White, like you I am bemused by the excitement Aarons seems to inspire in many of our posters.

Aarons probably brings much excitement because we can all see that it's become painful watching Seamus Coleman now, a once big fan favourite, that is just a shadow of what made him that player.

Right back IS a key area we must improve.

I wonder whether Tom Davies getting that goal against Man City has worked against him in the eyes of some; did he raise unrealistic expectations that he has inevitably failed to fulfil?

I find it hard to gauge young players' abilities and would have been happy to see Calvert-Lewin loaned out to the likes of Nottm Forest or Leeds Utd a few seasons ago. I find Tom's failings more palatable than the likes of Gylfi or others as he clearly gives everything he has for the team.

I am no judge as I welcomed Bolasie and dreamt of a Bolasie derby.

Bjorn #46,

Which emergency service do you require? :)

A Happy New Year to you and everybody on TW.

Agree Jim - right back and right midfield are essential positions to strengthen. I hope and pray reports of us offering Gylfi a new contract are wide of the mark, we need to cash in to the MLS ASAP!

Right back. A right winger with pace and a striker are desperately needed. Another slow midfielder isn't sadly.

If Rodriguez plays, it must be at No 10. He is a defensive liability on the right.

We were very poor last night. We may have gained a draw but, when the ball came out to Cresswell for their goal, where was Rodriguez? We didn't sign him to defend but I think Iwobi for example would have stopped the shot.

Lesson: if Rodriguez plays, it must be as No 10 where he'll have 2 defensive midfielders to cover for him.

As usual, the lack of goals needs to be addressed, as our goal difference is again poor compared to teams around us. Spurs now being 3 up.

Spin it how you want with Calvert-Lewin in the 6-yard box with no service, we still miss Lukaku.

It's about getting the balance right, we need to bring in another striker, winger and defensive midfielder. Rodriguez should only be used as an impact player for 20-30 mins of the bench next season.

I think if we can bring in even 1 or 2 in on loan as squad players this month that would be a bonus.

We need a striker. Not an aging midfielder looking for a last contract and a place to retire with slow football.

Not many can pull it off like Pirlo - and this is the Prem. Do we need such short-termism.

He was pure quality a few years ago, an example of a modern, all round midfielder. Tall, strong and good in the tackle while also being a great passer and possessing great control and technical ability.

He'd be an excellent partner to Allan, and a huge step up from Gomes or Davies as midfielder no 3.

BUT.

He's now 33. I haven't seen him play in 4/5 years.

If he came on loan, or on an 18 month contract he could be a good option. But we need to be targeting younger.versions

I don't think there's an issue with his quality. There is an issue with the amount of games he's played in the last 2 years, his appearance stats are alarming, 9 and 8 appearances the last 2 seasons. He won't be on peanuts either. 6 month loan part funding his wages should be the most we are offering

If he's done extra training sessions to get fit enough to play in the Premier League, it sounds like he could end up being our fittest player?

If his signing is on a limited contract then lets give him a go.
Anymore than 12 months then I would be worried about stacking the squad with highly paid ageing players.

What is the old saying - "Form is temporary, calls is permanent".

I think what Carlo is trying to do is to mix experience with youths that the youngsters watch and learn, as they play, the older skilful players add a bit of "magic" to the team and lastly, up can coming players get used to the idea of Everton signing "Big Names", albeit ones that are in the twilight of their career.
Don't forget, players like James and Khedira will have been the heros of the younger players that are now in such huge demand and for those youngsters to see their "heroes" going to Everton will definitely influence their thinking, if we enter the market for them.

January has come around again and Everton are missing quality upfront that will cause Everton to miss out on a top 4 place as Everton's competitors have more. But there is no rush by the manager to find them.

Yet, there are players at Everton who won't be getting any games this season as they sit tight on generous contracts, so, are happy to train everyday without wanting to get away anytime soon as they go home after training to play with their children inside the home or in the garden.

This is a goer. It’s on! Not sure about Sammy’s ability to cope (age/injuries etc...) but I can see where Carlo is going with these players. He always likes a mix of kids and battle-scarred vets.

I am sure we would wish the player to be a success if coming to Everton, however every foreign player is shocked at the intensity and could he stand the pressure ?
I think Carlo would use the player sparingly at firs,t and he may be a sitter in front of the back four, that would allow Doucoure to get forward more and weigh in with goals, like he scored at Watford when moved up the field.

Not for me.

When we have a fully fit squad it will be 4-3-3 as the formation.

Allan, Doucore and Gomes will do me.
Two full backs attacking.
Godfrey and AN other as centre backs

Thomas, l think we have had a fully fit squad for only 4 games this season. Khedira will improve the squad overall but, as Steavey says... we need goals.

We need pace and creation. We need someone to cross the ball. How many crosses came in from the left over the last 5 games? It's obvious what we need but whether Brands has the go-ahead without getting shut of more wages is another story.

I cannot understand supporters wanting this player, I wonder if they are the same ones who complained about signing Rooney, as being too old and was just a sentimental gesture by Bill Kenwright. you just have to look at the injury list that Khedira has that is worse than Fabian Delph – never mind his age!

We are supposed to be in a rebuilding mode, and you don't build a new house with old materials. Surely there must be experienced, younger midfielders out there for sale; we are supposed to have the experienced personnel to find them.

Stop wasting money and get rid of the deadwood to raise some. Young players in the Under-23 team will not gain Premier League experience unless they are given it.

‘You don't build a new house with old materials' – sorry Bill but that ‘saying' (which I've never heard before) just doesn't work. Old housing materials are often recycled to be used in new-builds (even if it is just in the foundations).

Of course I want the club to do due diligence on any player but, at pretty much the same age when signing for Everton, you could have Paul Power, Richard Gough and Gareth Barry, all of whom contributed greatly.

I'm not banging the drum for Khedira but our midfield is still paper-thin in parts. None of us really know if Gbamin is ever playing again nor how many games we will get out of Allan whilst he has to shoulder so much of the workload.

If that young energetic, rapid defensive midfielder isn't available in January then we might still be able to make use of a quality old pro in the short-term.

SI we already have the foundations with the starting 11 and I am sure there are better back up for the starting 11 without going for a player who has not played any senior football this season, just on his reputation from a few seasons back; especially with his injury stats.

I believe this is just lazy media talk. if Ancelotti and Brands have any plans for this window they would have lined up who they want a couple of months ago

It’s reported he’s been offered a contract.

hes 34 in April and taking a wage cut from 140k per wk will still be too much even at 50%. slow, injury prone and old. how many red flags do we need here people? just because he was good 4 yrs ago does not mean he will be again! we need pace and energy as well as skill.

Brands’ under 24 recruitment policy has been amended to under 34.

Bill, people want rid of about 40% of the starting XI and the physical resilience of some of the favourites is questionable. There is no strong, durable and proven starting XI to build on for the rest of the season never mind the next 5 years.

If you are ‘sure' of the availability of better options then you need to contact the club urgently in case they aren't aware there is a queue of exceptional footballers just itching to sign for us.

Si, your argument doesn't stack up. If we can't get anyone else, then leave it until we can! Don't sign someone who is past it!

We have Gomes, Sigurdsson and James who have quality but no pace; why bring in another slow player in midfield, albeit holding midfield?

We've already seen Man Utd twice and Leeds Utd pour through our midfield like a dose of salts and slower players take longer to support our forwards. I cannot see any upside to this move and pray it's just a rumour.

Si,

If I was in the professional game as long as Brands and paid the fee he is being paid, I am sure I would have a list of players who may be available, not just players who Ancelotti has known.

But unfortunately, I am an 80-year-old retired miner, who just watch games on TV. I see a number of players who I think are good but I believe it is the manager who chooses who he wants to fit into his team. So for me to suggest to the club... it would be a waste of effort.

If we sign this guy then Brands may as well go to Man United. And maybe he could take Delph with him. We'll need the treatment room space.

Terry #73 Amen brother.

Cheers, Stephen. It's important, this decision!

Terry, what do you actually disagree with? Are you referring to my post at 48? I'm not posting an argument for Khedira per se, just trying to get answers from those who say it's a signing that is bound to be detrimental, or that we must have better alternatives lined up. It all hinges on whether he is washed-up or not and I would expect the experts to assess that.

I don't see a short-term signing to allow someone like Allan to get some rest or even alter his role slightly, as out of the question if the terms are right. Our current alternatives are slow or lightweight, or both and Khedira might actually be an upgrade on what we have. He doesn't have to be around forever to allow the contracts of a few of those who are obviously never going to play for us again to run down.

I'm happy to wait and see what the club actually do. I'm just not going to get annoyed about being linked to a player, especially when I don't think all in the garden is rosy as far as our midfield goes.

Fair comments, Si, I think it goes against where we are aiming for and we need youth and energy – not someone close to 34.

I appreciate Gareth Barry was a great move for us but that was to help McCarthy and Barkley, who were young players.

No thanks, Sam.

We already have similar players. We need more and better attacking options to win games.

The Championship and Scottish League are full of talent that we should go after. Save on the wages and bring more zip, drive and energy to the team.

We are now down to 7th in the table and looking upwards I just do not see us finishing top 4 unless we buy in some more quality and while I would bite your hand off for a younger Khedira, let’s be honest he is past it and we need younger more dynamic players. We have enough has been a now which we need to get shot of. For me we are over stacked with midfielders and need to sign Aaron’s as a replacement for Seamus a right winger to replace Walcott and an understudy for DCL. If we can get 40M for Kean and can get rid of some of the other dead wood then perhaps we would have enough money to bring in some real quality which will allow us to compete with the top 4. At the moment I think we are 3 or 4 players short of being able to do this.

If the sum total this window is Siggy offered a contract then Brands needs to be head hunted pronto by Man U or whoever.

Ashley 84

As the manager had said, the reality is we are not thinking top 4 is viable this season, because of the squad. It’s nice that we have it in our minds, but 6th is the target. Anything above is over performing, below under performance

Over performance gets more and more unlikely the more our best players are out of the team.

Ashley tp put things into perspective we are 4 points off top with a game in hand and currently joint 4th..

The league is a marathon not a sprint and we have players coming back from injury and more than likely some changes in January for the better.