Bernard set for Middle East move

Think the destination and the fact Ancelotti stated Bernard was only suited to playing home games and not away says it all really. Tosun next it seems. We will be looking way short in attacking options if these two leave unless there's irons in the fire.

Makes total sense to offload unproductive high earners. The trouble is, as today highlighted, we will miss Bernard as an option if he leaves without replacement. Tosun too. We weren't exactly blessed with forward talent anyway but to lose these too and Walcott and Kean is bonkers. Those 4 chip in with about 10 to 15 goals and maybe 10 assists. They also relieve tired and out of form players.

I'm all for patient building but we can't surely play the next few months with only 2 forwards?

I know Moshiri has spent a fortune but the clubs business lately has appeared to be about cost shedding. Slightly worrying, particularly as the top four is so tantalisingly open.

We were on the edge with FFP before the pandemic so it’s understandable that there won’t be big money spends until more have been moved on.
Klippity was talking about the unfortunate unavailability of an £80 million defender at this precise moment. No one seems to have called him on the fact that only about half a dozen clubs could even contemplate such largesse even if they were available!

Good luck to Bernard, and he like many before him and after, arrive and find a club in flux in terms of managers and styles, and a game whose rule changes, poor standard of officials, plus COVID19, are bleaching the quality and value of the great game.

I see him as a totally unplayable 'beach football' type footballer.

Good luck to the little genius.

Should have been used as the No 10 and due to that I see him as being under-utilized at Everton.

Good luck to the lad, he could yet return to the Premier League with another club and being successful, Lookman anyone?

Either we are in some financial trouble due to overspending and COVID etc or we are clearing the decks for a couple of signings. Let's hope it's the latter. We can't let Bernard and Tosun go without a forward player to come in, simple as.

Looks like Lössl is going back to Midgetland. Will Ancelotti promote Virginia to the bench?

Martin #7 - yeah right. Lookman is really creating headlines. They never stop talking about him on MOTD and it is great watching the bidding war for him but I think he will end up at Chelsea for £100m as he can stay in London. I am sure Fulham will not stand in his way.

I wish people would stop talking about Lookman, the kid has attitude problems, we did well to double our money, move on.

Bernard, Tosun, Bolaise, Kean, Walcott.

All forwards, all for varying reasons going or gone. I’m not critical of that because there are massive wages off the books in part or in full.

In light of those five likely outgoings it would be foolish in the extreme if we didn’t sign a player to back up, challenge or supplement DCL. On loan this window is probably the best bet . The lack of options on the bench yesterday was laughable for a club with top 4 aspirations. It simply can’t be done with the current attacking resources.

The Great Brandino must have a rabbit in his hat.

Tony, the fans have top 4 aspirations. I don't think the club does.

Phil 10#
Your probably slightly ambitious, but you get my point.

For a Club with mid table aspirations it makes sense to release players and operate a bare bones squad.

If Bernard and Tosun both leave we have to bring in one player on loan (Zirkzee or Dzeko) or even pull a real rabbit out of the hat, surprise everyone and buy a player like Sarr, Bailey or Brooks.

Jason
Midget land??

Sheikh a leg, make it happen!

As with Tosun, never good enough. Too weak, not quick enough, didn't move the ball quick enough, poor passing. Occasional bits of skill here and there, but ultimately not good enough. While he came on a free, his wages of 100k+ a week are not worth it. For a club like us, top wages like that should only be for real game changing players - and even then best avoided.

It does leave us light in the squad and hopefully we're in the process behind the scenes of getting a replacement, either a loan or the permanent signing of a long term target.

Another Brands inspired swoop. Hope they need a nice Icelandic safe midfield player as well

#17 Mark. It will be like Gulliver’s travels when he arrives, they’ll peg and strap him to the floor to study the colossus.

#18 Derek , Alf Nasser having second thoughts?

Can't believe we don't have a forward lined up before tomorrow 11pm. So far left from 1st team. Walcott, Kean, although young Sims, now Tosun and Bernard. So we have DCL and Richi. We are also shifting Bolaisse (gone) Lossl about to go to Mytlinland and JJK. So just Besic to leave, lets be honest that some drop in wages off the bill. This can only impact positively on FFP but the squad has no forward cover we are one forward injury away from disaster and the season totally unravelling... frustrated is not the word...

Ahhhh Mitjyland - Midget land!! I see! I lived in Denmark - they’re all 6’4!!
Even the auld women

Tony, that's only 'Alf the story!

Andrew #25, the bench will be: Olsen, Virginia and Tyrer

Maybe we should stick one of our center backs up front. Godfrey would scare the living daylights out of many other center backs, for example. He's the new Kevin Richardson? (ok, it's a joke, but he's quick and strong. who cares if he has limited ball control?).

Think of him as a highly advanced libero with a pressing game mentality. With Holgate behind him in CDM, we'd have center backs everywhere!

But wait, there's more!

Why stop at four centre backs eh? Let's get Jags back and put him in goal! Five centre backs, why not?

This is a true story Julian, that goes along with your way of thinking.

Chris Sutton started off as a centre half, please excuse using the next name, but has to be mentioned.

Mike Walker of all people was struggling with injuries and so played Chris Sutton as a centre forward, the rest is history.

Same happened with Sheff Weds, David Hurst injured so they tried Paul Warhurst as a centre forward to fill the gap.

I remember years ago we tried Duncan Ferguson as a defender briefly, and Steve Watson as a striker.

When is his contract up, can we get rid in the summer?

@Brian #27 - I do remember in the 70's and 80's where it wasn't unusual (with one sub) for a CH to end up up front - or in goal! Became less and less frequent as the number of available and usable subs both increased over time.