Juve said to be planning on taking Kean back

I just wet my pants. Apparently, Carlo is going all out for Koulibaly in the summer!!! Jesus wept, does that mean we will finally be getting rid of the deadwood (Iwobi, Delph, Besic etc...) plus a few first teamers (Holgate, Davies, Gomes, Kean) to finance this?

A back four of: Aarons, Godfrey, Koulibaly and Digne would be boss.

It has been reported on BBC that Juventus are considering a cash plus player deal to take Moise Kean back. PSG, Juventus, Everton; anyone spot the odd one out? Yep. you got it, the one who already have the player under permanent contract.

And, if the Koulibay rumour is true then the "deadwood", no matter the ability, will be with the number of central defenders of all ages. Mr Brands most certainly won't have time to report to both the bored and the Board.

Alan, I would only want a cash + more cash for Kean.

15 goals in 27 appearances for PSG so let's get a bidding war going. If no bids come in for 45 million and above then keep him.

I called for Koulibaly on another thread. Top class, ready-made (not potential) and at the perfect age for a centre-back. With him and Godfrey, we have pace & aggression at the back and players not afraid to surge forward. We can play higher up the pitch as a unit when necessary. If we get Aarons as well, that is a good blend of experience and potential.

I may be putting pieces of the wrong jigsaw together, but could the Juventus cash + player interest be linked to previous rumours of our interest in one of their midfielders? All speculation of course, but that could make sense.

Danny, yesterday the media were claiming that Juve were putting Ramsey or Douglas Costa up as part a possible Kean deal.

Alan J, if (and it's a huge if) it happens, one of Mina, Godfrey, Keane, Braithwaite and Holgate would have to go. Which one(s) though?

Colin(#6); I doubt that it would be either Branthwaite or Godfrey which suggests, as we have two keepers on the bench, that it would be one of Holgate, Keane or Mina and several of the U-23s who are out of contract or over age at season's end. All dependent on this rumour having some substance.

Ah, we’re on here:

Pickford
Aarons
Godfrey
Koulibaly
Digne
Vasquez
Allan
Doucoure
Rodriguez
Richarlison
DCL

May as well just give us the title now😉

Players to leave - Holgate, Keane, Delph, Iwobi, Gomes, Besic, Bolasie, Iwobi, Kean, Bernard and Iwobi.

I wouldn’t want to lose either Keane or Holgate but if Koulibaly is bought then neither of them would want to play 2nd fiddle. Mina is taller, quicker and is becoming a bit of a leader as well.

Colin(#8); I can see you replacing Mr Brands on the Board if you can flog off any player twice or even three times. Bill would be proud of you and maybe even let you have the combination to the back of the sofa.

I imagine Koulibaly would have a big say in where he goes, with many top premier league teams rumoured to be interested in signing him.

Colin @ 8. We’ll be lucky to get one fee for Iwobi never mind 3!!

Koulibaly at Goodison for the start of the new season, not likely given his age profile, he will want Champions League football which looks an unlikely but not yet an impossible scenario for us with 9 games to go.

We need a right-back, a creative midfielder and proper cover up front. If we can acquire three improvements and get rid of the deadwood in the next window, I will be happy.

This is just fantasy football manager stuff.

Now I love a transfer rumour and also enjoy thinking about possibilities for us in the market. However, let's be clear here, there is more chance of us signing Ronaldo than Koulibaly! He is a top, top player and will go to a top team; I am sad to say we are some way off being one of those.

I hope we get decent coin for Kean and it helps fund 3 or 4 great signings for us, a back-up striker to put pressure on Calvert-Lewin, a right-back and right-midfelder and, if (and it is a big 'if') we can sell a couple of our central midfielders, then a decent central midfielder please.

I hope we will get shot of Bernard, Sigurdsson and Delph in the summer.

"Koulibaly at Goodison for the start of the new season, not likely given his age profile, he will want Champions League football"

I heard the same said about Ancelotti

One thing is for sure: he won't be seen in an Everton shirt again. We will either sell Kean at a substantial profit or for less, with a swap deal, if he goes back to Juve.

Either way, we will benefit as – regardless of the player's potential – if he does not want in, then he is best to get out.

I think it's going to be a really exciting summer in the transfer window for Everton.

Koulibaly or not, at least the rumour quality is a few steps up from not so long ago, links to helping Man Utd clear out it's deadwood.

Unless Koulibaly is on a par with VVD then with the way Keane, Mina and Godfrey are playing, with Branthwaite and Holgate behind them, then I think there are far more important places in the team to spend the money.

Unless that is Carlo is looking at 30 x 1-0 victories and the other 8 being 0-0 draws

Koulibaly would be nice and would require a lot of Ancelotti enticement. However, on a general note we need to strengthen in a number of areas and to offload others.

Starting with the keeper, Pickford had started to pick up and needs to carry that on and get rid of the childish antics. It looks as though Olsen may go due to the horific burglary, which leaves us with Virginia, who was great against City. A better keeper is needed to push Pickford, I like Martinez at villa.

Coleman is beginning to come back but is never going to be the same player, sadly. I would go for Aarons. I think Keane, Mina and Godfrey have been fine, if Koulibaly came in it would mean the end for Holgate, unless he moved forward. Digne is still great but we need cover, Nkounkou is a great prospect.

Midfield would see Bernard and sick note going along with Iwobi. Davies would be a squad filler and he cost us nothing. Siggi has probably shown enough recently that he can do a job and so may stay. Allan, Doucoure and Rodriguez will stay. I am not sure about Gomes, he is still struggling with his injury mentally and full fitness, I am unsure he can get over it so may go. This leaves Gbamin who we know little about. We need to inject some pace and width into the midfield along with another creative player. I don't have any specific suggestions but when you see the Leicester team they have a lovely mix of these.

Upfront we need a plan B with a different type of striker to DCL, which I was hoping Kean would be, he will go. Richy, along with DCL needs to be more lethal in front of goal but DCL has shown if he has the service he can score. We need a quick and tricky forward who can pulls defences around and both score and make space. Not many of these about and not cheap so you end up taking a chance, like Kean.

We will lose others as they are out of contract and its then a case of a long hard look at the reserves as to who we think can make it, even as a squad player.

The squad needs greater strength in depth, when you looked at the City bench the other day it was like two international teams, our was under 23 and 18's.

Phil 17.

Koulibaly is not on a par with St Virgil.

He is better than him

Laugh my socks off if a bidding war breaks out over Keane – imagine a profit on a fella who couldn't cut it in the Premier League.

I doubt, Barry (#20) that Juve will be involved in a bidding war over a centre back.

Italian Media just love Everton and are close to going out of orbut ever since Ancelotti became Manager. Can only help up Keane value.

We would be delighted if the value of our centre back increased because of this, Jerome (#22)

Barry @20 the same also originally said about Salah and De Bruyne.

Joe

I don't think so.

Not succeeding in the competitive environs of all conquering Chelsea is markedly different to not being able to cut it at a mid-table outfit in the Prem as subsequent evidence demonstrates.

I would also add every man and his dog could see De Bruyne and Salah had basic mastery of the ball something I wouldn't say about Kean.

Fair do Barry but PSG, Juventus see something in him, so he must have something.

Look if we are going to sell Keane it’s starting bid of £50 million he’s hot property hot.

Nice one, Terry (#21, #23).

I try to get in and correct these basic errors but some of our posters (Jerome Sheilds is in my sights today) have little regard for accuracy or veracity in what they post on here.

Sad but true.

Now if we just used their initials (my initials?), everything would be crystal clear...

What utter tosh... Koulibaly would eat-up all of our transfer budget for three years!

As Phil says above, we have far more pressing personnel issues than centre-half. Midfield is where we need speed and creativity and we need a right-back and, if we have any dosh left, we need another striker.

Joe has a point, Barry. In fairness, it goes back to different players developing and maturing at different times. There are many reasons why Kean and others like him didn't adapt to the Premier League at the age of 20 in little over 12 months at the first stab. Not all of them will be footballing ability-related.

Fast forward 4 years and maybe a more mature, experienced Moise Kean does return to the Premier League and is a different player? Or maybe not just his setting.

I have actually said I doubt that centre-back is a priority, but regardless, if you get a sniff of the opportunity to add a genuine top-class player in any position, that improves on what you have, you do it.

Koulibaly would, be akin to building the Dream Team, but as many have said, aim high, only the best is good enough..

But I think any transfer budget this year will have to be spent frugally..

I'm not sure if the European Championship will happen this summer, bearing the predicted third COViD19 wave. But this would normally represent a chance to get good deal for an over-priced player.

For urgent requirements are right-back, centre-forward, or a good false No 9, and a decent box-to-box scoring midfielder with pace.

It won't be easy but who knows what this summer will bring? Let's hope for a good window, and of course before the summer break, a massive effort starting vs Palace to get some home points on the board.

Danny

Too many "maybes" in there to carry weight but if you could cite examples akin to Kean rising Lazarus-like from the Prem grave I would be interested.

I honestly can't think of one

There'll likely always be a few maybes when a player is 20 Barry. Not seen enough of him, but from what I have, possibly more of a Lukaku type of player in him. Never going to be the most graceful, but could develop into a goalscorer.

Maybes and coulds because we're still talking potential, not the developed or finished article.

This Koulibaly rumour is more about Napoli keeping his price as high as possible. There will be one or two clubs trying to get him on the cheap. RS, Spurs? If Yerry is off though, who knows?

As Eddie above says it’s the dynamic midfielder we need possibly two if Gbamin breaks down again or just can’t recover well enough. Then some real direct threat from the right. Iwobi isn’t a right winger and he’s not really a no10 either he is half way between both and can’t really contribute defensively , I just don’t know where he fits in. Then thirdly or fourthly we need Dignesque right back (who can defend rather stoutly as well as bang in some killer crosses) , I wonder if Mr Brands has realised this yet?

Terry (21and 23),Terry you’re getting very lenient in your old age, three or four posters have spelt Keans’ name wrongly, it is Kean not Keane, and you haven’t reprimanded any of them. I’m sure that was one of your pet hates not too long ago!!

Centre back is the last place we need to strengthen! Branthwaite to come back too!

Pacy right side attacker who scores goals. Right back who can defend and attack!

Competition for DCL.

A skilful number 6 to supplement Doucoure and Allan.

Lots of deadwood to get rid of still! Delph, Walcott, Besic, u23 deadwood and possibly Iwobi and Holgate ?

This could be good news as far as Koulibaly is concerned and definitely positive, though I wouldn't be too hasty to offload Michael Keane or Yerry Mina, but believe we could command a decent figure for Holgate, where we didn't pay a lot for him in the first place, he has age on his side too. Of the others mentioned, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over any if they went, although I would retain Tom Davies as a useful squad player.

Will be an interesting Summer Window to say the least, but I'm sure Carlo and Marcel know who they want, who they really, really want, and we will say Ah! If you wannabe, wannabe ?

Colin @ 1, you may find this link useful : https://www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/adult-nappies/disposable- :-)

Cheers Degsy, I’ve just put an order in.

Koulibaly would be like Kompany for Man City or St. Virge for the rs. He would change us like when Andy Gray and Peter Reid did.

As for the dosh, we could sell Kean, Holgate, Iwobi, Delph, Iwobi, Besic, Bolasie, Bernard etc... to pay for him. Boys Pen Bill could get a stall on Paddy’s Market to raise some money as well.

It's not, Stephen, but back to the point. Regardless of priority (and I accept it's not ours), if we got the chance to make that kind of improvement, you do it.

I'm confused with the references to Virgil van Dijk. I thought he'd passed away after that challenge with Pickford. Is he still around?

I know Holgate hasn't had the greatest season, but it's interesting how quickly he's gone from being our "best defender and future captain" (second half of last season) to being lumped in with the dead wood.

Bill,

I don't think Holgate has been the same since the injury.

Whether he has fully recovered or not is the question.

It seems Vasquez is our choice for the right wing-back position. All we need now is Gana plus some money for Moise Kean and a goalscoring midfield player in the mould of Fernandes, Grealish or Maddison...

Alan (9) and Geoff (11), you do understand that Colin didn't make any typographical errors don't you? He's simply restating his biggest wish is to rid of a certain player.

Do the French media not understand the concept of ‘market value' or realise that the only good thing about the likes of PSG having ridiculous amounts of money is the opportunities that arise for them to redistribute some of that wealth? If they want him, they will reach an agreement on what the player is worth.

Well spotted, Si. Have you applied the same thought to my posting or did you really think Bill would hand out the combination to the back of the sofa?

I don't see the need to bring in another centre-back. As it is, I believe that we have too many good – not great – centre-backs and it would be folly to spend our meagre transfer kitty in an area that is not a priority. I think we should cash in on either Mina or Keane this summer and add about £30-40 million to our transfer kitty.

PSG will lose Mbappe to Barca, Real, Chelsea or Man City for mega-bucks – I am talking £100 million plus. So, (a) they will be flush with money; and (b) desperate to keep Moise Kean. Brands should start the bidding at £60 million – he will go for that kind of figure.

So, with the £80-90 million in players sold, plus some of Moshiri's money, we should strengthen 3 key areas:

1. Right-Back – Lamptey, Aarons or similar;

2. Pacy, creative, goal-scoring mid-fielder – Buendia, McNeil, Cantwell, Brooks or other;

3. Striker to compliment Calvert-Lewin & Richarlison – I don't have any exciting names but someone like Origi from Liverpool, Sarr or Toney from the Championship, Edouard or Morelos from Scotland.

The squad for next season:

GK: Pickford, Virginia, Olsen
RB: Digne, Nkounkou, Small
CB: Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Branthwaite, Gibson
LB: Lamptey, Coleman
MF: Allan, Doucouré, Davies, Gbamin (or replacement), Gomes, Buendia
ST: Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, James, Sigurdsson, Origi, Sarr, Simms.

Colin @39,

Thanks for making me not feel alone in the world. everybody I know calls it Greatie Market – not its original name of Paddy's Market.

Paddy's Market. Me too!

Paddy's for me too. I used to work on a stall there when I was a kid, though most of the stuff was “on the floor”.

My dad used to do up bikes during the week and sell them on Saturday morning before spending the profits in the alehouses on the way to the match.

It was crap when they just put all the stalls on one side of Great Homer Street but, when they stopped that and made it in that purpose-built thing on the other side of the street... well, just embarrassing really.

Greatie Market? Never!! Paddy's Market was one of our first stops when shopping with mum and dad. Then St Johns Market, then a quick trip to The Wizards Den and on to Hobbies to look at all the trainsets that we couldn't afford.

Ajay (#47);

I don't think we'll see Olsen here next season as he and/or his family are reported to want to go back to Rome. And I think you've put your full-backs on the wrong side but that matters little as I think we all know what was meant.

Also, I think that Mr Ancelotti will want two centre-backs and two as cover and all experienced, Branthwaite and Gibson possibly in two or three seasons.

Always Paddy's Market... Greatie is for me a different generation - - I used to go to Paddy's with my Mum on Saturday morning: "All those on the floor, a shilling; on the shelf, two bob!"

When I was quite young, me and friends would "walk" sailors from The Dock Road to Paddy's for a few pennies, to be used for the pictures or the match or swimming at Wessy Road Baths. How things change!

Paddy's Market for me as well, a good walk around there.

Mrs White had a stall there, Cilla Black's mam. Cilla's dad's nickname on the docks where he worked was “The frustrated minstrel” because he didn't know if he was Black or White.

Anyway, come out of Paddy's and right across the road in Scotty was Thorn's Cafe, where me and me mam used refuel with a big bowl of thick pea soup and a plate of 'college pudding', swilled down with a large mug of tea.

Better than The Adelphi!!

When I was quite young, me and friends would "walk" sailors from The Dock Road to Paddy's for a few pennies,

George I just spit coffee all over my keyboard - then I checked again and you did say “walk”...

Hello Sailor!

Hey, did anybody know Kean had COVID? He tested positive a few weeks ago and missed a couple of games in isolation, but I hadn't heard anything about him actually getting sick. Now Sky is reporting that he has withdrawn from the Italy squad for their WC qualifiers because of COVID-related "fatigue" after playing 90 minutes for PSG on Sunday.

Dave #53 "Paddy's Market for me as well, a good walk around there...
...Better than The Adelphi!!"

I suppose you also left your wallet at home when you frequented the Adelphi!

Colin@8, like you selected 11, now that his price has dipped, could you throw Zaha into the mix, just to please me :-)

Done, Brian!

Mark - steady.

If KK is as brilliant as reported I'd be worried if we signed him. Surely a CL team would snap him up and, if he has any sort of winner-mentality, he'd welcome it.

Then I look at how long he's been at Napoli as their highest paid player (now nearly £200k per week allegedly) despite rumour mongers having for several recent years described him as one of the best central defenders in Europe. Hmm.

So, aged 29, would he sign for us confident that within his contract we'll be significant CL contenders, or would he sign for us to again be on a massive contract to do what he may have become used to, namely being a diamond of a player but devoid of the drive to enable a perennially unsuccessful club to actually win something?

Like a few signings in our current squad I'd say.

We should be keen to spell each Kean and Keane correctly or we will all be so confused.

50 mil for Keane would be unlikely and maybe too for Kean but it is more likely we can get 50 mil for Kean than for Keane 🤔.

Did I read that Kean has withdrawn from the Italian national squad?

What's up with these Italian selectors? He's not wanted at Juve, only makes it on loan at PSG and couldn't even make a regular place at Everton!
Yeah, that's right, surely...I mean, it must be them...and what have Italy won recently??? Any chance of Uncle Bill going on loan to sort them out, Italy I mean.

Funny how both spellings miss out on international duty at the same time, wreaks of conspiracy, they all hate us!

Alan J, keen observation, but no keening needed for Kean and Keane.

Interesting that Douglas Costa and Ramsey are talked of as makeweights in a return to Juve for Kean. Both play in first-team positions we need to fill and are certainly ready made, with excellent CVs. Ramsey obviously knows the Premier League already too.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a signing like this to accompany a couple more youthful recruits. The issue is motivation, fitness and longevity. It's been great having Allan and Rodriguez but they just haven't managed to play enough games.

But do they have ‘resale value’ Robert? For some that’s a dealbreaker but buying crap, younger players like Ramirez, Iwobi, Besic, Vlasic etc... is ok.

Hi Alan J @62,

I was just reading a story that Moise Kean was with the Italian squad but they had assessed him and decided to send him back to PSG as he was not fit to play – due to fatigue.

The piece I read failed to mention that he had caught Covid-19 a few weeks back... nor does it mention that fatigue is a common post-covid sympton. Not sure if there's a connection there or not...?

Robert, Ramsey spends a lot of time on the treatment table and our two tables a currently occupied.

Colin & Eddie. That's kind of the dilemma for us. How do we buy players fit for a top 4 side, when we pay less wages and don't offer champs league football.

We either go for potential or go old / injury prone. Both represent gambles.

But they also represent a chance to get above the often expensive mediocrity we've got plenty of still.

I expect we'll go for a bit of a mix like last summer.

The old proven injury-prone, or the young potential argument comes round prior to every summer window, like clockwork.

Both arguments for and against are valid. It's down to our scouting and recruiting to get it right. The No 1 area that needs the very best scouting and recruitment this summer is midfield. Again.

We need two midfielders with agility, zip, fast accurate passing fast closing down, willingness to drive for and stretch defences. Mount, Barnes, Telimans, Pusilic, Buendia, Ward-Prowse are six that spring to mind... Next to no chance of signing the first four, but this is the blueprint for the signings we need. Young, energetic, hungry and vigorous decent passers, goals in them too. Direct and hungry midfield players. Doucouré and Allan are excellent players (Tom Davies is useful back up to this unit and may stake a permanent claim) but they need support with this type of midfielder.

We've been lacking in this for far too long, intensity and goals from midfield.

Brands now has his work cut out yet again, big time, trimming players that do not strengthen us and bringing in the midfield players we desperately need.

If we brought in Max Aarons and Douglas Costa as a right hand side I could live with Costa's age. Ditto if we brought in Koulibaly to sit alongside Ben Godfrey.

I have my doubts about Ramsey though.

Like a few on here I would be sceptical of taking on a player like Koulibaly as the costs involved for a 29 yr old would be silly money that really could be better spread elsewhere. And isn't it about time we started buying youth and building for the future with a younger dynamic team which the likes of Leicester have been doing very well lately.
A wish list of sorts for not such silly money could include the likes of Aarons for right back which is an urgent position to fill, the centre halves we have available aren't the worst so not a priority, Nkonkou looks to have a great future at left back, midfield is a massive problem with no creative players in there at all, I think its time to offload Gomes, Siguardson, Delph, the ghost that is Gbamin, Davies, Iwobi and Bernard. Add Walcott, Besic, Bolasie to that list and would give us a decent fund to get in the likes of Sam Johnstone as reserve keeper, Ward Prowse, Saint Maximan, Harrison from Leeds, try entice Lookman back, maybe Gana and up front try for Danny Ings.
We no its all wishful thinking as no one will want our deadwood for much money and Moshiri won't keep trusting Brands with his money as his record so far isn't brilliant!!
Now if we could get Usminov in then we are talking a whole different ball game with the quality of players if only!!!

I have always said that Liverpool do not have great players, they have a few world class players (VVD, Salah, etc) supported by a very well coached team.

I don't believe CB is our most pressing position, but if we have the chance to bring in a truly world class player then you have to take it.

We need young talent, but we need it for our brilliant future not for the re-sale. DCL was championship at best last season, now we all see him as future England number 9. Kean is obviously a future star who is clearly not ready for Premier league. We can sell him, but what people are asking for as a replacement is exactly him - a young striker, destined for the top, skillful etc.

For me, litter Everton with three world class players willing to play for our manager, and see what happens around them. I firmly believe that other players look better when they have class around them, which in turn drives their value.

If we had Koubouly in defense, we would concede far less goals, we'd be stronger. It's like saying would VVD make us better... As a result, people talk more about Pickford and Digne - see Allison and Robertson.

If we had (X) in midfield, say Rabiot for arguments sake, the others would look better.

If we had a decent winger - how many more chances would our two strikers get (Richarlison and DCL).

Our shit players will always be shit, but our average/good players will suddenly look great/world class. That is the beauty of having world class players.

Andrew @ 72, while I admire your ideal scenario of young talent to build for the future, that would be in an already well established team, where the younger ones get introduced. You need a few 'old heads' for these to learn off too, which is why for the foreseeable future and to break that glass ceiling we need the likes of Koulibaly, James, Allan etc.

A solid very experienced group of International players, who will NOT get rolled over by the likes of Newcastle and teams in the relegation trapdoor part of the Table. The only snag is that most of these players are on astronomical wages, (a tad greedy in this Covid times, but still) but I am pretty sure all that will get factored in to any potential signings.

Moving on to Moise Kean, we all suspected that the boy had talent, and similar to a degree with Lookman, neither appeared to be happy at all with us, for whatever reason, maybe because of immaturity who knows? The inevitability of them moving on was only a matter of when and who to.

You can have the most talented players in the World, but if they are not happy, not getting played, or something else, it's almost futile to hang on to them. I suspect that Moise Kean who appears to have had a great season thus far, hasn't changed in under a year in his desire of who and where he wants to play.

I think though sadly in his case, it may be best for all parties to get the best deal possible for him and of course the Club and get someone in who does want to play. Now I will probably get laughed at here, but I can take it, I have heard through a very reliable source within the Club, that Juventas are desperate to get Moise Kean back. So much so, that a deal involving a swap for Ronaldo could be possible. The wages would be factored into a possible free transfer as such for Ronaldo.

Before this gets tossed into the 'pie in the sky in-tray' I have also heard that he has great admiration for Carlo and would love to play for him again, has a very good friendship with James, and would love to see out his last years in the Premiership. Because of his amazing fitness and talent, that could conceivably be till he was around 40.

Okay we'll wait and see, if anything materialises, or I end up with copious amounts of egg on my face, as after shave, before I get tucked into a Desperate Dan sized Humble Pie. Where's my bib and cutlery, I'm drooling already, not for the pie but you know what I mean.

Derek,

I’ll have some of what you’ve been drinking mate!

DCL and Ronaldo up front next season!

Derek, it sounds like a premature April the 1st post !

But You can’t completely 100% rule it out with Carlo being here and his friend James. Also, the fact that Moshiri may bankroll the wages in some kind of creative way where Ronaldo keeps all the image rights etc.

Can’t see it though but much more likely than the Mars Perseverance Rover finding Elvis living in a cave near Mount Olympus.

Derek K; Ronaldo on a free? I'm in.

You heard it here first. Koulibaly and Ronaldo to Everton.

I'll be very happy to see this starting lineup (5-3-2) next season...

Virginia
Olosunde Holgate Godfrey Branthwaite Nkounkou
Cantwell Doucouré Lolley
Calvert-Lewin Édouard

Decent blend too: British and French... as for the rest of 'em? Not fussed!

Mathew, Branthwaite has been having a torrid time at Blackburn and can’t get in the team at present.

Even I can spot a 29-year-old Koulibaly for a player.

What I want and expect is the great Brands to be able to spot the 23-, 24- or 25-year-old version.

Anyone watched Daryl Dike? A young American on loan and banging the goals in at Barnsley.

A couple of reports today say we've been watching him. He's 20, 6ft-2in, built like George Foreman. Are we considering signing him as back-up for Calvert-Lewin?

It would be interesting to hear what anyone thinks about his technical ability.

Since we're all having a go at designing Everton 2021-22, here's my take:

We look to buy Aarons/Lamptey at RB and then three midfielders - right-sided, left-sided and an offensive attacking player. All fast, tricky, creative with good stamina.

To fund that we'd let go Kean, Bernard (who'll be covered by the left-sided midfielder), Iwobi (ditto the right) and also Gomes (whose defensive duties can hopefully be covered by Gbamin). The left-sided midfielder allows Richy to play up-front with, or replacing DCL according to need, thereby avoiding the need to fund as new striker (and because that's where he wants to play).

To balance the books I reckon we'd need one of the new lads (perhaps two) to come on loan, but together with selling the rest of the "deadwood", if we can, we'd be there or thereabouts.

Koulibaly or A.N Other fast CB can wait.

Off topic. Ancelotti has said Gabamin could play on Monday. Great to have him back.

We are supposedly interested in Paulo Dybala. Personally I think he's an brilliant player on his day.
If we could manage to do some sort of swap, it would be amazing business. The player doesn't seem keen unfortunately. If you're used to playing Champions League..
It appears that Moise Kean doesn't want to come back, a swap with Adrien Rabiot would show our intentions.
These are the kind of players we should be aiming at, and hidden gems in the lower leagues, like Ben Godfrey.

Kean will be off - probably PSG will pay us a good part of the money they get from selling one of Mbappe or Neymar. I would put all that money into getting Perreira and Diagne from West Brom. Then from the sales of Bernard, Delph, Kenny and Iwobi, I would go for Buendia from Watford. Perhaps controversially, I would sell Mina and get in a top class RB - let us say, Lamptey from Brighton, for the time being:

The squad next season:

LB: Digne, Nkounkou
CB: Keane, Godfrey, Branthwaite, Holgate, Gibson
RB: Lamptey, Coleman
MF: Allan, Doucoure, Davies, Gomes, Gbamin, Buendia
Forwards: Siggy, Richarlison, Perreira, James, Calvert-Lewin, Diagne

Ajay, for me that’s an excellent summary of what we need in the summer. What’s more that is really achievable, those players will embrace taking a step up and will be motivated. We will have money from Kean and one or two others to invest.

We really need some spring and energy in the side going forward from midfield and from the right, we need more pace and intensity. Those players are the right age, good physically, have very good technical ability too and Ancelotti could improve them further.

I would feel very confident for the new season if we could get Perreira,Diagne,Buendia and Lamptey (or Aarons). Those players would invigorate us and would be like a shot of long term adrenaline.

It’s a big Summer window for us coming up, a fork in the road moment, we have to get it right.

Ajay (85), some great call outs there. The only one I'm not sold on is Digne. He's already 29 and has hardly set the world alight at the top level.

Personally I would love us to make an approach to Chelsea for Tammy Abraham. The lad won't come cheap but we could maybe do a loan with option to buy?

He's got an almost one-in-two scoring record, and is Chelsea's top scorer for the season right now. Tuchel clearly does not favour him and he's probably down to fourth in the pecking order.