Townsend announced as the summer's first signing

Townsend is done

The start of a new era for Everton. Gone are the days of big, often wasteful, spending. Rafa, it appears, has been mandated to rebuild on a very tight budget. He will have to mine his 3,000 players database. None of us expected Townsend, Begovic, Gray...

Puts into perspective the numerous "reports" of big targets we're allegedly after. Unless, we sell the likes of Kean, Richarlison and James no major signings are likely. Even then Rafa may have to replace them on a budget. A new look Everton is being assembled. No harm in my view.

Welcome to Everton Andros. I think he'll turn out to be a decent signing, he works hard and can actually shoot from outside the box, he has a decent appearance record over the 5 seasons with Palace and their fans seem sorry to see him leave, he also knows what the PL is all about

Well Andros looks happy!!
Can't even remember his time at Newcastle and can't believe he was at Palace for 5 years?
That says more about me than him most probably but good luck Andros and keep smiling!!

Fabrizio Romano is saying Begovic has signed now too

Just watched Townsend's first interview.
Comes across as an intelligent, articulate fella.
I think (hope) we'll be pleasantly surprised.

A sensible two year deal too.

(Wow it took until post 8. I'm shocked.)

Very good first interview. I'm happy with the signing, I reckon he'll do well here. Rafa has obviously got a clear vision, and it involves getting as many crosses as possible onto DCL's bonce.

We're gonna win the lot!

Looks like we are setting our sights on the coveted 14th to 8th premier league spots with a few quarterfinal appearances to give us hope at Christmas time.

You know what, I was disappointed when this was pending, but I think this will turn out good. He works hard and doesn't hide. That is a good start.

I think this could be a really good signing. Not in terms of "top class play" but he'll add things we were missing last season.

Namely...pace, crossing and legitimate options off the bench. I know it's not the big time stuff a lot wanted but I'd much prefer this than another 30 million, 5 year contract type that we've wasted an obscene amount of money over the last few years.

If we add Gray and, hopefully, McNeil then you can guarantee another 15-25 goal season for DCL.

Brian 6

Unusually for a current player he's done quite a bit of punditry and written columns. He certainly seems smart and has the proverbial “football brain.” His Dad is head of the KICK IT OUT campaign, seems like a sensible fellow too. I don't know that he will become an Everton legend but he's a good professional.

Pleased with his signing as I believe he will work and graft for the team and won't shirk his duties.

Plus he has a good shot as well.

Pleased with his signing as I believe he will work and graft for the team and won't shirk his duties.

Plus he has a good shot as well.

I'm not at all unhappy about this signing. He's a useful player and a round peg that will fill a round hole in the team rather than the team of square pegs we have now.

I look forward to watching him balloon 8-10 crosses a match into the crowd.

He's a real Match of the Day player. His highlight reel is amazing, but the basics are pretty poor.

One of the reasons we tailed off last season, and why Calvert-Lewin's goals dried up, was the lack of delivery into the opposition's penalty area.

You get this with Andros, from either flank and either foot. And he is also excellent in his delivery from the dead ball. Replay his corner from which Palace equalised in the 2-1 at Selhurst last season.

Wrong name. Wrong nationality. Wrong age. Maybe for some.

It looks a no-nonsense solid signing to me, addressing a lack many lamented last season. Reading his bio on the club site he has had a lot more loans and clubs than I imagined. Personally, I've always liked what I've seen from him, even though one could consider him a 'nearly but not quite' player.

Good luck to the lad.

Sometimes it's the underwhelming signings that turn out to be good ones. Here's hoping...

Welcome, Andros Townsend – give it your best, put the effort in, don't hide and you will be surprised how much you will be appreciated by a knowledgable Goodison Park.

Small margins and all that. If the guy can give us a bit better service to Calvert-Lewin than he's been used to, we might just avoid last season's failures to get the points we managed to throw away.

He must be over the moon to be playing for Everton. Can't be a bad signing for us either. Good look lad give your all and the Everton family will appreciate you.

Welcome to Everton, Andros.

This club baffles me really. We've gone from Harrods to shoplifting from Poundland. What was the point of hiring Brands if we're back to sell to buy to fund a stadium? What was the point of the profligacy of the last few years?

Instead of boom to bust, extreme to extreme, did nobody think to try and do a Leicester of sorts and walk a diferent path altogether?

This seeming new model probably harkens to an Arsenal archetype – a holding pattern whilst paying for new digs.

A final thought to ponder: if Ancelotti had remained, what would he have been given to spend this window, do you think?

Superb interview. Just the sort of character you want for the bomb site of a dressing room we have at the minute.

He could become the next Niclas Alexandersson if things go as expected.

If he plays as well and enthusiastically as he speaks he'll be a good signing.

When he burst on the scene at Spurs he was almost unplayable. I think he should make a good squad player.

Did the club get him to say Everton are a massive club with big ambition as neither are true.

Steve Brown

Alexandersson? That guy was slower than Bilyaletdinov with the courage of Li Tie. Andros is more of a blend of Kilbane/Lennon and Walcott. Hopefully showing the better attributes of the three rather than their weaknesses

In the circumstances do you think we should change the picture at the top of the screen?? OK it changes all the time.

Great first interview, composed balance and he genuinely seems pleased to be here. I loved the fact he acknowledged he had been bought as a squad player but he intends to work hard and become more than that. Bright intelligent and articulate. Good Luck Andros

Is Townsend sponsored by the Advanced hair studio?? I'm sure he had a really bad receding hair line in his Newcastle days.

Anyway, he's a decent signing on low wages. Better end product than Walcott and Iwobi and a fraction of the wages

Just so we are all clear Kunal.
What size of a club are Everton then if not massive?

Free transfer, two year deal. A solid, dependable veteran presence (which I think he actually will be, unlike Delph, who was only that in our hopes and dreams). Not an exciting signing, but a sensible, low-risk one. As others have said, those are often the ones that pay off the most.

Barry they are not massive. Haven't been since the 80s. As for ambition they've tried over the last 5 years and made a pigs ear. No plan, no strategy. Same old. Moshiri will want to ensure the club maintain PL safety for the next 4-5 years before the stadium is built.

Barry, as much as we'd all love to believe Everton are a massive club, we're actually just a ‘big' club. There are about 10 clubs worldwide that I'd say are ‘massive' and we realistically aren't one of them.

Kunal @27,

Is the stadium plan not ambitious?

Granted we are moving to a new stadium, but clubs like Sunderland and Southampton have moved grounds.
Are we saying they are ambitious?

It's the least we should have/be doing moving to a ground to have similar facilities with our peers in the league and generate further revenues.

By no means a great player but by no means a bad signing.

Actually played better than Zaha when we played Palace away last year - and will get balls in the box.

Not exactly great PR by the club to appoint Benitez and then announce a released player from Palace as his first signing - but then this is Everton.

Lurching from one strategy to another, one profile of player to another - never building anything for the long term and therefore always in transition in the short term. Repeat.

I'm not getting this. Moshiri's attempt to resuscitate a veteran squad with a European top pedigree manager was a bit undercooked but his verifiable progress toward the stated long term goals should suffice to calm the sceptics.

And no I haven't forgiven the calamitous selection of our present manager. Just getting right with the club in these trying times.

Very happy. If he was two years younger, he'd cost us £35 million.

Last season at home against Sheffield Utd and other home games, Carlo looks down the bench for a winger to put the ball in and just sees a load of wide-eyed U23's and slow number 10's and centre backs.

This season, we have options in squad formation for a proper right winger or another wide player on the bench.

Kunal @37,

Were Sunderland and Southampton ambitious? I would say yes.

Do you think they were unambitious?

Jesus, the negativity from some of the posts is unreal.

How about we actually let the guy through the door first? He'll graft, he's got decent end product, and he's clearly enthusiastic.

Frankly, what I think is happening is the construction of a team rather than an attempt to blend what we have. You can see the thinking already, strengthening the wings in attack, two defenders next.

I think a few may be on their way out the door, there doesn't seem to be much interest in our squad apart from the usual names, but I suspect, Gomes, Gordon, Keane or Mina to be exploring their options now. Seems Rafa has a plan... something not associated with the team for a long time.

I keep in mind that even with our slow-motion midfield "attack", we finished 8 points off the CL.

I think 12-15 more goals for and 8-10 less surrendered is a reasonable expectation for this season coming. And would have us in the CL hunt for sure.

We need more but Townsend will do for a start.

Hope he has the hunger to prove a few wrong.

He will out score/assist Bernard, on a fraction of the wages. Get the supply into DCL & Richarlison.

Another Walcott. Please beam me up.

Came across well in the interview. If he brings pace to the team and some versatility, that's good enough for me. If this is all part of repairing the mess from last season, I'm all for it.

I will certainly give Townsend the benefit of the doubt. If he ends up assisting quite a bit from with wing for DCL & Richy (a la Deloufeu did for Lukaku) then I'll be a happy man. Giving Benitez the benefit of any doubt here as well as he knows the player.

Solid but a bit unspectacular. Personally think he's a good addition and pretty much a no-brainer. Massively lack width, pace and people that can run with the ball and he' can do all three pretty well. Not world class by any stretch but will contribute more than what we have. Good luck young man

Indeed - Welcome Andros and what a pleasure that photgraph is - he looks like a player who is truly happy to be joining Everton.

I suspect that the centre of midfield may now be a cause for concern as well, with Tom Davies, being the only one of three others without a serious question mark. If James stays, great, if not we have a hole in the middle. Either way, we will need creative cover for him anyway, so I suspect at least two central midfielders are being looked for, which leaves the need for two defenders, a full back and a centre back. Assuming the group of youngsters we have are not yet in fitst team contention, that would be 7 in.. I can hear the sound of an electric hedge trimmer coming to a squad near you..

He could be a good signing. Obviously not really favoured by Hodgson at Palace but maybe under his old boss Rafa he can be a good addition to the squad.

Has lots of Premier League experience, gets in lots of crosses and on a free transfer to boot (excuse the pun)!

Christine #52, agreed. I'd love to see James stay and slot in at AM but if he goes, we really don't have much quality cover in that area. We've got plenty of DMs in Allan, Gomes, Gbamin, etc... but no one that creates problems on the ball in the attacking middle third of the pitch. Everton definitely need to go out and get another high quality AM.

With Richarlison away at The Olympics it's a decent signing, far better than £25 million on Walcott, Moneyball.

Really liked his interview. He knows he's a squad player but sounds determined to get a starting place. And I think he's got a shot.

People like Barry @15 saying he can't cross are disagreed with by the stats which say he had the best crossing accuracy in the PL last season.

A hard working pro on a short term deal. It doesn't come much lower risk than that and I have a funny feeling he might positively surprise a few of the moaners on here.

I think it's a great signing as he is free and has worked well under Rafa. I would far rather have him in place than almost him or maybe that and end up with a last second Iwobi with an 20% end product. When Walcott signed he was arguably more or a risk as his pace was dwindling.

I am glad Andros has signed - welcome to Everton.

Kunal Desai @ 37

Entirely reasonable and in my view correct.

I believe that there are two metrics that you can size a club with now, one is its brand/commercial presence/Streaming/TV and the other is the bricks and mortar stadium and matchday going fans.

On the commercial/branding side we're no bigger than any of the other prems established "also rans", the new stadium will improve us, but other than our silverware history, will we really be any bigger than Newcastle?

This new stadium has just become a huge millstone around our neck, it will drain any chance of competiton at the elite level.

When you consider that Moshiri/Usmanov are a busted flush with the money they've spent and failed to achieve anything, they won't dipping into their pockets again and we are thus in for lean times ahead.

I reckon this lad will be a revelation. Like the other over-the-hill wastes of space we've bought.

Weir, Gray, Reid, Gough, Martin, Power, Sansom... to name a few.

Give him a fucking chance.

Dave, I get your point but we brought in Davie Weir in his twenties and at his peak years, and Kenny Sansom was one of the most peculiar signings Howard ever made. He was at the end of his career and wasn't even good enough for Coventry. I think he only made a handful of appearances for us.

But, yes, the other signings you said were amazing. I also think Townsend will be a very good low cost bench option. He's only just turned 30 and can cross a ball unlike Iwobi and Bernard. I agree with others that he comes across very good in his first official interview and he'll give 100%.

I was so disappointed when I read this but actually, I think as a different option for some games I don't think this is a bad signing at all. Should be more productive than some we have on our books.

Spoke well too. Seems keen to be here. Hope it is a good spell.

Our little Brazilian when wishing Digne happy birthday end it with " I will miss our 1-2s" also someone mentioned Davies were as in his mid 20s ? When he joined us. He was actually 29 4 months short of his 30th

I see Arsenal have now pulled out of the tournament in the USA that we are in, they have had some Covid 19 cases confirmed. There was some speculation last week than Inter Milan would also be pulling out of the tournament because of an outbreak of Covid but it looks like they are still taking part.

Bloody Hell Kunal, I thought I was negative. You are sort of correct but lets try to be positive, with our new manager.

Seems good for back up. He is cheap in a position we lack numbers and pace. I hope he won't be another lennon or walcott but only time will tell. We need more quality in the wings for sure though. Benitez transfer policy seems to be very pragmatic so far, cheap squad players who follow orders, reminds me of Moyes style, I just hope for a higher ceiling.

I am with Kunal. We WERE a massive club but sadly not so anymore! What have we achieved for the past 26 years? NOTHING!!!

Breaking news on Sky Sports news, Arsenal have pulled out of Florida cup due to an outbreak of positive COVID 19 tests in squad.

So….. we beat Milionaros and win a cup? Rafa could have silverware first match out.

Dreadful..truly dreadful. I'm all for wise spending but this is unreal. Scores a Worldy each season but offers little else. Would much rather see the likes of Gordon given a chance and Nkonkou at left back and Digne further forward as squad options. A right winger will be a priority so this makes little sense. Every time I watched him last season he was mediocre at best.

I've heard Townsend on Talksport quite abit and he comes across as a very level headed, articulate guy who seems to actually have a football head. Should be a good influence in the dressing room at the very least.

I agree that Everton FC is not as big as it used to be, however, there aren't many clubs that could endure 25 years of nothingness and still retain a support as large as ours, the potential for Everton remains massive.

Obviously, the next three years will have to be a great deal better than the previous three and that will dictate if we can retain that potential. It'll take a better strategy and more investment during the next few years and if Moshiri or his pal Usmanov are in it for the long haul, we might eventually make it, but we'll need a lot of luck too.

If we fail to improve then the owners will likely try another project and as fans, we can do nothing more than hope for success.

Steve (#67) and Stu (#68), hopefully we shall not be going to Florida either.

Agree with most posts. A good player, good sensible transfer and I would grab Patrick van Anhalt from Palace on a free too. Competition for left back, wing back with pace.

Townsend is a smarter, more consistent player than Walcott. A proper winger who can link, pass and cross. Walcott was inconsistent and the words chicken and headless usually followed him.

We have James who offers better 'smart' central attacking options too play through balls. Townsend and Rich hard working wingers to create space.

I'd like Grey too, as we need right sided attacking competition and option's. Coleman was our best right winger last season and he can't cross for toffee.

Brian Viner sent me this clip from the Echo. Very illuminating about Benitez' relationship with Townsend. He was always going to be Rafa's first transfer target:

Rafa Benitez's move for Andros Townsend is five years in the making. The England winger was the hill that he was prepared to die on as Newcastle boss, clashing with club chiefs in January 2017 when he urged them to broker a loan move for the Crystal Palace move that the Magpies argued they couldn't afford.

It was the first sign of tension in a relationship which was to disintegrate before he departed for China amid howls of protest from fans.

Townsend and Benitez enjoyed a perfect relationship during the brief time they worked together in 2015. The Newcastle manager extricated the best from him, helping him to earn an England recall by encouraging him to play in a more advanced position - while also maintaining discipline and tactical shape.

Townsend talks of "30 to 40 minute conversations" with Benitez in which he soaked up the manager's many years of experience, tweaking his game to get the best out of himself. For a football obsessive like the Spaniard, a kindred spirit who wants to learn and improve even towards the end of his career holds obvious appeal.

And he will back himself to get the best out of Townsend, who he knows remains one of the best deliverers of the ball in the Premier League. So for all that it is not a Hollywood deal, it follows the Benitez logic of recruiting good players to fit a defined system that can bring success rather than exceptional individuals who might need to be catered for tactically.

The move is pure Benitez. When at Newcastle he went hell for leather to get the club to sign Salomon Rondon, who had been decent without spectacular for West Brom.

Everyone questioned him, from the club's money men who privately railed against the "worst deal, financially" the club had done in Mike Ashley's team to supporters who argued Benitez must be recruiting from his C, D or even E list of targets.

But Rondon was right at the top of Benitez's wishlist because he was recruiting the right characters who would operate well in his style of management and had something to prove. And he also believed Rondon had the ability to improve Newcastle.

It turned out to be an inspired move as Rondon enjoyed the best season of his career. Newcastle had only brokered a loan move though, and the club hierarchy blocked a permanent move - which led to his St James' Park exit.

At Everton Benitez is being backed with money but more importantly his judgement. He always said to reporters in Newcastle that he needed to feel support for his recruitment calls - that his experience and knowledge should be enough to convince them to do the deals he wanted.

He'd follow that up with: "If I get it wrong, then I should be made to deal with the consequences." That's all he will ask with this deal. If it turns out to be another Rondon, Benitez will have every right to feel vindicated.

And as I mentioned on the other thread, a Royal Blue Mersey writer posted a statistical analysis showing Townsend to be one of the best defensive wingers in Europe -- tackles, blocks, interceptions etc. Seems like he has the work rate we demand.

Give Beckham a phone call to have some decent training facilities to train at in Florida. Play a couple of games vs Inter Miami and ask Becks to teach our players how to control and cross a ball.

Good publicity and training.

Mike G, thanks for posting that. I've always liked Townsend because he grafts. Benitez is going for him because he reckons he can get the best out of him and that'll do for me (especially on a free).

Interesting stuff Mike, all adds up to a very sensible move.

He's free. He's decent. He's got a decent attitude. He'll spend most of the time on the bench. He's got pace. And he's come without issue and starts training with new teammates immediately. He's replacing Bernard this freeing about 60/70 grand a week in wages.

Last season we were stuck with Iwobi on the right (useless), or even Coleman or Holgate in wingback positions. Townsend is a definite improvement on those. And free.

Not bad I'm my book.

Just cause he's the first signing, doesn't mean he is the standard of all our future signings.

Anyone watch Mark Cavendish in the Tour de France this year? Green jersey, 4 stage wins and now the joint all time leading stage winner…..

All at the young age of 36…..

This could be a Lennon type signing who actually turns out to be very good. He's hard working, won't shy away when things get tough and can cross a ball.

If we get Gray as well, we suddenly have options on the wing. Gray, when playing for Leicester, always looked like he could be absolutely brilliant, but was also terribly inconsistent.

Personally, I'd prefer these two for less than £2m over spending £40m - £50m on some reserves at a big club. It's about time we got a bit more savvy in the transfer market

From EFC official web site: "DELPH TO MISS USA TRIP TO SELF-ISOLATE"!
Either on the treatment bench or self-isolating ffs!!!

Ooh, I was sweating that one. Thanks for the update Soren.

Nothing new on Delph - he's been self isolating since he arrived here!

So who has Delph been "associating" with at Arsenal? Or did the bloke who irons the number 8 on the shirts pass it on? What a whopper signing this man was (Villa fans love him after his on off on off on off on move t Citeh!!)

Hi Kev,
I watched every one of Cav's stage wins - more exciting than watching England football. Just a pity that he did not win the last stage in Paris.

Uncle Ed.

Ed, Kevin - watched it all. Cav seems to be a battler to the end - and such a genuine guy. If only our footballers were all like that.

Hi Mike [74] an excellent contribution, having no knowledge of any other clubs version of "ToffeeWeb", I must say that if they have the same attitude as some on this site then there must be some miserable supporters up and down the country. It doesn't appear that the right people are in charge of affairs at Goodison, the true experts in all things relating to the club can be easily found on the various threads of "ToffeeWeb". I must confess that I will be accused of accepting mediocrity, but the truth is I have no option but to accept it. I would be delighted to watch the quality of the 60s and 80s but unfortunately we don't possess enough of that type of player, but nevertheless I will be in my customary seat in the Park End, I'm afraid that I am programmed.

Prepared to see what he brings and shouldn't preclude bringing in younger players for the future either.
I'm one who thinks we need some way of boosting the actual size of the squad and cheap experienced players aren't necessarily a backwards step. Based on what I've seen at his best he should be fine for a squad player, capable of starting or an option off the bench. I'm surprised Palace let him go although perhaps that wasn't their choice.
We are not at the end of July and people are deriding our whole ‘strategy'. There will always be some quick to decide they have all the facts they need when they have no idea how much they have yet to learn

Kevin, Ed & Brent. Mark Cavendish's achievements have to be the highlight of the sporting year so far... and just a wheel width from taking another record.
Brilliant last week from Wout van Aert too. If anyone was to stand in Cav's way I'm glad it was him.
Wonder if we'll see Cav on the tour again? You wouldn't bet against him.

In other news. is Delph really injured again?

Why do people keep saying he will spend much of his time on the bench. Really you all must be mental. Who the fuck do we have that is a decent right winger ( NO ONE ) Townsend is here to start he is more productive than Iwobi. Rafa likes him and will start him mark my words

John Sr., I hope to see you there. Or at least at that same table at the Winslow.

Really pleased with this. I'm sick of the culture we've had of overpaying for players and buying supposedly big talent that never gels into a team we can believe in. Under Moshiri we've splashed the cash and been at best mediocre. I have longed for pre-Moshiri team spirit and endeavour. I'm not saying his investment has been a bad thing and the stadium will be the main thing, but we've bought a crazy amount of players for 20+million that have been useless and been huge losses and our wage bill has rocketed but what have we got to show for it?

Hi again Mike, [92] I'll do my best to meet up with you but it may be taken out of my hands, my ambition is to wake up tomorrow, and many more tomorrow's. However my yesterday's far outnumber my tomorrow's, but I can hope cant I?

Last season the gap between European qualification and 12th wasn't due to a lack of superstar signings; you only need to look at some of the teams that ended up ahead of us.

It was inconsistent displays of fight, general endeavour and guile that left us 3 or 4 wins from where we needed to be and with a embarrassing goal difference.

So whilst there clearly needs to be significant changes, i'm not too worried about "big name" signings that "signal our ambition". I'm hoping that RB can instill a togetherness and winning mentality that will restore some pride.

Cavendish has been the highlight of my summer so far too. However, the winner of the yellow jersey and the way he's gone about it, has caused me to really question whether I should bother to watch the Vuelta. The lad was posting times on the big climbs as quick as Lance Armstrong and the rest of the drug cheats and not even out of breath or fatigued the next day. I would be surprised if these results still stand in 10 years time. I've always doubted his compatriot Roglic too. Then there's Bahrain Victorious who used to be known as lampre and have a very dodgy past and are run by guys who were involved in that past. After their sprinter kept beating climbers up the mountains, I was not surprised to see them raided by the police. This is another tour of shame to me, and I just hope Cav's amazing return to form is genuine.

As for us, there's a lot of positives so far, and with some of the unmentionables happening I might just change my mind and be glad that Benitez is here as we need a strong leader right now. There's no doubt he's that.

Still very concerned over the coaching though. Benitez is down coaches from China after Mikel Antia joined Charlotte FC in MLS as manager. He is down at least two more from Newcastle, and that's not counting the goalie coach who he usually leaves to whoever the club have already. Ian Cathro was someone I hoped would reunite with Benitez. He left Newcastle to be manager of hearts. He was sacked as a laughing stock (google hearts' laptop manager for more) but no one doubts his coaching ability. His old mate Nuno took him to Wolves and now to Spurs. Makes sense he went there, but would have been a real statement of intent if we'd got him.

I remember saying that Carlo was not what I wanted. Benitez is much more of a coach, but he's not a proper coach. He's still a delegator like Koeman, Allardyce and Ancelotti. He does his own tactical coaching but that's only a small section of it. We need a manager who works on attacking movement and gets the players to do more than pass it around the back whilst all the forwards stand stock still. Carlo and Allardyce both subscribed to the view that the players are top class and can figure that out for themselves. Well they couldn't and they can't. We need to coach movement like Guardiola and Bielsa do.

Benitez is clearly going to have to work under the constraints of FFP. So he needs to improve the players he has. The coaching staff is a massive part of that. He needs more coaches and of a higher quality. Coaches are paid peanuts compared to players and I hope we set about recruiting the best we can get.

That said, the training videos do look impressive. I'm hoping it's more than just clever editing. We need to bring through some academy players and it's a massive shame that Thierry Small has been an idiot and is going to leave for a (far too small) tribunal fee.

All the best for the season blues, let's hope it all comes together.

Mike, Ed, Kevin - Tour de France riders are the ultimate athletes for me. 3 weeks of riding, bar a couple of rest days. In athletics, even over the longest stretch, a marathon runner only has to last a couple of hours without mentally cracking. Tour de France, you have to maintain that mental strength over 5 or 6 hours a day most days, at a furious pace, over three weeks.

Townsend is a more than decent footballer, good crosses, great shot, hard worker, intelligent, likeable person but why, I wonder, was he almost a permanent substitute for Palace, who struggled to score goals? Is he like Dwight Gayle, James Rodriguez, Shaquiri, Giroud and countless others who for some reason don't seem to be able to last a full 90 minutes? Hence may spend as much time on the bench as on the field?

Stiĺl a great signing on a free. He will put a shift in and Benitez clearly rates him having wanted to sign him on a permanent deal at Newcastle.

If this means he is James replacement l wont be happy. If it means James can now play central l will be happy.

Happier than the miserable Townsend. Never seen such a dour face since Lennon signed.

John Senior. Programmed and simply conditioned to following Everton

On Townsend, as before he signed, let's judge the player on what he does in an Everton shirt.

Steve #96 - and sad to see the medals being rescinded in athletics after so many years, given the ability of today's tests to identify the drugs in samples taken years ago,

Brent, Mike, Ed - I hope he can do it next year at the ripe old age of 37. Makes a mockery of labelling a 30 year old as ‘past it' when a man 6 years his senior can recover from what he has in the past 6 years and still be the best in the world at what he does in arguably the most intense physical spectacle in the world.

Brent, I find it hard to watch the olympics. The drug testing is not up to scratch and so many get away with it, and get done later on. It's good that they keep the samples in long term storage so the authorities can catch up to people in the future when the technology catches up. I just wish they did more of it.

Keep it going John Sr, I hope we can all carry on with grace like you.

Kevin, I don't think he's the best sprinter in his team, let alone the world. Sam Bennett is faster for sure. Maybe, Cav's nous is better, but it let him down on Sunday when he followed it and abandoned the tactic of sticking to Morkov's wheel. Morkov was actually the second fastest man in the race. I think Caleb Ewen is the best in the world at the moment but he was taken out early on as was Tim Mellieur, and Cav found himself up against Cobrelli and Matthews, neither of whom have enough speed to win a bunch sprint in a grand tour with everyone there.

I think we've found our Dick Shuyt.

Dave Pearl Townsend looked very happy in his interview

What squad player? He's a starter. We have Dom who lacked service at times. Digne and Townsend either side putting in crosses. Make sense to me.

James maybe be our best player, but Digne is probably the most effective. Townsend couldn't be equally as effective.

Forget age, we just need to concentrate on good effective players for next season.

I think Townsend can do quite well as a squad player who has motivation to come in and impress. He has an unexpected chance to show what he can do at a big club again having left Spurs several years ago. I'm sure he will work his socks off to prove himself off the bench, do well and seek to stay in the team. He can use both feet, has pace and is direct and therefore offers something different without any wasted outlay. We are all surely sick of the wasted millions on the likes of Schneiderlein, Klassen, Tosun, Walcott, Bolasie, Iwobi. This lad is an England International for free. Let's keep our best players including Richie DCL and also James and spend our money on quality young talent, the way we did with Godfrey. A few cheap astute signings like the ones this week will give us a few bench options. Think back to last season with vacancies on the bench or 2 goalies. Let's give him a chance to show what he can do.

Justin, having a hard working right winger with how hard Richarlison works on the left, might allow Benitez to play James as a number 10 knowing the can cover him with 2 DMs and hard working wingers.

Well, here's hoping anyway. Be gutted if he left before I could see him live. Think he'd find another level with the love from the crowd too.

Steve 96, The coaching set up is going to be vital, it underpins everything. He has Paco Moreno and Antonio Gomez, in important backroom positions. Do you think that the coaching structure can be strong with these two at the top ? What further strengthening is needed? I have read there are some more appointments be announced.

Tony, Paco de Miguel is only a fitness coach. He's been with Rafa since the beginning or at least before Liverpool. He's vital to Rafael Benitez for sure and he really talks him up.

The other, Antonio Gomez is just an analyst. He's not a coach. This is why I have some serious reservations. I fully expect Benitez to address this, he always has in the past. But, I fully expected Carlo to go get the unemployed Paul Clement but instead he trusted his son and Duncan to coach the side. I was not surprised we were so woeful in attack. We have nothing to address this so far. We must hire more coaches.

At least we appear no longer to be paying Champions League fees and wages for mid and lower table players. That is the first step in stopping the financial rot. Having players on short term contracts with something to prove is a first step in stopping the playing rot.

Derek @22. Yes, we went shopping at Harrods, but we bought overpriced tat that was mostly well past its sell by date at that. At least we now seem to be assembling a squad with some plan or structure in mind - no more buying every no.10 on the market and then leaving other positions completely threadbare like under Koeman. I think Andros will do a capable job - we will get more accurate crosses over 90 minutes from Andros than Iwobi has managed in two seasons. And it seems he genuinely wants to play for us and not the money, unlike others too numerous to mention.

Well I've been wrong with almost all my Everton predictions in the Moshiri era so I'm going to predict we will be relegated this season.

I think this is a good signing. Everton needed hardworking upfront players with pace against the bottom team in the Premiership, when Everton where chasing a European place last season.

We seem to sign a 3rd/4th choice goalkeeper every season or so (Mucha, Stekelenburg, Lössl, Virginia, Olsen, now Begovic); maybe they just like training at Finch farm for a few months then leaving.

I used to think Townsend was a reasonable player when he was younger but he is well past his best. Why do we continually set our sights on mediocrity?

The other chap I don't know much about. Wasn't long at Leicester and five minutes at Leverkusen. Sounds like another typical Everton signing. I'm sure Bernard would do the same job, given the opportunity.

Welcome Andros. I'm sure you will fit in well and be a helpful addition to the squad.

Nice.

Walcott costs us $20m and he is a freebie. Also his work on defensive work will give more protection to the right so Doucoure can play more centrally as a box to box rather than keep on drifting to the right to help out.

I have only just watched his interview.

Clearly delighted an it's easy to say the right things. But he was saying the right things. Clearly delighted to have the opportunity to be back at a big club having being told it would be difficult to do so after leaving Tottenham. Showing respect for Everton.

Talking of Europe and also of understanding he will be viewed as having been brought in as a squad player. Realism, but not his intent. He has a point to prove.

If he can turn that intent and those words into reality, he may do well for us. I hope he is as motivated as he sounds.

But my biggest observation was watching the clips of Benitez. He looks a proper hands on coach, not one of those modern ones who stands from afar, arms crossed, with his subordinates delivering the sessions based on his briefings. He was right amongst it. And all the players were attentively listening to him.

Dave Downey @ 117; Would he though? much as I admire the little magician as a player, a good biggun is always (mostly?) better than a good littlun...especially in the the physicsl Premier League.
I think some of these signings are also about getting massive wages off the bill, for no loss of performance...and maybe improvements, however slight, some areas. Lets face it Bernard - except for the odd time, has not performed.

Grey looked a player when he started, who for various reasons, has lost his way. I see him as a lower cost (again) gamble to see if he can find his mojo and at first glance nobody at Finch Farm seems to be handing out 4 and 5yrs massive contract like lucky bags this season either.

Might as well get off on the right foot, Derek (#122). If we sign him his name is GrAY, not GrEy. Of course if we don't then it does not matter.

Great professional. Underrated. Good injury record. Free. What's not to like.

I'm not sure about this, after all, he hasn't once mentioned "The Project". We can't have people going off script, where would Bill be if this happened in all his businesses?

Rafa signs a former player

Demonstrating his "pulling power" ?

Can't speak for everyone, but I used the term ‘squad player' because I don't necessarily expect him to start every game based on how he was used at Palace, the fact that he is relatively old,, and hopefully because there will be other options in the squad who will outshine him.
Who really knows? He could end up being our player of the season, but if he is I hope that is because he finds the form of his career rather than because the rest are setting a low bar.

Arsenal has pulled out of the Florida Cup.

With Inter supposedly hinting about doing the same, any bets on Everton galumphing all the way across the Atlantic to play Millionarios?

Condolences to the US Blues who were headed down there, but this is starting to feel like it won't happen.

He's a Trevor Steven type player. Does the defensive work, gets in the crosses in. He did a lot of punditery for ITV during the Euros and he came across well. As someone else said its unusual for a current player to get these gigs.

Looks like a good deal for us. I think he can do a job and above all has pace which we sorely lack. Iffy end product...but a better all round package than either Lennon or Walcott.

More importantly he will fit into the FTW's plans for how the team works - and this is going to be critical - making the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Steve#112

I was hoping that Benitez when he talked about Duncan, being there, because he knows Everton meant that he was sidelined from his emphasis on coaching the attack. I have been amazed at cardinal rules in attacking play, being not evident in Everton's attack players. Basic stuff that I was coached in as a schoolboy. Even thought players should have been individually responsible as regards knowing the basics. i agree Davide and Duncan coaching the first team wasn't up to much. This was characterised by inconsistent performances, which ignored trying to keep improvement ongoing. individual performances seemed to fade week on week.

Benitez, tracksuit, on seems to be trying to do it all.

As already said by many, bargain basement, squad filler. Unfortunately a direct copy on every way of Walcott, fortunately this soon to be spare part didn't cost 20million.

I know a guy who has only missed 4 Palace games in 26 years. He thinks we have got a cracking player who is professional, fit and has a fair bit of skill.
I hope that he is a bit of a Lennon.
Many of us have predicted tighter budgets with the funding for the stadium - wouldn't it be ironic if our shopping at Asda proves to be better groceries than our trips to Selfridges?

I'm confused by the people who keep saying he was a squad player or not much used by Hodgson. Only 4 outfield players at Palace played more minutes than Townsend last season, he was absolutely one of their best players statistically.

As Eddie@132 says Palace fans had a lot of time for him.

Rob (95) - I've said the same thing. After Ancelotti left all seemed doom and gloom. However, last season, if it hadn't been for a paper thin squad we might well have qualified for Europe.

If Rafa can maintain Ancelotti's away form from last season and improve our home form, we might well be knocking at the door of the top six - or even the top 4, with the paper thin squad we had.

Hopefully, with the addition of the type of sqaud players Rafa is targetting, we can, in fact, beat our performances of last year and start getting into Europe on a regular basis.

Sam#133

Rafa has all his stats on his computer.

Apparently top of crossing accuracy, in PL last season according to the Echo, for players attempting over 25 crosses.

Really liked Andros when he first came on the scene, he's not quite hit the heights since. Loved his articulate interview and attitude, looks to still have real ambition and intelligence, best yet to come? Also loved the clip of Rafa laying down the law in training, just what this squad needs.

I'm quietly confident Townsend will become a fan favourite when we see him grafting his bollocks off up and down the line whenever he plays.

looks like Gray is a done deal too, 2 year deal with an option for an extra year. At 1.5 million pound in todays lucrative market I think that's well worth the gamble.

Hi Dale [104],

I've had my moments but experience has shown me that it's best not to be overly excited, or bitterly disappointed, by the happenings in football. I approach each season with an open mind, it's my belief that anyone with a minimum of two seasons experience of watching their favourite team, will come to the realisation that "Anything can happen in a game of football" – that's the reason that makes it so popular.

I have been ridiculed once or twice for stating that footballers are not programmed to play well at the touch of a button, even the most gifted have an off day, and if fans make an allowance for human frailty, they may take a bit more enjoyment from the game. But then I could be wrong.

Can anyone tell me are we skint or playing the Financial Fair Play game? I see Aston Villa are spending loads of money, and if rumours are true and they are after Leon Bailey, then they are close to spending £60 million. Are they not part of the Financial Fair Play rules or I am reading it all wrong!

Kieran @ 28, I was being ironic.

He is a signing who is very reminiscent of the Moyes era, when we mistook perspiration for talent.

John Snr (#139); I approach each season in the knowledge that we start in equal top position and sincerely hope, to the point of belief, that we will either hang on, improve on it or at the very least give it a bloody good go. Yeah, I'm a motto man, safety and a Top 10 finish is for the "also rans", we are EVERTON!

Leicester proved some years back that you can get players for little or nothing and mold them into a squad that gets things done.
Everton have continually been ripped off by clubs who sell them big name players who just don't cut the mustard.

They still have a number of those players that they need to get rid of and I am surprised nothing has happened yet.

I like the Townsend acquisition as he can become an invaluable squad player for the short term and provide good competition for the deadbeat performers of last season.

Marc @140, Everton as a club are skint. We have been for years. Sure, we have a rich chairman. But what's his goal? Is he here for the power and the glory or is his focus on making a few quid. If he owns Everton for 10 years + and has built a new ground, then the billion + he spent could be dwarfed by what he sells us for. But we would need to be a lot more competitive to achieve this.

to answer your question though, Everton are skint with massive losses in 3 of the last 4 seasons, FFP has us by the balls and limits our spending, and Moshiri financing the ground himself now (at least in part) is clearly dialling the spending back a bit.

Steve (#144), I'm sure you are aware that Mr. Moshiri is NOT the Chairman of Everton Football Club.

I've heard Benitez is going to get money to spend Steve, but wether he does is still to be seen though mate.

Mr Moshiri is the man that helped make our chairman richer, Terry!

Hi Alan J [142] I believe that you and I are on the same wavelength, but I am always aware that for every winner there's a loser, there are times when exiting the ground I think to myself, "How on earth did we lose that game?" on the other hand I sometimes ask, "How on earth did we win that game?" I put that down to being the lot of a football fan, we don't always get what we deserve but we keep going back for more. I have long since held the view of, "If you can't lose don't play and if you can't watch your team lose don't go.

Tony, if Everton can sell a few, then we can spend more. Selling James Rodriguez for £10m when we paid nothing for him, gives us leverage in the transfer market. I'm not an account so cannot explain how much, but it does mean we can spend more than the £10m. Football accounts and FFP is a funny thing, but selling certain players really gives us the ability to spend money. Moise Kean cost us £25m and even if we sold him for £25m, as he has been here for 2 years, that's classed as £10m profit or thereabouts due to amortisation. If we get £35m then it gives us £20m profit and potentially even more to spend depending on the margins in the FFP accounts.

I don't really understand it Steve, but I'm sure Rodriguez will want to leave now, and maybe we might be able to get rid of Allen or Gomes, but I'm not sure we will get rid of many more players though?

The wages Everton have given to a lot of players seem to be the real problem, but I think most clubs are having a few financial difficulties right now, so let's just see what the next few weeks brings, and hope for a couple of surprises, as always!

Steve

If we sell James, potentially we lose millions in commercial income based on his celebrity status round the world. Plus what does 10 million plus whatever loose change we have get us as a replacement? Talk of 25m for Dumfries or 30m for McNeil. Financially selling him seems like a bad move versus say Bernard or Gomes who are no good, have no commercial value and are on big wages. Maybe no one wants them but still I reckon we'd be worse off football wise and financially without James.

Kieran (150) well said.
I think that in Rafa Benitez, we've been very lucky. We have a proven, top class manager. Apart from the bloke who went to Spurs, my view that Rafa is the best on that list.

Rafa's certainly the best for our club, considering the state we're in. I think the signings he's made, are just the start of what is needed to make Everton a team that's more combative, competitive and creative than we have been for years, except for perhaps Roberto Martinez' first year.

Lot's of if's and buts; but if we can keep James then financially it will help us perhaps massively, who knows. Football wise, I don't think there are many players around who are up to James standard. He can be a creator; with the likes of Doucort, Townsend, Digne and Richie providing the legs in midfield and attack.

I don't know much about how this FFP works but the end result is we're strapped for cash to buy players until we sell/give away, or have to put up with them until the end of their contracts.

If that's the case, then we have one of the best creative talents anywhere, that we're just paying his wages for. If Rafa thinks he can get James to create within the structure of the team Rafa wants to build, I think he'll keep him. If Rafa thinks that the team needs to be combative and competetive and hard to beat, then he might sell him. I certainly hope he stays, as I'd love to see him at the match instead of bits on the telly.

Out of the darkness when Ancellotti did a runner, we may just be finding ourselves watching a team being built; instead of a disjointed collection of players that we've been used to.

Tony, James does look happy enough in the training videos.

Kieran, I agree. I am hoping that I get the chance to see a genuine world class player (even if his very best days are behind him) playing for the blues.

I'm not saying I want any of the above to happen, it's just how I perceive things to be happening.

Bernard is gone by the way. He said he will miss the "1-2s" to Digne in a birthday message that made it sound like his move to Saudi Arabia or the middle east was done and dusted.

Jim, the way FFP works is very complicated. You need to be an accountant to understand it, but getting £10m for James will mean we have much more than £10m to spend. Same as i said above, getting what we paid for Kean will actually mean we have £10m to spend. It's not straight forward mathematics that we can spend whatever we get in.

Possibly, Tony, (#146), although I have never been shown evidence of our Chairman's "richness". Steve's contribution is all about Mr. Moshiri, not our Chairman.

Terry, I fail to understand your point. What relevance is the identity of the chairman? Everton is run by Moshiri and not Kenwright, as evidenced by his appointment of Benitez when Kenwright could do nothing to stop it.

I thought that was obvious from his post Terry, and if I'm being honest, Mr Kenwright's wealth doesn't really concern me, in fact I just can't wait for the day that nothing concerns me ever again about the man.

Tony (155) Hear, hear!

Steve (152) Thanks for explaining a bit about the Financial Fair Play. Why the flying fuck the clubs don't do something about it, I don't know. It just allows the Slimy Six to sail off into the distance.

Anyway, about James, if he can stay fit and do a job for us, then I think he's worth buying a £20M player to try and do the same as him... well they couldn't. But I understand that he might be too much of a luxury for us, as we are now. I just hope he stays.

As soon as we made bids and now have two wide players, there's no way Bailey was a serious option. I'll be gutted if the likes of Aston Villa somehow get him. Bernard and Sigurdsson for obvious reasons are at least two big chunks of wage plus maybe Gomes and James so it should be a busy few weeks to hopefully get this pace at full-back and a striker although Moise Kean looks and is acting more the part at the moment.

ps: I would be absolutely amazed if we got a fee (other than nominal) for Rodriguez. I expect his contract offers a lot of freedom to walk and it's up in 11 months anyway.

Thought it was a joke when I first read the rumours of this guy and that former Leicester winger for a combined 1.5m in fees. Fuck.

Well, it would be brilliant if James stayed and played, If not then we'll likely go for someone who Rafa thinks will improve the team. I'd still love to see him play though.

I think though, if it's an "if or "or" then it's 11 players, playing as a team, hard working and never giving up.

Very happy with this. This is more than I imagined we could get. Townsend is courageous, has a perfect understanding of his role as a winger, likes getting in one on one situations, and has a lovely cross with either foot as well as a great shot on goal. He also knows the league veeeery well. But, amongst all this, he could only turn into a Great signing for us if we gel up a proper team. if we keep our best players (maybe letting go just one of the best, but not Richarlison please) and bring a good right and central defender; and also a good defensive midfielder it'll be promising.
After some fog, things seem to be looking good once again. Hope I don't wake up.

Without a certain number 10 and Richy for the start of the season we are going to be a bit thin on goalscorers unless Rafa can work the magic that he is supposed to have and whistle up someone from the 3000 player videos he has.

Alright Tony post 155 looks like teary arse Gona cling on with the band after all the lifeboats are gone so he can have his big day At the opening bmd. His ego too big to walk away gracefully.

Steve#154

Kenwright is still relevant and Chairman.
Moshiri may own the Club, but Kenwright has control within the Club and through loyal staff dictates the Club Culture. Moshiri may have appointed Silva, Ancelotti and Benitez, but they all have to work with Kenwright loyalists on site. This gives him influence on the finances of the Club and adjustments that will bring them within the fair play rules or not. Ultimately Kenwright will have significant bearing on whether Benitez stays or goes.

Jerome. If that's the case then the fans really need to do a kopite stance and really put pressure on the owner to oust this Buffoon before he does any more damage.

Jerome. If that's the case then the fans really need to do a kopite stance and really put pressure on the owner to oust this Buffoon before he does any more damage.

Brian Murray, (166) I for one want to see what Benitez does in this season and the next. I think he's as a good manager as we could hope to get in the situation we're in.

As far as the Kenwright/Moshiri situation, I think fans seem to be forgetting what we were like under the ownership/chairmanship of Bill Kenwright.

Selling our best players to keep going, losing us the Kings Dock, trying to get us to Kirkby by saying the ground wouldn't pass a safety certificate, a free stadium in Kirkby, a phoney investor who came and went in the blink of an eye, when his partner reconised that Kenwright was ruining the club and wanted to take over, before investing in it.

I think if it hadn't been for Moshiri, for all his mistakes; we'd be up shit creek withouit a paddle.

I think his biggest mistake was letting Koeman buy the rubbish he di, and we're still feeling the financial effects of it now.

Steve (112),

You got me thinking about the coaching set up. I checked the coaches and, like you have said, it seems we are keeping on Alan Kelly as GK coach and Dunc as Assistant Manager. Benitez is bringing in Perez as an analyst, Moreno as a fitness coach and Harley as Head of Sports Science from his time at Newcastle.

According to the Echo, Perez is a coach who specialises in opposition analysis with a forensic eye for spotting weaknesses and helping Benitez to formulate game-plans.

With this in mind, and also from what I know of Benitez, I am not sure there is room for an attacking coach. Benitez seems to want forensic control over his teams. I remember Robbie Keane saying that he just couldn't get along with him at Liverpool as he wanted to completely change his game instead of letting him just go out there and do what he was good at i.e. score goals!

I do agree that it has been painful watching us trying to build attacks ever since Martinez left really. Sideways passing, so slow, and limited ideas and no obvious patterns of play going forward. I just hope that Benitez sees a way of getting us to do this - it appears we are going to try to play with more width based on our signings. This can only be a good thing in my book.

Hopefully he can get us playing this way without an attacking coach! I guess we'll see…

Steve @144

Thanks for clearing that up for me

John Snr(#147); In the last couple of years I grow less angry than I used when seeing Everton lose through silly errors or lack of effort but I urge you, John, do not go gently into the night, hurl that cushion and occasionally ask the good lady if you can borrow an old pair of sheets.

We are "very lucky " to get Rafa ?????????????????

Does that mean all the other clubs who gave him a seriously wide berth were very unluky ?

I havent felt this lucky since the last wagon circler decided to take the heftiest contract he was ever going to get again.

Hope I've still got time to get a lottery ticket

Seriously now folks,if Andros is as described, effective, hardworking and such an asset, why was he at Palace all that time and increasingly becoming bench material
Why was he not tearing up the prem for Chelsea, Utd or City.
Now past his best of nearly really good 10 years ago Most assists from crosses , don't remember Palace or Benteke scoring lots of goals from crosses, the opposite in fact. So Why apart from the Free price tag?.

David, it makes me laugh how some people are waxing lyrically about Townsend and Begovic. Have we really signed two undiscovered gems or just two average journeymen? I fear it is the latter.

I think the optimism surrounding these two signings shows just how far we've fallen and the acceptance by a sizeable portion of our fan base to accept dross, literally dross.

Well, wait and see.

Ancellotti came and went. My view he's a great manager when he has all the great players at his disposal. His decision to scoot was, I think, realising that he had a gordian knot to unravel and a blunt knife to do it with. not for him, matey!

Perhaps we could have got Nuno, or one of the younger English managers. I don't know if the club wanted Nuno, or he wanted spurs or whatever.

We've got ageing players, who are on good contracts, who no one wants, or can afford. Or the players thjemselves may well be happy to sit out their contracts and not partic about moving.

We've also got that FFP which appears to limit us buying our way out of trouble. So it looks to me that that the club have to keep playing with additions that don't cost much. Until we can afford better players, then it looks like Benitez is bringing in players who he can depend on to to a job. Which too many of our pklayers don't look like they can...or want to.

Darren (171),

Are you nay saying already? So you can say I told you so later?

I think that in comparison to Iwobi, and Bernard, Andros Townsend is not dross. He knows he's coming in as a squad player. It's up to him to see if he can break into the first team. From whast I've seen of the other two, it shouldn't be too difficult.

But we'll have to wait and see what he does, should he get the chance. If we get Grey, they it will be the same for him. I don't think it's a matter of a majority of us accepting dross. I think both these lads are, sadly, better what we have in the under 23's and probably better than the two first team wingers I've already mentioned.

As soon as Dom's goal supply mainly came from Dixie Digne, then that dried up in the second half of the year, when other teams but the blocks on Digne.

I think that unless we get another expensive addition to the squad along with Iwobi, then I think that Townsend might well be, a very useful addition. Time will tell.

I'd love to see a top class winger and a top class right full back; and possibl;y a really top class striker. but I'm ready to accept we're not likely to till we've shifted some of the expensive real dross.

David@172 “ why was he at Palace all that time and increasingly becoming bench material”

Might want to check your facts on that. Always amazes me how people cast judgement without doing even the most basic research.

Townsend played the 5th most minutes of any Palace outfield player last season. Statistically he was one of their best players especially in terms of pressing and defensive work. No one is suggesting he's a world beater but he's pretty decent and to get him on a free (saving us transfer spend for another target) is useful business.

Sam#177 Please read aloud to your self some of what you have written. "The 5th most used player for Crystal Palace" more this and that stats for those serial title challenges, Crystal Palace. Oh wait sorry relagation doggers and he's the 5th most used.
Seriously research is not required.

David, you suggested that Townsend was being bench material. Sam was saying this is false as only 4 players played more. So he was clearly very much first team and not at all on the bench.

There's a whole load of interesting stats on Townsend and how effective he is. There's enough there for Townsend to be a “moneyball” type player. Someone who is viewed negatively by most, but is actually very effective and can give great value.

No one is happy with Townsend being first team. I don't think he will be. Not unless he earns it. But remember the bench at the end of the season, it was a joke, full of kids that Ancelotti wouldn't play. At least this is another body who can be a plan B. Or if the moneyball line is correct, maybe he can be very effective for Everton in a way that went under the radar at palace and create a load of chances that Calvert Lewin actually capitalises on.

We'd all love to sign top quality, but the chickens have come home to roost now and the consequences of our poor acquisitions is that we now have to operate in the bargain basement as no one will give us any money for the overpriced, overrated players we signed.

Me, I'd have loved to have invested in Galtier and coached these players to a new level that I don't think Benitez can.

Great response Danny, but we definitely need an attacking coach. Benitez may well be a great tactical coach, but that's all he is. He's never pretended to be otherwise. He's used attacking coaches before, and we need more coaches than we have, not more analysts.

A player who starts 25 of 38 league games (and plays in 34) isn't "bench material"...

...but when he uses that time to compile exactly one goal and five assists, it's hard to describe him as an "effective" attacker.

Townsend's defensive stats are pretty spectacular for an attacking player, so obviously the work rate and attitude are there, and we need all of that we can get.

But as to whether he's good enough... let's wait and see.

I know many are expecting James to leave - I was hoping it wasn't so, as I'd take his genius for 10 games of the season.

But I randomly went on to the official site and then to the shop. There's an option to shop by player and they list six players. The link works on all of them except James.

Is this Colleen Rooney-level sleuthing on my part? Have I just figured out that James is adios?

Mike

It's worth noting too that his crossing supply line for DCL could be fruitful. But it didn't yield much at Palace for Benteke

Mike, whilst I agree with you, five assists is not bad. Lucas Digne only got 7 for us and he was our top assister. Next was Gylfi also on 5. Rodriguez had 4. Richarlison, Doucoure and Coleman had 3 each. So those five assists would be very welcome. I would also hope that Calvert-Lewin could make more of the crosses turn into assists and boost the number further.

I fear that Mr B's primary aim is to make us hard to beat. Another Allerdice but with a dash of Paella and San Miguel instead of the Pie and chips football dispensed by Sam. Good solid stuff, no class or quality just stodge.

Like most others I do hope these three signings prove to be a remarkable bit of business but at the back of my mind is this nagging feeling that it is more of a relegation squad that is being put together rather than one that's going to win the Champions League.

Palace have won about as much as we have in the last 25 years, our new reserve keeper was with a team that got relegated and the third only seems to have managed 6 months before his latest club are prepared to let him go for what appears a nominal fee.

Let's just say that the scarf and rattle are at the ready but the sheets will remain in the airing cupboard until Xmas.

I remember watching him for Palace last season and thought he was shit… so, with my knowledge of football, he'll be a cracking player for Everton. Good luck to him.

It's ironic that people are talking about getting rid of deadwood then championing this as an astute bit of business when Townsend was never even 'good wood' to begin with.

This is typical Benitez signing a player that suits his system and the club get stuck with. Look at his signings at Newcastle and Liverpool to see the dross he brings to each of his clubs.

For those proposing FFP as some sort of justification then this is not how you achieve taking your club to a top six finish. We have plenty of saleable assets that aren't indispensable and wouldn't weaken us such as Mina, Allan and Iwobi, while we have an excellent centre forward in Dominic who could be sacrificed alongside deadwood as a means of generating real quality in key areas where someone like Abraham or Jovic could be bought as a replacement with similar potential but at less then half the outlay to focus on the five or so areas we really need strengthening. Our neighbours did similarly with Coutinho and it was the making of them.

Buying players that were never good enough to begin with is not the answer.

Conor, our neighbours sold Coutinho as part of a sell to buy policy they adopted after Hodgson left. That is why they have spent about £70m more than us over the past 5 years - but much, much less net. They reinvest sale proceeds into new players and buy young / upward trajectory players to enable this. This strategy allowed them to build a title winning side for less outlay than our mob.

Because we are absolutely not following a similar consistent and effective strategy, selling DCL could be a disaster because we have so few good players in the first place - and we have no-one coming through to replace him. Unlike our neighbours, we have a track record of squandering sale proceeds on more average players to prop up the short term needs of each 18 month (or less) managerial appointment.

Robert I am not actively advocating the sale of Dominic. Nor do I pretend to know what finances or restrictions the club is under this summer. What I am saying is that if we are skint/constrained then the club have the ability to use it as a means to take the club forwards.

Dominic has been exceptional for us and continues to confound his critics but personally I feel that he is not far from maximising his potential. I also feel that Richarlison has a deal to go next summer and if we aren't winning trophies then Dominic will want to be challenging if he has another great season and we could potentially lose both. I believe if Kean stays he will be a big player for us.

Let's take this scenario for example; sell Dominic (70m), Allan(15m), Mina (20m)Delph(5m) and already you have £110 million.

You could then loan to buy Abraham, Hudson Odoi £30 million, Neves £30 million, umtiti £30 million and Mukiele £20 million.

This gives you Kean who I feel is our best goalscorer and Abraham as options up front which I feel is really strong.
Right wing Udoi, James, Gordon and Iwobi
Left wing Richarlison, Gordon, Digne (Nkonkou left back) and Odoi (James right wing) as options.

Midfield either Davies or Gbamin could screen in a three.
Neves would bring quality and about five goals from midfield and could combine with any of our midfielders in a two. If Jp stays fit we get more athleticism as an upgrade on Doucoure and I would also use Iwobi in a three to see him in his best position to try and get something out of him.

Umtiti is an animal and would be perfect for the Prem with his aggression, leadership and power. He could play with any of our centre halfs (unlike Mina/Keane) and would also offer balance on the left of a three with either Mason or Seamus on the right.

Mukiele is the complete right back who reminds me a little of Lauren the Arsenal player though I like this kid better.

In my opinion this squad would be a significant step forward.

Hi Steve [various posts] a belated welcome back to the fold, however I'm afraid that I wont be responding to many of your posts, I regard you as a modern 21st century fan, while I'm stuck in the horrific 40s and 50s with periods of sheer delight in the 60s and 80s.

Stats and formations were unheard of in those far off days, with the exception of the W formation, with every club adopting this method, [five forward players facing five defenders, plus a goalkeeper]. There was certainly no false number 9, and the number 10 was an attacking inside forward. I'm not claiming that football was better in those days, but I believe that it was considerably more enjoyable, I admit that I may be looking back through "Rose Tinted Glasses"

When we kick off the new season, I will be in the Park End watching 11 players attempting to beat 11 opponents, and I will be unaware of formation or tactics, I see no reason to change my outlook it has enabled me to enjoy or endure games since 1948, and earning the nickname of "Johnny Mac Fossil" a sticks and stones situation.

The counter-intuitivity of the Benitez appointment is carrying on this week, with two half-decent players signed for next to nothing.

Remember when we signed players for £20-30m who played one good game in five and can't be sold because of their high wages? That's why we've bought these two.

Our big transfer mistake under Moshiri has been buying what my arl feller used to call 'expensive fancy dan' players who don't deliver. At least under Ancelotti, we paid good money for Allan, Doucoure, who delivered, so much so that Ancelotti ran them both into the ground, and Godfrey, who is a gem of a signing.

Nothing wrong with buying 'underwhelming' players for next to nothing. If they play well, you've got a bargain, if they're average, they're an option on the bench. If they're no good, you get rid with a negligible loss.

More players like Townsend on the bench last season would have got us into Europe. I expect him and Gray to start in the first game this season and I'd be delighted if they take their chance.

Barkley? No chance. Over-rated when he was here, done nothing since. The classic talented, but largely ineffective footballer. Move on.

People are missing the point on transfers, we are not avoiding the big money deals because funds are low its all to do with the PL "Fair Play" Rules.

We just cant make any more big money signing until we offloads players because we are pretty close to the wire right now

FWIW, I think this is a decent signing for not massive money.

Good pace, puts a shift in, gets forward and scores some goals. Happy to have him beef up the right side. Happily have him in the side over Iwobi. Also sounds sensible in interviews, as if he has more than the usual 4 brain cells.

Only slight downside is he's 30 but only a 2-year contract to start with.