Two out, one in as James remains an Everton player

Everton are now a yard beyond how he likes to play. . His role now seemed to be as a forward if he stands any chance of fitting in at Everton.

It's all so comfortably familiar.

Here's to coming 7th.

Another pacey winger on loan as well would be nice though.

God knows what we're going to do about a right back?! Maitland Niles looked a good fit but Arsenal don't want to strengthen a club who they see as rivals by the looks of things

All the signings of Benitez were of his own choosing.

Brands hasn't brought in a single high quality player that I can think of that he identified and pushed through, who hasn't cost a small fortune.

He hasn't managed to clear the deadwood very effectively either.

We have an owner and boardroom making incoming manager and transfer decisions which render his role superfluous as far as I'm concerned. I point the finger of blame on them, and not Brands.

That said, he's probably taking comfort, as plenty of others do at the Liver building and USMFF, for being royally paid for doing the square sum of diddly-squat as we now look forward to another mid-table finish.

The Everton "project" eh?

I had more success at school when I tried to turn an actual frog into a cyclist (I'd heard that frogs were good at cycling in those distant days).

I'm happy to see James stay, but I'm worried it may turn into a similar situation as Ozil at Arsenal, in which he basically ends up in high-priced exile. I could see James reluctant to come back and commit himself because he doesn't feel wanted, and Benitez having no interest in giving him any reassurances and not really wanting him around anyway, and they just end up in a stalemate. I really hope that's not the case.

James: If you guarantee that I will play if I hit 14, then I'll get to that.

Opinions differ on Gomes, Gbamin and Iwobi but they all three look to have a future under Rafa.

Not helped at all by Moshiri...allegedly...buying a DoF dog and barking himself.

Bosses have an office for one reason and one reason only - its for them to sit in and keep out of the fuckin way while the people who actually (supposedly) know what they're doing get on with doing it.

Agreed this window has the feel of dour Davey.

On Maitland Niles — I just don't see the point. Is he better than Coleman? No. In which case we already have JJK. They say he's versatile and can play midfield. Well we already have Davies. He seems like a poor man's Neville. 24 y/o unconvincing in any particular role for Ars or WBA. Are we signing just to sign? I just don't see the merit in him TBH.

As for Rondon, I join in the general groan -- he's 32, unwanted in China, lost his starting job in Moscow, and hasn't kicked a ball since May -- but Benitez knows and trusts him, and the price is right. Zero.

A pretty underwhelming window then, but again suffering the idiocy of Koeman/Walsh, Allardyce and Silva to some extent. Though with Townsend and Gray, plus the GK cover I think we have stabilised with minimal outlay, and Rafa has certainly transformed our misfiring engine, to ticking over nicely.

Priority for me is to keep Richarlison. And I hope we keep James. As part of a Benitez squad, he might get rotated more appropriately. We don't need him to play every minute of every game but rather than being out through injury it will just be more efficient and effective use of the talent.

I can't see a lot happening but let's see.

Delph unfortunately going anywhere.

Enjoy the show!!

Jonathan, I've been saying the same for a while, Brands is a huge disappointment. We should offer Edwards (from RS) the gig.

With this in mind, I see in other news Chelsea are getting £18M for an academy graduate called Tino Anjorin - how the fuck do Chelsea and Liverpool do it? We can't even give away the finest footballer to pull on an Everton shirt in my lifetime.

We are in good hands so I am still hopeful for a much better season.

Can't see us pulling off the Diaz deal – but I could see James seeing out his final season with us on loan.

Brands is on the Everton Board so can we sack him as a Director of Football because, if this is his sum total of vision or gems, he's a waste of time. Plus can't get rid of Delph? Someone he has also failed on. Despite that fraud's big wage, he's always injured.

As I say, with Brands on the Board, someone has to take that title away from him. We already know how hard internally it is to get rid of a buffoon... we don't need two!

I am hoping for some sort of deal with Burnley for McNeil which see's players going the other way, I see they are in for a right-back, they were reportedly interested in Kenny last season. I suspect Rondon will be the only in-coming.

One of them said “Don't you think this leaves us a bit short?” He said Brands just shrugged his shoulders and carried on walking his dog.

The only saving grace is that this came from my son who never gets nothing right (sorry, lad!) but honestly, my next thoughts became "Thank fuck this has happened!" We seem to have a very belligerent, professional in charge of us now.

It's easy to blame Brands but, if Rondon does come in, how many players will he have been responsible for signing this summer? How many was he really responsible for last summer?

Hopefully, Benitez does well and stays, because Everton really need stability, and this will only come when everyone pulls in the same direction, which hasn't looked to be the case for years.

Brands' MO is to buy 19-24 year-olds who will develop and be worth more. There's no way he signed Delph, Allan or James. Brands was hired to oversee player development (the academy) and acquisition. The acquisition part of this has been hijacked so that sometimes the manager gets who he wants, especially if it's a big name, and sometimes Brands gets to do his thing. It's not a coherent strategy and is therefore doomed to create problems, even if there are also successes. I believe that if the hierarchy get out of the way and let Brands do his job then we will see big improvements.

The situation we're in also shows that fans are justified in criticising a transfer as too expensive, or wages as too high. Sometimes someone will make the point that “it's not your money, why do you care?” - well this is why. The £100k a week someone like Delph is getting could be two or three promising young players with pace, energy and enthusiasm. Instead it is going down the drain.

They are "alpha" managers and despite the kind words, are never going to fully let someone else dictate the players they want or get. Last summer was probably a good balance. Without any true knowledge or understanding, it seemed a combination of Ancelotti and Brands.

I'm personally of the opinion, that if you have a DoF, he decides on strategy and goes and gets the players to implement it. The manager is really then a head coach, focussed on the first team with the players provided. This, in my opinion, provides consistency regardless of who is head coach.

Others would argue the manager dictates the players he wants and the DoF is then responsible for going and getting them. I see that, but then you're changing every time you change manager.

Perhaps the Ancellotti - Brands example above is a good half-way-house?

Anyway, what do I really know? Nothing!! It's all about opinions.

If you're lad is right Tony, I wonder how long Brands will stick with being DoF in name only as he doesn't seem empowered in the sense I understand the DoF function.

Guess he musta been one of those players on Moyes's blackboard on the wall back in his ante-room. None of yer fancy computer databases for our wee Presbyterian wizard!

I do believe today will be a damp squib though, as always. We'll end up paying the next 2 years of Moise Kean's loan fee out (now that they've published the details) to secure a 32-year-old journeyman striker. I think the best we can hope for is a surprise loan somewhere (perhaps a Hudson-Odoi type), but suspect our insistence on buy-back clause (after Zouma hands burnt) will make that unlikely too.

Personally, I'm not too fussed. Richarlison can cover for Dom if needed, and Gray can cover Richarlison. Hard-working Townsend in front of Seamus buys us another year there maybe. Certainly no reason to panic. Also convinced Janes will come good again now he knows he's not getting spoon-fed. Maybe a chance for Simms, Onyango, Gordon to step in towards Xmas too.

Chris W, I read that it was between 10/15% on a blue kipper Twitter post last night, but this went on to say that Everton could receive around £4.5 million, which made it feel that it was tweeted by a child.

You might be right Gary, these are just young lads in there twenties, and are probably gonna put a drink on their alleged conversation, but when I spoke to Brands myself the other week, something didn't seem right, but you are correct he said very little, except when I praised him for the new policy of fast-tracking the younger players, and then he gave a little smile, that might have meant, well at least I've done something right!!!

The positive so far: since he arrived, Rafa has brought confidence to the team and the few arrivals have genuinely improved us.

Where did this chance meeting happen, mate?

I read something yesterday saying Maitland-Niles is now happy to play right-back and I actually reckon he could be really very good there over the next few years. I hope Arteta lets him go... but sounds unlikely, sadly.

They do it because they are more astute. They cash in on prospects who are not going to be getting any football. Whereas at Everton we dish out 5-year contracts to 18- & 19-year-olds. All because the club are petrified of missing out on a potential star.

The more astute clubs have more confidence in their convictions. If the opportunity to sell at profit is available and makes sense, then they will do it.

LFC shipped Solanke out for huge money. They'd given him opportunities. Not many but he had them. He didn't take them. They did the deal.

If that were Everton, he'd have seen out his deal with the club amongst a number of underwhelming loan stints.

I was astounded to learn that Pennington was on around £16,000. Garbutt something similar.

The fans project a lot of this onto the club as well, I feel. Fans on here were up in arms in recent seasons when we moved on Dowell and Robinson for good money.

Jonjoe Kenny should've been moved on 3 years ago. He'll be on a silly wage too, I imagine.

The next one is Gordon. If he has not established himself as a first-team player by next summer, he should absolutely be sold at whatever money we can get for him.

Tommy @58, your opinions are way too ruthless for the cut-throat world of professional football!!

Solanke for example had played a season in Holland as a teenager and scored goals, looked a bigger talent than Calvert-Lewin for England, and had already commanded a big fee when Liverpool got him from Chelsea. After a year or two finding his feet, he's now looking like a decent striker again.

If Simms scores 15 goals on loan in the Championship this season, he'll be worth about £15M or so despite no (I think) England recognition at any age group.

The RS have been very good at this as a strategy, bringing in, developing and flogging teenagers in order to raise money (rather than in any attempt to get them into the first team).

Actually, I am stunned that Everton have been hampered so much by FFP? We (with the exception of possibly Burnley) seem to be the lowest spenders this transfer window? We have let go of quite a few players, and 'he who shall remain unnamed' - surely his contract would be cancelled and we would be saving about £6-7 million on that alone?

Either Moshiri has closed his purse strings to be able to fund the stadium build, or he has lost interest in the 'Everton project'. Either way, it is very worrying that EFC would essentially be treading water this season. In spite of Rafa's best efforts, I would be surprised if we achieve Top 10, looking at our summer business.

Maybe we get a sell on fee for Lookman too!

With some of our prospects we may never know how good they were or could've been because they were rotting in our reserves or joining teams on loan with little motivation to perform well when sat on a fat long term contract rather than playing on loan to earn one.

I don't believe LFC only sign prospects to develop them for sales. Solanke when he first joined played over 20 games for them. He was given a massive chance and obviously came in to play in their first team.

Harvey Elliott is another that they signed and are trying to develop for their first team. However, if he's not where they want him to be in 12 months after giving him opportunities this year. They'll move him on, you can be sure about that.

It's ruthless but it needs to be that way.

Curtis Jones is currently in a vulnerable position for them because of this reason. He had plenty of opportunity last year but hasn't quite been able to make a spot in the midfield his own. They'll move him on if they think they have to. Again. Ruthless.

Last season we dreamt of a Top 6 finish and finished 10th. Are we now being realistic and stopping dreaming?

That's a good point, Robert. Players have to establish themselves somewhere before they command a decent fee.

I read the Lookman link yesterday, Michael. Interesting move but, like you, I didn't see it coming.

I can't see any manager having players bought by the DOF and then just to coach; that goes against what being a manager is all about. Every manager has his own style of play and wants to buy players he feels best to suit that system, so no manager will work under a system where he doesn't have the final word on transfers.

Maybe a system were a DOF could operate is if he brings in young players who, in 12 to 18 months, are competing for a first-team place, but to expect any manager worth his salt to allow a DOF to buy the players for the first team will never work in this country.

Why would you allow someone who – by and large, has never managed a side in his life – determine what players to buy? And seeing as the buck stops with the manager, who would come and work under those constraints? After all, it's the manager who gets sacked if the team fail but, if a DOF is buying all the player,s how can that be right that the manager has to carry the can?

What Tommy correctly said about moving players on earlier, or them now being in the team, would have also happened at Everton if we'd had stability.

The only club I can think of that done it with some success was Chelsea? They went through a phase of changing managers that has made Everton look stable in recent years. Between 2004 and 2013, they had something like 10 or 11 managers, but won trophies consistently throughout that period because transfer policy was not impacted.

Different ball game, I appreciate, but can't really think of an English club that's done it.

Anyway, back to the circus!!

No I don't. I'm just a football fan and an Evertonian who can see that their policy around developing players and culling their squad has served them well in the last few years. In a period where they have become champions of England and won the Champions League.

We finished above them in the league less than 10 years ago.

Who is accountable for these failures? Certainly managers of the past but the old school coaching team need a kicking also.

I reckon Rodriguez knows we won't be paying him to leave, but he also knows we want to get some business done, so he will leave it late to see if he can tempt us to pay him to get him out. My prediction is he'll then jump ship about 10 pm when it's too late for us to get anyone in.

A quiet summer with a couple of clever additions and a more committed manager might be just what the doctor ordered. I believe we'll be around 5-8 points better this year and that would have us around 5th-7th.

Next summer Sigurdsson, James, Delph and Tosun are all out of contract and we won't have a new set of overpaid or uninterested players to offload. We're still in the tunnel for sure, but I think I can see something up ahead. Qualifying for Europe is huge though as it helps recruitment and means that players can actually get game time rather than stagnate.

Their offer of a box of tea bags and a packet of custard creams fell short of our valuation, perhaps it could be raised to two packets of Bouquets?

As if the cloggead would tell some random blokes his transfer strategy on what should be the busiest day of his working year. Hilarious!

I believe we made a small profit on Vlasic didn't we? And we got good money for Lookman.

Neither for whatever reason we're going to be getting any first team football.

I wouldn't have Lookman back now. As for Vlasic, I don't think I'd have him back either.

So in fairness I think this was actually good business by Everton. Albeit the Lookman move was perpetuated by his desire to leave rather than us wanting to sell.

But it's history now. West Ham have a good squad with Zouma and Vlasic added to a team that did well last year. Don't be surprised to see them finish above us. It should be an interesting battle for 5th-8th.

Anyway, I'll miss all the palaver today, as leaving for Manchester airport shortly as off to Tenerife. Not due to land until around 9:45 pm so will miss all the fun!!

I'm with Mike. We missed out on Europe only on the final day of the season. And I'm going for R.

Nearly broke. I'm going for Benitez's tactical astuteness and hands-on coaching to keep us in the mix regardless as to what happens today.

Enjoy, Rob. Off to Berlin in 2 weeks as an early Birthday present. Back the day before Burnley at home, which I still haven't declared to my suspicious other half. It's all about timing.

We have only Allan, Doucouré, and Gomes (maybe, if he can get fit) in the midfield. (Delph is never fit, Sigurdsson might never play for us again, Gordon's not ready, Gbamin is always injured, Davies is not really good enough).

In the attack, only Calvert-Lewin can lead the line. Richarlison and Gray can play as strikers, but not as lone strikers. Townsend is okay as a winger and Iwobi as an attacking midfielder. (Tosun will be gone and he was never good enough anyway; James does not want to play for us.)

So we have only 7-8 who can be played in the midfield and attack. As you need 6 just to have a full squad (with 4 in the defense), it's going to be a long and hard season with injuries, suspensions and international breaks. It means we will see lot of youngsters around but, as they are not ready, the core team will have to play more which leads to injuries.

Of course you can play full-backs as wing-backs and use defenders as defensive midfielders but it does not solve the problem. We have a good core but no width at all; it would take five or six new senior players and that's not going to happen. We might get one or two on the cheap, no more.

Rant over.

Apart from a loan signing at right back to cover Seamus, I would prefer us not to spend a penny today unless it brings in a player who will significantly improve the quality of the first team.

If there was value out there besides our current signings, they would be in by now. The last thing we should do is sign squad rotation players on a permanent transfer who come with high wages. They will only be added to the list we are trying to shift at the end of next season.

With Delph, the Nameless one and Tosun gone by the end of the season, we will have gone a long way to sorting out our hugely inflated wage bill. So let's not mess it up now.

At Brands' front door ! They hounded him all night :-)

Pat K @ 61, The dog would have been for sale at the right price, we may Winalot with it's Terrier like displays, not sure if it was a Bristol or Blackburn Rover though !

"The truth of the matter is that football is slowly eating itself."

We've been running this website for many a long year, and hardly a month goes by without some sage popping up to dazzle us with their perceptive knowledge about the current state of the game and exactly where it is headed.

Meanwhile, huge offers for Mbappe, while Ronaldo and Kean 'return home'... The players continue to get paid more and more, the clubs pay more and more for them, and the amount of money swirling around the business continues to grow (notwithstanding the effects of Covid-19).

Please let us know when see some real evidence of said self-consumption.

The Turkish Tornado can't cut the mustard, even as backup so we really do need a forward. Rondon isn't exactly spectacular, but he's a decent fit. Rafa knows him, he'll sit on the bench, and he's a decent centre forward who fits our system. Yes he's underwhelming but he can be a right handful at times as well so he's decent cover.

Who is the target man now ???

They had better get someone in now otherwise the season will wane yet again.

That's six players for two positions with further options beyond and only one game a week most weeks.

We also have lots of width having signed two new wingers on top of Richarlison, Iwobi, Gordon and James. We've got loads of players, albeit many of them have issues. This is true of every club bar the very top (probably Man City and Chelsea this season).

We need a striker to lighten DCL's load and hopefully a younger, energetic, high quality right back. Anything after that has to be a really high quality upgrade on what we have or it isn't worth the money or squad space.

Edit: I meant to include that new signings need to be on a one-in-one-out basis. Eg. Kean out, Rondon in; James out, Diaz in, rather than increasing the size of an already large squad.

Some may despair at football eating itself, but another way of looking at it is that things have improved. When I go to a match now, the facilities are far superior than what I experienced as a kid. Most of the time, I struggled to actually see the football and was treated like a hooligan or caged animal.

But progress comes at a premium. If you want higher wages in any walk of life, someone has to pay for them. That is inevitably the consumer. The alternative is to not get a pay rise or to maintain things how they are. Just a thought.

Anyway, back to the dogs. I looked my Ridgebacks in the eye this morning and asked them what our transfer deadline day prospects were.

They looked back at me sympathetically and ran off to chase squirrels. Not a cat in hell's chance is what I think they were telling me.

He's got some nerve tweeting that Pat, after signing him for £30 Million, and then sanctioned giving him over £100.000 per week!

Remembering how he signing Iwobi on deadline day, he's probably being made to walk the dog for a reason, although to be fair he has just made us a tidy profit on Vlassic!

It is tough transfer window as FFP is biting us really bad. Otherwise Marcel could try to earn a pawformace bonus and buy a real top dog prospect like Camavinga hound from Stade Rennes Kennel Club.

Our own club has spent millions, and it begs the question on what. Most of it on payments to managers who failed to make the grade.

I'm glad Rafa is here, I do see a lot of hope for the future, pity we didn't get him 5 years ago.

Regards the vast amount of money in the game, I worked in homelessness and welfare rights. I have spent many years in tribunals, trying to get some fair play for people, to whom 10 quid is a lot of money. So to hear we are stuck with some of these bench warmers grates a bit.

Yet, look where we are all these decades later.

I've got this horrible feeling we've not prepared for business this late and there will be panic buys again.

I asked my cockerpoo this morning for his opinion on our transfer prospects – he spent all morning being sick so I also think nothing good will happen today!

I think, if it has become an issue, it's down to the fact that £500M being spent will always require the tightening of belts, but it's certainly not down to the stadium having any bearing on FFP mate.

Yes I remember. Trevor Francis I think.

Another midfielder at Bayern will make one of the existing ones there unhappy. There'll be a good value signing from someone who can't make their first XI. Same with PSG

He had a great couple of years, first on loan at Blackpool and then his first season back at the skunks, but first an injury and then Rafa left and it appears that Jay Leno does not fancy him.

Rafa may think that he can still get a tune out of him.

Don't tease me with Sabitzer. Been calling that one since I watched him live at Schalke last February when he was still relatively under the radar.

Likewise Koulibaly. Benitez has worked with him before right?

Rondon and done looks the best bet and unless James goes I think that will be that. Although I've seen Rondon is linked with West Ham now (bargaining tactic?) so even that's not a gimme.

Sorry, couldn't help it!!

Wingers, strikers and attacking midfielders.

Brands, you need to show us why your employed.

I'll get my coat and order my taxi.

Seems like our transfer team is rolling over and playing dead.

Who'd have thought a mid-table club with five managers in five years and severe financial constraints would be doing most of their deals on deadline day? We won't be at the top of most players' wish lists and other clubs will sense our relative weakness and bargain hard. That means we wait till deadline day and start the poker game.

Koeman and Walsh 'got their business done early' that summer, didn't they? Paying over the odds for players hardly anyone else wanted. That turned out well, didn't it?

Like I say every summer, you can judge a window based on speculative articles by journalists/experts through the summer, or wait till the end of the window and judge it then.

As for dogs, no puns, but spare a thought for our little 10 year old whippet, who had four teeth out yesterday

The treatment by Carlo of our last minute Norwegian acquisition in January was peculiar, weird and unnecessary.

I've referred to the RS's strategy a few times as being a good one but it's a touchy subject, I know.

The reason I raise it now is that we're in need of a long term heir to Coleman but running out of options.

If Patterson is the one they really want (or maybe Aarons) then maybe it's better not to buy even if it means we'll have to make do again this season.

There are still quite a few RB candidates out there (Sam mentioned Celik yesterday who is a good player) but I hope we're not saddled with someone we don't really believe in and / or who doesn't want to be here. It ends up being counterproductive.

As I was saying, it's a familiar lament. To me, it has the same pious import as fundamental god-bothers fretting over the Second Coming or going apoplectic over signs they claim to see everywhere of the "End Times" a-coming.

And yes, that bloke with his chalkboard in Goodison Road: "The End is Nigh!". He has probably met with an untimely end of his own by now, I expect.

Income disparities abound. Football fans are apt to moan about them and try to make painful comparisons about the so-called "working class" footballers and the working-class fans to whom the game rightfully belongs, but who are now being "priced out" of the game they love.

If that bothers you in any way at all, then watching them play, and especially if that involves contributing in any way toward their accumulating wealth... well, I can see how the resulting cognitive dissonance will induce unrelenting stress and strain.

Someone somewhere must be able to help?

Hope we can move him on.

To use your example, our cousins have had mixed experiences, but when they've got it right, they've executed to almost perfection. They got it wrong under Dalglish when they spanked a lot of money on average Southampton managers.

But more recently, their model has been pretty impressive. Sustainable in terms of enabling them to compete with City and Chelsea or even United? Who knows? But then there is no dynasty like Liverpool of the 70s/80s or United of the 90s/2000s.

There is no working class anymore Michael. Not in the traditional sense. And football belongs to everyone regardless of background. Or should do. Different debate!!

The day that proves you can LEAD a dog called efc to water and make it drink or is that eat sh*t as is usually the case.

So we've got a director of football, who is walking a dog that looks like it's a black sheep. This day just keeps getting worse, although it's all beginning to make sense now!

But the dude is heading to Filbert Street.

There's nothing we can do about it

Likewise, the spending on the Women's team is offset in the same way.

Over the summer we've off loaded 20 odd players including high earners like Bolasie, Walcott, Besic and Kean so going forward the wages to income % should be a lot lower even if Rodriguez stays.

Pat #192, it wasn't his fault, with the virus around his coiff made everybody nervous.

What do Mexican sheep say during the Xmas holidays? Fleece Navidad

Looking at the free transfer market the only half decent players and I mean that kindly, would appear to be a a Brazilian right back (31), called Rafael who once played for Manu, a guy called Fernando, also Brazilian - Defensive midfielder (29), who once played for Shaktar and CSK Moscow before taking the Chinese money and would you believe Hal Robson Kanu of Wales fame (32) centre forward.

There needs to be an investigation as to why EFC are now forced to look through the Pound Shop rejects shelf, hoping they can spot a diamond or two. Millions upon millions wasted.

You'll go to hell on a hand cart!

Despite James being offered, AC have no intention of taking a gamble on the Colombian. The report goes on to claim that the main reasons are his poor physical condition having been battling injury problems for several seasons now and the salary requests that do not fall in line with Elliott Management's policy.

And I don't suppose we'd get much for Gomes, Keane or Gbamin. Even Kean, we lost money on. No wonder we have none left and a free is about as good as we can do. Still, if Rondon turns out to be as good as Gray or even Townsend, mustn't grumble.

I remember waking up to the news that we'd signed Fellaini in 2008. A big signing it seemed and he had been impressive against Liverpool.

After an initial struggle to settle he became a really important player for us. Was brilliant. Brought in a hefty fee when we sold him at the time too.

One thing to say about Moyesie is that despite all the awesome signings he made, a lot of them he didn't get performing straight away. Often playing them out of position.

Baines just didn't play in his first season.

Lescott came in and was playing left back.

Fellaini - he couldn't decide on the best position for Fellaini for some time.

Jags. Played much of his first campaign at right back or defensive midfield.

Arteta. He started his career with us at right wing. We almost passed up the opportunity to make his deal permanent in the pursuit of Scott Parker in 2005.

Beattie. Just never got going.

Cahill came in and hit the ground running. As did Yak and AJ. With the latter fading Badly and Yak suffering an horrendous injury.

Lookman to Leicester too

Probably added 50% to the quality of each player. Same goes for Phil Neville (see Timmy C's article). We seem to have lost that - at least until now and hopefully we are getting it back.

Instead we're going for Rondon who was slow years ago and hasn't kicked a ball since May.

If we had any balls, we'd sell the bulk of the squad and just keep 11 players and a couple of spares.

In 1987 we did have two players, for every position. Their names were Alan Harper and Paul Power.

We've started well but like last year, the second we get injuries we'll be pub standard again.

We've gone wrong in plenty of places, but right there is the single biggest balls-up of them all….

Consequently we are seen as absolute mugs by absolutely EVERYONE. Buying clubs, selling clubs, agents and players. If Everton want someone or something, just add 50% on and see how it goes.

Whilst this window may be the start of moving us back to the “plucky, tough bargaining Everton” tag (or maybe just a lull in spending due to rules), it's desperately needed. What we have done is simply not sustainable.

I've been surprised by Townsend and Gray tbh, albeit early doors still. However, we've got to ask if moving back to “misfits and those in their sunset years” is a sustainable alternative model too?

Personally, I'd rather roll the dice on youth. Become known for a team where they'll get their chance. I thought this is what Brands was brought in to do, and it's why I was against Rafa*). It's a risky model too, but it's the ONLY one that's got any chance of us getting lucky and finding something to get us back to the top.

*ps if Rafa took this job knowing the constraints he was going to have, the man deserves big respect. Double hiding to nothing.

I guess it highlights just how hard it is to bring a player in who is (a) ready now (b) good at football and (c) within budget.

Rondon is a bit of a compromise, but I think like Townsend might be a cheap way to keep us competitive for a season or two while we build something better.

Interesting to see how Sima fares for Stoke though.

Got to disagree about Rondon sadly. Rafa could prove me wrong no doubt but we have started to finally build a team with pace and Rondon apart from being decent in the air has none of the traits which makes Calvert Lewin effective. I'd rather we get nobody than waste wages on another Tosun.

I find it unacceptable that we've loaned out our back up left back leaving us with one full back each side whilst leaving it until the last day of the window to make a move.

Incredible because I'm sure it wasn't long ago that PSG, were having a similar problem that Everton are now having, with regards to FFP, and yet they are now prepared to lose so much money, which could have really helped balance their books?

Maybe they are not that worried since Man City's lawyers, have seemed to put UEFA in there place, but still a staggering amount of money to turn down, nonetheless.

Is that the Brands model? Is that what he is trying to do? Is his role is to bring through players in their teens to either make it or sell? I don't know, I just throw it out there. Add into that his job is to conduct the negotiations. Remember, he was the one who found Kean from Juve which we all thought was brilliant this time in 2019.

Ethan Ampadu - Venezia, loan
Fikayo Tomori - AC Milan, £25m
Tammy Abraham - Roma, £34m
Michy Batshuayi - Besiktas, loan
Armando Broja - Southampton, loan
Willy Caballero - contract expired
Izzy Brown - contract expired
Jamal Blackman - contract expired
Pierre Ekwah Elimby - West Ham, undisclosed
Danilo Pantic - Partizan Belgrade, undisclosed
Nathan Baxter - Hull, loan
Billy Gilmour - Norwich City, loan
Victor Moses - Spartak Moscow, undisclosed
Juan Castillo - Birmingham, loan
Olivier Giroud - AC Milan, undisclosed
Marc Guehi - Crystal Palace, undisclosed
Lewis Bate - Leeds, undisclosed
Henry Lawrence - AFC Wimbledon, loan
Tino Livramento - Southampton, undisclosed
Jamie Cumming - Gillingham, loan
Jack Wakely - Wycombe, free
Ian Maatsen - Coventry, loan
Jake Clarke-Salter - Coventry, loan
Emerson - Lyon, loan
Matt Miazga - Alaves, loan
Ike Ugbo - Genk, undisclosed
Kurt Zouma - West Ham, £29.8m
Tiemoue Bakayoko - AC Milan, loan
Danny Drinkwater - Reading, loan
Dujon Sterling - Blackpool, loan

And how can PSG have Mbappe, Messi and Neymar simultaneously on their books?

FFP is a farce.

That was the "black and white" era, before my time. lol

I think PSG have no interest in fiscal responsibility and they'd probably risk that 140 million on the basis that Mbappe could help them win the CL this year. I assume that's their Holy Grail as they continue to spend wildly despite having long since conquered the domestic scene.

This window is shambolic. I feel sorry for Rafa. From one Newcastle to another. If we wasn't on his doorstep, He'd walk.

Our rivals have all strengthened and now teams who weren't really rivals are now much stronger. West Ham, villa etc etc.

Don't let the decent start fool you. The squad depth is pathetic and over 38 games, you will get found out. Letting Nkounkou go as well, that leaves us in the same position we're in with rightback. We're an injury away from disaster.

Disgusting window this. Top 10 if we're lucky and that'll be down to Rafa's tactics more than anything. We're lucky we've got a competent manager.

£1.7m and 3 bosmans. Haha big club my arse.

Who said Plod didn't have a sense of humour.

I do wonder about Brands. The few times I've hard much about him were an article about him frequently having coffee with Dennis Adeniran. Or him taking care of Moise Kean. That and him looking at a RB for three years. None of those actions seemed to lead to anything.

There are forces at play that are limiting us hugely. The fact we've got Townsend, Gray, and Begovic through the doors, the underwhelming malcontent Kean away from the club for the next 2 years and (hopefully forever), other expensive deadwood like Bernard and Walcott also gone, Rondon ready to sign - and maybe even another player to join the club - all of that is, under the circumstances, potentially a very good window. Yes, we'd all like shiny new exciting highly-sought-after players, but sometimes a quiet and frugal window is what is required.

I know. I don't know what he does? Isn't his role meant to be to identify talent and sign them and then sell at a profit?

He has literally signed the players the managers have wanted. He's a spare part and he seems shit at his job.

Another cling on.

I wish I wasn't so paranoid about all these Evertonians, but once Unsworth called Marcel Brands one this summer, it made my mind right up, unfortunately.

We fielded only 8 subs at the weekend, and that included TWO retirement ready keepers. Since then our ONLY out and out striker has reported a new injury, and our only backup left back has been loaned out. There is talk of Gomes going on loan too.

The clubs burnt our bridges with such an aggressive push out of James Rodriguez, and our under 23 team is now half full of 17 year old kids who'll be losing confidence very quickly if results keep going like they have.

Glass half full = the first 11 is decent, and with this manager 40 points should be doable before they all go on summer hols in March (whilst rest play till May).

Glass half empty = any long term injuries to any 2/3 of Gray, DCL and Richie and we'll have no goals, and no hope.

We are building on a house of sand and any thoughts that the “stadium will save us” or “Rafa will keep us up” are misplaced at best. This ISN'T just a blip in spending, this is 5 years if total mismanagement. We need to wake up soon.

Of course, you're right that loan deals can be cost neutral for the loaning club, sometimes even net a profit but I haven't mentioned the 25 - 30 odd other players that form part of their squad, none of whom will be on low salaries. How can they ever sustain a squad THAT big without falling foul of FFP? Not to mention the stockpiling aspect which is another issue. I read somewhere that one of their third / fouth string goalies was out on loan for the tenth consecutive season!

On the subject of PSG, despite their much larger income than Everton's, how can they comply with UEFA fair play rules while simultaneously employing Mbappe, Neymar and Messi on astronomical; wages?

We really could do with that RB but maybe they think Patterson is the man, plain and simple. In which case maybe we'll get him in Jan or Summer 2022.

Is Rondon done yet?

One positive is we have Rafa! Top 7 will come in may!!

Look, we have spent big on transfer deadline day years gone by and bought very average! Usually no expectations can bring surprises!

Rather have a clear out and build in the summer! A season to take stock might be what we need!

Keep the faith!!

But if we end up with a slim squad, I'm at least hoping we can then get the rest of our youngsters training with our first 11 on a regular basis, and maybe some of their cameos will inspire them to greater heights/understanding of the top-level game!

Silver linings etc.! Fingers crossed! :)

Please sign a a top 18 year old right back if we can't get the Rangers lad. Someone who is ready by next summer Brands.

For the last 4 years we have been saying that we need to play JJK and now we have decided that he is only championship standard and need to get rid.
For years we have been complaining that we only play old has beens and never give the kids a chance. And now we are moaning that we are not bringing in more players.

Can we make up our minds - and if the kids are not good enough, can we start asking for them all to be shipped out.

Contrast their list of departures/loans-out with ours;

Outs: Theo Walcott (Southampton), Matthew Pennington (Shrewsbury, free), Joshua King (Watford), Yannick Bolasie (released), Muhamed Besic (released), Josh Bowler (released), Dennis Adeniran (released), Con Ouzounidis (released), Callum Connolly (released), Bobby Carroll (released), Daniel Lowey (released), Jack McIntyre (released), Dylan Thompson (released), Bernard (Sharjah), Beni Baningime (Hearts), Nathan Broadhead (Sunderland, loan), Thierry Small (Southampton), Joao Virginia (Sporting Lisbon, loan), Nathangelo Markelo (PSV Eindhoven).

I can't be bothered working out if we got ANY money at all for any of our ex's above but the gap between us and the rich/unaccountable clubs seems like a canyon, not a crevasse, and it's getting wider with our owner/boardroom of blunderers.

So why are we still farting around now? What a way to run a business.

I'm sure you agree it's not the 60's anymore with misty eyed tales of Z Cars and Howard, Ball etc. Winners in the 21st Century (60 years later) have a different mindset. Aguero, Salah, Drogba, Mane, Henry, Vardy, Firmino, Kompany, Silva et al were not locals and their clubs fans couldn't care less.

From Phil Mcnulty:

Barring some late & unexpected drama it looks like Everton manager Rafael Benitez will end up spending a grand total of £1.7m in transfer fees this summer. Any judgement or criticism of what he does should be placed in that context.

Not that you'd want to waste another wad of cash but this is the budget of a league 2 club!

No cover at full back ?!

So the first choice team is stronger than it was twelve months ago, stronger than it was two years ago. Yes, we still have problems in terms of the lack of quality and depth in the squad which means Benitez will encounter similar problems as those of his recent predecessors when suspensions and injuries strike. There are no quick, easy solutions. There is nothing to be gained in the long run by overpaying for players who are not of the required calibre.

What now happens to the likes of James, Delph, Tosun and even Davies. Does Benitez just exclude them from the team sheet as they remain in no mans land or try to get the best out of them. I am just one very confused Evertonian. I will no longer believe anything about who is coming to Goodison.

Struggling to see our short term vision ?

Today I went to buy a new car. I couldn't choose between the Bentley and the Porsche, so I called Rafael, who recommended a second hand Transit.

Then I had a piece of toast and took the dog for a walk.

True enough but a terrible indictment after 5 years of Moshiri rule of our inept boardroom, coaches, managers and recruitment men – what a pity we could not transfer some of the boardroom.

The only thing that can be said of the last 5 years is that they truly have built on the foundation of incompetence, misrule and underachievement of the previous 25 years...

We have a manager who will play to our strengths and a team playing and building in confidence. We also have players approaching their prime.

Stop moaning. We did our buying over the last 4/5 years. Now we may need a bif of tinkering in January but l am confident. We have a good squad. We will have a better season than last.

Brands was telling the truth, but I didn't expect anything else when I heard he had time to walk his dog today, so hopefully James, was also telling the truth, when he said he just wanted to play where he feels wanted, because if he gets fit he'll love playing for Evertonians. I think it's always better to finish the night being positive!!

Need a longer term strategy! Probably best to save the cash !

We have a squad cobbled together under half a dozen managers, an under 23 coach and two directors of football. We have managed to embed instability into everything we do on the playing front with the outcome evident not only in the league placing but also in the dire financial position.

It was high time Moshiri pressed the pause button on spending. Steady incremental improvement must now be the way forward under a manager accustomed to managing with finite resources.

If Kane moves next summer to City then I'd expect Spurs to take DCL (we'll cite FFP as reason to sell) and Ritchie will want to go to PSG

Frustrating because what's the carrot we're dangling? No player on the up wants to play for a club without ambition

Gutted

Is James like a new signing?

There are spending restrictions in place this year based on our spend per revenue over the last three.

The lack of spending has nothing to do with ambition.

Building a new stadium and backing all our managers since Moshiri arrived shows ambition.. Leaving to join Spurs does not.

Happy enough with Rondom as back up, he is better than King , Tosun and Kean. Obviously the right back position is not thought a problem at Everton, unlike most of us.

Would solve the problem at right back for apparently no transfer fee and available after the deadline.

I just wonder what the agents of Pickford, Godfrey, Digne, Richarlison and DCL are going to be hearing from their esteemed clients, not to mention other clubs, in the months to January?

Never mind though eh?

At least we can be confident that our "fabulous" owner/boardroom have "a cunning plan" to deal with whatever emergency transpires, as they've just shown, again, and again........ and again.

A players career is short. And their star is only on the rise for so long

Okay perhaps Spurs was a poor example. But after DCL's breakout season, if he scores 15-20 league goals again then I ask you this:

Will he want to stay ANOTHER year at a club aiming for top 4 at best or would he rather play for a top 4 club (or try a move abroad…..Carlo seemed to fancy him as an example)?

How many years do you expect him to give us?

Same Q re Ritchie?

Our FFP issues are our own. As is the stadium build. Professional footballers don't care about the reasons why: they want success

You can believe it's crap all you want. And I hope I'm wrong but really, is it that unforeseeable?

We're not ‘a club without ambition', you've simply had an emotional reaction to not getting what you wanted for Transfer Deadline Day and spoken some crap. Easily done. Move on.

Unlike Moise Kean hahahahaha

We cannot rely on Richy to play a full season without a break - he must be knackered.

You never know we can still bring in a released player. We can expect Bill to suggest Rodwell !!!!!!!

But for such a minimal outlay we've done ok. To get Begovic, Gray, Townsend and Rondon for £1.7m is good value and the latter 3 especially are very decent players who will add something.

The chickens have come home to roost and years of poor spending has had its inevitable consequence. To all this who ever said “it's not your money, what are you worried about?!” You now have your answer. That said I reckon we'll do ok and I rather finish 10th-ish having spent £1.7m than in the same position having spent £100m.

Ambition works both ways - it can pull you into exciting new territory or it can backfire. Hopefully players like DCL and Richarlison might appreciate that even if you have overlooked it. This club has ambition. I am getting so fed up of coming on here and reading comments that trash the club. Change comes slowly, and getting our house in order will take time. I think Rafa et al have done well to shuffle the deck and leave us more competitive than we were, and all for almost no outlay at all. These are steps in the right direction.

You're right: I'm disappointed. For sure. So emotional? Perhaps yes

But even in the cold light of day, whilst you and I know we're ambitious - it's in the mid/long term. That doesn't help our stars of today

Seems we're not going to agree on this one. But players like Lukaku, Lescott, Fellaini & Stones all went when bigger clubs came in. Only our true blue Baines didn't

Like I said, I hope you're right but I did ask you: would you be surprised if Ritchie and/or DCL left next summer?

Replacing a talented Italian youngster with Rondon is a head scratcher.

Also the financial situation contributed.

Granted - this transfer window is the result of years and years of financial mismanagement.

But facts are:

We have 1 senior right back
We have 1 senior left back

(Yes Godfrey/Delph) can play there but they won't/don't overlap. The modern game is partly about getting your full backs into crossing positions to provide effective attacks

No genuine replacements for Doucoure or Allan (Gomes isn't, Gbanmin unproven, Delph doesn't have the legs, Davies blows hot and cold

I just feel that our first XI is good but we'll have the same squad issues as last season

Perhaps Drew is right - I'm more frustrated by the issues that have led us to where we are now. BUT we are here now and thus it's another season of plodding along between 8th and 12th (maybe 6th if Rafa can really work his magic)

If people are ‘trashing the club' well isn't it somewhat justified?

An effective DoF buys players that any effective head coach can use. But we have a model where we have a DoF but let all the managers who come in choose their own players. Well if that's the case then sack off the DoF

You can't have it both ways. And that's what we're frustrated at and why we're ‘trashing the club'…..because there's a lack of logic, a lack of plan and it's led to the above - a squad unable to properly compete across the season

So once again our first XI is decent but the squad isn't equipped properly to compete across the season

Not a glamorous signing but a backup striker typically isn't. They're either up and coming, or past their best. If it's the Rondon I've seen previously then I'd be happier seeing him get a run than the emergency, out of position, striker options we have.

Yes, a bit of a deflating window. 1.7m spent doesn't smack of a team trying to make a short term impact. But if it's the window we had to have then so be it.

I was raving on about getting Adam's Traore in a few weeks ago but I think Gray is going to be a better signing.

Whoever was responsible for bringing that lad in deserves praise

Don # 335 - the answer to that will depend on how the said players perform between now and then. I think they will do alright. - fifthish;)

I understand your frustration at the state we currently find ourselves in. The mess created by the last five years of mis-steps by various managers and an owner who wanted to chase success quickly is hard to fathom, but I honestly believe that under Rafa we might just be starting to turn a corner in terms of cleaning up that mess and finding a useful reset. It may not allow us to compete for the Top Four this season but I reckon it means that we have a much better chance of doing so by the time we get into the new stadium.

As things stand, I think our current squad is perfectly solid - especially if Benitez finds a way to utilize James. The issue, as it was last year, is that we have precious little depth - a few key injuries could derail things fast. But I think Benitez is well-suited to making the best of these kind of situations.

I'm a little less freaked out about the RB situation than others. I don't particularly rate Kenny, or think he has a long-term future with the club, but the dude's not completely hopeless - he can step into the breach if called upon. Holgate too, who doesn't offer anything in attack, but can hold his own defensively. I'd rather just keep the powder dry and go after a proper target next summer, as opposed to bringing in someone we're lukewarm on at the last second, just for the sake of it.

Bill #351. Also fair

It's possible I'm overreacting but I don't want DCL to leave (I know I seem stuck on this)

When Rom left it took us ages to replace. Good and reliable EPL goal-scorers are hard to come by and cost a lot.

I have it in my head Ritchie will leave next summer and if DCL does too then that's a massive hole to patch up

Anyway. Let's worry about the future when it comes. We've made a decent start

Let the Rafaloution begin!!!!!

We forever berate managers, the DoF, players and coaches (as I have done, admittedly) without ever communally and forcibly pointing a very angry finger at Moshiri and his flaccid boardroom.

Just how on God's Green Earth do Demarai Gray, Townsend, Lonergan, Begovic, and Rondon measure up to the club motto, two years after the massive demise of Baldrick Moshiri's cunning three-year "project" to propel us into regular European football?

And at best, allegedly according to some of us, Baldrick is actually being played by Blackadder Usmanov for Gawd only knows what end.

Jesus wept!

I would say we've had a good window. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum? No but I'd rather bring in solid Pros like Townsend and Rondan then sink 50 million on Klaasen and Gomes. Rafa finds himself in the Moyes predicament when we brought in the likes of Kilbane and Bent. Decent enough essentially. We can't undo the insane spending on muppets we've seen over the last five years. Neither would I want us to do a Sheff Wed and risk the future of the club by continuing to do so. The new guys I welcome. I think they're solid. The over paid prima donnas on the books? We are stuck with until their contracts expire. So Rafa did well all things considered this window despite everyone above him and the five men before him

I understand the anguish of some fans but would rather listen to posters like Andrew who paints the picture like it is. For some reason Harold Mathews is coming into my head, Harold was sensible and pragmatic.

Totally agree. 20 odd out and 5 in, 4 on a free, helps get the wage to income % down, even with James still on the books.
I think the squad is stronger than at the end of last season and with a decent rub of the green, should well be capable of top 6, or thereabouts.

Kenwright searched the Earth for a goodish manager to relieve Walter "disappointing" Smith before alighting on Moyes, twenty miles away at Preston.

Next he limited his search to ten miles away before appointing the dud Martinez.

Now we have an ever so grateful Benitez, whose house is a huge eight miles from USMFF.

Cue the world-wide agents' list of top-paying dick-head clubs for fuck-all in this day and age.

We're the equivalent of the late 50's Real Madrid in that league, perennial and easy winners, courtesy of our owner/boardroom.

Kenwright searched the Earth for a goodish manager to relieve Walter "disappointing" Smith before alighting on Moyes, twenty miles away at Preston.

Next he limited his search to ten miles away before appointing the dud Martinez.

Now we have an ever so grateful Benitez, whose house is a huge eight miles from USMFF.

Cue the world-wide agents' list of top-paying dick-head clubs for fuck-all in this day and age.

We're the equivalent of the late 50's Real Madrid in that league, perennial and easy winners, courtesy of our owner/boardroom.

Kenwright searched the Earth for a goodish manager to relieve Walter "disappointing" Smith before alighting on Moyes, twenty miles away at Preston.

Next he limited his search to ten miles away before appointing the dud Martinez.

Now we have an ever so grateful Benitez, whose house is a huge eight miles from USMFF.

Cue the world-wide agents' list of top-paying dick-head clubs for fuck-all in this day and age.

We're the equivalent of the late 50's Real Madrid in that league, perennial and easy winners, courtesy of our owner/boardroom.

MAITLAND-NILES: 'Yes Boss.... but you'll be managing Doncaster Rovers'!!

I'd like to see Rodriguez deliver what Benitez requires from him. I certainly think there is a place in any team for a player with his ability. But there is no doubt we'd need more from him.

I don't know how Benitez could make this work. But that's not my job and I'm not the expert.

What I do know is that he's capable of producing moments of quality that very few if any other players in the league can produce.

Whilst he is still an Everton player, then it makes sense to try and include him.

This is preferable for me than a panic signing. Maitland-Niles is not the answer neither short term or long term.

I'd rather the people at the top put the work in and identify the correct player for the long term.

As Liverpool manager, Benitez favoured a more defensive and traditional right-back in Finnan and Arbeloa. This is exactly the type of player I think we should try and identify.

The Board are accountable for all aspects of the business.

The manager and his/her team are responsible for the results.

The Board will always be accountable for the actions of the manager, who they appointed to manage the team.

Responsibility takes many forms, and the incumbent will sink or swim, and pay the price one way or another. The Board rarely changes, and rarely if ever hold their hands up for their misgivings or cockups! The silence from the Board is deafening.

Apparently our bid for Maitland-Niles was considered too low; did we go back? Doesn't sound like it. What part did Marcel play in the negotiations? Has all the hallmarks of Bill Kenwright poking his nose in.

I don't feel sorry for Marcel but, during his tenure, managers have come and gone like No 9 buses, each wanting their own players. I'm sure he is well intentioned and works hard, but comes across as weak IMO.

I'm not a great lover of Paul Merson, but yesterday evening he took a big swipe at the Arsenal DoF, and said he could do a far better job, and do it for nothing, providing he could have Tony Adams with him. Never going to happen, but his passion was and still is there for all too see, but his heart rules his head.

Could that be a role for Big Dunc? Not sure the Board could cope with him, says it how it is, and doesn't suffer fools easily.

Next couple of league games are huge! Win those 2 and confidence could soar; lose them and the transfer window suddenly looks a disaster!

He is without doubt an exceptionally talented footballer so surely "Rafa the fucking genius" could find a way to utilize James's undoubted quality. Unfortunately I suspect "Rafa" (as so many of our kopite-esque fans call him) will be his usual belligerent self & freeze out the only real talent we have at our disposal.

If we're still paying his exorbitant wages, then we should at least try to get something back in return instead of leaving him out in the wilderness.

We haven't played a game since the transfer window closed, so it is a bit premature of you to assume that Rafa is not going to use James in some capacity in the next 4 months. Unless, that is, Rafa updates you personally, on a daily basis, as to what his plans and intentions are?