Allan expects to stay at Everton

His legs may have slightly gone and he is not as quick as a 21-year-old, yet his experience is invaluable, but his tactical nous could be more valuable next season?

I think Allan got way too much stick from folks. The guy covers a ton of ground, he's defensively solid, he gives 100%, he's clearly on board with Everton, and I think he's played well this season under the circumstances.

He'll be the veteran anchoring the midfield in front of the back 4 hopefully for the next few years.

Gomes is the one we should be looking to move on. We need to replace him with a young prospect in central midfield.

Great footballing brain and great technique but just too slow!

Love to see them both stay though.

We need more pace in midfield, Allan has the quality but not the pace. Davies has neither, Doucouré is declining is fast and big, Gomes plays as someone who is ready to retire... Our midfield is really bad!

Fitter, robust models who can play possibly with an affinity to Karaoke (Suspicious Minds by Elvis would clinch it for me) should be the new mantra.

For the circa £23M, he's been a poor signing, offering limited quality and deteriorating rapidly in value having already peaked at Napoli.

A good example of the sort of big name(ish) signing we should avoid.

Most good teams are a blend of youth, potential, average players who perform when surrounded by better and experience.

Our 80s team had all of that.

Upgrade? How? Who?

I think Allan is a leader and an influence on younger players such as Tom Davies.

When you think about the injuries to our midfield players this season, it is a miracle that we stayed up. Davies, Gomes, Delph, Allan, Doucouré, Van de Beek, Gbamin were all injured for major parts of the season.

We are due a change of fortune – we need 2-3 decent quality midfielders. Players like Garner, Gilmour on loan and hopefully, a marquee signing like Ward-Prowse or McGinn will add some quality and steel to our midfield, and then our defence won't be under as much pressure as they were under last season.

On the subject of Allan, he turns 32 in about 6 months. Generally speaking, a central midfielder comes into his prime at about this age. Could Allan, if he stays fit, turn into a Lee Carsley or a Gareth Barry? He has the potential and, although on other threads I have recommended that we sell him, I can see Frank Lampard wanting to keep him.

I'd only sell him if there was a decent offer for him; otherwise, he keeps the midfield and squad stronger. Who else do we have who is a tenacious ball-winner? When we talk about offloading players, we have to also think about squad strength and replacements for inevitable injuries.

It is essential we get the new younger midfielder with that extra zip and sharpness. (Sam's named a few possibilities on his Summer Targets thread.) Then keep Allan as back-up and for rotation through busy periods.

Surrounded by different players with more time on the ball Allan might be better, but I think we should move him on, the pace of the Premier League is too much for him.

I'd rather see Doucoure sold, and feel they'd attract similar fees. Doucoure's poor passing generally undoes much of his good work, and his style befits a team that plays counter attacking football, and I feel Lampard will attempt a more possession based style in the long run.

Allan staying, Dele and Iwobi plus 2 new midfielders, plus either signing a youngster, or promoting someone like Price or Warrington with Gomes, Doucoure, Delph, Davies (on loan) all leaving.

Having said that, he only lacks a bit of pace, everything else is good, so I'm not too disappointed he's staying. Used as a sub and in the right games he can be an asset.

I'd sell for a half-decent offer and get someone more mobile, more creative and can actually shoot from around the 18-yard box and hit the target.

He's a pressing (not holding) midfielder with no pace, limited passing range and no goals. I get that he's got a bit of bite and character but that's about it.

He wouldn't get in the first XI of any top 6 sides, or probably West Ham, Wolves, Brighton, Leicester etc.

I get that successful teams need a blend. It's not the experience I'm averse to, it's the fact that he's not that good.

So it was a big outlay on a player who has contributed fairly little and will go for a small amount this summer or nothing next summer.

As a footballer, to be able to pass forward, you have to have options in front of you. When Allan has had that, he can do it. He most definitely has a forward pass in him. Often from a standing position, so pace doesn't come into it.

I think Andy Gray was close to 30 when he became what in retrospect was an iconic signing for us even though he came with a sick note?

Phil Neville too. Forget age, These types of players can influence a squad. And we are not blessed with leaders.

Trevor Steven signed for Howard Kendall aged 20 and Sheedy was 23 when he joined. Essential pieces in that '80s jigsaw.

I wouldn't object to two similarly young players signing for Frank if we could guarantee they would be as good as the aforementioned!

My lifetime hero in a blue shirt. A player who was comfortable on the football. He liked to have the ball. He wanted the ball.

Given that he's lost his pace and has never been a goalscorer, maybe he can be retrained as a holding midfielder? Someone with his experience should be able to sit in front of the back 4 and offer protection along with some simple passing.

We can't change the entire squad in one summer, so maybe it's not the worst idea that he stays, especially as he'll bring in very little in terms of a transfer fee.

That moment when he slowed the game down against Bayern Munchen. Under pressure, he played the game in slow motion, dictating his own pace that created the 3rd goal.

Dumb-dee-do some would call it as they probably screamed at him.

Calm under pressure. Waited for the moment and picked the pass.

Only one problem with all of that sentimental guff, these guys, like Delph, are over the hill. Too slow, too slow, too slow.

How I would love to see Gordon's mobility in Seamus's legs. How I would love to see Allan run like a 25-year-old version of himself but they are both too slow.

Last time I'm going to say it because otherwise I'm in danger of repeating myself as I did all this past season. Delph, Seamus, Allan are all too slow for the Premier League. Not just for Everton but for any team in this league.

Too old, too slow, not agile enough. I would look forward to us playing against any team with those 3 players in their team because you know they are going to struggle against youth, against pace. Sell him if we can

No other club would be mug enough to pay his ridiculous wages.

He' staying.

Does he have limitations, yes! However, as others have said, if deployed as a pure No 6 with 2 others in midfield in front of him (such as Gallagher on loan and another) he could do a really good job for us next season. Let's stop getting on his back about being slow and just use him for what he's good at.

If a good offer came in then of course we should take it due to his age and there only being one more year left on his contract. My main reason for saying 'stick' is because there are just so many players leaving and we need to keep some leaders and some continuity.

I agree, we need to revamp our midfield with some younger, more mobile, players. But we also need some experience in the team. Allan is one of the players who can provide that. It's a keep for me.

That said, I don't expect he will still be with us by the end of the summer and think he will be back in Italy.

What does the future hold for Gbamin, having played 12 games for Moscow, his injuries are behind him, so maybe this summer he could be like a new signing, if not, Gilmour or Winks could be an option.

We get 2 or 3 seasons out of them before they essentially lose all motivation, value and impact. The exception in recent years was Barry. A free transfer with relatively modest wage demands. Before that perhaps Distin, a fairly high price for his age but modest wage demands. Otherwise, it is just a story of high cost, high wage and average at best output (and much, much worse too).

Players (good ones) like Neville and Howard are a much better bet. They are younger (age 23 to 26) and are highly motivated to play for a club that can offer them games. You can build a team around such players over a 5-year period.

With a player like Allan, you cannot.

People talk of Reid and Gray and it all came together. That was over 30 years ago and the subs bench, squad depth, football finances and plenty more besides have changed things forever.

It is no coincidence that our best players, the players Rich 6 clubs would be interested in (Pickford, Mykolenko, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin) were all bought young.

I think defensively on a good day Allan is good patrolling in front of the back four. And a very good passer of the ball. But we need to change out within the next two years Allan, Doucoure and Gomes.

Next season we have Tom Davies, Doucoure, and Iwobi. Iwobi has played in lots of European competitions and played a lot of games in the Premier League - so has the experience. All three are well experienced in the league and domestic cups, and being realistic there's no need to consider European experience at the moment.

We need to bring in a ready-made central midfield player or two to bed in for a year ASAP. This puts less pressure on the young players coming through and can go out on loan to improve their game.

If Gbamin isn't that player, we need to move him on which helps him too as he needs to play in his prime years.

A rank average player. A bad age. Big wages. But potentially has some resale value. Move him on.

It may explain Allan's omission from the starting line-ups in the last few games of last season, as he was injured.

Depite some comments I have read, we are not a weak side. There are about 7 current international players in the first team and several others with that potential. With Frank as manager, and possibly 2 or 3 new strong players arriving, we are definitely a mid-table club.

But, as Annika pointed out, we do need to keep the experienced older players like Coleman and Allan. Who knows, we could even reach the dizzy heights of the Top 6! — eh, Danny?

Who's this guy Richard Arlison who's worth $50M? Is he in our youth set up maybe!!

Re Allan, just watched a certain 36-year-old Croatian boss the midfield for 88 mins of a Champions League Final. Only a comment on midfielder's age, not quality BTW but surely, with our skinny little squad, Allan with his leadership qualities alone must be worth another year compared to what we'd realistically get for him.

I'm now going to read the Eskimo's article to see if we can afford the upgrade as well.

That Carlo Ancelotti certainly knows a player when he sees one.

That being said, if he wants to stay, I wouldn't be upset. He does offer valuable experience, and his commitment has never been in question.

The other thing that intrigues me about him is that he seems like the sort of player who needs the right midfield balance to truly thrive... and he's almost never had the benefit of that since arriving here.

Any player under contract is paid by the club whether injured or healthy. It's the cost of doing business with a perishable asset. But the club will likely have an insurance policy to cover the costs of paying off a top player who suffers a career-ending injury.

We aren't wining the Premier League next season, time for long-term thinking. I'll settle for a youthful, energetic squad, playing decent football and not fighting relegation.

ps: Don't sell your best players. Richarlison, Pickford and Calvert-Lewin should be seen as assets – not as a source of funding.

The 80s were great, but the chances of an Andy Gray style savior happening today are slim and none.

The only way a move may be looked at in isolation is if it has more to do with balancing the books than improving the team.

To pick out one, Fran (20) mentions Price and says sell Delph, Gomes and Davies – spot on! I'd keep Ab though, work on his passing! Warrington was the only midfield guy who got experience at a League club, Tranmere, and did well there, he should get minutes in pre-season, along with Price and Onyango!

The one big signing we've been linked with is Gallagher, he fits our remit perfectly – I'm sure Frank is going to ask about him. Transfermarkt value him at £21.5M – sell Gomes, Davies, Holgate and Rondon there's £40M!

Centre-back is the other position we need, Grillitch, the Austrian centre-back who plays in Germany, 26, is available on a free… that sort of signing, not Tarkowski on £120k a week that Villa have offered.

If Mina can't prove his fitness in summer, the club I've heard will sell, £25M would be great business!

Happy Bank Holiday everyone. My birthday on Friday, great timing that is with the Queen! 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I still believe in having experience in the squad, Robert, so I don't think there's any harm in retaining Allan as I don't think we'd get much for him anyway.

In the context of reselling and in hindsight, the club have done well with the likes of Pickford and Richarlison. It's going to be an interesting window as I can only assume we have to sell one of our prize assets to give us room to manoeuvre. I wouldn't want to, but we shouldn't be afraid of doing so providing we re-invest wisely.

I do quite like the prospect of the two young full-backs we have bought. Mykolenko really grew in confidence as the season ended and it can't have been easy for him for personal and footballing reasons. As well as having Godfrey and Branthwaite, we have a very young and promising defence. Although that is a double-edged sword because, if there is one area of the pitch you need experience, it's defence.

In that respect, we still have Seamus and I anticipate one of our two most experienced defenders going. I know who I'd rather it was, but suspect it will be Mina.

Whilst I'd have seen Allan go before Doucouré personally (both have limits, one athletic enough to help at both ends) I'd certainly not be upset seeing him as an option next year.

Right offer comes in (£10M+) then things change.

As others have mentioned, he is too slow to be truly effective. I also think he lacks a bit of size and strength and gets caught out of position too much as a defensive midfielder.

Would move him on if we get a decent offer tbh. If we want to improve and have a better season next year, he is the sort of player we cannot afford to rely on.

Same with Doucouré. I know a lot rate him but I don't see it. He can't pass, can't hang onto possession, doesn't score enough and is a bit of a headless chicken. Yes, he is athletic and has bags of energy – but that's not enough.

Talking of which, I wonder what would have happened had James been kept for the season? Like him or not, on song he was light years ahead of what we had. Ah well...

James Rodriguez | Skills and Goals | Highlights

It's probably a season or two too late and we got him later in his career than when we would have seen the best in him. But I still think he can do a job and influence younger players.

To repeat, he isn't a defensive midfielder. He's a hunter. As is Doucouré. Personally, both are better suited to playing in a 3 with a true defensive midfielder or traditional sweeper sat behind them to let them do their thing.

Just throwing this one out there. I know he's young and we don't want to heap expectation on him, but I'd like to see young Lewis Warrington play behind those two (Allan & Doucoure).

It all gets complicated because Davies, Doucouré and Allan are all now in the final year of their contracts – and Delph leaves this summer. Only Gbamin and Gomes have longer on their contracts (the former being fragile and the latter truly awful). So we need to build the start of a long-term midfield this summer.

To me, it makes sense to retain Allan and Doucouré therefore for one final season as we bed in younger, more talented replacements.

One of them needs to be a proper holding midfielder, rather than a hunter.

Warrington might be the answer but he has miles to go yet. Tranmere went well but it's not a great standard.

A club like Derby County would be a good next stage after Tranmere could be a positive stepping stone for him? A bigger club and support with no money looking for quality loan players to get them back into the Championship. The experience could really bring him on, a Mount, Gallagher type of learning curve, the hard way through lower league loans at decent clubs where the competition is tough.

I agree about keeping Allan and Doucoure, at the very least they offer some proper strength in depth and stability whilst we are in transition. Still, the priority has to be getting two more centre-midfielders in to be first-team starters.

Frank as a top-class midfielder I am fully trusting to be all over this. He will know what it takes to have a proper midfield. The big question is can he get the players on his wanted list without making too many compromises?

I too think a proper holding midfielder, and then someone like Conor Gallagher with energy and goals. I'd seriously consider spending £40M of the Richarlison money (if he were to be sold) on Gallagher. Then the remainder on a left-sided attacking replacement like Keane Lewis-Potter or a few other possible options for Frank to develop.

Whilst that may not happen next season, one thing for sure is that they not repeat the shenanigans of this last season.

Lamps. must now have a good perception of who he wants to keep and a reliable system of playing so that they don't concede games in the manner they were doing.

Assuming that the board can provide the backing and certain players commit themselves then we have a good chance of winning a lot more games.

We all have opinions about who will go and who will stay and it will be interesting to see what happens.

Already the rumors are rampant about so many players and we are realistic enough to realize that we cannot offer the kind of wages that gets the cream of the crop going to City, RS or Chelski and that won't change anytime soon.

Nail on head. Any team would love to play Everton because we have so many slow players: Allan, Coleman, Delph, Rondon, Gomes, Keane, Davies, Mina… and now it looks like another 3 years of Kenny!

Surely The DoF and Frank can see this… I've been banging on about it for decades.