Summer Transfers 2023

It shows there are options out there to improve the balance of our squad without necessarily breaking the bank. It will just take a bit of guile and research from our recruitment team.

I’m trying to look at this summer’s recruitment through Dyche’s eyes. He talks about balancing the squad and will want as priority the striker. Also I think he will be more clued up than anyone of who he wants from the Championship. I would be amazed if we weren’t seriously considering Gyokeres and Manning. I think we may see one unexpected signing from the Championship too that Dyche’s been following.

Branthwaite’s promotion is going to be a big call for Dyche this summer. I think it’s simple. The lad will stay if he’s going to play. I think we have to back him now and show that we have faith in him.

It’s a step up from the Eredivisie, but he’s done very well over there and had a lot of games. His experience from that will be invaluable. It will have improved the player no end who we could already see was very good before he went there.

It’s time to play him as first choice and get behind him whilst he beds in, it won’t be plain sailing, but if we can accept there will be bumps in the road we are going to reap the benefits.

I’d love Rodrigo at the club, Leeds best player, all action with the skills to back up the passion. I fear he will go elsewhere for European football. He will have many offers at that buyout price.

Based on our recent transfer record, I genuinely think that more time, consideration, knowledge and intelligence has gone into this article than anything we have seen from our entire recruitment team in the last decade!

I once contacted the club recommending a player I had spotted playing in Australia's A-League and I received a nice response thanking me, letting me know that they were aware of the player, that they had been impressed by them at a recent U20 tournament, but that they didn't fit what they were looking for at the moment.

I genuinely think this article should be put in front of Thelwell and his team. Alternatively, let's just make Sam Hoare head of recruitment.

Oh and by the way, the lad from Australia turned out to be average at best, so I probably won't be applying to join your team!

This caught my eye! "Right Wing / Midfielder: Other Options: Richarlison (Spurs)"!

I very much doubt we will be signing anyone this summer. In spite of the £40M for Gordon, the £25M for Kean and the £2.5M for John Stones.

Don't forget Mina and Calvert-Lewin cost us £10M plus in wages. So I'm guessing we will be keeping Simms and Cannon.

I have no idea who any of them are but I like the idea of "casting the net wider" at reasonable monies. Anything that breaks the death spiral of buying expensive has-beens from Man Utd et al has to be welcomed.

Well done.

Good stuff.

Why are you and Robert not co directors of football? Seriously, what have the useless, overpaid pack of fuckers who are actually paid to do this stuff done to match this?

Also, what about work permit issues for the foreign players?

Brilliant piece of research, Sam, it shows there is still value out there if you have a proper plan to address the transfer market.

This is really extensive, your knowledge of players is impressive. My realistic hopes are for Gyökeres, Scott, Manning (you've convinced me now I know he's on a free) and either Clarke (with Simms going the other way as part of the deal) or Diallo on loan.

None of these players I've mentioned above will cost the earth but there is a strong British feel to this crop I've suggested and they are gettable. Aside from Gyökeres (who I think will go to Brentford; if so, I would like to see Piroe from Swansea, a Dyche player!) they are all gettable. Scott would cost a pretty penny but would be a good replacement for Onana and with high potential.

As you can see from my list, I am trying to keep my expectations low and realistic. I believe with the sale of Onana we could pick up the above for a net spend of about £10M. Manning could push Mykolenko for a starting birth and that should be the sales pitch as there will be many suitors as he's free.

What I don't want is for us to be in the mix up to the wire for more coveted players (like Wahi or Openda) only to be gazumped or told "thanks but no thanks, Everton" and leaving us up Shit Creek. Sell Onana now to Chelsea, get a loan out of that if possible and get the players in early. This is Everton, so we know we won't do that, of course.

As others may have all ready said, there are other factors affecting our recruitment policy, such as availability of players, notwithstanding competition from rival teams, and also given our finishing position and who would want to come to what appears to be a struggling club at the moment.

I think that we do have a spine in the team upon which we can build, but having witnessed years of failure recruitment wise, then I am not holding my breath with regard to spectacular signings. Maybe, Dyche can see what is needed and recruit wisely to give us a better outlook next season.

Eric@9, yes there are still quotas for home grown players but I don’t think that’s an issue for us currently.

Your second question is very pertinent as just yesterday it was announced that home office were executing new rules to let clubs sign at least 2-4 young foreign players who don’t have necessary work permit points. This should suit clubs like Brighton who have fantastic scouting networks and a setup to integrate foreign youngsters successfully. We should be aiming at something similar.

Sam's lists (and Dyche's shrewd operations on a tiny budget at Burnley) should give us confidence that we can pull together a decent team provided we can field a proper striker.

It also highlights that, once we have steadied the ship, there are excellent prospects out there like Gift Orban who we can afford, and have potential to take us up a level. But that may have to wait until next summer.

Have you ever actually sent them to the club? Not that I'd expect them to listen, like.

The Un-Holy Trinity, i.e. the collective salaries of Gomes, Alli and Gbamin, is still going to cripple us until they are gone (£320K per week until next June, FFS!)

Fingers crossed that we don't have to sell Onana and Pickford while manage to dump 2 of Keane, Holgate & Godfrey (tall task, I have to admit). Otherwise, we can't even outbid Sporting on Gyokeres!

I do think though that if we are not well in the top half at the end of September we are in big trouble.

Arsenal away last game is a worry some of my worst memories following Everton have happened at Highbury / Emirates (see Danny's post above).

Having little money will perhaps hinder and help us: simply no gambling cash available to waste, and a forced change to a realistic tack.

I'm as concerned we don't get plundered for what we do have. Fingers crossed.

I was just then wondering about the whole DOF process when considering the work that went into this article.

One might imagine a fabulous set up of the old and new, with high activity and impressive reach and assessment etc.

I wonder what it's really like?

I’d be shocked if Thelwell and his team were t aware of all these players and many more in between. No doubt there is at least one person at Everton whose full time job it is to write dossiers of this sort with more depth.

The issue for the last few years have been the decisions made upon such research and (perhaps more importantly) the people making those decisions.

Hopefully Kenwright and Moshiri will now be more removed from the process and recruitment decisions will be left to the football people.

I often think that if Moshiri had hired Dan Ashworth (from Brighton, now at Newcastle) instead of Walsh, and entrusted him with all recruitment decisions we’d maybe be a top 4 club by now!!

I cant see us spending money in a full back given goals is more of a priority, particularly with question marks around DCL long term fitness remain.

My expectations are a striker in on loan, Ross Barkley and a cheap free winger.

I actually think we spent the money a bit better last summer (with the obvious exception of Maupay) and Onana, Garner and McNeil all look like good acquisitions.

As for Barkley he does not seem a Dyche player to me and though he managed a couple of goals at Nice his defensive work was non-existent. I’d be very surprised to see him back but who knows?! If he was prepared to take lower wages and convince Dyche that he’d work his socks off he could still have something to add and is able to create and score.

But it won't happen now. We know it won't happen now. It's massive long odds.

I hope we don't sell Onana. We have to build a team rather than buy one, and I can't see how you do that by selling your young players. You have to get something out of them before you sell.

Mind you, what's the plan? Thelwell has survived the last year... so what's the plan for Dyche? What is he tasked with doing? Given we started with Lampard and ended with offers to both Dyche and Bielsa I'd suggest that there was no plan.

If we don't get that stuff right then it won't matter what decisions we make. We'll be relying on luck over judgement. Just as we were when we went out and bought for fun.

Shame, because he could be a star, but he's not at the moment and we've got too much capital tied up in him to wait.

I agree about Onana, not my favourite, I've got to admit.

If we got McTominay and £25M for him from Man Utd, I'd think that was a great bit of business and Sam Hoare might not be adverse to that deal going by his report.

Thanks for your time and hard work, Sam, in putting this post onto ToffeeWeb.

I mean, if Brighton can get around £60M for Cucerella then... bloody Hell!!

As Jim Royle might say: "£35M – my aaaaaarse!"

Obviously it will be better if we can nudge that figure higher, with anything up to £60m being talked about. I suspect in practice it might get to about £42m ish with some further payments contingent on winning titles etc.

Anyway the point isn't profit as such, the point is to make our resources / capital work harder to improve the team.

You and Robert should get some reward for this sort of research and analysis, but you'll have to settle for compliments on ToffeeWeb for now.

The only omission you seem to have made is Akpom at Middlesborough who to me is a good alternative to Gyökeres.

I can't believe you didn't consider him so I wondered why he hadn't made your hit list?

Lauriente and Chaibi interest me as well as Walker-Peters. It did appear we would have to deal Onana to generate funding for other activity. It seems that you believe getting the high wages off the books will be enough to make some moves while largely maintaining stability for Dyche.

If we can just add sensibly to what we’ve got there is a good chance of recovering some lost value in some of our players. That in and of itself would allow an extra move or two in the next windows with Dyche in a much better position to assess what is needed A couple of decent moves by Thelwell and we would possibly be on our way to reputational rehabilitation.

This is a timely and optimistic offering. Thanks again Sam.

I’m sure he could do a decent job for us though at £15m ideally I’d buy someone a little younger or with a more consistent track record. But yes, he probably should have been on the other options list.

I am just waiting for Dyche to be slagged off when he says at the start of the season we have to be cautious because there is no money and our aim is to get to 40 points and anything above that is a bonus.

First and foremost the club needs goals, so one rung down the ladder of importance is getting the right sided forward who can score. Diallo on a loan with an essential option to buy would be good business for that position. I don’t want us to be a schooling players for the Man Utd football factory. Jack Clarke is an alternative , and Thelwell will have someone in mind for this position.

Getting McTominay in to replace Onana seems like an unglamorous move. But he is a tough as anything player who will keep us strong in midfield throughout the season. A solid player who would definitely help us gain that first step of recovery to mid table, and a possible good cup run.

After Kev Thelwell almost signed Kudus last season it’s going to be interesting to see if he has any rabbits to pull off the hat this time round. I wouldn’t bet against it, whether he can actually land his target is another thing altogether!

Gyokeres, Diallo (loan option to buy), McTominay, Manning. Covers the bases, looks realistic and is theoretically achievable.

Stan Mills is going to have a big season ahead of him. I’d like to see him get some real competitive games under his belt for a Championship side. I think he will make the step up.

Whilst it wasn't certain that he had an attitude and commitment problem in the latter stages of his time here, due to the clouding by the Koeman angle and the hamstring operation; almost everything he's done since has underlined his troubles.

Another talented one wasted and essentially finished.

I don't think for one moment that McTominay would come to Everton, probably looking for European football but I think he would do a great job for us. I'd promise him the captaincy, a good contract and pay rise and start him every week.

He's a hard midfielder who chips in with a few goals and would provide us with much-needed leadership on the pitch. I've seen the phrase “a Dyche player” a few times on this thread, and McTominay certainly fits that description for me.

Also I think, James, the Leeds player who was on loan at Fulham would be worth a punt. Can't see him wanting to play in the Championship, and perhaps wouldn't break the bank.

He has got lots of pace, can shoot, and although I think he may be naturally left-footed he did play on the right sometimes at Man Utd. He also looked dangerous on the ball when he played for Fulham against us at Goodison last season.

Just saying!

That clearly took time and effort to provide some interesting insights.

I like to consider myself to have a good handle on players and which markets to look at, but you and Robert take it to another level.

Let's remove the final remaining thorn in the side, get the investment in, chin off the Premier League's investigation and the supposed threat of legal action and see where we go in the transfer market.

We do need a left-back, two forwards who know where the goals are and someone to play on the right.

Defence wasnt a problem, creativity and scoring goals was.
You can forget McTominay he wont want to sign for us period.
It would be a mistake to sell Pickford, but if the lad wants to leave so be it.

I trust Dyche to know what players he needs but they have to want to sign for us, you cant always get who you want.

What's significant is that they are exactly what Dyche would go for, no Hollywood or has been, and just as importantly minimal cost or greater sell on expectation. Good teams can be fashioned from the pick of these and from what I can see, many would seriously consider joining the club, something that we can no longer take for granted.

The difference between 10th place and outside chance of Europe is more strength in depth at minimal cost, and a pair of decent but similar strikers. Well done, Sam.

Besides that, I wouldn’t worry about losing Onana for the 2024 AFCON unless Belgium are being invited as some sort of colonial guest team.

Somehow I don't think so.

Mind you this is Everton.

But I fear many on your list are out of our reach. So... you know me, I'm always going to nominate some less expensive North Americans.

For striker: Santiago Gimenez of Mexico and Feyenoord (age 22, 17 goals), new USA signing Folarin Balogun of Arsenal (age 21, 21 goals on loan at Reims, likely available on loan) and Jesus Ferreira, USA and Dallas (age 22, 10 in 18 so far this season).

For midfield: Hany Muktar, Nashville, age 28, stunning statistics -- in his last 75 games he's put up 49 goals and 27 assists.

PS... for those in the USA, Balogun and Gimenez will be on display tonight against each other. USA/Mexico, CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, 10 EDT.

Ferreira I thought seemed a bit small to play ST for Dyche, perhaps he could do a job at RW but has not played there before. And Muktar has incredible stats but it would be unusual to take a 28 year old from the MLS. Wonder how much he’d be?

I mentioned Balogun I think. Cracking player but I think Arsenal will be looking to sell for £30m+ if they can, which probably rules us out.

He may have had a crap season at Chelsea, but he's having an otherworldly first half against Mexico. Dominant player on the pitch and nobody else is close.

Get the money from the sale of the useless players. Davies, Holgate, Gomes, Alli ( although I think he is still a player).

We should sell Pickford – good shot-stopper but too many flaws for a keeper, he seems to make the backline nervous.

At this point in time and where we are as a club I see Onana as a luxury player and would have been a good addition had we been chasing for a european position in the league. He does not represent the profile and type of player in what we require right now and going forward over the next couple of seasons which will be solidifying mid table.

Take the money from him and rebuild. As for people suggesting sell the likes of Gomes, Holgate, Gbamin etc. Who are we selling to? You need a buyer. There is a reason why we haven't moved these players on in the past, no one wants them on a permanent deal along with there inflated salaries. We haven't shifted them in the past and it's unlikely they will move on comanding a fee unless it's out on loan or running down there contracts.

With Calvert-Lewin in the team, we looked like a top-half team at times, and we've got to replicate that formula somehow – the gotcha is how do we pay for the always-fit striker, of course.

Perhaps Maupay and Holgate sales could generate enough for Gyökeres or Boniface, or we just take a chance on Dembele or Rodrigo and give Cannon and Simms more chances too.

Outside of that I think Iwobi is key too. I doubt there's a long-term deal there, and suspect a swansong year with him leaving on a free next year. I'd ask him to stick in that right-midfield role and hope the shop window is incentive for more good form.

A loan to compete with him on the right-back, and a natural and experienced left-back cover to allow Samuels-Smith his loan year and I reckon that's good… then it's stock up on U23s.

GK - Pickford / Tyrer / Virginia
RB - Patterson / Coleman
CB - Tarkowski / Keane / Welch
CB - Branthwaite / Godfrey
LB - Mykolenko / Experienced Cover
RM - Iwobi / Exciting Loan
CM - Garner / Gana
CM - Onana / Doucoure
LM - McNeil / Gray
ST - Calvert-Lewin / Cannon
ST - Gyökeres / Simms

A back up keeper may be a problem… hasn't Tyrer been playing at Chester? Certainly not ready for the first team.

Thanks for the link to Tom Cannon at Preston NE, how on Earth didn't he get to start before Maupay? Wasn't he back here after his loan and, as our player, able to play? He certainly looks the part.

It's Rumoured that Onana has a 20% sell-on clause.

Can we afford to be without Gueye, Iwobi and the Doucouré? I certainly don t think so.

The top clubs have more players and can shuffle the pack.

And all this talk of "I only want to play for clubs in Europe". Nah, I want to play for the club which will pay me the most. Moses Caicedo is prepared to go to not-playing-in-Europe Chelsea and leave playing-in-Europe Brighton.

However, I don't see the point of paying for a Robles or a Lonergan taking up wages, personally. I recon Tyrer already has equal skills on the pitch. The mentality will come from training every day with the first team.

What are the chances of getting Richarlison back on loan?

Loans and loans-to-buys are the road for me. We can't afford any more expensive gambles that don't pay off.

Some up-and-coming players are needed, as the exit list again next summer is significant:

Virginia
Doucouré
Iwobi
Alli
Gomes
Gbamin
Gueye
Gray
Simms
Lonergan
Coleman
Davies

After next summer, Everton could be a 5-a-side team at this rate...

I think our chances of getting Richarlison on loan would be incredibly slim to be honest. Spurs have a new manager and for Richarlison, I think a move back to us so soon might feel like an admission of failure. Maybe next summer if he has another bad season.

Have no doubts we are shopping in the bargain bucket section.

I don't rate Walker Peters either. Bombed out of Spurs when they have awful full backs, he wasn't doing well at Southampton either and was replaced by Liveramento & Perraud. For me, he's a pretty poor player, and I would be disappointed if we signed either I have to say.

Both would represent classic Everton signings, in having Premier League Experience – but being rubbish. There are better players overseas for sure.

Id like to see 2 strikers, 1 right winger, a back-up keeper and left back that starts. I'd move on Simms, Maupay, Gomes and Keane.

I haven't seen enough of Beto to form an opinion as to whether he's good enough.

Gyokeres contract expires in 2024, so again his fee should be reasonable, just whether he's good enough

Ndiaye – out of contract in 2024, you could get him cheap from Sheffield United.

Doku - I think he would be sensational. Deal finishes in 2025, they are running out of summers to get a decent fee for him. A similar deal to Onana would be good business.

Dembele - Free
Morelos - Free

Loans
James Justin - Leicester
Lewis Hall - Chelsea
Maatsen - Chelsea
Broja - Chelsea
Fofana - Chelsea
Diallo - United
Sarr - Watford loan to buy - again deal runs out in 2024.

AMN hasn't been great at Soton but then it's pretty hard when you're on loan to a poor team that keeps changing manager. He's only 25.

Equally KWP is no world beater but I wouldn't see either being first XI players necessarily. We need a few squad players who don't cost much and can cover a few positions and beggars can't be choosers! I think PL experience in squad players like that can be invaluable.

I love Doku and Ndiaye but I'm not sure either would be cheap. Talented players for sure.

I wouldn't want Morelos personally.

And that's a good loan list though last summer it seems we were partly screwed over waiting to see if Chelsea would sell/loan us Broja. Pochettino will want time to run rule over his many players so I'd be wary of relying too much on a Chelsea loan.

Creativity and goals is what we are lacking surely?

He well-earned his wack-job reputation with six red cards in two seasons, but maturity appears to have set in -- he hadn't had one since 2020 until he got one last August (I looked it up on YouTube and it was a swinging arm worth a yellow, not a red).

Yeah, he might turn out to be another Maupay, but I think he's worth a shot.

We currently have no senior cover or competition at left-back.

He would definitely tick a few boxes for me. Any buys or loans from the likes of Chelsea would be expecting high (London) wages and please no Man Utd rejects although if Kenwright is gone that may not materialize.

Nobody despises the Man Utd more than I do, but I wouldn't dismiss anyone based on the shirt they used to wear.

Agreed on Harrison, he's a talent and a "gamer" I'd like to have.

Kyle Walker-Peters would be reasonable full-back cover, but could cost about £15M. We should only be recruiting this sort of player for free or on loan.

There are dozens and dozens of players at his level who would be no more than £2.5M.

Otherwise we just rob ourselves of the money we need to spend on a quality forward to share the load with Calvert-Lewin and, in my view, a quality centre-back to replace Mina.

I'd have been very pleased if we'd have got him on a free. Although I don't think he'd be a nailed on starter ahead of what looks to be our preferred trio of Gueye, Garner and Doucoure.

It says a lot that Godfrey was preferred there than Vinagre so there is no point bringing another loanee in to cover that. I'd rather we gave a young left-back a go from the academy. I'd rather use the loans for a striker and someone creative.

I do like Harrison, he certainly can play but I think he is too similar to McNeil so I can't see us buying him. We need some proper pace, don't we?

I just hope we can work some magic and unearth some gems. There must be some in the Man City and Chelsea youth set-ups we could pinch.

If Mykolenko got a bad injury the week after the window closes, we are in trouble.

Well pointed out. I do rate Garner highly but I think we struck lucky there.

I wonder if we could get Fulham to swap Demarai Gray for Antonee Robinson? That would definitely sort out our left-back issue.

I knew we had a good one in him. Just knew it. Sold him for peanuts. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

That said, I may be in the minority here but I don't think we have an issue at left-back. I like Mykolenko a lot after less than 50 games at top level, and I believe he will grow into an excellent player.

Hypothetical question: Would you swap Mykolenko for Robinson?

(I would snap Fulham's arm off!)

The real Gem I reckon is Samuels-Smith, but gotta a) find a good loan for him and b) give Mykolenko some real competition this year to push him on to be the player I agree he can become.

Defo not a position we need to blow £20M on.

In my opinion, signing Morales would be a disaster. He still got booked in most games he's played this season. Beale even got fed up of his indiscipline and attitude, and if he can't control himself against mediocre teams in Scotland, apart from his embarrassing exhibitions against Celtic, he's no chance here.

I've watched him plenty of times, I'm a big hoops fan, it took him 13 attempts to score his first goal, and in 6 seasons, he's scored 2 goals again Celtic. He's no upgrade on Maupay.

So the cut price release fee is what? £10M? Would be a very good buy at or near that price. I can see Dyche being interested in Harrison, Gyökeres, McTominay.

I agree on both counts. I thought we were crazy to let him go but I still think we need competition for Mykolenko and more cover at the back having let Mina and Coady go and based on Godfrey's performances since his covid and injury-related absences.

I would have also liked to get Pulisic but I'm afraid he is beyond our reach or appeal, such is how far we have fallen.

Still nothing from the owner; you would expect that, if a whole board resign, the owner would have made some kind of statement, even if it was just a holding statement.

I fear, even with new people on the board, that this club will never move forward till Moshiri has gone, and that doesn't look like it will happen for a few years yet.

Ha ha, opinions, eh!

He's highly rated, but has legs made out of Weetabix.

But it's true – full-back can't be our priority.

I think every deal we do this summer is likely to depend on price and payment structure.

It may be for example that Beto at £25M with Udinese prepared to take £5M per season is more attractive than Gyökeres at £20M if Coventry want it all up front.

Traditionally, I think someone at Everton (Kenwright) has assumed that better deals can be had later in the window but I think that has shown to be risky thinking at the best. Ideally, we'd move early and give Dyche as many options as possible to hone through pre-season but that seems unlikely.

Lose points in the opening 8, and it'll be very hard to turn around.

Only issue is recent injuries but, if he's past that (and assuming you could get him at a cut-rate price), he'd be the first option I'd go after for a midfielder.

But having seen both many times, I can tell you that Mykolenko is much superior defensively. Jedi still has major positional issues. Mexico attacked him relentlessly last night with long diagonal balls, and not without success. Mykolenko never gets caught out of position on those, or anything else for that matter. Unfortunately he'll never be more than ordinary in attack.

Christy #99, cheers. You've seen him many more times than I have, so I'll take your word.

Andrew #107 and Robert #108, I despise that dirty legbreaker and the sight of him in our shirt would turn my stomach. Virtually every USA fan feels the same. The coward subsequently "missed" every Man Utd summer tour in the US because he knew what was waiting for him. No.

At Fulham, Robinson has the benefit of Palhinha operating as a screening midfielder to allow the full-backs to play more adventurously. Like Fabinho with the attacking fullbacks at Liverpool.

We have no defensive screen midfield player and have mistakenly used Allan and Gueye in that position for the past few years. Onana should develop into that position but he's not there yet.

We also had a brief glimpse of what it's like to have a decent centre-back when Mina stepped in for the final few games. Better organisation, better passing out of defence, better defensive line. He will be a big miss next season.

If Dyche can find a centre-back with Mina's qualities and sort out the structure of the midfield, then Mykolenko will start looking like a much more accomplished left-back. Patterson will find it easier too.

I don't mind having a scone with the right ingredients on top, quality jam, clotted cream.

Along with the salient points that Robert makes above it also depends upon formation and risk aversion due to the overall strength of the team and squad. Mykolenko maybe a simple and honest player but he will allow McNeil to express himself a bit more next season. There is a sort of balance there between them.

The right side of the 4-2-3-1 (which is what we will be playing next season with Doucouré as a fixture behind Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Gyökeres or whoever). The right-side attacking midfielder is more important for our recruitment than worrying about the left-back situation.

Iwobi doesn't really cut it for me there, and maybe best as a deputy for Doucouré, or for this new right-sided attacker.

With Patterson being blooded fully next season, I think we have to be more measured in our choice for this position to retain some defensive support for Patterson. I think a player like Jack Harrison could be a good fit and give us that balance.

Personally I am excited by the prospect of a back four of Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite and Patterson next season. With Coleman, a new left-back, Godfrey and Keane providing back-up.

Agree also that the purchase of a right midfielder or winger is a must. I like Harrison though thought he was a lefty? Anyway, there are options out there. Iwobi flatters to deceive out wide, with us playing one up front (Gyökeres please!) then Iwobi could really get a chance playing in his favoured position, he can fight it out with Doucouré.

The concern for all of us of course is that we won't sign anyone of merit and we'll be late doing it as well. What a shite state of affairs, it's so deflating, year-in & year-out.

A display of what positions Jack Harrison has played in over the last 50 matches including his average matchrating on the specific position.

POSITIONS APPS AVERAGE RATING
Attacking Midfielder (Left) 22 -
Attacking Midfielder (Right) 12 -
Attacking Midfielder (Centre) 8 -
Midfielder (Left) 3 -
Forward (Left) 2 -
Midfielder (Centre) 2 -
Defensive Midfielder (Left) 1 -

Robert, Tony, Steve; I hear what you say about Mykolenko but I honestly am not convinced he's even that strong defensively. We'll see. Maybe I'd like him more if he hadn't cost £17M. Seems like way too much for what we got.

The type of players that we should not be going for are the late 20s-30s who have Premier League experience and no other qualities.

Our best signings over the years have been Championship gems and young, relatively unknown talents from abroad (similar to what Brighton do now), ie, Arteta, Pienaar, and Cahill, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines from the Championship. None cost a lot of money but were bought at exactly the right time.

Personally, Gyökores is my first choice for a striker, with Dembele on a free for back-up. Both are a risk but, between them and Calvert-Lewin having a few games whenever he's fit, we'll have goals.

In terms of a winger, there are options around that are much better than Gray. If McNeil keeps his form up from the second half of last season, we've got a 10-goal-a-season winger which is perfect for where we are right now.

Another centre-back is a must for me. Branthwaite is not guaranteed to be ready yet and, if he's not, then it's Keane, Holgate or Godfrey and we know the results of that already.

The hardest position for me is a creative midfelder. They're expensive and normally recognised pretty early in their careers. I doubt we'll get one of any significance this year. Iwobi, despite his critics, creates well from the wing but we need something else in midfield in the mould of Doucouré as, in the last few seasons, we hardly score from midfield.

Some interesting shouts about Mykolenko. Personal opinion but I honestly think he needs replacing. Defensively he gets a good tackle in but honestly his positioning is really really poor. On the occasion he gets forward, his cross hits the first man most of the time and he takes 5-6 touches just to pass the ball. At 24, he's not going to cut it for us and reality is, if he gets injured, we have no left-back.

Right-back we're okay for now. Between Patterson and Coleman, we should be sorted there. The reality is Coleman does need replacing but we've got other priorities to sort first.

Overall, there's a lot of work to be done and, before any of that starts, we need to sell which is going to be even more difficult. Onana is gone already for me. He gives us £50-60M that we need and it is in centre-midfield where we have the healthiest options (despite not being the best) in Garner, Gana, Doucouré and Iwobi for now.

Excellent article, Sam, and some good names on here too. Thoroughly enjoyed it, mate.

I like the idea of exchanging Onana for McTominay plus one of Diallo or Elanga on loan plus some cash to fund the purchase of Gyökeres. I would also sell Godfrey if possible to raise some additional funds.

Hopefully, if Lewis Gibson accepts the contract extension, he is a much better footballer than Godfrey, and we would have decent cover for left-side centre-back.

Sam, what do you think of Lewis O'Brien, who is on loan at DC United from Nottingham Forest due to an unfortunate bungling of his paperwork to go on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window? We might be able to get him cheaply or on loan.

The strongest starting XI when everyone is fit and available:

Calvert-Lewin
McNeil Doucouré Garner
Gueye McTominay
Mykolenko Branthwaite Tarkowski Patterson
Pickford

With a backup squad of:
Virginia, [backup keeper on loan]
Keane, Holgate, Gibson
Coleman, [cheap or free left-back signing]
Davies, O'Brien
Gray, Diallo, Iwobi, Alli (?)
Gyökeres, Cannon, Simms

West Ham make move to sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite

Everyone has an opinion and they can be very varied but I have always said that games are won and lost in the midfield area where Everton have failed miserably in most games over the last few seasons.

Possession is the name of the game and Everton still give it up easily and have a hard time getting it back even against teams like Bournemouth.

Dyche may get this problem solved next season with the players he has but it may prove difficult.

In the likelihood that no money is available for the class player we need in that area (à la Peter Reid) or a striker then the struggle will continue.

It will be quite a task when the big clubs get stronger with the endless investment they have injected in them and the clubs with small bank accounts have to hope that miracles happen.

The Top Six will again be the Top Six and the rest will be chasing as usual.

Some comments that Branthwaite mightn't be ready,? After a season in Holland and playing in Europe, he's as ready as he'll ever be!

And the good thing is that he's a left-sided centre-back, which will give us more balance, and he's tall and quick.

Regarding Mykolenko, in my opinion, he's a lot better in a back four, and the big problem with Patterson, he's too injury prone.

I'm not sure if you're aware that I posted a few days ago that I had received very credible information that Branthwaite was due to meet with Sean Dyche to discuss his position at Everton.

It seems that this meeting may now have taken place, or will do very soon, according to the red echo anyway, although it doesn't give us any clues as to the outcome of the meeting:

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