The transfer window opens this week and after another tight escape many Evertonians will hope that we can bring in some quality to help avoid our third tight relegation battle in a row. Many expect that there will be minimal funds to spend and they may well be right but much will depend on incoming investment being secured and monies raised through player trading with Pickford and Onana the most valuable assets to be linked with moves away.
Personally I think both will still be here next season and that we have a little more FFP headway than some imagine thanks to healthy sales from Richarlison, Gordon and Kean in the last 12 months. Some of our bigger net spends will soon be dropping off the FFP 5 year tally which may give us some more freedom though available cash will depend on the outlook for Moshiri and new investors. I’m thinking we might have at least £20-30m to spend with more if we can sell players.
But which areas do we concentrate on for recruitment? I think 99% of Evertonians would probably say that a new attacker is the priority and I imagine this is where the majority of the any transfer funds will go. A first pick striker to play instead of or alongside the sadly unreliable Calvert-Lewin, but also a right-winger as Gray, McNeill and Iwobi all prefer to play on the left. Arguably there are upgrades needed in all areas, except goalkeeper perhaps, but I think full back is where we also lack real depth. Ideally we’d be buying 21-25 year olds who have proven they can mix it but have their best years and good resale value ahead of them. With some more practical cheaper options thrown in. Let's looks at some options.
Striker
A fit and sharp Calvert-Lewin would be a perfect striker for Dyche but the last two seasons have shown this cannot be relied upon. Maupay has proven ineffectual and is better playing off another striker and Simms and Cannon are not ready yet in my opinion to be first pick for a PL team. So we are looking ideally for a physical striker who can lead the line, hold up the ball but also score 10+ goals per season.
BETO (25, Udinese)
Strong, tall and fast; Beto is probably one of the most similar replacements you will find for Calvert-Lewin. He scored 10 goals in 23 matches this season and 11 in 24 matches last season. He cost Udinese only £8m but they are reportedly looking for nearer £30m to sell him, which may be beyond us. He's had one or two injury problems.
VICTOR GYOKERES (25, Coventry)
The Swede had an impressive season in the Championship with 21 goals and 12 assists from 47 matches. He’s able to play out wide as well as centrally and is decent running with the ball as well as creating for others as his assists show. He’s 6 ft2 though probably better with ball on the ground than in the air. He may not be a top 6 player but would seem an ideal signing for lots of mid-table PL teams. His contract is up soon so in theory shouldn’t cost more than £15m but a bidding war might push that up.
VICTOR BONIFACE (22, Union St Gilloise)
Boniface is a big, strong lad who managed 24 goals and 9 assists in 56 games this season including being top scorer in the Europa with 6 goals in 9. At 22 he’s obviously got some developing to do but he’s quick and powerful with surprisingly good feet and vision. He’d be much cheaper and we could probably get him for around £10. At best he might be the next Victor Osimhen and at worst he might be the next Victor Anichebe (who I quite liked an would do ok under Dyche!) I’d like to see us getting a few players before they move to the major leagues and he could fit the bill.
TEREM MOFFI (24, Nice)
Another big Nigerian who can score. Moffi has managed 40 goals in 100 matches in the last few seasons in France for fairly average teams like Nice and Lorient. He’s quicker than Boniface though not quite so powerful. He seems to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time and is a hard worker. Nice have only just bought him for around £18m so it’s doubtful whether they’d want to part with him but perhaps a quick profit might entice them.
JONATHAN DAVID (23, Lille), LOIS OPENDA (23, Lens), ELYE WAHI (20, Montpellier)
David scored an impressive 24 goals in 36 matches this year for Lille and is one of a trio of exciting young forwards in France, along with Lois Openda (21 goals in 29) and Elye Wahi (19 goals in 29), who would make dynamic additions to Everton’s forward line. Perhaps you might throw Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun into that mix too. The trouble is that all of these players will probably cost £35m+ and are likely out of our range at this moment (unless we make a big sale). None of them are great in the air though Wahi is a decent height and at 20 could grow into a more physical specimen.
TASOS DOUVIKAS (23, Utrecht)
The big Greek was top scorer in the Eredivisie this year with 19 goals in 24 matches, which is a good return when playing for the team that finished 7th. He’s 6 ft 1 and does well in the air but is also pretty quick over the ground. It would be a big step up of course but he’s shown he knows where the goal is and has the right raw materials. Rangers amongst other have been linked with him and he’s available for £8m so could be a good option if we wanted to spend more elsewhere.
RODRIGO (32, Leeds)
He wouldn’t be on my list if it were not for a supposed relegation clause of £3.5m. Given our need to be prudent that could be a sensible move for a player who managed 15 goals for Leeds last year. He’s a hard worker and could play in a few positions. Not sure I’d want him as my main striker option but he could be a short-term fix that doesn’t cost the world (if the release clause is true!).
GIFT ORBAN (20, Gent)
An intriguing player who has lit up Belgium recently with 23 goals in 24 games. He’s not the biggest or strongest so is probably not what Dyche is looking for but he’s a really natural goal scorer and looks a real talent. I think whichever team splashes out the £15-20m required to get him could well double their money in a few years time. One to watch.
OTHER OPTIONS: Piroe (Swansea), Okafor (Salzburg), Nicolas Jackson (Villareal), Bilal Toure (Almeria), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg), Mikautadze (Metz), Iheanacho (Leicester), Ramos (Benfica), Dembele (Lyon- now free)
DREAM ( probably unrealistic): Rasmus Hojland (Atlanta)
Right Wing/Midfielder
After releasing Andros Townsend we now have NO natural right wingers in the first team. Iwobi has done ok there but is better from the left or ideally centrally and Stanley Mills looks a great prospect but probably needs a loan in the Championship to develop further. Ideally we need someone who can work hard and do the defensive graft Dyche requires, whilst also having pace and energy to get forward and someone who can score and create a few. Quite a big ask!!
MARCUS EDWARDS (24, Sporting Lisbon)
The ex Spurs wide man had another good season in Lisbon with 11 goals and 8 assists. After 5 years in Portugal he may decide he wants a return home and at 24 he should still have his best years ahead of him. A great dribbler and able to both score and create though he’s not the biggest and could struggle with the physicality of the PL.
BRENNAN JOHNSON (22, Nottingham Forest)
The young Welshman and long term Everton target took to the PL like a duck to water with 8 goals and 3 assists helping to keep Forest up. He’s quick and tricky but also works pretty hard and is not easy to push off the ball. Would be a great player under Dyche but sadly I can’t see Forest parting with him for less than £35m which likely rules him out.
PATRICK WIMMER (22, Wolfsburg)
The young Austrian managed a decent 4 goals and 8 assists in 23 games this season. He’s a pretty complete midfielder able to dribble, shoot and pass whilst also not shirking the defensive side of the game and at 6 ft he should be able to mix it in the PL. If we could get him for around £15m I think it would be good business and he’d suit Dyche well.
JACK CLARKE (22, Sunderland), AMAD DIALLO (20, Sunderland)
Clarke really found his feet at Sunderland this season and managed an impressive 9 goals and 12 assists, testament to his ability to both shoot and create with good movement and vision. He’s 6 ft and decent in the air which helps and his defensive work was good last season. He’d probably cost around £15-20m but is primarily a left winger so may not the ideal target. His teammate Amad Diallo was the outstanding young right winger in the league and returned 14 goals and 3 assists in 29 matches. Might be a loan option from United if we want to spend funds elsewhere.
JADON SANCHO (23, Manchester United)
Talking of loans from Manchester United it’s hard to see Jadon Sancho wanting to stay there next season. He’s struggled for 2 seasons now but there’s still a player in there and perhaps both he and United could be tempted by a season out on loan. I’m not sure we’d get a reasonable buy option in there and usually I’m against such deals but if we need to spend our pennies elsewhere it could be an intriguing option.
GABRIEL STREFEZZA (26, Lecce)
A less glamorous option but the Brazilian is an underrated gem who works extremely hard and still managed 8 goals and 4 assists for unfancied Lecce this season. He’s quick across the ground and can pass and shoot well, though he’s not the biggest he’s pretty tough and wins a good amount of his duels.
ARMAND LAURIENTE (24, Sassuolo)
One of the best dribblers in Europe statistically Lauriente has managed 8 goals and 6 assists this season though his form dipped towards the end. He would be fun to watch and beats his men with ease whilst hitting the ball well and possessing decent vision. He’s not the best defensively but does enough and is a great out ball with his ability to beat the press. Sassuolo bought him for £9m last summer and would probably want double that.
FARES CHAIBI (20, Toulouse)
Excellent young Algerian who at only 20 was one of the best players for Toulouse this season. He works extremely hard and also managed 5 goals and 5 assists for a limited team. He’s 6 foot and though not rapid has good ball control and a burst of place to take him beyond players, as such his dribbling style is a little like Dwight McNeill and he has a comparable work ethic. Would go down well at Goodison I think and wouldn’t cost more than £10m I don’t reckon.
OTHER OPTIONS: Richarlison (Spurs), Harrison/Aaronson (Leeds), Weah (Lille), Pulisic (Chelsea), Thuram (MGB), Tresor (Genk), Gouiri (Rennes), Sarr (Watford), Isakson (Midjitland), Tsygankov (Girona), Barnes (Leicester), Thierry Correia (Valencia), Jonathan Bamba (Lille- now free), Le Fee (Lorient)
DREAM (probably unrealistic): Dominik Szoboszlai (Leipzig)
Left-Back/Full-Back Cover
We really struggled with our lack of full back options at the end of the season and go into next season with only one senior left back in Mykolenko who has done ok but is unlikely to contribute much going forwards. It could be that Dyche uses Godfey as a defensive full back in tough games but it seems an area we could definitely use strengthening in. The likes of Ishe Samuels-Smith and Eli Campbell (more of a CB) could get a few minutes but we need more.
RYAN MANNING (26, Swansea)
The Irishman was probably the best left back in the championship last season and managed an impressive 5 goals and 10 assists from left back, veritably Baines-esque. Clearly he is useful on the ball but also has good defensive numbers too though he’s not the best in the air. Handily he’s out of contract this summer so wouldn’t cost a thing and probably won’t want huge wages either. A few Championship clubs (including Leeds) are after him but I reckon he deserves a shot at the PL and would be a low risk, low cost option.
IAN MAATSEN (21, Chelsea)
The other contender for best LB in the Championship, Maatsen was impressive on loan to Burnley and managed 4 goals and 6 assists. Like Manning he’s better going forward than defensively but does pretty well holding attacks off and at only 21 has a lot of time to learn. He’s 5 ft 6 so not fantastic in the air. Burnley want him back but Chelsea are asking for £15m+ which would probably rule us out of the running which is a shame as he’s a cracking young talent.
KYLE WALKER-PETERS (26, Southampton)
KWP has not had the best season after being relegated with a porous Southampton but he’s always caught my eye as a tidy and hard working player. He doesn’t create a huge amount but has 10 assists in 100 odd appearances for Southampton and Spurs. Crucially he is comfortable at left back and right back and so could offer us some useful versatility. If Southampton were to make him available at a good price it could make sense.
FABIANO PARISI (22, Empoli)
Probably the best young left back in Italy. He’s solid defensively, both on ground and in the air and was Empoli’s best player last year. He’s not amazing going forward but did manage 2 goals in Serie A. He may be too similar to Mykolenko in profile but is 2 years younger than the Ukrainian and could end up being better. Inter are rumoured to be interested and a price tag of £13m has been mooted.
QUILINDSCHY HARTMAN (21, Feyenoord) and MILOS KERKEZ (19, Alkmaar)
The two best left backs in the Eredivise, Hartman and Kerkez both look like very interesting prospects. Kerkez is possibly the greater talent but Hartman looks very well suited to the PL and is 6 ft 1 with pace and power to spare; he’s good on the ball too and managed 2 goals and 4 assists in 21 matches this season and has replaced Malacia effectively. Either would probably need a little time to settle in and would possibly be an understudy for Mykolenko rather than a replacement but both look youngsters with great potential.
CARLOS AUGUSTO (24, Monza)
The Brazilian has had an impressive season for lowly Monza managing 6 goals and 5 games though he has played more as a wingback. He seems a very complete full back able to compete physically at 6 ft whilst also dribble, pass and shoot. He’s a good crosser but also can pass the ball into the area and has a good long throw. A good age for recruitment I think and Nottingham Forest are apparently looking at him too. Would cost around £8m, which seems good value.
JOSH DOIG (21, Verona)
A Scotsman playing in Italy! And doing pretty well. Doig is 6 ft 2 and would well end up as a CB but he is quick over the ground and very hard working. He may sound like a Godfrey-esque option but he’s actually pretty great at dribbling and using the ball and managed 2 goals and 3 assist in his 20 appearances. He was unspectacular with Hibernian the season before so maybe he should not be judged on this season alone but looks an interesting talent who certainly works hard and covers the ground. Wouldn’t cost upwards of £8m I don’ t think.
OTHER OPTIONS: Luca Netz (BMG), Quentin Merlin (Nantes), Adrien Truffert (Rennes), Miguel Guttierez (Girona), David Raum (Leipzig), Brandon Williams (Manchester United), Sergi Gomez (Manchester City), Aaron Martin (Mainz- now free), Juan Miranda (Betis), Luke Thomas (Leeds), Leif Davis (Ipswich), Maffeo (Mallorca).
DREAM (probably unrealistic): Fran Garcia (Vallecano)(already agreed move to Barca I think.
Central Midfielders
It’s an area where we are fairly well stocked but if we sell Onana (and assuming Dyche doesn’t see first team potential in Alli or Gomes) then it is a place where we may have to recruit once more. Arguably we still lack a natural DMC and could probably use some more goals and assists coming from midfield too. Iwobi, Gueye, Doucoure and Garner are all likely to feature and all of them have done well under Dyche for the most part so it may not be a priority even if we sell Onana.
ELLYES SKHIRI (28, FC Koln)
I owe Robert Tressell for bringing my attention to this one. He’s been very solid at Koln for a few seasons now but is available this summer on a free transfer and would probably not expect huge wages. He’s an incredibly hard worker and covers a lot of ground (apparently he’s run 393km in 32 games this season). He wins a lot of balls in the middle but is also a decent passer and chips in with a fair few goals, managing 7 this season to go with 4 last season and 5 the season before. At 28 he’s a player for the short term but would look a very affordable replacement for Onana if we sold him.
JOEY VEERMAN (24, PSV)
People will be sniffing round Sangare at PSV this summer once more but arguably his midfield partner is the better player. Veerman is brilliant on the ball and has managed 11 assists to go with his 9 goals this season. Not bad when playing mostly at DMC! He’s not the fastest and perhaps people might be worried that he’d be another Davvy Klaassen but he’s bigger and stronger and makes a decent amount of tackles and interceptions though he’s better with the ball than off it.
FABIAN RIEDER (21, Young Boys)
The dynamic young Swiss midfielder sometimes plays further forward but could easily drop back. He’s got a good engine but can also do a bit of everything really. He managed 9 goals this season and at 21 looks set to become the next Granit Xhaka and potentially a bit better. It would be a risk taking a player straight from the weaker Swiss league and he probably wouldn’t cost less than £12m but this lad is the sort of hard working, complete player that I think we should be targeting.
SCOTT McTOMINAY (26, Manchester United)
McTominay has been linked and is probably better than most people would want to believe. He’s 6 ft3 but covers ground very well and wins a lot of ball in the middle, he’s not the best passer but can dribble out of space and is very hard to get round or past. He’ strong in the air and has managed 7 goals this year for club and country. We’ve been linked to him in the event we sell Onana and I wouldn’t expect him to cost less than £20-25m. I think there might be better options out there for that fee but whoever gets him will get a very solid, reliable player.
GUSTAVO HAMER (25, Coventry)
The Brazilian was one of the best central midfielders in the Championship last year and managed an impressive 9 goals and 11 assists. He’s pretty non-stop and makes a good amount of tackles too covering ground pretty good and with seemingly endless stamina. It should be noted that his pass accuracy last year was only 68% but he clearly had license to try the harder passes. And with great effect and he scores highly for both progressive passes and dribbles. He wouldn’t be that expensive and we could probably do worse than try Coventry with a double package for Hamer and Gyokeres who seemed to work well together. 2-for-1 deal?
MATS WIEFER (23, Feyenoord)
The best young DMC in the Eredivisie last year, Wiefer looks super impressive in his stats; scoring in the top 20% (in his position) across Europe for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, successful dribbles, tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerial wins. Sorry if that sounds geeky but it’s unusual to see a player who does so well both with and without the ball. Yes it was just one season and yes it was in Holland but he looks an interesting player who’s just been called into the Dutch team for the first time. He’s 6 ft 2 and pretty strong so should be able to hack it in the PL.
AZOR MATUSIWA (25, Reims)
Something of an underrated gem Matusiwa has been solid for a few years at Groningen before moving to Reims the season before last and doing well in Ligue 1. He’s a more traditional ball winner and makes a lot of interceptions, which I like. He doesn’t get forward a huge amount and has only managed a handful of assists in the last few years but he passes the ball accurately and progressively which is all you really need I feel from a DMC who wins the ball a lot. He would probably cost less than £10m so could be a cheaper but experienced option.
DION LOPY (21, Reims)
One of the better young midfielders in France last year was Matusiwa’s partner Dion Lopy. The young Senegalese midfielder is 6ft 1 and quick across the ground which helps account for the high number of tackles, interceptions and blocks that he makes. But he’s a bit better with the ball than his senior teammate and carries and passes the ball well, even though he only managed one assist last year. He’s only 21 and could develop into a very solid PL player. Probably cost around £10-15m.
OTHER OPTIONS: Martel (FC Koln), Hackney (Middlesborough), Krauss (Schalke), Dominguez (Bologna), Samed (Lens), Jashiri (Lucern), Ederson (Atalanta), Onyedika (Brugge), Sow (Franfurt), Fernandes (Besiktas), Bissouma (Spurs), Zakaria (Juventus).
DREAM (probably unrealistic): Kephren Thuram (Nice)
Youngsters
Sadly with finances stretched its hard to see us investing too much in younger player who may need a few years out on loan to be ready for first team duties. This is what Brighton do so well and why they will have players ready to step in the moment they sell the likes of Caciedo this summer. But here are a few prodigies around the world I have heard good things about. Some would be relatively cheap and some would cost our whole transfer budget!!
Wonderkids:
Omar Campos (LB at Santos Laguna), Zaire-Emery (DMC at PSG), Vermeeren (MC at Antwerp), Rayan Cherki (RW at Lyon), Roony Bardghji (RB at Kobenhavn), Alex Scott (CM at Bristol City), Alejo Veliz (ST at Rosario central), Ousmane Diomande (CB at Sporting Lisbon). Arder Guler (CAM at Fenerbhace), Gianluca Prestianni (Velez Sarsfield), Stipe Biuk (Los Angeles FC), Pafundi (CAM at Udinese), Diego Gomez (CM at Club Libertad), Rieder (CM at Young Boys), Lamine Yamal (RW at Barcelona), Raihani (ST at Athletico Madrid), Almugera Kabar (LB at Dortmund), Dennis Siemen (GK at Stuttgart).
I could go on but I’m flagging!!
This Summer
Even if we were to go for a very frugal approach favouring experience over youth we could perhaps try and get the following players:
Gyokeres -£15m
Rodrigo - £3.5m
Manning- free
Skhiri- free
Amad Diallo/Sancho- on loan
Backup keeper (Robles, Butland etc) - £2m
It’s not the most inspiring list but would give us a much more balanced looking squad for only £20m and of course if we sell Onana or Pickford (or the likes of Gray, Maupay, Gomes, Keane etc) then we might have a bit more to spend.
If we got just those players and were playing a similar system to last year we’d look something like:
Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Manning
Iwobi Onana Skhiri McNeill
Doucoure
Gyokeres (or DCL)
Subs: Amad Diallo, Rodrigo, Coleman, Mykolenko, Godfrey, Keane, Garner, Calvert-Lewin (or Gyokeres), Gueye, Robles.
The starting line-up may not look considerably stronger (though having a decent front line striker will make a big difference) but the squad would look much better with many more options to play with and cope with injury etc.
Many will justifiably say we need an upgrade at CB but I have a lot of faith in Branthwaite and until we sell one or two of Keane, Holgate or Godfrey we are over-stocked there.
Expectations
I think after the last two seasons we’ve had, the state our squad is in and the likely lack of sizeable transfer funds this summer; that even coming 17th next season should be seen as a job done. Personally I am a fan of Dyche and what he has done since coming in and I believe he will be aiming for much better than that, and with a fair wind I expect us to finish closer to 12th/13th which would represent an over performance of sorts given our unbalanced squad and general lack of confidence. If a new striker hits the ground running or DCL can stay fit and sharp then maybe top ten might be viable. Most bookies seem to have us around 14th/15th next year at time of writing.
There’s a lot of problems to fix and not a lot of money or academy talent coming through to help do that. Dyche will have us organized and hard working though and if we can add a few more goals to the mix then hopefully we won’t have the nail-biting end to the season that we’ve suffered the last 2 years.
Reader Comments (218)
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2 Posted 14/06/2023 at 22:28:56
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.
3 Posted 14/06/2023 at 22:50:20
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!
4 Posted 14/06/2023 at 23:00:19
This caught my eye! "Right Wing / Midfielder: Other Options: Richarlison (Spurs)"!
5 Posted 14/06/2023 at 23:17:47
I very much doubt we will be signing anyone this summer. In spite of the 㿔M for Gordon, the 㿅M for Kean and the ٠.5M for John Stones.
Don't forget Mina and Calvert-Lewin cost us 㾶M plus in wages. So I'm guessing we will be keeping Simms and Cannon.
6 Posted 14/06/2023 at 23:23:56
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.
7 Posted 14/06/2023 at 23:30:09
Good stuff.
8 Posted 14/06/2023 at 23:53:16
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?
9 Posted 15/06/2023 at 04:16:45
Also, what about work permit issues for the foreign players?
10 Posted 15/06/2023 at 04:31:19
Brilliant piece of research, Sam, it shows there is still value out there if you have a proper plan to address the transfer market.
11 Posted 15/06/2023 at 06:20:52
12 Posted 15/06/2023 at 06:50:59
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 㾶M. 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.
13 Posted 15/06/2023 at 06:58:38
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.
14 Posted 15/06/2023 at 08:41:20
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.
17 Posted 15/06/2023 at 09:09:26
18 Posted 15/06/2023 at 09:46:24
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.
19 Posted 15/06/2023 at 09:49:23
Have you ever actually sent them to the club? Not that I'd expect them to listen, like.
20 Posted 15/06/2023 at 11:44:33
The Un-Holy Trinity, i.e. the collective salaries of Gomes, Alli and Gbamin, is still going to cripple us until they are gone (𧷸K 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!
21 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:23:53
22 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:26:21
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).
23 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:26:26
24 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:29:55
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.
25 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:36:09
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?
26 Posted 15/06/2023 at 12:52:04
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!!
27 Posted 15/06/2023 at 13:04:03
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.
28 Posted 15/06/2023 at 13:40:32
Cheered me up no end.
Plenty of more fish in the sea.
29 Posted 15/06/2023 at 13:56:11
30 Posted 15/06/2023 at 13:59:37
31 Posted 15/06/2023 at 14:10:26
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.
32 Posted 15/06/2023 at 14:21:34
33 Posted 15/06/2023 at 14:31:03
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.
34 Posted 15/06/2023 at 14:45:42
35 Posted 15/06/2023 at 14:59:14
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.
36 Posted 15/06/2023 at 15:24:59
I agree about Onana, not my favourite, I've got to admit.
If we got McTominay and 㿅M 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.
37 Posted 15/06/2023 at 15:28:10
I mean, if Brighton can get around 㿨M for Cucerella then... bloody Hell!!
38 Posted 15/06/2023 at 15:32:31
As Jim Royle might say: "㿏M – my aaaaaarse!"
39 Posted 15/06/2023 at 15:40:33
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.
40 Posted 15/06/2023 at 15:41:35
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?
41 Posted 15/06/2023 at 16:02:36
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.
42 Posted 15/06/2023 at 16:37:11
I'm sure he could do a decent job for us though at 㾻m 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.
43 Posted 15/06/2023 at 16:45:10
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.
44 Posted 15/06/2023 at 17:23:47
45 Posted 15/06/2023 at 17:58:27
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.
46 Posted 15/06/2023 at 18:36:00
47 Posted 15/06/2023 at 18:38:07
48 Posted 15/06/2023 at 18:40:41
49 Posted 15/06/2023 at 19:15:49
50 Posted 15/06/2023 at 19:17:40
51 Posted 15/06/2023 at 20:25:47
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.
52 Posted 15/06/2023 at 20:47:21
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!
54 Posted 15/06/2023 at 20:53:02
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.
55 Posted 15/06/2023 at 20:57:49
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.
56 Posted 15/06/2023 at 21:02:58
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.
57 Posted 15/06/2023 at 21:08:50
58 Posted 15/06/2023 at 21:23:44
59 Posted 15/06/2023 at 21:44:15
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.
60 Posted 15/06/2023 at 21:50:44
Somehow I don't think so.
Mind you this is Everton.
61 Posted 15/06/2023 at 22:55:29
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.
62 Posted 15/06/2023 at 23:25:46
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 㿊m+ if they can, which probably rules us out.
63 Posted 15/06/2023 at 23:46:38
https://youtu.be/RrUwC7xEOkY
64 Posted 16/06/2023 at 03:59:36
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.
65 Posted 16/06/2023 at 06:30:20
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.
66 Posted 16/06/2023 at 06:59:00
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.
67 Posted 16/06/2023 at 07:08:13
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.
68 Posted 16/06/2023 at 07:30:32
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
69 Posted 16/06/2023 at 07:44:49
He has all the basics and I think would only improve with good coaching and playing at a consistently higher level
70 Posted 16/06/2023 at 08:12:00
71 Posted 16/06/2023 at 08:27:56
A back up keeper may be a problem… hasn't Tyrer been playing at Chester? Certainly not ready for the first team.
72 Posted 16/06/2023 at 08:42:51
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.
73 Posted 16/06/2023 at 09:09:42
It's Rumoured that Onana has a 20% sell-on clause.
74 Posted 16/06/2023 at 09:12:41
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.
75 Posted 16/06/2023 at 09:25:23
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.
76 Posted 16/06/2023 at 09:51:50
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.
77 Posted 16/06/2023 at 11:26:30
What are the chances of getting Richarlison back on loan?
78 Posted 16/06/2023 at 11:39:46
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...
79 Posted 16/06/2023 at 11:49:30
80 Posted 16/06/2023 at 11:52:14
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.
81 Posted 16/06/2023 at 12:51:23
Have no doubts we are shopping in the bargain bucket section.
82 Posted 16/06/2023 at 12:51:31
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.
83 Posted 16/06/2023 at 12:52:05
84 Posted 16/06/2023 at 13:23:41
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.
85 Posted 16/06/2023 at 15:22:13
Creativity and goals is what we are lacking surely?
86 Posted 16/06/2023 at 15:30:50
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.
87 Posted 16/06/2023 at 15:34:40
88 Posted 16/06/2023 at 15:37:36
We currently have no senior cover or competition at left-back.
89 Posted 16/06/2023 at 15:44:28
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.
90 Posted 16/06/2023 at 16:24:21
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.
91 Posted 16/06/2023 at 16:25:22
Kyle Walker-Peters would be reasonable full-back cover, but could cost about 㾻M. 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 ٠.5M.
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.
92 Posted 16/06/2023 at 16:36:30
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.
93 Posted 16/06/2023 at 16:49:04
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.
94 Posted 16/06/2023 at 17:16:42
If Mykolenko got a bad injury the week after the window closes, we are in trouble.
95 Posted 16/06/2023 at 17:29:50
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.
96 Posted 16/06/2023 at 17:39:31
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.
97 Posted 16/06/2023 at 17:47:21
Hypothetical question: Would you swap Mykolenko for Robinson?
(I would snap Fulham's arm off!)
98 Posted 16/06/2023 at 17:50:04
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 㿀M on.
99 Posted 16/06/2023 at 18:13:04
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.
100 Posted 16/06/2023 at 18:26:37
So the cut price release fee is what? 㾶M? Would be a very good buy at or near that price. I can see Dyche being interested in Harrison, Gyökeres, McTominay.
101 Posted 16/06/2023 at 18:45:02
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.
102 Posted 16/06/2023 at 18:48:30
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.
103 Posted 16/06/2023 at 18:50:22
104 Posted 16/06/2023 at 19:35:10
105 Posted 16/06/2023 at 19:46:44
Ha ha, opinions, eh!
106 Posted 16/06/2023 at 19:54:20
He's highly rated, but has legs made out of Weetabix.
107 Posted 16/06/2023 at 20:08:55
108 Posted 16/06/2023 at 20:48:35
109 Posted 16/06/2023 at 21:07:20
110 Posted 16/06/2023 at 22:01:39
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 㿅M with Udinese prepared to take ٣M per season is more attractive than Gyökeres at 㿀M 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.
111 Posted 16/06/2023 at 22:06:18
Lose points in the opening 8, and it'll be very hard to turn around.
112 Posted 17/06/2023 at 00:25:32
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.
113 Posted 17/06/2023 at 00:28:51
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.
114 Posted 17/06/2023 at 05:35:22
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.
115 Posted 17/06/2023 at 07:15:21
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.
116 Posted 17/06/2023 at 08:13:30
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.
117 Posted 17/06/2023 at 08:59:38
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 -
118 Posted 17/06/2023 at 09:01:07
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 㾽M. Seems like way too much for what we got.
119 Posted 17/06/2023 at 10:59:02
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 㿞-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.
120 Posted 17/06/2023 at 11:02:55
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
121 Posted 17/06/2023 at 11:41:27
122 Posted 17/06/2023 at 11:50:02
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 (Ã 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.
123 Posted 17/06/2023 at 11:59:37
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.
124 Posted 17/06/2023 at 12:07:35
125 Posted 17/06/2023 at 12:12:15
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:
126 Posted 17/06/2023 at 12:16:10
It now seems that his value has literally halved. Unbelievable shit reporting!
127 Posted 17/06/2023 at 12:53:18
Dyche has selected 11 forwards in more than 40 games. These average a goal every 4.8 games. If two players average this over a 38 games season that's 16 goals. It's likely the back- up will also chip in with 5 That's 21 goals. Not to be sniffed at when you consider last season our 3 nominal cfs (Gray, DCL, Maupay) scored 7 in the league. 34 in total. Adding 14 goals gives a total of 48. Nobody below Fulham in 10th who stayed up scored more than that.
Rough calculations I know, (Leicester and Leeds scored goals but went down!). But, the clearest weakness from before the season started was the lack of goals in the squad. It undermined a number of strong defensive performances. Defences under constant pressure are likely to concede, without a out ball, ability to keep possession or break up play.
My view is that he'll look at bringing a couple in who have goal averages of around 1 in 4 to support DCL. He might have to accept someone who falls below that but has premier league goals. He'll have a list and players like Che Adams, Rodrigo and Iheanacho from the relegated clubs. Goykeres and Akpom from the championship. No doubt a number from abroad will be linked. Loans will be a factor. He would probably like to get shut of Maupay but may have to stick if recruitment falls short.
The hope will be that DCL can get 10/15 and the other 2 forwards the same between them. You are then potentially looking at 50 plus goals. The extra 15 minimum needs to come from somewhere. If we don't then another season down in lower reaches beckons.
128 Posted 17/06/2023 at 13:14:56
129 Posted 17/06/2023 at 13:32:31
Can't see Utd letting Mctominay go unless they sign Rice which looks unlikely and can't see Mctominay wanting to play for us anyway.
I've never felt so negative about our potential in the transfer market and for next season. Can anyone talk me out of it?
130 Posted 17/06/2023 at 13:37:20
131 Posted 17/06/2023 at 14:04:54
132 Posted 17/06/2023 at 14:44:01
The modern full-back needs to offer attacking threat, but he is really poor at linking up play down the left and his crossing is poor. He offers little attacking threat.
He might do better on the left side of a back three, but overall he has not provided value for the £17 million fee we invested in him.
133 Posted 17/06/2023 at 14:53:50
134 Posted 17/06/2023 at 15:27:01
GK: David De Gea
RB: Vladimir Coufal
LB: Aaron Martin
CD: Evan Ndicka
CD: Alexander Djiku
DM: Ellyes Skhiri
CM: Dani Ceballos
CM: Adrian Rabiot
RW: Reiss Nelson
LW: Jonathon Bamba
CF: Moussa Dembele
Thats 11 phone calls. Offers they can't refuse. Simples.
135 Posted 17/06/2023 at 16:16:27
136 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:28:54
I see Iwobi has come out and is quoted as maybe wanting to leave to pursue Champions League ambitions.
Interesting summer ahead as always.
137 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:42:47
138 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:47:35
I read that about Iwobi, and a good part of me can't help thinking "Go for it, lad!"
139 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:51:20
140 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:52:17
I saw that quote as well, and if we got a good fee for Iwobi, who has only 12 months left on his contract, and keep Onana, I'd be thrilled.
141 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:53:08
He's had his detractors at Everton and, at 27, could be his last chance if he has that ambition.
I personally can't doubt his commitment to Everton in difficult circumstances.
142 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:07:37
There's a few more of Gomes, Dele Alli, Holgate and Keane to shift before there's room for decent players like your freebie list. I suspect it's loans and maybe a scour of the ‘Benelux' fringe leagues for the time being.
143 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:13:47
If he decides to go, then I wish him well and hope we use the fee wisely.
144 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:16:53
I feel that Mykolenko was subject to unnecessary criticism, likewise Iwobi. To be honest I can't recall any player escaping the wrath of a section of the crowd throughout the season.
I left a post addressed to you on the "TicketMaster" thread, which appears to be dormant, I think that the content might interest you.
145 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:22:55
Gbamin selling all his gear on Facebook hahahah pic.twitter.com/CO7JvAlbLj
— Saundy (@saundy00) June 17, 2023
146 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:24:06
June 14 (Reuters) - English clubs will be able to sign a specified number of players who do not meet the points requirements for work permits after the interior ministry approved new criteria for international player visas, the Football Association said on Wednesday.
The new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria, effective from the opening of the transfer window on June 14th, will allow Premier League and Championship teams to sign up to four such players. League One and League Two teams will be able to sign...
147 Posted 17/06/2023 at 18:51:43
Free Transfers? My arse – everyone on that list will expect ٣-10M added to their wages given that there will be no transfer fee to be paid.
Probably up-front cost of 𧴜M to sign the lot!
148 Posted 17/06/2023 at 19:01:07
I wouldn't worry about Iwobi, he stated he wants to play in the Champions League… more like the Championship would suit him. Got to admire the confidence in himself!
149 Posted 17/06/2023 at 19:39:25
O'Brien was on my summer list last year after a really good season for Huddersfield. I thought he was a bargain for Forest but his struggles there suggest he's struggled to make the step up.
Taking a player who fails to make the squad at a relegation rival isn't ideal but I do reckon there's a decent player in there.
150 Posted 17/06/2023 at 20:36:35
I believe, if, as you say, we have a net spend of 㿅-30M available, a striker is paramount. Stating the obvious, I know. But using the available funds to get starting players is a must. Not just bodies for numbers.
Garner and Patterson should play a lot more matches this coming season (injuries permitting).
A left-back.
A striker, or two… one on loan maybe.
A creative midfield player, right midfielder.
I like the lad Harrison from Leeds
Borja from Chelsea.
I have said even a small uptick in points per game can get us easily into mid-table. Dyche's playing the percentage game with a few additional players to fit his system will see us easily comfortable.
Sounds simple but this is Everton, remember, we can't meet our own unnecessary self-imposed deadlines on time.
151 Posted 18/06/2023 at 00:09:10
152 Posted 18/06/2023 at 18:00:11
Usually I don't like to spend more than 㾶m on players over 25 but if we could sell Gray for ٦m and buy Harrison for (supposed relegation clause) 㾼m I think that would be good business and a very solid upgrade.
Robert@151, yes I'm feeling low-key optimistic for next season, presuming we bring in a decent striker.
153 Posted 18/06/2023 at 21:27:40
What Dyche achieved in turning it around was very impressive, talk about getting the right man in at the right time.
Blessed with a pre-season, more experienced hands on coaching, and a striker (who knows a fit Calvert-Lewin). I'm cautiously optimistic too that Dyche can get more out the players we have.
That will only take us so far though as we need more goals, especially from the right midfield/ forward. Or can he coax more out Gray, Iwobi? Maybe, but I'm definitely not convinced he can. We need an upgrade for the position.
I haven't looked but I expect the spread markets this year will have us finishing 12th-14th. So the impartial measure of success would be to better 13th. I'm going to check now, I may be wide of the mark.
154 Posted 18/06/2023 at 21:40:35
155 Posted 18/06/2023 at 22:25:07
A pre-season plus a couple of Dyche signings and I see no relegation mire next season.
Still maybe only the lower reaches of the Premiership but "It's a new Sean, it's a new Dyche and I'm....feeling good"
156 Posted 19/06/2023 at 09:13:13
With MSP digging its toes in regarding the Kenwright issue, it's up to Moshiri to resolve it one way or the other. Stick or twist. If this was just about money, Moshiri would have settled it, but I fear this may have more to do with the upcoming alleged breach and the independent commission date.
Moshiri will want to have at least one person to argue the case against… and if it was directly a question of monetary breaches, then you would have expected Ingles to be still there. Which probably means Kenwright and the club know exactly what the breach is that is alleged and who best to counter it.
If it's to do with the Dele Alli deal, then it comes down to the Kenwright - Levy meeting, what was agreed.
This is a clear and present danger to the club, one that a director should respond to, and we no longer have any except Kenwright – he has the keys to the kingdom!
What's the betting Kenwright is employed by the club until the independent commission is done? On which he leaves with a nice leaving package – only problem is an impasse between Moshiri and MSP over if and when.
157 Posted 19/06/2023 at 09:23:14
If, and I really mean 'if' we have no money to spend, and really desperate enough to do it, then bring Barkley back on a free and a much-reduced wage.
At this point, we are likely to lose Onana and Pickford if the price is right… and even if we did, I doubt we would spend anything on replacements, the 𧴜M monies going into the stadium cost rather than back into squad. That way, Moshiri buys less and gets more back before he sells… leaving incoming owners with the funding problem (he is an accountant after all).
We are either going to end up with tried journeymen or untried youngsters (not a good idea). One has to accept too, that any new prospect would look at the mess of a club we are and decline an offer. So it's likely to be experience – not up-and-coming talent in the main.
158 Posted 19/06/2023 at 09:37:07
I'm sure somebody put a list up on another thread. Barkley for me is a step backwards, Christine, he has failed to impress and nail down a place at every club he's been at; he won't be any different here (again) – the lad's brain-dead with regards football acumen and desire.
It's about time our recruitment team earned their money.
159 Posted 19/06/2023 at 10:24:08
Barkley on a free and not expensive wages makes sense to me, Dave. Especially if Dyche can get him working hard. Villa fans rated him until he got injured. We haven't got anyone like him in midfield who can pass and shoot from distance.
Doucouré hit a few but he disappears in January for a month.
160 Posted 19/06/2023 at 10:47:19
161 Posted 19/06/2023 at 10:55:33
If we are going to sell Pickford or Onana, then let's get it done and out of the way, get other bodies in.
162 Posted 19/06/2023 at 12:54:16
163 Posted 19/06/2023 at 13:03:58
Whilst I completely get the financial challenges facing the club, the number of outgoings, limited cover and absence of a goal scoring striker due to Calvert-Lewin's fitness means the club has nowhere to go and wouldn't even be a gamble on survival going into the next season. Any absence of signings, especially a striker would guarantee our relegation from Day 1 – unless a diamond can miraculously be uncovered within the ranks.
This is not a worst-case scenario, this is all but fact.
164 Posted 19/06/2023 at 13:31:21
The position of Director of Football puzzles me… What sort of authority has he over the manager, if any?
If he's a dogsbody for the manager, I get that, but if I'm manager, I want the last say.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
165 Posted 19/06/2023 at 13:38:19
The fact is that Dyche would have finished around 13th if his team's form had been over the entire season. So I don't think 'nailed-on relegation' is correct.
Personally, I also hope two diamonds will be unearthed in Cannon and Branthwaite. However, I think 3-4 very astute signings (on loan if we have to) could be enough for top half…..with the exception of a striker (who I believe we'll get early July when the new financial year kicks in) we can take our time and get it right versus rush and get wrong.
166 Posted 19/06/2023 at 13:48:09
By the time Lampard was sacked, we were 3 points worse than the fixtures from the previous season.
By the end of the season - we were still 3 points worse than the previous season.
So, for the 18 fixtures that Dyche was in charge, we did no better than the previous season's results.
We won 2 games we lost last season, lost 2 we won last season, drew 3 we lost, lost one we drew and drew one we lost and 9 games were the same result.
You cannot simply do 18 x 21/38 = 44, you have to take into account the opposition of those 18 games.
167 Posted 19/06/2023 at 13:58:35
We might need to sell in the next 11 days in order to deal with losses from previous years. If so then I'd expect some of that money will be re-invested in new players this window.
If we do not sell anyone before the end of the month then I'd imagine we will sell at least one of our higher-valued players (Onana, Pickford, DCL(?!)) in July, and that some (but in my opinion not much) of that money will be re-invested in new players this window. The rest will go to off-set losses from the previous 3-year period in the hope that we do not incur any P&S transgressions.
Warning: The following is all hugely speculative and I am not a trained expert in financial matters.
In basic terms (and hopefully Paul The Esk can over-rule me if I'm way off) in the year to 2021 our losses were £121 million, and the year to 2022 our losses were £44 million; that makes £165 million of losses in the two years prior to this one. Even allowing for an estimated £45 million of permitted deductions across the 3 years, and the £81 million Covid-related adjustment, it all effectively means that we need to post accounts that show a loss of no more than £66 million for the year 2022-23 just to be underneath the £105 million 3-year maximum permitted loss figure. Obviously the sale of Anthony Gordon for £40 million will have helped, but another player sale before the end of June will probably take the pressure off for the next few years, as it would mean that we could afford to make greater losses in 2023/24* at a time when the club is likely to be in flux with potential new owners and a stadium being finished.
* On the basis that if we miraculously managed to break-even for 22/23 then we could afford the best part of £100 million losses for 23/24 - as losses of £44 million for 2021/22, £0 for 2022/23, and £100 million for 2023/24 (minus approx £45 million for permitted deductions) would still see us underneath the £105 million threshold of permitted losses for the period.
168 Posted 19/06/2023 at 14:37:13
Guardiola had players like Messi, Alana, Iniesta, De Britney and Haaland amongst many other stars at his disposal. Clough's Robertson, Gemmill or O'Hara or Burns wouldn't get into any World Eleven. I guess the point of all this and Sam's basement bucket transfer list is, can it be possible today for Everton to achieve something great with limited funding but a ‘Clough Like' vision and strategy? I think I Know the answer! But isnothis what great management is about. And yes,I know nothing can happen until the ownership is sorted!!
169 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:00:05
Next season will also present its challenges too, but at least Dyche will get a pre-season to work with the squad, which he now knows well, and there may even be some astute transfer activity to provide a better balanced squad for the new season. If we're lucky!
170 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:00:30
FACT: We were fuct with Frank.
FACT: I stole Nick's move here.
171 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:05:17
I agree with you re Pep. No doubt a great manager but the Barca side he had had Messi and half the World Cup winning Spanish team, never-mind other great players. Bayern have won the German title for the last 11 years running, so Peps 3 there isn't exactly standout.
The Premier League is more competitive at least and winning 5 in 6 is a top achievement but he's had almost a bottomless pit of cash to spend. Counter argument is that Man Utd and Chelsea have also had tons of cash but they've obviously been very dysfunctional in recent years.
Pep will go down as one of the best ever managers simply via trophies won but it would be great if he went to a side without a country's finances available for players, to see what he could do if not playing Championship Manager. Probably won't ever happen though.
Newcastle will be interesting to watch. Won't get to Man City level anytime soon but will provide more competition you'd think as the seasons move on. Man City took a few years to challenge after the cash arrived. Newcastle are at the building stage.
That's assuming all the players don't go to Saudi!
172 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:18:48
173 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:34:19
The game has got far more technical and tactical since Clough, Shankly and Ferguson had their time but, for me, Ferguson is still the better manager.
I would love any of them or their likes at Everton but, until we start to get some ambition and direction, we will struggle to attract the élite.
174 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:45:09
Dyche had Liverpool away, Arsenal at home and away, City at home, Newcastle at home, United away, Palace away, Chelsea away, Brighton away, Spurs at home and Villa at home (who have become the latest addition to a bogey team for us).
I genuinely didn't know where the points would come from, especially when you consider that he signed nobody in January and the paucity of options available to him up front. I'd be fairly confident (although it's all conjecture) that if Dyche were in charge before Boxing Day, we'd have picked up more wins than Frank did against the likes of Wolves, Leicester and Southampton.
The biggest disappointment under Dyche was the Fulham result at Goodison. I didn't see any way of us staying up which didn't involve beating both Fulham and Bournemouth at Goodison. Luckily, we got an unexpected win at Brighton which counter-balanced the Fulham defeat.
A previous poster has mentioned Guardiola but I genuinely believe Pep would have struggled to keep this Everton side up from where Dyche took over.
175 Posted 19/06/2023 at 15:58:22
It's difficult to believe that Dyche couldn't have done a bit better.
176 Posted 19/06/2023 at 16:17:04
Yes, I think you make a really good point about those tough fixtures. And look at all our wins, which in hindsight we needed every one, and nearly all of them ground out by a one-niller.
Out of the fixtures left to him, I agree there is only one game which was an underperformance in my view, Fulham. Newcastle was bad, but a lot of people were expecting nothing from that game. Fulham was the one which sent us wobbly.
That's not bad though, out of all those games, just one where we got less than we expected. Dyche could not have cut the chord any finer, one less goal pretty much anywhere and we were done.
Looking back, it's a miracle we finished ahead of Leicester.
177 Posted 19/06/2023 at 21:23:39
1. Ability: this is whether we have enough headroom in Premier League financial rules to start spending again (without needing to sell). The Gordon and Kean sales might mean we have the ability to spend, I don't think anyone is sure – although the Paul the Esk articles suggest it's going to be difficult.
2. Willingness: even if we are able to spend, the current owners must be willing to do so. There was clearly very little enthusiasm for spending in January despite absolutely dire need – and I'm not sure what will have changed this summer.
My take is that Moshiri has stopped throwing good money after bad. So, even if we can spend, we won't – unless we sell, or unless we get new investors or owners who want to sanction some proper spending.
178 Posted 19/06/2023 at 21:43:16
Balogun was absolutely dynamic last night. You're right about his price tag. However, there's still no room for him in the Arsenal lineup, which likely means another loan, and I'd be delighted to have him for one critical season.
179 Posted 19/06/2023 at 22:03:48
Nketiah is not brilliant but he'd be a decent loan signing for us.
180 Posted 19/06/2023 at 22:10:24
So, I expect there'll be a queue a mile long of agents of more elderly ordinary players badgering Thelwell to get in touch with whoever it is who actually makes signings for us in the very real expectation that we'll sign 'em.
It's long-since been the only "Everton Way" that the rest of the professional world recognise and delight in.
181 Posted 19/06/2023 at 22:23:04
It really is disrespectful to the fans, not to outline their plan with regard to transfer policy.
182 Posted 21/06/2023 at 18:29:42
The role is about continuity. Or is supposed to be.
We should have a plan, an ethos, a set up, a long term goal, a strategy running through the whole playing side of the club. This is what we want to do, how we want to do it, and this is how we achieve it.
If a manager fails then the next manager is meant to fit into that and buy into that plan, strategy and long term goal.
It's not worked up to now because Moshiri has been meddling with the playing side, picking managers, overruling DOF's and not allowing them to implement their whole strategy.
I belive if Brands was left alone to do the job he was hired to do we may have been in a much stronger position now.
It's a long term role with no quick rewards. Transfers are only a part of the role. If we don't stick with one DOF and belive in what they are trying to achieve then it just becomes a second tier of the managers role and they are hired and fired without any benefits. Then you are not just transitioning a first team like when hiring a manager it's a whole club ethos and strategy.
I think Dyche is a safe pair of hands to guide us through this period of financial uncertainty. At some point we will need a progressive, forward thinking manager/coach to push us to where we need to be, and it's the DOF that should be the one who finds the right man to fit the systems and strategy that he's set up.
183 Posted 22/06/2023 at 17:06:30
Seems he wants Gomes. Hopefully the first positive thing Benitez has done for the club.
184 Posted 27/06/2023 at 11:44:37
185 Posted 27/06/2023 at 18:06:45
Worth watching the U21 tournament at the moment to see some young talent.
Summerville has looked good for Dutch U21s against who Zuriko Davitashvili has just scored a great goal. Might he be the next Georgian talent?!
186 Posted 27/06/2023 at 18:25:17
187 Posted 28/06/2023 at 09:48:20
Summerville we could get though. Or possibly Gnonto. And definitely Davitashvili, though not sure he's definitely Premier League standard.
188 Posted 29/06/2023 at 08:20:13
Perhaps Lyndon or Michael could keep it accessible and prominent at the top of the pile until the transfer window shuts?
The Kudus ship sailed last summer, Thelwell almost pulled of a coup but the transfer of Antony to Man Utd scuppered it. Gibbs-White too slipped through the net due to our financial straitjacket.
Gnonto has quite a few suitors which, although is painful, is surely a good sign. I like the player, direct, confident and powerful. It will be tough to sign him but, at the 㾸M rumoured (is it a clause?), I'd go for him even though it's a bit of a gamble.
There may be more glamorous clubs but, at this stage in his career, Everton maybe a good choice to continue his upward trajectory.
It's possible we are waiting until 1 July to make moves.
189 Posted 29/06/2023 at 23:17:20
I'd be delighted with Gnonto for 㾸m but I suspect it will be nearer 㾾m. We could have got him for ٢m last summer but seem unwilling to take those initial punts mostly.
Sounds like Gyökeres has chosen Lisbon. Don't know if we were in for him but 㾼m for him is a decent price, think he would have suited us. I wonder who the centre-forward target will be, not sure Piroe will cut it in Premier League.
Some rumours that Krauss, someone on my lists, rejected us for Mainz but I find that hard to believe. Lots of good players available out there.
190 Posted 01/07/2023 at 08:19:24
Sounds like another player we were close to getting last year will slip through the net in Gyokeres. The price seems fair, but the rumoured 35% sell on clause is quite hefty. But good on Coventry for negotiating that.
At the moment there's probably a bit of disparity on who we want and who wants to come here. It wouldn't surprise me too much if we ended up with Danjuma, Gnonto, Weghorst, Woods or similar and someone like Che Adams or Ings for a few million.
I think Cannon will be under big consideration too , the lad can finish.
I'm not expecting any Galactic signings. It will be the the cover all bases pragmatic, mid table guaranteed approach. It will cause a bit of consternation but it will do the primary job Dyche's been asked to achieve.
With Dyche's solid management and practical recruitment 8th and a great cup run semis, final or holy moly a win, cannot be totally ruled out.
I'd bet a few quid Dyche will sign a centre back he's been scouting for a while.
Midfield is an interesting one, if we can get Gomes and Gbamin's wages off he books I think Dyche will be after a midfielder. Two, if Onana goes to Chelsea.
There were rumours we were looking at the young England u21 lad Adam Wharton from Blackburn, he's attracted a lot if interest from us and Newcastle . Also will he his sign his new ‘Defour', interesting to see what rumours unfold for a playmaker midfielder.
Then left back, I'd like us to sign a young player not as strictly as back up to Mykolenko, but with enough potential and quality to take the position. There's a great opportunity there for such a player. Maybe someone frustrated, just on the fringes of a decent side ready to prove himself.
191 Posted 01/07/2023 at 08:44:28
And if he has… Get your finger out and start building a squad — don't repeat January!!!!!
192 Posted 01/07/2023 at 09:36:12
* Established Excellent Premier League Player: Examples Gareth Barry, Tarkowski... Low transfer fee, worth fairly high wages
* High Ceiling, Young, Premier League Ready, Looks a Gamble: Examples James Garner, Dwight McNeil, Onana... High transfer fee, worth fairly high wages
* High Ceiling, Max Age 18, Championship Ready, Already Playing Lower League Football In Men's Teams: Examples Branthwaite, Lookman, Coleman.
I hope we find 5 or 6 of these type of players in the next year or two who can be bought from lower leagues that Championship clubs are scouting. Buy them and loan to Championship clubs straight away as the demand is already there. See how they develop.
193 Posted 01/07/2023 at 10:19:16
If you mapped out success and failure transfers across Premier League clubs (outside of the Rich 6) you'd find the best transfers almost always fit that framework (and plenty in the Rich 6 too).
Add to that some price parameters – no more than, say, 㾻 to 㿀M on players and you have a system designed to stop you over-spending on average players. It can get more scientific but it works even at that simplistic level to a degree. Moyes and Martinez both did this to good effect when we were skint.
194 Posted 01/07/2023 at 10:27:27
Far from having 㿀-30M, I think we have zero, or even a minus. In other words, we will sell someone and re-invest only a portion of the proceeds. Maybe some loans but even that might rely on shifting one or more of the 'Invisible Threesome'
I think any cash (and investment incoming) will go mostly if not entirely to the stadium. So think what happened with Arsenal when they were building the Emirates – but on steroids. The gamble here is that Dyche is a man who can make a silk purse out of the sow's ears in our squad.
195 Posted 01/07/2023 at 10:44:39
The fact that he has kept Kenwright as chairman is a sign that he wants at least one person in place to face the independent commission when October comes around.
The club is now officially a basket case... I don't expect any action on the transfer front until 10:30 pm on the final day when it's let's see who is left on the dance floor, all the out-of-contract players have been snapped up, and let's pay top dollar for wages etc...
Don't even think about scouring the South American leagues or further afield for bargains… Then rinse and repeat.
196 Posted 01/07/2023 at 10:53:01
I do think it's a very good route to go down though. I believe that the club should definitely be working on creating a structure that can make Everton one of the best clubs in the country for giving younger players a clear pathway into our first-team squad.
It won't be easy, especially when you look over the park and see that this is a route that Liverpool seem to have already begun to establish, but how else can clubs like Everton begin to flourish again without owners who have not got major money?
197 Posted 01/07/2023 at 11:29:16
Amen, Tony. It's our only way back. Journeymen just equals survival. Think I'm getting amazingly bored of survival. My kids will remember the Palace and Bournemouth games fondly, but any more of that and there's no magic at all.
Take a frigging risk!
198 Posted 01/07/2023 at 11:33:47
Totally agree, it's going to be rock hard to find 18-year-olds and younger playing pro football who are ready to step up to the Championship, and not owned by a Premier League club.
I guess that's why fans like us have to believe they have employed a scouting network or system to find these "outliers".
Maybe it could extend to other leagues like the top Belgium league at a bottom club there's an 18-year-old squad player whose played a couple of games and just breaking in. We should be fully scouting these players, choosing 3, buying and loaning back to the same club or developing them say in the Championship or German league where they can get a lot of games, and let them naturally progress.
199 Posted 01/07/2023 at 11:37:33
Lots of Derby County fans were full of praise for this young striker after his year-long loan there last season.
I hope Sean Dyche has a good look at him when we come back for pre-season training next week and decides to keep him here and not send him out for another loan, I think he could be very useful even as a sub with his pace and a decent football brain. With the limited strikers we have, at present, he is well worth keeping.
200 Posted 01/07/2023 at 11:56:41
Trying to be optimistic, it looks like recruitment has operated under some better practices in the last couple of seasons.
The ones outside of what looked like a good formula under the Moyes era type of buys, in recent times, have burnt the squad and club badly.
As long as the club stick to a proper recruitment process this summer, hopefully we get some good surprise transfers coming through the door.
If there's disappointment in types of players coming in, then it's going to highlight someone upstairs at the club has brought in players that don't look like following a blueprint or a proper recruitment process and criteria. That's what I'm looking out for this summer.
201 Posted 01/07/2023 at 11:58:12
Dobbin managed a grand total of 5 goals in 54 appearances at Derby last season which included 3 in the league out of a club total of 67.
If we signed a new player with that record at that level, ToffeeWeb would explode.
202 Posted 01/07/2023 at 12:27:47
Compare him to Gnonto (same age, similar position) who is rumoured to be 㾻M plus and his contribution per game (goals & assists) against Gnonto's Premier League numbers is not a long way off (at a lower level I know) and he'd cost you 㾻M less.
I think Dyche might be more of your opinion though. As he said after the Bournemouth game 'Fans say they want development; they don't, they want first team ready players' but perhaps our financial state will force him to use more of our youngsters in the squad.
203 Posted 01/07/2023 at 12:42:14
Fair enough, but we won't be signing a new player, just a lad who is already here. Very young, he came on at Chelsea in the 1-1 draw and did a good job and looked good in the 20-odd minutes he was on the field. Benitez couldn't believe that Dobbin hadn't been given a full professional contract and promptly got about getting that sorted.
Whatever the stats say about his time at Derby County, it didn't stop plenty of their fans giving him lavish praise for his contribution during the season in League One which is a very hard physical style of game to play in.
I doubt if Dyche has seen him yet or even heard about him. I'm just hoping he likes what he sees and gives him a chance with Everton next season before he decides what to do with him.
204 Posted 01/07/2023 at 12:51:53
But that is complicated by the reality that so many players who are at the top level of their age group (which Dobbin barely is) never actually make it into the big time.
I always think back to the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. We had more players in that squad than any other club, 6 in total, and I felt we might be enjoying a golden period. But of those 6, only Calvert-Lewin can truly be said to have made it, and even he is injured all the time.
Most of that England squad turned out to be Championship players. I can only offhand think of two players in the entire tournament who became global superstars, Barella and Ruben Dias.
In truth, what we have tended to do in the past is hold on to young players long after the point it becomes clear they have no likely future at Premier League level. At 20, Dobbin has some leeway but at 22, it is surely time to determine whether Simms is ever going to make it, or whether EFL is his level (and no shame in that, it's still a good career).
205 Posted 01/07/2023 at 12:54:28
Gnonto on the other hand was playing in the Premier League and full internationals for Italy and all that whilst being a year younger.
206 Posted 01/07/2023 at 12:54:57
Right now I'll be happy if we can get one, two or even three players that can give us a reasonable chance of escaping yet another relegation dog fight this coming season. Anything on top of that will be a bonus.
A striker than can get into double figures would be nice. A decent playmaking midfield and a good left-back will do me fine. I notice England U21s are using Garner as a right-back. Could there be a future for him in that position at Everton?
207 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:05:42
Have we any money to spend if we don't sell one or two of our better players, who knows.
Injury issues are big unknown with Calvert-Lewin and Patterson, Coleman is cover for Patterson but its up front where we were very poor without Calvert-Lewin playing. If we did have an adequate substitute for him last season we would have been mid-table no bother.
We do have a decent squad, we don't need much adding to it but we can forget any glory, its priority is survival.
The last manager to take risks playing young players was Martinez; some paid off, others didn't.
It's so competitive in the Premier League now though, you can understand managers not wanting to take that risk.
208 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:05:57
What do you think of Dobbin yourself when you have seen him play for Everton's younger teams?
209 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:10:57
All I ask is that, whoever thought signing Maupay was a good idea is kept in the next room and well away from any discussion.
210 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:22:18
Given that Dobbin is 20 it seems a bit premature to write him off quite so summarily. I've no idea whether he'll come good or end up at a lower level but, tbf, neither have you.
BTW, Gnonto averaged 56 mins a game for a Leeds team that were dreadful!
211 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:23:26
The number of players playing in League One and two that came up through the Premier League academy system versus those playing regularly in the Premier League is vast and it's not a recent thing either.
How first-team regulars for the likes of Everton and Liverpool in the 80s came up through their own systems?
212 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:25:18
My point wasn't anti-Dobbin – it was just to imagine the reaction if we signed a completely new player with identical stats.
213 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:29:08
But when Alan Myers posts, I do take notice as he seems very well informed.
Rodrigo from Leeds with Danjuma on loan.
Who knows?
A long summer ahead.
214 Posted 01/07/2023 at 13:51:26
A 20-year-old with 3 goals in 43 appearances in the third tier and just 2 England appearances since he was 16 doesn't look promising. He's just one of dozens of this sort of standard across the academy / youth system in England. We wouldn't be remotely interested if he wasn't already on our books.
He's certainly a good way behind Demarai Gray at the same age who got 8 goals in 26 appearances for England U21s.
That doesn't mean he won't make it, but he'd have to have a pretty major leap forward in season 2023-24 if he's ever going to get first-team appearances for us.
215 Posted 01/07/2023 at 14:05:12
Like most wide players, he was in and out the game but the kid was definitely the most dangerous player on the pitch when running at speed with the ball at his feet and he his definitely a player I'd like to see a lot more of.
I think, if he went back to Derby, he might score a lot more goals now he's had his first real taste of senior football, so it will be interesting to see where Dobbin ends up this season. I'd like to think Dyche might give the likes of him, Mills, little 20-minute spells in some games, whilst it will also be interesting to see what plans he's got for Tom Cannon.
216 Posted 01/07/2023 at 14:22:12
Regardless of whether the performances of young players in their age group is irrelevant or not, I asked you what you thought of Dobbin's performances when he played in those early years.
217 Posted 01/07/2023 at 14:26:29
Interesting you pick out Damarai's sparkling U21 figures, Robert. At the same point in his career, he scored 10 in 133 for Leicester and his overall career stats are nowhere even close to those U21 numbers.
218 Posted 01/07/2023 at 14:52:16
The names mentioned on here have merit but this is time to see what Thellwell and his staff are made of.
They and the manager know the positions that need strengthening and who to release so let's start getting it done and not wait until an hour before the window closes.
219 Posted 01/07/2023 at 15:11:41
Absolutely yes, which shows just how hard it is to jump from very good England U21 or youth player to a 10+ a season forward in the Premier League.
Gray hasn't managed the leap even though he's a good player.
Dobbin isn't currently in the England youth set-up, so really has it all to do.
Notwithstanding all that, when I've seen him play, he looks like a lively, pacey talent with a bit about him – but the standard of club U21 football is very low indeed and flatters to deceive.
220 Posted 01/07/2023 at 15:15:14
He will be undermining Dyche as we speak. Dyche told the truth after the Bournemouth game and Kenwright will not have forgotten that. All this rubbish about Kenwright being left to face the music is just that – rubbish.
The 3 that have joined the "board" are just mates of Kenwright, in it for a pay-off. Kenwright is poisonous and only gives a shit about using Everton as a cash cow to fund his theatre luvvies.
If he stays, Everton will play their first game in the shiny new stadium in The Championship.
Wait till Pickford is sold, and probably Calvert-Lewin, and replaced with shite loans. Two of our best three defenders have already gone- still so much shite in the team and no money
.
Kenwright has emptied Moshiri's piggy bank through awful leadership and 1960s ideology. If you want your Everton back, get rid of him. Everton won't be so lucky next season.
221 Posted 01/07/2023 at 15:18:21
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