Everton snap up Burnley's McNeil

What about the hole in the middle?

And don't be getting seen off by paying a premium for over-rated British players.

We've been here before with Burnley in particular.

If you could get him for ٣M down and ٣M with add-ons, that's not too bad. But 㿀M is too steep that's probably their opening exchange and it will probably end up at 㾻M.

So he's 22 years old, has been a regular at England youth levels, has played over 100 games in the Premier League, and has never had a serious injury, and you reckon 㾶 million is the ceiling of what you reckon we should pay for him? Sorry, but my best guess is that it is you who are being ridiculous.

Whether or not people think he is better than what we already have, 㿀 million is probably at the lower end of what he is worth. Detractors will not doubt he doesn't score enough goals, or provide enough assists, but he's a good footballer who carries the ball well and there is always a premium to be paid for young British talent.

I doubt he'll ever become an out-and-out world-beater, but he's about as reliable an option as you are going to get in that price bracket.

But yes, where's the ball-playing midfielder and the tackling midfielder. We can't get by with Allan and Doucoure again, they barely finished last season.

1 assist and no goals in 38 appearances last season.

He played all 40 games last year, 38 in the league, over 3000 minutes on the pitch, and he scored zero goals. Zero. He assisted on exactly one goal. That's extremely hard to do from an attacking position. You have to be highly skilled in avoiding opportunities to be that futile.

I believe the last goal he scored was March 2021. Against us.

We don't need somebody who does nice dribbles. We need someone who can actually contribute to scoring goals. Dwight McNeil clearly, obviously ain't it.

But that was when we had Richarlison as a source of goals too.

I worry that McNeil (decent though he is) does not contribute enough goals from his position.

And again why are we seemingly only interested in players connected with Wolves, Chelsea, Spurs and Burnley?

But that was when we had Richarlison as a source of goals too.

I worry that McNeil (decent though he is) does not contribute enough goals from his position.

And again why are we seemingly only interested in players connected with Wolves, Chelsea, Spurs and Burnley?

There is also talk of Gueye coming back while he would be an asset again its another player who doesn't score goals. We have certainly gone backwards since he left just wonder how much the 3 years at PSG have effected him. Given those he would have to compete with in midfield if he hasnt regressed to much its hard to see who would keep him out of the side.

Interestingly, he was actually a midfielder in his youth and Dyche played him centrally a couple of times. He was also played on the right last season, on occasion, due to the arrival of Cornet.

Out of the 2, Maxwell provides the better deal for us. The only advantage in signing DM over Cornet is his ability to provide crosses to DCL, but with our 'system' I'm not sure how he fits into the wide areas, he hasn't got the pace or mobility to play as a Wing Back.

I think the general feeling is 㿀 million is too much, so maybe not too ridiculous. An attacking player with 0 goals is not what we need. Hard-working he may be but you can pick up hard-working players from anywhere, doesn't make them good. We need goals and creativity.

Looks flashy in patches but does not dictate a game and more importantly does not score goals. Cornet or Dennis for me. Both far more suited to what we need.

You demand we get players that are young and hungry with some sell-on value. So we are linked with a player who is only 22, an England U21, just relegated with his current club, good injury record, wages wouldn't be over the top. Yet it seems he's not good enough.

Apparently no player is good enough. Anyone we are linked with is picked apart. Too slow, too tall, too short, doesn't score enough, too young, too old, too expensive, not expensive enough etc etc.

We basically want Real Madrid players but at Norwich City prices. Not going to happen.

If we could get him for less then it becomes a better value option. He is a good player albeit last season's goal contributions were very poor (but possibly because Burnley generally were shit and because Cornet was the one who got released to support the front men).

However, the absolute main issue with all of these signings is how they knit together as a team.

This is where I'm concerned. The arrival of Vinagre (cover at left wingack) suggests we will play 5-2-2-1 like Wolves.

That works for Wolves because they have fast / technical players like Neto, Podence, Traore etc behind Jiminez. Take the speed away (and more assists / goals) and the formation becomes flawed. Not enough players can get into goalscoring positions to make it work.

McNeil could be very good in a 4-4-2 (or variant) but not as a right-wing / forward in a 5-2-2-1.

I don't care how old he is, or how highly rated he was 2 years ago – why would we buy him rather than Maxie Cornet, only 3 years older, who scores and assists even in a really shit team?

And Michael Keane, a central defender, scored three AND had two assists. Three more and one more than skilled winger Dwight McNeil.

Based purely on performance, we should simply move Keane to the wing and save the 20 million.

If the whispers are true, he's not "rather than" he's "in addition to"...

㿀M and a 5-year deal. You can't teach stupid.

You're right. Calvert-Lewin needs delivery. If he is to be the focus of our attack then we must play to his strengths.

And the statistics tell us that in the last 3 seasons Dwight McNeil puts crosses into box more than the vast majority of any other player.

More tellingly, last season he put more crosses in from open play than any other player.

He's also a very successful dribbler.

So if we want a player who can beat a man and then put a cross in. You look no further than Dwight McNeil.

You'd hope that he can improve his output in terms of assists with Calvert-Lewin and Alli in the box.

You'd hope he can improve his output in terms of goals because it simply cannot be any worse.

Everton make Dwight McNeil primary transfer target as Rafa Benitez seeks attacking additions

Maybe the midfield has, behind the scenes, been almost agreed upon as we have been linked with a few, whose transfers may have been held up with Red Tape and Work Permits etc.

Or am I being over-optimistic again ?

This.

We paid way over the odds for an average player then, and we're doing it again now. There's no value in this deal, he'll be worth even less in a couple of seasons and doesn't solve any of our immediate problems.

If we want a young winger who doesn't score or assist, we could sign Anthony Gordon, at least he has a burst of pace. Oh right.

I'd say he's a player yet to reach the heights he could or maybe should have but then again, if he had, his price would be double and we'd not be able to sign him.

Hopefully a move to us could see him make step up.

He was at an awful Burnley team with very little attacking nous. So his low output can be understood in that way.

He's not the paciest, but maybe with his passing range he could move into the middle? Him and Gordon are both players who have levels to step up, so potential would be there.

Not a pulsating purchase, but could well work.

If he doesn't score and doesn't lay on goals, what does he do that makes him so good?

Not the position I'd have filled first, but I'm going to trust in the new team and assume a striker and a CDM will be in before the window closes…

However, there is such a need for new strikers that having more midfielders won't help us win games.

Rondon and Calvert-Lewin up front is not scaring anybody.

Also doing our usual 5-year deal, why not 3 and if he looks like a decent prospect then offer him a further 2- or 3-year contract. Worries me to hear that we have been interested in him for quite a while so this is not a Lampard - Thelwell purchase then.

Some posters are saying he is great with his assists but he played in a team that had two 6ft-4in centre-forwards to aim at. Now, unless some believe that Calvert-Lewin will turn into Dixie Dean, then this is a completely different style to Burnley's.

Some people don't even want us to succeed, or revel in us not moving forward. They are putting unnecessary pressure on the management who have only been in 6 months, less for the DoF.

He's beat the drop, they are still not happy, he's trying to give young lads a chance, they are still not happy, he's looking for younger hungrier players, not good enough.

They want miracles. Well I'd say it was a near-miracle that he kept us up with the disjointed, unbalanced, striker weak, missing midfield team he inherited.

They won't have anything to moan about if we're successful. These are the people who moan and groan in the first 5 minutes of a match that spreads through the crowd and the players feel the pressure.

I'd rather have McNeil than Walcott all day long. We have Patterson instead of Kenny, that's an upgrade for me. We actully may have 2 left-backs if Vinagre signs. Tarkowski is better than any centre-back who played substantial matches last year (Mina is a drama queen and injury-prone); that's an upgrade.

Take the positives, people, stop looking for the negative.

Let's face it, no-one is going to put an offer on for him. The English Tosun.

Bills scouting method must be going through his annual panini sticker book collection. That's as far as the recruitment catchment area goes.

They keep recycling the same garbage every transfer window with cast-offs from Premier League clubs or those from relegated teams and it continues.

Bill's scouting method must be going through his annual panini sticker book collection. That's as far as the recruitment catchment area goes.

I know he probably didn't get the service, and was never going to carry the team, but still only 22, an England U21 international, could be a good addition.

Well said!

Like it or not, this dude ticks the boxes. Cheap (relatively), young, sell-on value, has talent and upside.

Yup, he doesn't score goals. You sign kids like this and hope they come good. He has talent, he needs to finish. Sign him up and let the manager and coaching staff go to work on him.

The ONLY old dude signing we should make is Gueye. If he can actually return for buttons, fucking sign that man up yesterday please. Our midfield is shite.

If we do sign this kid, surely there's got to be some outgoings? Like seriously, do we need Holgate, Keane, Davies, Gomes? I know the answer from 90% of TWers already.

It's also worth noting that all reports indicate this is a very positively structured, team-friendly deal... which is why this came together fast while Cornet stalled. I've heard we're only paying about 3-million upfront... not sure if 20-million is the ceiling, but some circles are reporting it's closer to 15. That's not bad business.

Albert Einstein.

How the hell are we gonna get this atrocious squad off the pay role next Summer, when we're in the Championship?

Albert Einstein.

How the hell are we gonna get this atrocious squad off the pay role next Summer, when we're in the Championship?

So Gray, Townsend, and if York's, options on the inside and flanks.

Hopefully a couple more to come in...

Hope eternal.

So Gray, Townsend, and if York's, options on the inside and flanks.

Hopefully a couple more to come in...

Hope eternal.

So Gray, Townsend, and if York's, options on the inside and flanks.

Hopefully a couple more to come in...

Hope eternal.

So Gray, Townsend, and if York's, options on the inside and flanks.

Hopefully a couple more to come in...

Hope eternal.

I think, like Gordon, McNeill could also play more in the middle if we play wing-backs. He's a good player but we already have Gordon who's a similar profile. The only way it makes sense for me is if we also bring in Broja to cover the goals.

Also buy out Gana's last 12 months on his contract and then things will look more comfortable going into the new season with Broja, McNeil, Gana, Tarkowski and Vinagre

Besides, if he can run as fast as James Rodriguez and develop that left foot a bit more, he gives that option from right midfield to hit it crossfield like James did to Digne.

Beckham and Scholes had absolutely no acceleration, Frank Lampard never beat a man. Siggy used to just point but kept the opposition checking over their shoulder. However, all were very good at finding the next man or putting the ball in the right areas.

That run when he left Allan for dead and put it in the top corner tells us he can do it. Just needs Super Frank to guide him on how to arrive in the box at the right moment like he used to do.

Besides, if he can run as fast as James Rodriguez and develop that left foot a bit more, he gives that option from right midfield to hit it crossfield like James did to Digne.

Beckham and Scholes had absolutely no acceleration, Frank Lampard never beat a man. Siggy used to just point but kept the opposition checking over their shoulder. However, all were very good at finding the next man or putting the ball in the right areas.

That run when he left Allan for dead and put it in the top corner tells us he can do it. Just needs Super Frank to guide him on how to arrive in the box at the right moment like he used to do.

Still, it confirms that we have no money to spend, and are simply getting bodies in however we can - if nobody else wants them, and we don't have to pay up front. Just wish the club would be honest about this. And I do wonder if Lampard was told about this policy when he joined.

"Sad to think it's not that long ago when we were competing for the marquee signings."

Perhaps not that long ago if you're talking about purchasing large tent like things. Different story altogether if you're referring to players.

On balance I reckon this chap has talent and potential and I am less bothered by the stats, as Burney were crap last year.

Dooh sorry so were we - but, still he might shine, you never know !!

P.S……….I actually do know that Karl Pilkington is a blue, but of the Manchester variety!!

P.S……….I actually do know that Karl Pilkington is a blue, but of the Manchester variety!!

I was watching a game last summer and bumped into Sean Dyche, and we got talking. I asked him about McNeill, because Everton kept getting linked with him, and his answer was, that he was really good footballer. He's a proper player, Dyche said.

I agree. I would rather we signed somebody with a proven output of goals and assists. Particularly goals.

But I also recognise that when we signed Richarlison, he had only scored 5 goals in England with Watford. I doubt he was signed to be a 5 goals a season guy, much like McNeil won't be signed to be a 1 assist and no goals a season guy.

Point being, the hope is obviously that his stats will improve with Everton and they believe he has the potential for this to happen.

As Mike Gaynes rightly points out, his end product was less than fuck all in 21/22. However, in the previous two seasons he had managed much better numbers.

I know Burnley were rubbish, but that's an alarming drop in output from McNeil in the season where they needed him the most.

Just hoping this isn't seen as our Ritchie replacement, as you can't replace his goals with a 1 assist in 38 games man.

To end on a positive though, his goal at Goodison was an absolute beauty!

One decent season and he'll be linked with man Utd for 50 million.

That's where it's worth it.

Remember: 20million these days is the same as 5 million in the Moyes years - so basically the same as we paid for the likes are Pienaar, Lescott, Jagielka, and Mirallas.

McNeil only fits into that sort of team as LWB or possibly a 3 man midfield behind 2 strikers.

I wonder therefore whether the plan is really a 4411, with Gordon and McNeil as (inverted) wide midfielders and Alli playing just off DCL in the Tim Cahill role.

This would allow Mykolenko and Patterson to get forward (and McNeil does hit nice crossfield balls as Jason # 75 suggests).

If that's the plan, the team structure looks OK but we could ideally do with an upgrade on either / both Allan and Doucoure in the centre defensive mid role. Hopefully someone is lined up in that respect along with a versatile forward to step in if DCL is out.

Not Alan Ball

Any chance of recalling him?

We all know what we need. centre mid *2, goal scoring winger/attacker*2, which this guy isn't!

The really worrying aspect is we seem to be signing players to play 5 at the back, it was the only system we could play in the US. it just makes us defensive and hanging on in games!

Jamie #92, never mind recalling Kean. He would never come anyway. The hope is that those two tap-in goals make him more marketable for Juventus to find a buyer for him. Then they can send us our $35 million for him right now, instead of a year from now when they're obligated to do so. Damn, could we use that money right now.

Dare I assume that your two favorite movie characters are Foghorn Leghorn and Jimmy Two-Times from "Goodfellas"?

Anyone know what Pienaar was doing before we signed him ? Wasn't pulling up trees as they say.
Arteta was having a nightmare not someone we thought would be class.
Coleman needed time. Cahill didn't have a queue to sign him Some players have talent and they just need the right environment to show it.

Look what Frank got out of iwobi last part ofthe season, someone who I thought would never get a decent run in our team
Look how much better Gordon come on under Frank. I Belive Frank might just have a bit of uncle Harry's knack of getting players to play for him. He might need to get rid of a few who I belive have never or will never have what it takes. I'm talking Holgate,gomes, Davies, Keane,even mina

Anyone know what Pienaar was doing before we signed him ? Wasn't pulling up trees as they say.
Arteta was having a nightmare not someone we thought would be class.
Coleman needed time. Cahill didn't have a queue to sign him Some players have talent and they just need the right environment to show it.

Look what Frank got out of iwobi last part ofthe season, someone who I thought would never get a decent run in our team
Look how much better Gordon come on under Frank. I Belive Frank might just have a bit of uncle Harry's knack of getting players to play for him. He might need to get rid of a few who I belive have never or will never have what it takes. I'm talking Holgate,gomes, Davies, Keane,even mina

Tony#82

Reassuring information, could explain the fee.

Burnley showing what relegation. is about

Tony#82

Reassuring information, could explain the fee.

Burnley showing what relegation. is about.

Ian#various.

You are well behind the curve on that one.

I get the feeling this is just a sop to supporters because its on the never never otherwise there is no logic to this aquisition.

I get the feeling this is just a sop to supporters because its on the never never otherwise there is no logic to this aquisition.

Just watched McNeill on You tube. Equally good at scoring with left and right foot. Great at carrying the ball. Can play either wing and really comfortable coming inside. Looks like a attacking midfielder. Looks a really good player.

Postman Ian - Burnley dropped their claim against us 27 days ago.

I too have no idea where DM will play but the fact he's been signed before a no.6 doesn't mean it's instead of a no.6. Nor does it mean that we aren't in for a no.6. It only means that this deal got done first.

Dwight McNeill is an industrious player that can defend and press well. Hence even if he's not offering much offensively then he'll be helping to keep us solid.

Offensively he's an effective ball carrier, he can whip in dangerous crosses. He can dribble well but it's clear he needs to add goals and assists to his game.

No doubt, in the role he was asked to play for Burnley, his attacking play suffered.

But this could be a very good signing: offensively strong and defensively capable.

We'll just have to hope 1) he can take the step up and 2) he starts to fulfil his potential

Lampard seems to be going for players who have a bit of character and can get stuck in. McNeil is one of those and, in our current predicament, is just what we need.

He's the one who can make cross field passes accurately to stretch defense. Not neccessarily the one who put in that final cross that result a goal. Stats won't tell you that.

Cornet is more direct. We have similar players like Gray and Gordon both can take on players. But we need someone who can deliver those accurate crosses into the box consistently. Go get him.

We are actually lucky with McNeil:

1) Burnley was relegated and is always open to a cut-price deal
2) After hyped up as a future 3 Lions Regular during the 20-21 Season, he had a relatively quiet 21-22 season and a lot of those "experts" have since claimed that his development has been stalled & plateaued, which helped driving his price down from the £30M+ neighbourhood

Now, we are looking at £15m rising to £20m for a 22 year old with more potentials than Iwobi 3 years ago: I'd just call an Uber, head to Burnley and bite their hands off right away.

He has a good age profile, will supply DCL and the price at £20 million including add ons is reasonable for a player of his profile. It also looks like Gordon will play centrally this season.

Mike G, you have advocated taking a punt on Dele on a deal that could rise to £40 million despite his lack of productivity - probably rightly so as he could prove an inspired buy if he rediscovers his previous form. It's worth giving McNeil the same support?

Got a bit carried away. A You Tube clip does not tell the full story. Just hope that he can produce something. He is 22, but would need to get a bit stronger. There is a lot of competition for his normal position at Everton. . I definitely don't think dealing with Burnley had anything to do with the Letter withdrawal.

The hardest part right now is that none of us have any clue what Frank's plan is in terms of how we set up. We have no idea what our top 11 looks like.

For me, our biggest issue other than the really important things like scoring goals and not allowing them — neither of which are our strong suits — is someone with composure on the ball in the middle of the park. McNeil has that. Good enough to give me hope, until it's dashed if he's done nothing for us by Christmas.

Concern 2: where the hell do wingers fit in any system with 5 at the back anyway? Especially if also trying to accommodate a “10” in Gordon or Dele.

Biggest concern of all: Franks another Koeman in just putting 11 good players on the pitch and letting them figure out a system.

Anyone got any clue how we'll line up this season?

As for there being so many moaners, have you been watching Everton for the last few(?) years.

Polls and websites can give you a certain snapshot opinion in time. Without going political (but I guess I already have), Boris Johnson is perceived as a hugely unpopular Prime Minister yet won the biggest majority scene in decades.

Polls and data can be manipulated to get a certain view across.

I work in an industry that is "data driven". I'm starting to dislike the phrase.

McNeil's previous peak is 3 goals in a season, so to me he's more of a blind shot in the dark than a punt.

I will certainly support him wholeheartedly and hope he makes me eat a whole plateful of crow. He's certainly got talent, and at worst he will provide some desperately needed skill on the ball and help fill the hole left by Townsend.

Don't let him near a portrait of Whistler's Mother just to be on the safe side ! :-)

Let's hope he turns out to be more of a 'Runner than a Baked, Mr Bean' !

“I'm more about principles than whether it's a back three or back four. It's more about the balance of how we want to play. I want speed in the game, to move things quickly. Hardworking and pressing, whether it's high or in a block. ”

Frank Lampard.

When he plays 5 at the back it is not a defensive formation it is more about wing backs pressing forward. Midfield seems to be more a blend of players. Even last season it was difficult to work out the midfield structure. I take it McNeill will have more of a midfield role. I would hazard a guess that another midfielder will come in on loan and that will be it. A lone striker with a supporting player, probably Delli Alli will be the two up front.

Most would have thought the right of defence, a recognisable midfield and a forward would have been what would have been what is needed.

Frank seems to have his own ideas about midfield and it looks like Kewell gem's come from Wolves and Burnley.

"Concern 2: where the hell do wingers fit in any system with 5 at the back anyway?"

I think we will see more 343 than 352 so two wide players either side of DCL.

DCL, Gordon and McNeill. The PL will be terrified already

He most obviously slots into the team as a 4411.

Good left foot and defensively disciplined. He might be viewed as the ideal right flank partner to help Patterson settle in.

Gordon and Mykolenko would occupy the left flank.

Alli would play just off DCL.

That team structure is pleasantly simple - and should be compact defensively.

If five players score 5-10 goals each, then thats more than we are like likely to see a goalscorer get for the prices we can afford. It's about team work, patterns and tactics.
The ability to think more than "I'm a left fullback, I defend this bit of grass, that's all I do. I think we've got two good, intelligent players come in.
Let's see who else we get before we judge how our team and our first team squad, is going to play. I said after seeing him on youtube, Vinagre is a very exciting player (I know, youtube wonder!) well I reckon he's got skill, vision, a great engine and is very fast recovering or attacking.

Most of all, it includes fast passing and fast pace. were getting a lot more of the first and I think (hope) we'll see a lot more of the second.

If they can become a part of a good team, that will be much better than we've seen for years.

I don't know about the rumour of Barkley coming (if it's anything more than a rumour) He's certainly got great skill and if he comes, then he's a Blue and let'as see how he gets on...even with the baggage.

I think with the fitter, younger players we've brought in, then I don't discount Allan playing a good part in our team, Not counting Gbamin as I haven't seen him come on yet, but if he can get fit, then he'll play a good part too.

I'm hoping we get 10 points more than last season, that's as far as my expectation is. If we start getting more than that, I'll be delighted.

For me it's not the actual players we have signed/may sign, it's the position they are signed for. Where are the two central midfielders we desperately need? where is the striker?
I am all for giving new players a chance but if we are planning on starting the season with the same central midfielders as last year, we are in big,big trouble.

What was the quote by somebody famous? - '' The definition of madness is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results '' - or something similar.

Hopefully it's just the way it's worked out when recruiting and the players we desperately need are on the way, but this is Everton.

Dwight McNeil's stats last season weren't brilliant on the face of it but also slightly misleading, in that he was A) playing for Burnley, and B) assists are only as good as the bloke on the other end of the pass/cross (see point A).

He actually made 24.71 passes per match, made 6 'big' chances and put in 199 crosses over last season. To put that into perspective, Richarlison made 17.47 passes per match, created 7 'big' chances and made 38 crosses over last season. Admittedly Richarlison was played up front a fair bit due to DCL being crocked so perhaps his crossing stats don't quite marry-up with McNeil's so its a moot point.

Defensively McNeil made 78 tackles, blocked 20 shots, and made 35 interceptions. Richarlison made 40 tackles, blocked 26 shots and made 12 interceptions so McNeil does work hard and that's massively important in my view.

These stats don't read quite as badly as some people think, and McNeil can run with the ball & go past people so he creates space and time for others, which is something we were severely lacking last season - almost totally reliant on Richarlison.

I wasn't massively into the idea of McNeil either until I looked a bit further into it, and had a bit of a think about the bigger picture. He could end up being a lot better for us than we initially think. His ability to run with the ball will always help get us up the pitch too, another major problem we struggled with last season - backs to the wall football - competent runners with the ball make a big difference in that sense so he brings more to the table than at first glance.

This YouTube Link is well worth a watch for tactical analysis as well.

This lad is young and can improve. When I've watched him live and on telly he's a hard worker, skilful and at times exciting. Let's give him a chance before wringing our hands and casting stones in his direction.

If Gueye is the right price and still has the legs, then I'll have him.

We still need a striker and an attacking midfielder on top (at least) if we're to have an average season.

It wouldn't be Everton if it was easy.

You can see this just by looking at the business done by clubs like West Ham, Palace, Leeds and Leicester in recent years. Despite their inferior recent pedigree, they have had no trouble assembling good squads.

And they've not just bought foreign either to the extent that matters - picking up players from the Championship, Rich 6 reserves / academies and Scotland etc.

Furthermore the game is now a sixteen man contest. Increasingly we will see managers replacing two or three of their front players after an hour or so in order to maintain intensity. I can see Anthony Gordon and McNeill job sharing one of the front roles.

Also, Tarkowski will have given a big insight into the player and fully recommended him, which also gives me confidence. Frank has said he wants durable, robust players and he passes that test too.

As soon as a player becomes Everton man I think we need to be positive and give him every chance to improve and succeed. He will need this support to feed his confidence to perform his best.

All these crosses into the box and not too many goals have got me thinking about the strategy at play again.
Are we setting up for him to have more than just DCL to aim at. Will we have Broja playing off DCL in a 352 formation ?, or Dele playing just behind DCL. The main goal supply then coming from a combination of those three players.

McNeill has good stats and fits in with what Frank is looking for. Looks more that he will be more of left midfield for Everton.

McNeill has good stats and fits in with what Frank is looking for. Looks more that he will be more of left midfield for Everton.

However, exploring other options. I see forest are linked with William Carvalho. An awesome defensive midfield player. If this materialises as a loan deal it would be regretful that we didn't do this deal ourselves.

If he joins forest it will also increase our own problems as it means a promoted team who will have a top class manager and good players and a season of promise ahead of them.

I think if we get n our targets Allan will be allowed to go back to Italy.

Nobody knows how any new player will adapt to a new club, he may crash and burn, he might light up Goodison, let's wait until a player performs in a blue shirt, before we rush to judgement, good or bad.

McNeil is a good young player with very good delivery from open play and set pieces. He's a wide midfielder with a good work ethic.

Like Tom Davies, he's not going to become a world class player but what they can do is play to their best ability on a more consistent basis. Better decision making, better fitness and better execution of passes etc.

Cornet is a much better player in terms of attacking, he's a winger/ modern forward with skill, pace, shooting ability that I would rather have because of his goals.

What is odd is that we can trigger the buy out clause but can't agree the pay structure. I think £18M is a very good price for Cornet, an average price for McNeil.

Funnily enough he was on Mastermind recently, and he 'passed' on every question. 🤔😜

Bad points: He's not fast or explosive. He doesn't score a lot of goals, I'm not sure he's ever likely to. He's definitely not a Richarlison replacement. He is quite a similar player to Gordon in many ways.

Good points: He can take a pretty good set piece (corners especially) which we lack. He works very hard and will not be disruptive. He creates a good amount without losing the ball often. To have 130 odd PL appearances at 22 is pretty impressive. £15m rising to £19m is a pretty decent price for. An established young, English PL player; how much were people on here expecting for Gordon?

Personally I prefer a more dynamic winger. It will be interesting to see how he does compared to Sinisterra who was my pick. My prediction is McNeil will hit the ground running but the Colombian will be worth more money in 3 years time.

Sensible business and he has qualities that will help the team. But we definitely need more goals. As others have pointed out we have a fair few midfielders/wingers who are hard working but struggle to hit the back of the net consistently.

I wonder if Lampard will be considering McNeill as a RWB option if he believes Patterson too raw?

In the meantime, the bar is set quite low. We need affordable players good enough to form a team that performs better than at least 3 other teams in the league. I think McNeil fits that profile but he will be consuming an awful lot of our wiggle room on FFP. By my calculations, all of it in fact, so we will either be filling those gaping holes in the midfield and striker department with loans, or we are going to have to sell the few worthwhile assets we still have- Pickford, maybe Mina- before we buy.

As someone who has, like so many on here, supported this club back to the 60's, the low bar of today is humiliating, but we are where we are...

For many recent seasons, Everton was seen to have the best summer of the PL. From there, it was all downhill (apart from the summer of 2019-2020 where we had the cracking start and 2nd at Xmas).

Mane arrived from Southampton and turned into an awesome player for Liverpool. With the right management, players can develop and perform.

I see a lot of potential upside in Dwight McNeil, especially if the price is shy of £20 million. Lovely footballer.

In fact they both show up top on each other's FBRef which compares players across the top European leagues.

https://fbref.com/en/players/fc15fb84/Dwight-McNeil

Of course there are crucial differences between them too and the could well complement each other. McNeill's left foot could be crucial but we will need at least one of them to get a few more goals.

Doesn't miss a lot of games either so a big improvement on other recent buys/signings.

Colemen and Cahill came here for very low fees yet made a major contribution to the team. I remember the sheer disbelief of many Blues at our signing Reid and Power back in the days when we genuinely had good times (Yep, I invaded the pitch at Norwich). And don't forget 𧶲,000 Joe Parkinson who epitomised our 'Dogs of War' winning our last trophy.

So long as players are fit enough to start with, we should at least give our new signings every bit of support and not rush to judgement based on the transfer fee or which club we've bought them from.

Our survival now depends on it.

Thirdly, what is Lampard's vision. if it's 3 at the back with either 2(FFS NO!!) in midfield or hopefully 3, then it's difficult to see where McNeil would operate. Plus we've already got Gordon, Gray & Townsend,

But either way I'd like to see midfielders who can get about the pitch; a Sangere or similar would do very nicely. And someone up top who can score a few goals. In the last 2 seasons we've lost Richie, The chap from Iceland and James. He. whoever he is should be top priority, as opposed to a slowish winger with an identical goals and assists stats to mine, OK he's got one more assist.

Thirdly, what is Lampard's vision. if it's 3 at the back with either 2(FFS NO!!) in midfield or hopefully 3, then it's difficult to see where McNeil would operate. Plus we've already got Gordon, Gray & Townsend,

But either way I'd like to see midfielders who can get about the pitch; a Sangere or similar would do very nicely. And someone up top who can score a few goals. In the last 2 seasons we've lost Richie, The chap from Iceland and James. He. whoever he is should be top priority, as opposed to a slowish winger with an identical goals and assists stats to mine, OK he's got one more assist.

PS. Seems strange that we supposedly hit the brakes on the Cornet deal over the structure of the payments in a 㾽.5M deal but we wrap up a 㿀m deal in no time at all. Shows how much shite is written in the press.

Very pleased...more of the same please Frank.

Sam #185, my guess is Frank does see McNeil as an option at RWB along with Patterson, depending on whether he wants a left-footer or right-footer in that spot on a particular day.

Mal #199. why would that happen? Does Burnley want him? And does he want to go?

Exactly John Kavanagh. Do well for Everton; that's how we will judge him like many before him.

Brian. Make sure your passport is in date from August 2023. Europe beckons.

At 㾻m, he's worth a punt, and he seems happy to be coming here.

In terms of where he'll play, I see him on the right and Gordon on the left behind DCL. Demarai on the bench as an impact sub, Dele making the tea.

Remember we can use five subs now so we need lots of options in every position.

Lets try to remember that next season we can use 5 from 9 named subs so having players who can play various roles is a good idea.

I'm pretty happy with McNeil - I remember always thinking, "oh no" whenever he played against us and that has to be a good thing. The kid can beat a man easily, and is an excellent crosser of the ball, plus he picks passes well, switches the play nicely and is a very hard worker defensively. I think he's a really good signing, and only 22 so he'll improve.

Not really sure what people want/expect. We're Everton not Barcelona.

With our limited funds and loan options, aren't there bigger priorities? With no more goals from Richie, Siggie, James and even Tosun, and DCL not being exactly prolific, where will our goals come from?

George @ 210 - fullbacks and wingers are the new No.10s of 2016-17.

However, still think Frank will go with 5 at the back, so maybe it'll be a 3-5-1-1 type system with McNeil coming more “inside”. However that'd need Gordon and Gray as square pegs so cant see that tbh.

Anyway, my heads hurting trying to figure it out. As others say, another striker and 1 or 2 decent CM/DCM are absolutely critical. As long as DM doesnt stop that happening then lets judge after we see.

Those moaning, stop!! We can't pay high prices but young talented and premiership experience means good business!

Hopefully a striker and central midfielder are coming!

Stay positive all!

Barkley looks set to come back as well, and with the 5 subs rule I don't have a problem with it because he can play a bit, but then I wasn't that arsed about the way he left like a lot of people were/are.

We need a ball playing midfield player, and given our financial plight, Barkley for next to nothing seems alright to my mind. He's also better than anyone we have in midfield whether you like it or not!

Cue all the hate for the way he left. Football is business, players are cannon fodder.

The three that we have brought in and hopefully more to follow, I will judge them when they have played for Everton, we certainly need some bodies in the squad.

For me, even if Gueye or Barkley come in, or Rabiot, I am prepared to see how they perform in an Everton shirt.

That was too close to the knuckle last season, we simply could not go with the squad we had last season, minus Richarlison.

Anyway onwards and upwards.

The backstory for those not aware: when we loaned Kean to Juve last year, it was with a requirement that they buy him in June 2023 for 㿈 million. They've been trying to get his big salary off their books this summer, and if they could have found a buyer, they'd have closed the deal with us immediately and shipped him out.

We sure could have used that money right now, but it looks like it's not gonna happen.

I'm sure Frank cares and his staff, but fill out the team with journeymen or just not good enough players, and we will get what we deserve, or should that be, we will get what we don't deserve.

On the flip side, Moise Kean has been playing a lot of minutes and doing really well for Juve in pre season, including 2 goals against Barca so Juve might also be happy to keep him if he's playing well.

If they do, at least we'll recoup £28m next summer so it isn't all bad news.

He has the right age, he is a good dribbler, good crosser, and I believe he is going to be even better in the future and maybe he will start scoring some goals too. For the budget we have, this is very good business.

I recall us signing another winger from Burnley at one time by the name of Dave Thomas. I don't think he was a great goal scorer either but his role was to provide the ammunition for Bob Latchford.

I guess the plan here is for McNeil to provide the service for Calvert-Lewin. With a bit of luck, it will work.

I read the deal is split so we get a loan fee, ٠.5M last season and ١.5M this season, deducted from the overall fee. Then they get an extra year to pay the remaining 㿄M, so sounds like 㾸M in 2023, and 㾸M in 2024.

I think Brands did well getting us our money back, even though sadly it looks like we will have to wait for it. Also there was some talk a while back of Juve buying him outright early, but they'd probably want a discount to do that.

I don't know whether we would consider a slightly reduced fee to get some much-needed strengthening funds in.

I agree with just about everything you say, except the Ross Barkley bit.

Just no.

Whereas I would like to see Gueye back as I think he's quality and a fitness freak of nature, Ross did nothing at Chelsea, his time has come and passed, and last I saw him it looks like he jumped the pond to 'Merica and went on a cheeseburger bender.

Same with winger Dave Thomas, albeit I think Burnley was his first club and we got him from QPR... but yes, what a player.

Hard to avoid that relegation feeling.

I have never felt so sorry for the once great club I've supported for nearly 60 years.

However, too late for a change of heart now, COYB!

For some reason that Burnley connection stuck in my mind.

The key to all of this is getting the ingredients right, as Leicester suddenly did – or indeed as we did in the 1980s. We just need a few players to gel. In recent years, most of our acquisitions seem to have dovetailed like a couple of bricks.

I'm pleased with most of these signings. But God, there's some serious dead weight on the books that I think we could drop?

Probably no takers, but I sure hope to see 3 or 4 players out the door before the window closes to help our poor financial state!

So it must be true that professional footballers don't watch football on telly.

Welcome Aboard, Mr Bean!

I do think and hope you will be a very good signing for us, I have usually been impressed when I have seen you play. Maybe not high profile or a Hollywood signing, but we have had enough of them.

You always put in a good shift and only go missing at half-time like the others which is always welcome too!

㾻M isn't totally over the top and we're probably paying it ٣M down ٣M next year and the year after.

I thought the lad spoke quite candidly about getting his stats up. Sounds like he's motivated to learn and improve and is fully prepared to put in the hard work to do that.

I think he deserves some support and a bit of time to show us what he can do.

Another reason I appreciated Benitez last season was that he was doing the dirty jobs, like forcing out the players who were killing us on the financial front.

We were paying James a million pounds every month, and had given Digne a contract til he was 34 on well over a hundred grand a week.

I'm not sure Lampard will take up that side of things with the same zeal, but would be very pleasantly surprised if he does manage to get rid of one of the centre-backs and Gomes to start with.

I would like to see two more signings, and perhaps at least a couple leaving. But I'm feeling better than I did last week, and good work from the new backroom team so far.

He has looked decent when I have seen him and is probably a better footballer than Richarlison whilst nowhere near as dangerous in terms of a goal threat.

It's not like there's been a bidding war for them. It's amateur our club, amateur.

Speed was better in the air, McNeil is better at going past players, but like Gary Speed, McNeil is possibly going to become a better player, by playing inside.

Although this is just mere speculation, it could possibly be why Everton have suddenly begun to become a little bit more active with regards transfers?

He scored a killer goal against us, had Allan on toast, leaving him for dead then scoring top left corner, he must be good, sign him up!

Worrying, we need to play 3-5-2 and he is there to whip the ball in to two centre-forwards in that case, then we may get some returns off him; otherwise, I think he is favoured to fail rather than succeed.

I think he has done okay, sure he made some odd decisions, but he has the drive and football know-how, and probably a reasonable team around him.

I reckon there might be a bit of anti-London bias, and a worry that he might go back there instead of staying etc.

Just my point of view.

Still No 1 priority: Kevin Thelwell to get us a DCM. Guido Rodriguez, who we are linked with is the type of player I'm hoping for. Interesting to see if Thelwell has good viable alternatives or whether we can get this player in.

Then Frank uses his influences to get Broja on a loan with an option to buy next summer. Finally, get Gana in and sell Allan back to Italy for no net spend.

"Why wasn't McNeil and Vinagre signed 3 or 4 weeks ago? Could've gone on the US tour, integrated etc, why leave it so late?

"It's not like there's been a bidding war for them, It's amateur our club, amateur."

Jeff, we don't know who has bid what, when. It's possible that nobody else bid, that we suspected that, and that we held out until Burnley dropped their asking price. If so, shrewd. But we're just guessing at all this, as usual. Amateur, I tell thee!

The club has messed up big time (aided by us fans, btw) but they must be allowed to recover as best they can. Braying for yet another manager? Total insanity, we must give Lampard our total support now.

Cornet next. Someone who can find the net. It'll be a new experience after years of the walking dead.

So, unless it's just Clickbait Crap, looks like we may have to concentrate elsewhere, no doubt he would have been an interesting addition but at 28 they are talking silly money for his signature.

If we go on at this rate, we could be looking at redundancies in that huge Finch Farm medical facility!

Pat #259,

I was searching for the words to describe some of the current crew but 'walking dead' is right on the button!

Talk of getting rid of Lampard is brainless at best.

Having signed 3 players now for little or nothing compared to what the big boys are spending, if anything it creates competition for the current bunch who so under-performed for most of last season.

With the departure of Richarlison, there is nobody who can step up and many teams with potential replacements and who may become available will be asking the earth as the transfer window starts to close.

Everton cannot pay big transfer fees and of course quality strikers come at a premium.

Hard to imagine what the Board is thinking right now as another difficult season looms.

Then he has to settle in, get a Work Permit, may not gel etc. I know Gane Gueye has been mentioned at 32, but we know what he can do, and wasn't renowned for his speed anyway.

And besides, from what I could gather, they were talking about little money or on a free, as he only has 12 months left on his contract with PSG.

What was the reason we stayed up?

Did Frank play no part in our survival?

Just askin'...

I think the deadwood we speak of are going to be hard to shift. We are paying too much in wages to average players. Getting them out won't necessarily improve our finances as they won't give up their big contracts.

If any move on, like Gomes, we will still end up paying their wages at least partly This is why it's a 2 to 3 window job rebuilding this squad. Patterson, Mykolenko, McNeil, Vinagre hopefully mean we are moving in right direction.

Midfield orchestrator and striker back-up is needed now.

I'm fully behind Frank and his team. He was a high-achieving footballer, here's hoping he does great things for us.

Not quite what had been assumed?

Richarlison was so annoying with his diving and play acting. A poor man's version of Neymar imo. This lad will be okay. Still a shit kit though.

There has been a change in policy this year... Mykolenko, Patterson, Vinagre, McNeil... are they world beaters? No. Are they exciting? No. But if we start to get a reliable squad where 6 or 7 out of 10 every week is the norm, then we at least start to get a solid base to build from.

Should we be in this position? Absolutely not. Has there been gross incompetence? Absolutely.

We are where we are and that cannot be changed. If we get 10th to 14th and no dramas this season, that's positive progress, as horrible as that sounds. Let's be better, not bitter.

Yes, I have just seen that too. Interesting but not convinced it's a good move although probably better than what we currently have.

The past doesn't bother me about players but Ross just doesn't seem to have the intelligence needed for a really good playmaker.

My post was more a highlight of the recent words from Lampard regarding age, than my opinion of the player(s). In fact, I just noticed I made a mistake in there; "not too young or old", I meant to type, not "no".

Perhaps we may be seeing a DOF-led choice in play for Gueye?

My opinion though is: if a player genuinely has something to offer, perhaps for a season or even half of one, then the age is just a number over that span. Alas, short contracts are very rare.

The right deal, with the right fee, salary and duration is what it's about – not something we've excelled at in recent years. 㿔M is a lot of money; I would be stunned if that or similar happened. Actually, any money is a lot right now.

This is not about him being an ex-player but really, is he going to make a difference? Frank, stay clear!!

I really can't see Gueye wanting a return to Goodison –surely he's good enough to get a game with another club in Europe – but you never know in football, do you?

I must admit I'm not a great advocate of the return of former players, although Jagielka and Baines did okay, but their 'returns' to Everton were totally different to Barkley or Gueye as they were very young when they left Everton the first time around.

I was anxious a few days ago about the lack of activity. I'm not now, it's gathering pace.

Like I've kept repeating, 4 seasons minimum.

By the way, I'm pissed in Kos tonight on holiday, but he's getting players in and I'm delighted.

I will feel better if we get Gueye but not Winks or Gilmour and we need to replace Richarlison's 10-15 goals a season.

Jay – I feel the same. Not excited so much as reconciled to the reality of it. This is the immediate future; small improvements.

Koeman also won everything as a player, hopeless manager but it's good to see positive posts and Frank has it all in place alongside him. Just don't look above him.

I got hoodwinked by my memories of Koeman the player.

Jury is out on Lampard. I was on the fence from the start. But I'm optimistic as long as he and his team are allowed to get on with the job they've been charged with.

I wonder what (if any) money we have available or who can we bring in with a long payout period or even a free. Cosidering what poor footballers in our squad, it's going to take time to replace them all. There ids a pumour in the paper today (only a rumour mind) about Gomes going to a european side.
What we can definitely say, is we have two young, fast, skilful players come in. What difference they will ake, well, i'll just wait and see; but I'm encouraged; and I expect to see a more mobile side playing faster passing football I don't think we can depend on just DCL poppingh the goals we need in, he isn't a naturasl goalscorer. A bit like Duncan Ferguson. But if more plaers acn contribute then we might just get the ten more points I'll be content with...any more and I might even get excited!

Not just you...migrating to a new server apparently. There's a not very prominent notice to this effect on the Home Page.

I'm glad we have added to the squad and pleased for Frank and his Team. To add a striker too?

My lad saId this morning that Ross Barkley has unarchived all his Instagram Everton media photographs from his former playing days, at Everton, so I reckon there's a chance he may come back..

Let's see the mileage left in the rumours of Ross, Gilmour and Ghana.

If (and I accept it's a big IF) he can improve his output (of which he's well capable) then we could have a very astute signing.

He can beat a man, pick a pass, he can cross brilliantly and yes he CAN score.

Remember he is a flair player forced to play in a very rigid system within a team that didn't know how to attack. If he is let off the leash and can provide for DCL, Dele and Borja/Dennis/Cornet + if those players attract defenders then McNeil will have even more space.

Frank will encourage players to shoot and use their offensive drive (in the way he used to as a player) and that means we could see the very best of McNeil.

He's has undoubtedly ability, great technique, good acceleration to beat a man and can hit from distance.

I'm excited

This would suggest that Everton can bring in two further loanees, which point to two more players coming in on loan, before the transfer window ends.

Is it possible to progress a loan after the transfer deadline? I seem to remember this as being possible, but can't be sure.

Compare with Gibbs-White, played 46 EPL matches, 1 goal 1 assist can command $25+m, McNeil for $15m is a steal. He's also 22. Good age with room for improvement. He can take on players, he can cross well, good work rate, English. If things don't workout, we can still sell him on.

Hope we finally got someone who can consistently whip in good crosses for DCL to attack.

Welcome Dwight McNeil!

No...it isn't possible.

Which means we could take 2 players from English clubs on loan still.

on allowing loans after the deadline pretty sure you can't

“I think with the fitter, younger players we've brought in, then I don't discount Allan playing a good part in our team”

My concern is striker - relying on DCL so much is a big concern. I thought we had missed out on Broja but maybe not.

Anyway, exiled Blue, have a season ticket. If anyone needs a ticket for Chelsea game or games after that - Park End seat PE7 N171, please message on 07548614723.

The resale platform was shite last season and don't think it will improve this season, so would prefer to know the ticket is going to someone who will see the game, think I would need membership customer number etc to make it available

If he did well at Chelsea...why was his time short?

Let's hope Frank is a fluent Farsi speaker then!

Not sure why we why we didn't offer Keane (back) to Burnley as part of this deal, or part exchange for Kornet. They've lost both their starting central defenders in Tarkowski and Mee, so he would slot right in.

We are of course assuming that scenario was not suggested. If he is under Contract with us and, I use the term 'earning' extremely loosely, wages that a Championship couldn't manage to match, he is going to refuse and stay put !

Unfortunately !

How much money do these people want ? They have by either luck or otherwise become millionaires, but will not even consider a decrease in wages for the love of the game, or Burnley !

We definitely need a striker who can hit double figures though because Rondon is not going to do it and the sight of him up front is not a good sign for our youngsters or us fans.

Hopefully Lampard turns into Diego Simeone Mk 2 and masters the art of one-nil wins.

I'm still a bit concerned that we have a lot of the deadwood hanging around and would have thought the likes of Gomez and Keane at least could have been offloaded.

As long as these are the players that the manager and DoF want and know who they can target in the circumstances, then I will support it.

We're marching.

European trophy, an FA Cup and losing out on a second only in injury time having been made to play 2 finals in 4 days. Plus 10th May 1986 - that still breaks my heart when I think about it.

Through merit, we were about to embark on pitting ourselves against the best in Europe only to be let down by the family. You can't choose family. I'll never forgive them.

Those were the days. When we signed unassuming players for them to become legends. Including a tricky winger from Burnley.

Thanks. It must have been something else then.

I was thinking the McNeill purchase may have been partly to appease Frank. Given a close run relegation battle the Manager would be entitled to expect some help, especially because he inherited most of the squad. Can only see two loans now by the end of the transfer window, unless Frank is demanding more help in the transfer market.

Keane will sit as long as he can and would refuse such a move. The problem with Deadwood is that it doesn't need to move and few want it.

It looks like Chelsea are reluctant to sell Broja and may only look for a loan, this puts us up there in the driving seat to sign him with a 352 and 532 set up Broja will definitely get lots of playing time, come on Frank call in those favours!

This leaves me to question the CDM position, with Broja on loan along with Vinagre, Tarkowski on a free (who I think will be another crowd favourite), McNeil in on a structured £20M deal means we should have some money for a CDM.

I love Gueye but if the Broja deal comes off (major coup if so) then I would prefer to see us BUY the next Gueye, make him ours and develop him. Onana fits the bill along with some other names mentioned by Robert on a previous thread.

This may just leave us enough in the coffers to buy a cheap unpolished midfield diamond from Belgium, Netherlands etc where there is market value. Thelwell will know of some targets I'm sure, or he can just contact our resident scouts on TW! With a quality CDM in place, I am of the view this will free up Allan to play a more influential role and possibly the Duke.

Everton is within us. Be that sat in the stadium, watching in a London pub or sat on some mountain or in a desert thousands of miles away.

I watched him playing with much better players for Chelsea, and although you could see his ability, and he also gave some real glimpses of his own great talent, I also saw a player who seemed very content to stroll.

Ross has got the talent, but he's never had enough application, desire or self-belief, to go and release his undoubted ability. Hard work is the key, because talent alone is not enough, in a sport that requires you to perform nearly every single week.

Anyway, I think we've got a decent young Manager and a good young DoF. I look back at Tony's post at (251) and can well believe that the Manager and DoF were going to resign if we had no incoming players.

So, whoever we get in, will not please some supporters, there'll be comments about why didn't we go for an alternative.

Well after the Pragmatic outpouring from our C.e.o. she has said, in pragmatic language, that we're brassic, apart from some of the transfer money we got. so we can only get in a) Those who want to come to relegation threatened club and b) how much clubs will accept on the never never.

I think we've got two good young players in, and I'm waiting to see who else we can bring in.I think we will, I hope we can get a goalscorer, but what would that cost! and a good midfielder, again what would that cost. As for Guaye, I'm not bothered about age, it's if he can do a good job for a season for us (maybe two).

I think this season is all about progressive steps away from the relegation places. I'd want to see us get 10 more points than last season, the more we get after that, the better. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised and we get around the top 8; but number 1 is steer away from the mire and stay away!

Tony, spot on about Barkley. What a waste of talent, hope he'll learn but???

We have our first game on Saturday week and hopefully the manager can bring in more recruits, particularly in the engine room and a back up to DCL.

It looks as if if we will go with 3 at the back, be that part of a

3 - 4 - 3 or
3 - 5 - 2 formation

Our wing backs will need to get up and down the pitch all day long and maybe that's why the additions during the week were in that area.

At this moment it seems like we have 2 players to play up top DCL and Rondon, Simms has gone out on loan and Dobbin has had very few minutes in our pre season games. Also not only have we lost Richarlisons goals but I don't see to many in this squad who put the same commitment and work rate as he did. I know in nearly every post I say the same things where are the goals going to come from. I had hoped with Lampard being a prolific goal scoring midfield player he more than anybody would now how having as many goal scoring options in the team is a must.
I really hope that we get in a couple of goal scorers before the season starts and they hit the ground running, because if we don't this team is in for another monumental struggle to stay in the Premier league.

In Frank I Trust.

I did say that I hoped McNeil would make me look stupid for my criticism of this signing. I didn't expect him to stick it so far up my ass in his first ten minutes on the pitch.

Good on ya, Dwight.

Should never judge a player until he has pulled the Everton shirt on and played a few games. From what I saw tonight, he looks a very good signing.

For my part, I must be losing it as somehow I thought McNeil was Australian and Cornet was Mexican. I had a pretty bad head injury a few months ago but didn't realize it had knocked me off my Geography bee mast.

I thought McNeil's goal was terrific. Brave, ambitious and a great finish. Who needs Ross Barkley aye? And the header too. I now realize he is not Australian but nonetheless, maybe there's a bit of the Tim Cahill about him?

Granted with no domestic season, a war and Champions League games, this wasn't Dynamo's best but two wins and 7 goals in two games is a hell of a turnaround from last week in Minnesota when we were 0 for 3 from three games with 1 scored and 11 conceded (7 of them against Arsenal).

I really hope we don't bring Ross back but Gueye would be okay and ideally another striker. I don't see us having a great season but I am starting to believe we could have a respectable one.

You will be more delighted than anyone if you are proven wrong over McNeil.

You are looking good on your advocacy of Dele Alli though. He looks so much more confident and relaxed in pre-season, and if we can return him to the sort of form he displayed for Spurs before Mourinho then we have the bargain of the century.

An English midfielder at 22 with improvement in him who has already played over 100 Premier League games you will struggle to find.

Those who point to stats I will say take a look for example at Salah his goals output. I would guess pre-Liverpool it would be what? 1 in 3 or 4? in Leagues not as strong as the Premier League. Since playing across the park, that I imagine goes through the roof making me sick to my stomach.

The risk is again buying players from relegated teams but we are not going to be buying players already at the top with big reputations. All transfers carry risk; McNeil may also be able to play in different positions and hopefully proves a shrewd bit of business.

Couldn't believe he's only 22, as he played like a top-class experienced professional. I think that the club have a got a top player in, with time to develop to an even better player.

How much did he cost? When I think of the money the club has spent on players not as young or as good! This time, I think we've got a really good first-team player to add to our squad, If he only cost 㾻M, then I think that's a great bit of work by our Manager and DoF.

If we get more to come as well, then this will have been a good bit of work in this transfer window.

I agree with you, Karl, re his comparison to Gordon. I think Gordon has quite a bit of developing to do, whereas McNeil is one year older and considerably more experienced.

But he will get marked more and pressurised in the Premier league. It will be interesting to see how he stands up to more scrutiny and whether he will be able to retain his good habits at Finch Farm.

Based mainly, but not exclusively, on games against us, McNeil has always looked like a player who puts the opposition in awkward positions. Maybe that doesn't always translate into being the player who gets the last or second-to-last touch on the ball.

I think he's been signed because the manager and others at the club rate him, not just as a desperate scraping of the barrel. Hopefully he can become part of a cadre of tricky, attacking players who can inspire each other to peak performances and result in a multitude of goals from many players.

Si @ 347 – I hope you are seeing the future accurately. It is a possibility!!

Whisper it quietly but, to me, McNeil has a touch of the Tim Cahill about him.

At Everton, he gets us and I think his passion helped to revive the dying embers of hope last season. He is a smart guy based on his IQ and he's surrounded himself with people like Clement and Cole who can supplement his own skill set.

He's not a miracle worker but, given the circumstances, I think he's someone who can get the best out of what we have. So I'm a Frankophile and I wish him and the team all the best. COYB

In the Sky era, Cahill is a throwback to the Peter Reid and Alan Ball mentality. A warrior not fazed by who he was up against or trying to be pally with, like nice guys Jagielka, Baines etc.

I'm not criticising players like that – just a different mindset that I don't recognise as a Blue.

As for McNeil, well he may be a real plus for us from midfield.