Everton sound out Villarreal regarding Chukwueze

I'd be very surprised. Billed as the new Robben a few years ago. He's good but not really kicked on from them. Fast left footed right winger which suits the 433 in particular - but it's a genuine striker option we need more than this. Hopefully Broja or Joao Pedro or someone else of genuine talent / potential.

Very fast player who can certainly run with the ball but I’m not sure he brings enough goals to the party for the sort of fee he would cost. Only managed 3 goals in 1300 league minutes last season though he did get 3 assists as well.

He does seem to lose the ball a bit less than the likes of Grey and is probably a bit more explosive but I’m not quite sure he’s a big enough upgrade to merit the £25-30m he’d probably cost.

Definitely an interesting/exciting option who could prove to be a Sant Maximin type hit but I lean towards Joao Pedro/Gakpo/Mudryk as better long term options.

Twitter (I know) saying this is almost a done deal. Is he just a speed merchant with no end product like James, Traore, Walcott etc…or an Arjen Robben?

Correct Robert @ 1

What don't the clots at EFC understand about the need for a player to score GOALS?

Colin@3, he’s got more end product than the likes of James and Traore though he’s currently much closer to their end of the spectrum than Arjen Robben. I think he could have a similar impact to Sant Maximim at Newcastle if things went well.

Another day another name.

of all the names mentioned, only Gakbo has really excited.

but we someone, At least just to offer an alternative/competition to Gordon/Grey/McNeil on the wing so we can change things up occasionally during a game.

Just posted about this on another thread so I won't repeat myself other than say this isn't what we need right now as Gordon is staying, an interesting option if Gordon was going. We need a player who can play anywhere across the forward line or even as a 10 with Alli gone. We need the new Richarlison, surely just for once find a diamond in the rough in South America for buttons? I like Gapko too but doubt we'll have the dosh.

Never seen the lad play but more attacking recruits the better imo allows frank to change systems as much as needed. An out an out striker would be ideal though then somehow shift Rondon.

On another note looks like garner is close to happening on a permanent deal.

NO MORE WINGERS

really Nick? we have 3. An injury to one and we are in trouble.

yesterday's bench highlights the need for more players in every position, but especially wingers/inside forwards, strikers and midfield.

Exciting stuff

The stats don’t add up with this player bringing anything to Everton that would make us better. Another stab in the dark.

Lots of noise surrounding Mohammed Kudus online today - apparently he's refused to train with Ajax and wants to join Everton. Allegedly we've already agreed terms.

Player #176 to be close to joining Everton

James

If that’s true then I don’t want him. We need strikers not people who go on strike

Kieran, Sadio Mané went on strike twice to get the moves he wanted. I think you’d have taken him.😁

Nick @9,

If this happened, our attacking options would be Chukwueze, Gray, Gordon, McNeill, Calvert-Lewin and Maupay, with Townsend to come back in the second half of the season, so we wouldn't exactly be overloaded.

I'm not going to spell it out for you… Actually, I will…

We need strikers that score goals.

Immediately.

I know it sounds bitter from me but, from the age of 15 onwards, any player especially Premier League standard nowadays can and would go on strike to get what they want. Even a so-called model pros like Harry Kane I'm sure he has contemplated it not long ago.

I have no time and don't believe a word of any player since Sky and the Premier League started making them millions before they are out of their teens. Then add to the mix the laughing hyenas picking at the carcass some call agents.

Brian,

Baines and Gordon didn't.

We should be careful with the amount of African players in the squad as we can lose all of them for a month to AFCON!

Soren, AFCON 2023 is in June/July so we're safe for next year.

I reckon Gana and Garner could be our lot based on squad numbers. We'd need to offload a few to balance the squad because it's currently at 26 and you can only have 25.

Add Gana & Garner, that's 28 so we need to get rid of 3 players by the end of tomorrow. If we're going to buy a striker, we need to get rid of 4 current squad members.

Rondon? Gomes? Allan? One other?

James I’d be surprised if we don’t bring in at least one forward. We’ve still got two loans potentially and I think we’ll use one if not both of them.

I’m expecting 3-4 players in the next 36 hours. Gueye, Garner, maybe Kudus and a striker/winger.

According to Sky we are confident of Garner, Gueye plus at least one striker.

Should be interesting and if we do get those players we will have a much stronger and better balanced squad.

Need to start going rid of a few midfielders...

And playing 4-3-3...

Neil,

So Garner, Gueye and Arthur Scargill.

I would've thought Diaz from Blackburn would've been easier to get over the line than the Dutch lad or Chucky from Villarreal.

Andrew, 21, Thanks. Wasn't aware of that. So we'll be OK for next year.

Just hearing we reached an agreement with united for Garner. Apparently we pay 2 quid up front and the rest by installments in 20 years time span.

I liked a few things, but also did not like a few things about our performance.

Likes:
1. Much more resilient than last season.
2. Pickford seemed very composed and did not get fazed by the constant barracking by the Leeds fans.
3. Patterson - along with Gordon and Onana - seems to be improving every game.
4. Good energy levels for the full 90 mins.
5. The team seems to have developed some game ‘nous’ - slowing down the game, getting the opponents riled up, standing up for each other.

Dislikes:
1. I did not like that Lampard did not use a single substitute. I think Vinagre was an option, as was probably Warrington. Allan and Gomes are finished at Everton, and it would be in everyone’s interest if they were to be shipped out before the window closes.
2. The midfield gave a battling performance, but a huge improvement needed here if we are to compete with the better teams. I saw a lot of comments praising Iwobi and Onana, but apart from their energy, I did not see a lot of quality and composure, things that are crucial to take us to the next level. But, baby steps, I guess. Make us more difficult to break down, and then maybe things click into place.
3. Mykolenko after a bright beginning to his Everton career seems to have stalled in his development. He seems strangely listless. Davies and McNeil are lacking in confidence, but they played their role in helping the team keep shape and making it tough for Leeds to break us down.

Lampard and his team are moving us in the right direction, but we need to get some results to give Frank some breathing room to implement long term reforms. And, of course, the new additions before tomorrow are crucial to how this season will pan out.

Ajay #30

The main reason Warrington didn't get on was that he wasn't on the bench!

He was playing for the U21s at Morecambe.

Ajay #30,

I don't think Mykolenko has stalled. He was outstanding in the first two games, decent against Forest, struggled a bit in the last two. Young players will go up and down somewhat,

McNeil is more of a wide midfielder than a forward / winger.

He needs a bit more time on the ball to pick the right pass.

I'm always confused why Frank never plays McNeil (best crosser of the ball) and Rondon (only target man / striker).

As others have written, Chuck is a good player but maybe not the goalscorer we really need.

On the other hand, if we have 4 players who can score 10 plus goals a season and their happy to play as a rotating front 3, it could be more beneficial.

Pointless crossing to Rondon, he doesn't run that fast to connect to crosses.