Everton make Liam Delap primary transfer target

Still hopefully we can go out and start spending £30m plus fees again. It’s about time

I think Kanchelskis is the last one I never thought we would get.

This is not America. Can the new owners of ToffeeWeb at least make a pretence that this is still based in Britain?

So why can Brentford excel in the recruitment sector and Everton can't? The players are out there, but clubs like Brentford are simply smarter than we are (at the moment).

All helped of course by a manager, Thomas Frank, who likes to play open, expansive football.

How long Frank chooses to stay at Brentford, I guess, is entirely up to him, and how ambitious he is.

But I know for sure, there will be no shortage of admirers (including Everton) who will be looking at some stage in the future, should he decide to leave West London.

Let's make him our franchise player. Let's go, let's go!

I would think Franks will end up at Spurs for next season.

Down to his roots, his scouting network brings in a lot of Danish, Scandinavian, German and Dutch players.

But I just guess, it could go horribly wrong for him at Spurs.

Put the hard yards in recruitment team (to quote a Dyche phrase) and go get these types of profiles in.

Being a Suffolk lad and having a lot of mates who support the Town, I've kept a close eye on him this season. He has it all, good in the air, can finish, hold the ball up and he makes excellent direct runs at defence.

If we are even in with a shout we should go for it. I suspect Newcastle or Forest will likely get him.

Pickering, Harper, Belfitt, Smallman, Biley, Walsh, Ferguson (x2), Wright and others in the late 20th century come to mind, and don't waste time pondering the horrible 21st century under "MEGA" bullshitter Kenwright, "MEGA" still being miles off.

We're still way off attractive to any player, never mind any striker, with skill and ambition to thrust the club upwards so I expect we'll sign some complacent self-servers who'll take us to the cleaners contract-wise.

The world over, players and their agents, and clubs, know all about us, unfortunately.

In that, we're very much like most clubs in the so-called fabulous Premier League though.

Yawn!

It's early days, but Everton's new owners appear committed to building a similar structure, including an actual head of analytics and strategy. The payoff doesn't come quickly, but if they hire the right people...

I feel Dean Ashton, a few years back, was possibly an example. Great at Crewe then got a move to Norwich with I am sure one eye on the greater prize, Man Utd or some club like that.

I feel Delap would be similar, good to get some more Premier League experience before moving on after a season or two. Do we want a player like that?

I saw some videos about jade ore trading. While the jade is still within the rock largely unseen, they shaved away a little part to the rock surface to show a small part of the inside Jade for it's colour and purity etc. It's called a "window". Then the potential buyers bid on that. It's a similar practice.

If we got him for $30M, he's got a smashing season for us. His value can easily jump to $60M. No brainer.

Could be a diamond...

Delap's release clause is now active at £30M, not £40M, because of Ipswich being relegated.

Manchester United, Newcastle sh*ts and Chelsea are interested but his boyhood club Manchester City are looking at bringing him back.

City agreed a £40M buy-back clause when he moved to Ipswich ast year, they will take 20% of the total fee if he goes to another team.

The chances of us getting him, zero. Mark this one down as udder bull!! Do bulls have udders? Oh well, it's just bullshit then.😁

He's on £20k a week, offer him £100k if he can score 20 goals a season, and a release clause of £50-60m.

Best case you get him, worst case others have to bid up for him to beat that offer.

Go some where else, and youre sat on the bench behind Isak, Wood, Haaland etc.

You want to play world cup, or get splinters in your arse?

And a couple of million for the agent..

I don't even recall watching him, even on Match of the Day.

What type of striker is he? That's important as anyone we have would need to fit the style of play we are going to implement.

Buy him if he's a good fit and wants to play for Everton. Not because he's the latest media favourite and is wanted by others.

I grew up watching Norwich with my dad and Ashton was a brilliant player. He was superb at West Ham but his career was sadly derailed by a serious injury just as he was breaking into the England team.

He is just the sort of No 9 we could do with at Everton (not now obviously! 🙄) Delap is similar, though not as good in the air, but more mobile.

Danny, I am surprised you've not heard much about him, absolutely class player who is going to get better and better.

But there have been many who have disappointed. We could probably all compile a list of those players, but the two that, for me, failed to live up to the hype were James Beattie and Duncan Ferguson. For different reasons.

Well actually probably a lot later after falling out the Dark House and other similar establishments!

A stand-put performer for relegated Palace, he started so well and bagged a brace in the derby. Then the goals dried up.

Might have been something to do with running the channels, as he was tasked to do by a certain Scottish manager, rather than getting into the penalty box.

Allegedly.

I take your point, but you're being a bit harsh on Big Fred, who averaged better than a goal every two games and played a big part in our FA Cup win.

And I always thought David Smallman was a very decent player, but he struggled with injuries.

There are lots of players who are one-trick ponies, who once sussed out are no longer effective. Cadamateri is another one who comes to mind.

And a propos of nothing it's Macaroni Cheese for tea – not Mac 'n fecking Cheese! The Orange One hasn't annexed us yet has he ?

Andy Johnson. Unfairly labelled as a diver and it stuck in the minds of the officials when Mourinho called it on Sky. Try being lightweight and travelling at speed. It only takes the slightest knock to send you flying. Not that at 6ft tall and weighing in at 13 stone I ever had that problem!! Yes, he fell in line with probable instructions to chase corner flags like Marcus Bent.

Jelavic was the same. After a great start being a poacher in the box, he suddenly started running the channels and the goals dried up.

Beattie just didn't live up to it and put more than a bit of timber on.

I've given Duncan Ferguson a hard time over the years, because he didn't become half the player he could have been. Ill discipline, injuries and a reluctant footballer in my eyes.

But, knowing there is a Big Dunc appreciation society out there, I'll offer a defence.

I often used to watch closely. As I've got older, I watch the game more. One thing I learned doing my FA coaching badges and advice I was given, was always look to where the ball should be going next, not necessarily the player on the ball.

There was a period when we were lumping balls from the full backs up to Duncan in a central position with his back to goal. Opposition defenders switched on and didn't bother challenging him, knowing there was no-one on the end of the flick on and just mopped up behind him. Like many Everton strikers in recent years, starved of supply and isolated.

He gave us a few memorable moments, just not enough of them.

Personally I think Delap would develop well for us but…

Would he have scored 12 for us this season. Doubtful. He has benefited from playing in a very attacking Ipswich side with more attacking quality than we have.

In some respects I would rather have Hutchison and Enciso than Delap.

Hang on. Just who the feck is in charge of our window?

And I always thought David Smallman was a very decent player, but he struggled with injuries.

Spot on, Pete.

Stick to Football — Duncan Ferguson: Red Cards, Bust Ups & Goodison Park Memories

Generally regarded as one of the best ever episodes.

Alan, thank you, one of my pet hates on here. Apparently, mate, our squad is a 'roster' now. The least these Yanks could do who often express their interest in English/Scouse expression is to use the basics of our language of the truly world game.

'PK PK PK PK PK'.

'Offense'/'Defense'.

Leave us alone.

Well Paul, Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal (although the US did pay for that). Whose to say we are not next. He might stake his claim due to his Scottish links and having a golf course over here.

King Donald?

Ahhh Davey Smallman – that takes me back. A sunny day in the Bullens, an acrobatic bicycle kick for a goal and his name ringing out to the tune of “Super Womble”….

I thought he was great. And then he was gone!

Robert amazes me with his knowledge of players. That's a compliment by the way Robert. I think I know football outside of Everton, but you educate me.

I mostly go off what I see.

Paul, we can't mess up that toupee. It would trigger WW3.

Also the status of Everton right now means we're not (yet) more attractive than Bournemouth.

On the subject of Bournemouth they have built up their very good squad through 2 key ways

1. Spending quite a lot of money ( hundreds of millions more than us)

2. Buying no players from other Premier League clubs at all (only relegated clubs)

The best way to build up a talented squad quickly is to completely ignore other Premier League players. That way you avoid the most overrated over-priced market in world football.

"With the new manager coming in the club is moving in the right direction, there's a new stadium and there's a lot to be positive about. Who wouldn't want to be part of that?"

What was the injury that more or less banjaxed him?

In 5 years at Everton, David was injured for 50 months.

Like quite a few on here, I was standing in Gwladys Street behind all 5 goals - Smallman’s was excellent, Dai the Drop was at his edgiest.

It’s only 50 years ago, but we should be getting over it by now.

I think what he really means is "I'm asking for stupid wages and am injury prone and couldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards so I'm happy to stay at Everton."

If players don't develop into what you want it's money down the pan.

Ashton is a good comparison I think.

And when buying potential, the cost is less (fees and wages) and you can buy at higher volume. That helps to diversify your risk. Out of three players, two might not make it - but one does.

For the one's who don't make it, you can generally sell - often for profit (see Onyekuru, Vlasic and Lookman).

For the player who does make it, you've hit the jackpot.

I think the likes of Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Atalanta etc would not consider it high risk - they would consider it the business model behind that has got them to where they are now (outperforming better resourced competition).

To put it into context, it's the difference between having Beto as our main striker for next season or two - but replacing him with someone of exceptional talent. Or replacing Beto this summer, with someone not materially better than Beto because that's all we can afford / attract.

Even though his recent injury record and goal scoring statistics are not great, you cannot fault his commitment whenever he has put on the shirt and he is miles better than Beto as a Premier League footballer.

So, if we can off-load Beto and don't take up the option to sign Broja, I would be very happy with a Delap, Calvert-Lewin and Chermiti strike-force.

Yes David Smallman was a very good player who would have got better, injuries cursed him throughout his stay with us; did he go back to Wrexham?

I remember that Sheffield Unt. game 2-0 up early in the match, sun shining brightly and everyone happy, Smallman got one of the goals and we looked ready for more until Sheffield got back into the game and we lost more than the match that day, as you say our title hopes went south after that game.

Regarding his phlebitis illness I was in the Main Stand when it was announced that Smallman wouldn't be playing. My mate said “Is he injured again?”

A fella in front of us turned round and said “Actually he is suffering from phlebitis.” Ireplied “Fleabites? is he living in a fuckin' dosshouse?” I explained the difference!

He will get offers from richer clubs with more profile, of course, but I wonder if any of them will be able to guarantee him the playing time and responsibility that we would?

At Man Utd, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs, Brighton etc, he could be second fiddle. I think Forest could be a good fit for him as they only have Wood really who's getting on a bit.

After that, I think we could be the best bet if he's prioritising playing time. Of course, if he's just after money, then we've got no shot… but let's see.

Ironically, if Calvert-Lewin stays, then that would make us less attractive to Delap, presumably? Not many clubs outside of Europe have more than 2 mainline strikers so, if we were able to sign Delap, then I'd say let Calvert-Lewin go, sell Beto, and have Chermiti as backup with another Richarlison or Semenyo type wide player coming in who can play centre-forward in a pinch.

Gonna be an interesting summer!!

I don't know what his play is like now and what his potential is but, if he is good enough, then we should keep him. If we can get good money for him, then fine… but, all of these options are for the club to decide on.

He was asked to play lone forward in a truly dreadful team and then panned because he stopped scoring. I don't know enough about the internal situation but the concept that he isn't good enough for us is not one that I share.

Remember the night we won 5-0 at Brighton? That was how a good Calvert-Lewin can play.

Not only that but we repeated it years later with Tommy Myhre!

Net spend of about £10-15M.

On balance, I think I'd prefer to keep Beto over Calvert-Lewin, as I think he gets more goals, is injured less, and is on lower dough. I get Calvert-Lewin is a better footballer, but we need goals from a centre-forward — not nice leaps.

But let's see.

Calvert-Lewin in my view has to go – even if it's for his own benefit. He's not been interested in Everton for a long time and needs the opportunity to re-prove himself.

Beto could be good as a backup but we need someone who can score regularly.

The phrase is particularly associated with the 17th-century allegory, "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan.

On that basis, it seems fate will play a hand and he'll come to us.

Played for all the age groups for France from U16 level. Now only 18 but two full seasons under his belt (including last season in Ligue 1) and 20 goals in 28 games this season

Exceptionally gifted. In a couple of years he could be at Champions League level.

All for only £11M.

I was reading Calvert-Lewin's interview on BBC, and he's still talking positively about staying. He made a great point about being the main striker in the last 3 years, when the club was at its lowest ebb, with tremendous pressure on the players. He sees how different it is to play a more attacking game under Moyes.

People talk about him being injury-prone: as he said himself, he played continuously for 18 months before the hamstring injury at Brighton. Sounds promising to me, and I would love to see him sign a new contract.

I just hope for his sake, his career, and possibly Everton's, he can stay as injury-free as any footballer can be.

If we part ways, I'm struggling to see where he goes. Maybe one of the newly promoted teams and back to his native Yorkshire with Leeds or a return to Sheffield United if they succeed in the play-offs?

Or could the continent offer him an alternative?

Poor season but more skilful than Delap?

That to me is a worry.

It tells me they don't like his medical report, and want rid.

If we were to take him, it should loan to buy if he plays. Minimise the risk he's damaged goods.

But as you often say buying Premier League players (unless with handy relegation clauses or similar) is the quickest way to overspending. I'd love us to end this summer with a bunch of well-scouted players that most of us have never heard of but I suspect that, with Moyes steering the ship, that is unlikely to happen.

67 goals in 63 games.

This season: 6 goals in 42 games. So maybe not.

And tell the orange bin bag with the candy floss wig to feck right off

Ian on Ferguson, I think Brighton might let go for a few reasons.

1. He'd command a decent fee and the accounting treatment probably creates a windfall.

2. They may need to balance the books after a big spending 2024/25

3. They have Pedro and Welbeck who are doing well. Ferguson was getting limited game time.

4. They bought the very highly rated teenage Greek striker Tzimas in January and he's a similar style of striker to Ferguson – possibly a better player.

5. Ferguson has been disrupted by injury which has hit his form.

On Gyökeres (another with a Brighton connection) we just didn't have the money and Sporting were a much much more attractive option in any case

And also true about Soucek and Coufal. Maybe I'm being harsh on him but my sense is a preference for British players or ones with Premier League or Championship experience.

Let's see…

Going back to Don's post, what are your thoughts on Fred Pickering? As an 8-year-old, I watched his hat-trick scoring debut, he continued to score, including goals in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th rounds of our 1966 FA Cup triumph (as did Derek Temple, who got another a bit later in the tournament, you may remember).

So, Fred has always been something of a hero to me.

I thought Smallman was crap and his name summed him up.

What an educated, well-informed, articulate, and thundering counter to the truly educated, well-informed, and articulate Peter Mills and Tony Abrahams et al on this thread.

I'm with you, John; Mills and Abrahams are footy cowboys.

I just about remember us buying Mickey Walsh for a record fee because he got ‘Goal of the Season' the year before and he turned out to be rubbish, just like his brother who recently fleeced us too!

If he wants to stay he'll have to accept the offer the Club made, if they still confirm it's valid.

He sent videos of 12 penalty claims to the PL who agreed that 10 should have been awarded.

Didn't change anything though, in 2 seasons I think we got one penalty, in the last game of the season