Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

sageyefc · July 7, 2016

Leeboy said:
So it's a loan?

No

LouReedwalkonthewildside · July 7, 2016

hktoffee said:
For me he is pretty green (performance). Still learning though. I think he will surely improve under Koeman. Age is at his side too.

The worrying thing for me though is, how long will Besic be willing to hang around, especially if Witsel does come in.

TheFinnFan · July 7, 2016

Cmoon Wits

catcherintherye · July 7, 2016

bluestevon said:
Mate having seen a fair bit of Witsel, Koeman will have earmarked a midfield partner for him whose game compliments each other, thats the way to get the best out of him, he partnered up mainly with Garcia (the old Benfica/City player) at Zenit who played that more defensive role and allowed Witsel to roam a bit more, and it worked a treat, can see a similarly big physical player playing along side him - which we honestly don't have right now.

Honestly do not see McCarthy and Witsel gelling that well together and would bet the house on us bringing another centre mid in with more presence/physicality about them

This is a really good post. One common theme for most of the players we are linked with is physicality. Witsel is 6 ft, Schneiderlin well over 6 ft, Carvalho is a monster as is Mindis-Indi. The exception is Mata but he is something of an outlier.

I think Koeman will have seen we are a soft touch last season and that will be rectified. You really have to go back to the Joe Royle days to have a side that was physically imposing on the opposition. I think there will be a lot of similarities. Royle famously noted Everton were a soft touch under Walker and moved towards a dogs of war style. I think we will see something quite similar to that under Koeman.

So yes I expect us to sign another midfield player. Where this leaves particularly McCarthy I don't know. I really hope Cleverley is moved on and reluctantly hope Barry is as well. If we bring in a Carvalho/Schneiderlin I think McCarthy should be sacrificed as well.

LouReedwalkonthewildside · July 7, 2016

GerryandthePaceMerchants said:
Richest club in the league and loaning a player. Everton that.

You did notice that the rumour of the loan deal in that tweet was August 2015.

hktoffee · July 7, 2016

If Witsel and another starting CM coming in then our CM area is loaded. We will surely sell one or two.

Barry - will he accept as a backup? Solid pro if he is staying for another year then will only do us good.
Gibson - kept on due to the home grown rule. Will probably injured most of the time. Backup player.
Cleverley - never a CM for me. Since we are buying better players he will be the first name to leave. Will generate a decent fund as he is English.
McCarthy - decent squad player but like Barry will he accept as a bit part player? His performances were pretty average for two seasons.
Besic - learning and surely a squad player of the team.
Davies - talent youth...think he will make it.

Ashtonian · July 7, 2016

Again, what if the witsel deal was held up by him not being in the country and having to move life from russia to england? Or still on holiday?

Mata is here and down the moterway, witsel is god knows where. What if the deal was agreed, witsel was happy and the club was just letting him have his personal time before turning up at his new club?

sageyefc · July 7, 2016

Ashtonian said:
Again, what if the witsel deal was held up by him not being in the country and having to move life from russia to england? Or still on holiday?

Mata is here and down the moterway, witsel is god knows where. What if the deal was agreed, witsel was happy and the club was just letting him have his personal time before turning up at his new club?

He's on holiday

TheFinnFan · July 7, 2016

hktoffee said:
If Witsel and another starting CM coming in then our CM area is loaded. We will surely sell one or two.

Barry - will he accept as a backup? Solid pro if he is staying for another year then will only do us good.
Gibson - kept on due to the home grown rule. Will probably injured most of the time. Backup player.
Cleverley - never a CM for me. Since we are buying better players he will be the first name to leave. Will generate a decent fund as he is English.
McCarthy - decent squad player but like Barry will he accept as a bit part player? His performances were pretty average for two seasons.
Besic - learning and surely a squad player of the team.
Davies - talent youth...think he will make it.

Clev was purely martinezs man...Wouldnt be suprised if we see him go

madden95 · July 7, 2016

catcherintherye said:
This is a really good post. One common theme for most of the players we are linked with is physicality. Witsel is 6 ft, Schneiderlin well over 6 ft, Carvalho is a monster as is Mindis-Indi. The exception is Mata but he is something of an outlier.

I think Koeman will have seen we are a soft touch last season and that will be rectified. You really have to go back to the Joe Royle days to have a side that was physically imposing on the opposition. I think there will be a lot of similarities. Royle famously noted Everton were a soft touch under Walker and moved towards a dogs of war style. I think we will see something quite similar to that under Koeman.

So yes I expect us to sign another midfield player. Where this leaves particularly McCarthy I don't know. I really hope Cleverley is moved on and reluctantly hope Barry is as well. If we bring in a Carvalho/Schneiderlin I think McCarthy should be sacrificed as well.

would keep barry if he would stay even as cover mate, shows up when others arent, plays well in the big games and will be great for rotation, agree with cleverley though

EFCccc · July 7, 2016

@The Esk any idea when the club will announce Witsel.

billytoffee · July 7, 2016

GerryandthePaceMerchants said:
Richest club in the league and loaning a player. Everton that.

LouReedwalkonthewildside said:
You did notice that the rumour of the loan deal in that tweet was August 2015.

...........and also a Jarg account apparently!

catcherintherye · July 7, 2016

hktoffee said:
If Witsel and another starting CM coming in then our CM area is loaded. We will surely sell one or two.

Barry - will he accept as a backup? Solid pro if he is staying for another year then will only do us good.
Gibson - kept on due to the home grown rule. Will probably injured most of the time. Backup player.
Cleverley - never a CM for me. Since we are buying better players he will be the first name to leave. Will generate a decent fund as he is English.
McCarthy - decent squad player but like Barry will he accept as a bit part player? His performances were pretty average for two seasons.
Besic - learning and surely a squad player of the team.
Davies - talent youth...think he will make it.

This is a good question and underpins what I've been saying, which is business out will be as important as business in. Of that list Cleverley should be moved on and reluctantly Barry should as well. Ledson should be able to step up. McCarthy is treading a fine line.