The only number I care about is how much of the squad list here leaves asap:
https://www.evertonfc.com/teams/first-team
1. Goalkeepers 6.5/10
Can live with JP, don't know much about the others
2. Defence 7.5/10
+'s The defence looks the most credible. Reasonable mix of good British, Irish and/or proven experienced international guys.
Don't know much of Niels - happy Ancelotti can gel the others.
-'s Can't see a leader in there
3. Midfield 5/10
+'s Allan, Doucoure, hopefully Gomes back to his best
? Iwobi and Gbamin.. need to see more to judge. Not sure Iwobi is 'class', more than a bit of a bolasie v2.0
-'s Sigurdsson (stomach churns when I see him on the pitch), Delph (unless I've missed something) and unfortunately whilst a long-time hopeful for Davie, Beni, Besic etc don't think they will get much 1st team, Sell.
-'s Can't see a leader in there.
Again
4. Forwards 5/10
+'s hopeful for Gordon and Kean, Rodriguez & Rico linking up.
? Can DCL continue his steady improvement with goals - needs to. Bernard needs way more end product or sell.
-'s Tosun, Bolasie, Sandro,
24/40. No leader.
Love Everton, and feel my normal pre-season optimism dial cranking up irreversibly.
But at best half that squad has a question mark. Mourinho will sort Spurs out better this time around (or leave). Arsenal looking stronger. So the top 6 looks a toughie to crack.
Will wolves tire? Leicester can't last forever on Vardy... Sheff Utd superb last time out, but would be super-human if that repeated. Any others bubbling up? West Ham/ Leeds might show something. I think Newcastle Southampton, Villa, Palace etc will bounce around mid-table with us.
Prediction: 7th and Europe. Satisfactory. Cup run would be nice.
No.1 must have: I wanna see a team and a leader on the pitch with some grit. If we show that and finish 8th with homegrown talent in the mix that's as good a result for me this season.