It’s clear from the shambolic accounts there needs to be a reset and new approach. Hopefully that will be with Kevin Thelwell through a youthful, Red Bull styled approach signing exciting hungry young players.
However, the above takes time. I could see a young team that features Patterson and Gordon stepping out for the first game at Bramley Moore in two years’ time, but we’ve got to get there first with our Premier League status in tact.
Last summer showed there is little money available and the latest accounts confirm things have got worse. At best, we’ll need to sell to buy like we did in January, but more likely I anticipate us making a profit on player trading for the first time since in Moshiri’s era to appease the league & our banks.
Last summer, the idea of selling DCL, Richarlison and Pickford would have been unthinkable, but it seems like - aside from Gordon - most fans can see a future without all three now. Arguably Pickford would be my preference to keep as he’s probably our player of the season, but if a sizeable offer from Spurs or A.N. Other this summer comes in I would take it due to his profile, age, remaining contract and the odd anomaly that goalkeepers are easier to replace on the cheap. My mind always goes back to Nigel Martyn on a free but there are lots of other examples.
Thelwell should be looking at two simultaneous approaches:
- Sign proven Premier League performers on 2-3 year contracts to see Everton into the Bramley Moore era. Not necessarily stars, but proven at this level. Target Bosman deals and loans
- Use any surplus from player sales once cost control requirements have been met to invest in 17-22 year olds from around the world. They will be the ones joining Patterson and Gordon future team and given time to develop
Focusing on the first part, a look at this summer’s free agents shows a potential route:
Sell Pickford, sign Sam Johnstone - Pickford is better. No doubt about that. However, Johnstone still got into the England squad for the Euros, has PL experience and is available for free this summer. Only 28
Sell Mina, sign James Tarkowski - I really like Mina, but he will only have a year left in the summer and hasn’t been fit enough. Tarkowski is 29 so a two year deal maximum, but he’s a leader, England international and from the area i.e. ready to go
Sell Allan, sign Florian Grillitsch - same as above with Mina…Allan is one of my favourite players but he’s coming into his final year, on huge wages and will be 32. Still has interest from Serie A. Grillitsch would be my first signing of the summer. International defensive midfielder on a free transfer. 26. Excellent player
Sell Richarlison, sign Jesse Lingard - Richarlison is number nine for Brazil, ha six in his last six for his country but with two years left on his contract, reluctantly it seems like the ideal time to sell. For the last two summers Ancelotti and Benitez have told him to wait just one more year for things to get better, and yet the reality is Everton is at its lowest ebb. The Lingard suggestion won’t win me any fans on here, but the West Ham loan showed what he can do immediately. That’s just what we will need to maintain PL status while the ground is completed and give Thelwell more time to identify the next generation
Keep DCL Controversial, maybe, but this would be the hardest to replace. Last summer would have been a different story, but any bids will be affected by his injury status this season, so ultimately whatever sale would be bad business. He has longer left on his contract than Richarlison, and with a World Cup coming up it’s in his interest to get ready and firing considering how well Tammy Abraham is doing, plus competition from Watkins etc. He’s really fallen down England’s pecking order.
While the experienced players on the short term plan have stabilised our form and finances, then it would be time to get excited with the young team that would play at BM.
At the moment, there doesn't appear to be any plan at all.
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