Democratic Republic of Toffee
Study one
Study two
Study three
It's reasonable to expect a footballer to turn in strong seasons at the age of 28 or 29, but if you're hoping for them to still be on an ascending trajectory at that age you're essentially hoping for a fluke.
And again: the point I'm making is that 27 is the youngest signing (Gana, maybe Schneiderlin) of the Koeman/Walsh/Moshiri era. It's not a sustainable model.
I think Del is worth keeping for the time being. He's still young and the talent is clearly there. If, come the Summer the manager thinks he's not up to the task ship him back to Spain.We are in exactly the same place as were in the summer, that being we need to cleanse Finch Farm of about 4 human beings who are clearly neither use nor ornament to us as a football club.
Gibson, Cleverley, Kone, Niasse.
Add to them the players not many of us would be too arsed to see the back of - Oviedo, Del, Lennon, Mirallas, Besic, Robles, McCArthy (though I think he should be kept).
Then the players who father time has caught up with - Jags, Baines and Barry.
You really do realise what a massive rebuilding job the manager has walked into here.
Some of the players in the last 2 groups are still capable of turning in a performance now and again though, as Tuesday night clearly showed, which makes his job even tougher as he has to get the balance right.
Niasse isn't in the squad mate, so 24.
Nit picking really, doesn't change the need to sell.
Niasse isn't in the squad mate
Is Yan-Bo not classed as homegrown also? I know he represents Dr. Congo, but I was of the understanding he had always played in the English leagues?
Niasse was named in the squad we submitted to the premier league.
He spent a year in Malta, I couldnt find out for sure, but most things I read indicated he wasnt HG.