2020/21 Marcel Brands

[Carlito]

In fairness to Brands, I think the one thing he has done well is negotiate and avoid paying the English premium. Most of the players we sign now, we tend to negotiate others down a lot, and pay more of a "European" fee as opposed to one with the English tax. I know thats subjective but I felt we had started paying the English tax before him on players. I also appreciate people will throw Delph at me, but Delph was just a bad buy, not necessarily a bad price if that makes sense? Had Delph been 2 million, he was just a bad buy. He had allocated a role for him that he couldn't/wouldn't do.

The wider point is fair though. I think he's been quite small c conservative here. There look to be changes on the academy side now, but it's 2.5 years in. Clearly he hasn't moved much radically, which I think most people would have wanted to see a bit more of. I'd like to see more creativity and radicalism from him for sure. I think I said to you in the Kean thread, we shouldn't let him go out on loan again. If the market won't pay what we could get for Kean, the radical move is tosell one of DCL/Rricharlison at the high end of the market and leave the spot open for Kean. Those are the sort of tough, but smart moves these clubs make.

As he's here to stay, I hope we begin to transition more towards. With Ancelotti at the helm, who is a safe pair of hands at first team level, there is really no reason why we can't do that. Sure Ancleotti will get 1 or 2 of his people each summer, but the rest need to be more creative buys. More Godfreys, but also more Brainthwaite/NKounkou's would be great.

He's also at a bit of a crunch point with the likes of Gordon, whereby he has to be brave enough to open a squad place for him.

Delph was just a failure to perform due diligence on his injures, rather than a case of paying an exorbitant fee. Maybe that's on the medical team - I couldn't say.

The most egregious example is obviously Iwobi, who was never a starter at Arsenal, nor was he regarded as some sort of precocious talent (eg Kean). The fee paid for him was borderline negligent.

Even Doucoure, who I think is alright is in his own limited way, is the sort of player who you'd want to be buying for a modest fee from France, instead of putting a tidy profit into Watford's pocket.

 

[Goat]

Delph was just a failure to perform due diligence on his injures, rather than a case of paying an exorbitant fee. Maybe that's on the medical team - I couldn't say.

The most egregious example is obviously Iwobi, who was never a starter at Arsenal, nor was he regarded as some sort of precocious talent (eg Kean). The fee paid for him was borderline negligent.

Even Doucoure, who I think is alright is in his own limited way, is the sort of player who you'd want to be buying for a modest fee from France, instead of putting a tidy profit into Watford's pocket.

Delph and Iwobi are glaring errors.

But 20m for Doucs is good business, if he could do more he would cost vastly more and 12months prior he was going for 40m+.

 

[Carlito]

Delph and Iwobi are glaring errors.

But 20m for Doucs is good business, if he could do more he would cost vastly more and 12months prior he was going for 40m+.

Yeah, it wasn't an big rip-off or anything. Like I said, I think he's alright.

I'd just like to see Everton start to buy a bit closer to source. That type of sustainable business model is fine by me.

 

[Zatara]

In fairness to Brands, I think the one thing he has done well is negotiate and avoid paying the English premium. Most of the players we sign now, we tend to negotiate others down a lot, and pay more of a "European" fee as opposed to one with the English tax. I know thats subjective but I felt we had started paying the English tax before him on players. I also appreciate people will throw Delph at me, but Delph was just a bad buy, not necessarily a bad price if that makes sense? Had Delph been 2 million, he was just a bad buy. He had allocated a role for him that he couldn't/wouldn't do.

The wider point is fair though. I think he's been quite small c conservative here. There look to be changes on the academy side now, but it's 2.5 years in. Clearly he hasn't moved much radically, which I think most people would have wanted to see a bit more of. I'd like to see more creativity and radicalism from him for sure. I think I said to you in the Kean thread, we shouldn't let him go out on loan again. If the market won't pay what we could get for Kean, the radical move is tosell one of DCL/Rricharlison at the high end of the market and leave the spot open for Kean. Those are the sort of tough, but smart moves these clubs make.

As he's here to stay, I hope we begin to transition more towards. With Ancelotti at the helm, who is a safe pair of hands at first team level, there is really no reason why we can't do that. Sure Ancleotti will get 1 or 2 of his people each summer, but the rest need to be more creative buys. More Godfreys, but also more Brainthwaite/NKounkou's would be great.

He's also at a bit of a crunch point with the likes of Gordon, whereby he has to be brave enough to open a squad place for him.

We should be going 2 up top.

If Kean comes back then he's in the mix with Richarlison and DCL.

Rotation will be key there and thats a really impressive (and valuable) trio in attack.

Yeah, it wasn't an big rip-off or anything. Like I said, I think he's alright.

I'd just like to see Everton start to buy a bit closer to source. That type of sustainable business model is fine by me.

Do you mean:

1: Young players breaking through (Nkounkou)
2: Young players whove broken through (Godfrey)
3: Players at their hometown club (Grealish)

I think we should be solely after u25s and ideally u23s who are already good and showing exceptional potential, no matter which club/league theyre in.

Also, id be far happier splashing out on just 3 players this window as long as we go for the above criteria.

Brands needs to step up his game.

 

[Carlito]

Do you mean:

1: Young players breaking through (Nkounkou)
2: Young players whove broken through (Godfrey)
3: Players at their hometown club (Grealish)

I think we should be solely after u25s and ideally u23s who are already good and showing exceptional potential, no matter which club/league theyre in.

Also, id be far happier splashing out on just 3 players this window as long as we go for the above criteria.

Brands needs to step up his game.

The Nkounkou-type signings are fine, but it's no good expecting them to act as cover right away if they don't have enough experience for Ancelotti's liking (unlike, say, a Godfrey).

 

[Toffeelover]

If Kean comes back, he won't play will sit and sulk until we let him goagain.

 

[Zatara]

If Kean comes back, he won't play will sit and sulk until we let him goagain.

Fake news.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Yeah, it wasn't an big rip-off or anything. Like I said, I think he's alright.

I'd just like to see Everton start to buy a bit closer to source. That type of sustainable business model is fine by me.

DCL, Holgate, Nkonkou, Branthwaite, Kean?

I know the first two aren’t Brands. What goes unnoticed with some players are the season or two they spend not being very good at a club that can give them that platform to then burst onto the scene and everyone goes ‘why didn’t we buy them before Porto/Lisbon/Dortmund did’. DCL had to take a few seasons of not being very good and the fan anger that came with that until he hit his current form. The same might happen with Nkonkou. It’s a noble pursuit but we also have to account for the here and now also.

 

[Carlito]

DCL, Holgate, Nkonkou, Branthwaite, Kean?

I know the first two aren’t Brands. What goes unnoticed with some players are the season or two they spend not being very good at a club that can give them that platform to then burst onto the scene and everyone goes ‘why didn’t we buy them before Porto/Lisbon/Dortmund did’. DCL had to take a few seasons of not being very good and the fan anger that came with that until he hit his current form. The same might happen with Nkonkou. It’s a noble pursuit but we also have to account for the here and now also.

For now, while the first team squad is still miles away from justifying the big investment made, I think that they need to be experienced enough to come in and contribute.

Kean seemed like he fell into that category, but the managers haven't fancied him at all. I wonder if Silva felt a bit stitched-up over that one.

 

[Pab Laa]

Still not signed a new contract? Any update/news since mid-feb?

 

[Martin Alvito]

Delph and Iwobi are glaring errors.

But 20m for Doucs is good business, if he could do more he would cost vastly more and 12months prior he was going for 40m+.

Agreed - it's not just about the players, it's about the resources you have to commit in order to get them. We needed sure things this past summer, and we got them without breaking the bank or agreeing to obnoxiously long contracts.

 

[cahill 17]

Still not signed a new contract? Any update/news since mid-feb?

It’s a bit strange nothings been said about the contract

 

[Pab Laa]

It’s a bit strange nothings been said about the contract

Yeah it is mate, fingers crossed that we hear something soon... I was checking whether any ITK's had any info

 

[COYBL25]

It’s a bit strange nothings been said about the contract

He`s just waiting until all the shops open up again properly, so he can buy this years must have ripped jeans, for all the photo shoots of him signing his new contract.

 

[KaiserEFC]

He`s just waiting until all the shops open up again properly, so he can buy this years must have ripped jeans, for all the photo shoots of him signing his new contract.

Think of the Da’s you horror!