c1982

Young’s been a useful player in a small squad with questionable quality. He’s covered 3 positions and been fit available for the majority of the season. He’s had some poor performances but actually, some very solid ones too. In an ideal world, we don’t need to sign geriatrics like Young but in our current predicament, he’s been sound. I bet he’s been a positive influence in the changing room too. Despite all the positives, I hope we don’t offer him a new deal but am grateful he was part of an improving (compared to the previous 2 years) EFC this season.

Oh, so you’re saying we should give Merlin a pass then?

It’s more than likely going to be even tighter than the past 2/3 summers and factor in we actually have to start paying for Beto this summer. Frees, loans and delayed fees even after big sales. With Gomes, Alli and Gueye out of contract. Onana likely to be sold for a decent fee and I’m not ruling out Doucoure to Saudi - central midfield is the only place to start. Josh Brownhill is a nailed on free transfer in my opinion - I don’t mind him - decent honest pro and takes a good set piece. Other realistic (free) options are: Callum O’Hare Wilfried Ndidi Ross Barkley Ben Johnson Che Adams Lloyd Kelly Not the most exciting list but think we’ll see a few of these players at EFC next season.

Gueye - he’s been unbelievable this week… to be fair, most have. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Thought Dom anyway but this sealed the deal…

I can see Martinez leaving Villa in the summer for a Barca/Real profile. I can see Villa coming in for Pickford.

Branthwaite for his pure quality but special mention to Young for the foresight to bribe the VAR officials.

The cost of the purchase then knocking Goodison down and removing the ‘debris’ (seems disrespectful to our home), then the redevelopment cost… with property and land costs/value - basically, Moshiri/whoever are keeping Goodison as a community site as, really, that’s the only option - it’s not a sentimental gesture - it’s lack of value. In London, the land’s worth millions but not in our location unfortunately.

I feel a bit better after reading this…

I hate this thread!!! Kudus is SO good - to think we didn’t sign him as Man U pushed so hard for Antony for £100m, who turned out to be a massive flop who Man U would be better without… I know it was only an initial loan but it all has a very Everton ‘if only’ feeling about it!

Now vata be a good signing.

Yep - probably silly season but Fermin Lopez stands out here. I hadn’t heard of him until recently but he looks like he’s got a bit of Gary Speed/Tim Cahill about him - arrives late in the box. The exact kind of player we need in my opinion. If he’s not going to feature at Barca long term, he’ll be a name I’ll be looking out for.

Part of me is tempted by one of the Club Everton - whatever they’re calling the food/drink lounge/street food deals… if it’s £800 for just the seat - I often spend £50 by the time I’ve had food and a few beers - over the course of a season anything under £2k and it’d probably be worth it if enough food/drink are included. About £100 game sounds ridiculous when compared to what we’re used to paying but sadly it is what it is!

Garner had a horrible game but I think Dyche likes to keep him and McNeill on for their set-piece delivery. Bar the crosses/assist, McNeill was at least as bad as Garner too!

Tarkowski did well all game - Godfrey was okay - Onana and Harrison should have started and Pickford made a couple of decent saves but overall that was shocking - a change in their system and we had no ideas. Should have been 3 points but we lack any pace and craft whatsoever so end up just playing in front of teams and you’ll get punished more often than not. Only positive was… I didn’t go with it being a Monday night game!

Oops - rogue rather! Callum O’Hare impressing again for Coventry - free agent in the summer. I’d love him here. More of a 10 than a winger but a class playmaker at Championship level anyway.

I like him for what we are currently. We are desperate for a bit of pace and dynamism on the wings but that either comes at sky high cost or comes in the form of a ‘young rouge’ who’s likely to have as many off days as great days - players we’ve seen here like Geri, Gordon and Lookman. As above, Harrison, for anything up to £20m is a no-brainer for me as, like McNeil, he’s steady - both put in a shift and are a threat going forward. If we have McNeil and Harrison as a starting point, it makes it so much easier to give minutes to a ‘live wire’ winger who’s got a bit of magic but may not be as good putting the miles in in tougher battles.

Harsh - I’d point the finger at Gueye personally - didn’t get it out of his feet when there was space.

Idrissa put in a great shift today… thought Garner did well alongside him and think Harrison is our best option as 10 when Doucoure is out… and yes, I don’t mind Young on the right wing when Harrison’s 10 - all I care about is results this is our best bet (in my opinion) with what we’ve got.

We’ll get money for him this summer - for that reason alone, he’s been one of our better striker signings since Lukaku

Branch? Did he leaf us for Wolves?

Of course - he’s arguably our most important player. Bar Branthwaite and Onana - I don’t see many teams chasing our players and, if we need to sell, sadly, Doucoure for £Xm with his value probably peaking… I would - you wouldn’t but it won’t stop the powers that be if Doucoure shows any interest - which I don’t actually think he will.

Far too important to lose… BUT if it’s ridiculous money (with some available to reinvest), the club can’t turn it down. Unfortunately, that’s where we are - no player is untouchable.

You may as well get mentally prepared now for Coleman and Young as our right side… won’t always be pretty but will probably be effective - defensively more than offensively. It’ll be a case of bringing Dobbin or another on when the old legs have gone (probably 10minutes after it’s obvious!)