captainbeaker

I agree we need a few additions but a very big squad his a lot of unhappy players thinking they should be playing. It would be hard trying to convince a quality striker to sign if they were likely to be sitting on the bench, I can't see Roberto playing 2 out and out strikers unless we're behind with 20 minutes to go. Cleverley will be a good addition due to the fact he can play in a few positions, obviously was rated by Sir Alex and at 25 should be in his prime. He's looked good preseason, so lets give him a clean slate and judge him after he has has a chance to play some competitive games for Everton Keeping a settled team and without the distraction of world cup before and europa league during the season will help and I can see at least a top 8 finish.

worth the gamble, seeing how it turned out for Stones may influence things, but from him not keen on Man U for lack of football, he won't get that from us either, I would say U21's till xmas then be loaned out to develop unless he's a real superstar.

But younger and experience in a stronger league

It makes sense keeping Galloway, as with Garbutt out on loan, Ovideo is only other backup to Baines so he can fill in there, and at centre back.

Maybe we'll get Hernandez, Young, Evans and Blackett plus 20 million. I can see it being evans and money, at least he'll get a centre back in plus money to strengthen

Van Dijk is fine and a real standout out at SPL level, but is horribly exposed when it comes to europe, 10 million is way too much and i fear he may be exposed being thrown stright in. For that price i would prefer someone like scott dann that has experience in the premiership. I hope we bring in a centre back as it is, or two if Stones leaves, but we do have Besic and although may scarer some Barry who could fill in in emergency situations.

Roberto never said there would be a mass of signings,apart from back up centreback cover we are no weaker than last season. If anyone leaves they have to be replaced and I think there will be contingency plans for this. With all this talk about a number 10 where does everyone see Barkley? should he be played deeper to get more involved? I can see a few players going out on loan maybe Garbutt and Galloway with maybe a loan coming in.

Certainly a clear case of tapping our player, if only the FA had the bottle to fine them the proposed transfer fee that would quiten them down.

well the wiki quote about him A quick, agile, and creative forward, with excellent technical ability, and an eye for goal doesn't sound like a suitable replacement for Kone, everything he's not? I think it's agent talk he still score 1 in every two games this year in Brazil so probably still has something to give, would be worth a loan or short term deal.

Yeah he's good but would he walk into their team ahead of Cahill and Terry right now? As good as he is I'm not sure he would under Jose, he'll groom him as Terry's replacement for next season.

West Ham may bid 8million but will he want to go? It's not like he's going to have a better chance of champions league, it can only be for more money ? and would west ham offer than much more than Everton?

Thing is with it all going public if he states he wants to go is when problems start. Do we keep and play a player that doesn't want to stay and who's heart isn't in it, or put him in reserves where we can say F U chelsea but it doesnt help us or them. Best way is convince him to stay get experience which he wont get at chelsea maybe a payrise and if he still want to go in a year or two fine but it will be for a large release clause.

With Stones you still have potential , rather than an experienced defender at his peak, so Ican't see him going straight into the Chelsea team nor will they loan him back out at that price he'll start off on bench and rotate with terry.cahill in cup games. For Stones own benefit he should stay with the Toffees for another year at least, even if it takes a pay rise and a 50 million release clause being put in his contract to keep him happy. I've heard the 20% fee banded about for Barnsley of any profit Everton make. I would rather keep him but if Everton get 30million after Barnsleys cut, it will buy a few more potential stones for roberto to develop and maybe a first team starter or two It just shows Everton must still have some decent players even after a mediocre season, with stones mcartthey mirallis coleman McGeady and Kone all on most wanted lists. Wishful thinking about last two, but you never know, once clear of injuries and after a good pre season they can help the squad.

they should at least give us the Lukaku money back plus an extra £10million being British, definitley the reason why they and City are chasing after Sterling McCarthey etc rather than spending the big bucks on foreigners.

We need a Centre Back, Roberto obviously doesnt feel Browning and Galloway aren't ready to through in just yet, especially both of them as Jags and stones could easilly be out through suspension or injury at the same time. I think at least one of those will go out on loan with a few to playing more the following season. I agree Evans won't be happy to stay on the bench anjd we have a settled CD pair so unless Roberto is planning 3 at the back it doesnt make sense to me. I would take Vlaar on a free wages may be more but he's 7M cheaper to balance that out. There definitley seems to be an extra 50% on the fee of UK born players in the league.

looking at Guradians tect commentry, someone must be feeling good this pre-season 4 min: Jagielka comes romping out of defence like Franz Beckenbauer. He slides a pass down the left for Lukaku

Teams for todays games. decent starting line up, but keeping some good options on the bench too. Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Galloway, Jagielka, Browning, Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku. Subs: Robles, Stones, Kone, Naismith, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Osman, Coleman, Garbutt, Kenny, Williams, Robinson. Stoke City: Haugaard, Bardsley, Cameron, Muniesa, Teixeira, Sidwell, Shenton, Odemwingie, Ireland, Arnautovic. Joselu. Subs: Given, Whelan, Johnson, Wilson, van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters, Crouch, Moha.

The mysterious link ? http://www.theevertonforum.co.uk/everton-and-southampton-in-mysterious-epl-defender-link/ On a free he may not be a bad signing with better players aroudn him especially decent defensive midfield he may not be as exposed a s he was at villa sometimes and worth a go. Jags is getting on a bit so having an experienced centre back to slot in is a must. He has to be an improvement on Alcarez and a 37 year old Distin( great player in his time)

Venger probably wants Cech as an organiser for the back 4 as much as his goal keeping ability. Ospina certainly improved Arsenals defence when he replaced Szczęsny. Ospina would be good but I can only see it happening if Howards does go back tot he states, there must be several MLS teams that would love to have him behind the sticks.

Can't see him going to Man U now if this is true. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/2/9907549/torino-coach-giampiero-ventura-has-given-his-blessing-to-matteo-darmian-to-join-manchester-united

Maybe they'll keep him till he finally scores a goal. But seriously this will be his last season and will not do any harm will pass on his experience to the young kids coming through and be available when required,

For the price I still think he's worth a gamble, he's more likely to grab you a goal of the bench than say Kone.

I like Michu for 1million he's 29 so could easilly recapture his first season at Swansea form and Joel Campbell at 4million he's obviously a talent and could give good options up front.

With Garbutt being part of the squad does it look like he's not going out on loan or is he staying still Baines is fit? I would have liked to see Chris Long in the squad he proved he can score a few goals in championship and would have been good seeing what he could do.

With Man U and Arsenal interested, he'll prefer a move to them anyway and the price would get nearer to £30million, with the signings of Gerard D and Cleverley signing Lennon is not a must anymore so he won't be a trump card anymore just a bonus. Does anyone else feel it may be worth trying Barkley a bit deep in the McCarthy role he, he's more than capable of doing it and it would get him on the ball more and making runs from deep.