RuffRob

Annual post!!!
 
I don't think it's been the worst transfer window ever - 7.5 out of 10
 
Positives
- Signed two fringe England internationals in there prime at 26 & 28 years old for less than £5M - both very low risk signings and very good value for money, Cleverly could be one of the transfers of the season.
- Delboy (21) is here on a permanent contract for less than £5M, low risk as we have an idea of what he is all about and capable of - how much would you have to cough up for a similar British 21 year old talent?
- Mori - I have to assume that paying £9.5M for a centre half means we are getting a very decent player for this position (only time will tell though) . Hoping it's quality over quantity. Excellent age (24).
- three talented youngsters (Hanen - 19, Rodrigues -22 and Holgate -18), if only one of them comes off as a first team regular then a gamble worth taking.
- Not had to sell any of the family silver so to say - even though we appear to have had plenty offers and interest for a number of player.
- McCathy signed long term contract (talk of him wanting to leave and plenty of interest at beginning of transfer window)
- Mirallas signs new contract - how much to replace his talent and goal in a team, unplayable when on song. Again, strong talk of him being gone this summer or next for nothing.
- Luke Garrbut signed up on a new contract
- No 'older' Eto type make shift players signed up
- No short term cover 'Chelsea' (or any other team) reserve loans brought in
- Only player out are Distain and Alcaraz, both of which are no loss give last years performances, leaving a place for our talented young defenders to cover (some of which were blooded last year and start of this).
 
This transfer window has brought the average age down massively with the signings ranging (18-28 years old with an average age of 22.5) and all signings are permanent Everton players.
 
Negatives
- Didn't get the number 10 we need. It sound like we were reasonably close with a 25 year old Yarmarleko. but just failed to get is over the line, but these things happen during the window and dealing with the dodgy Russian is always difficult. Trouble is while you go for one target you really want you are likely to miss out on any alternatives. What do you do? go for that extra bit of quality signing you really really want or do you go for a guaranteed second or even third best option? Its a fine line.
 
Maybe missing out on a number 10 might just mean Barkley makes that set up this year or MIrallas or Delboy get a shot at it.
 
The progressions of the transfer windows under Martinez do seem be following a more longer term strategic plan of building a talented young team (still with limited resources compared to the top 6 spenders).
 
Over the past 5 to 10 years I have always moaned that every time players; and then subsequently the team do really well, we just end up having to sell the players when their heads are turned by a money bags club and thus we have to start again in key positions. i.e a viscous circle of player does well/team does well, player wants to leave. So what is the point of doing really well as your team is decimated.
 
But this trend appear to have been bucked a little since Martinez has been manager - this is new territory as an Everton fan over the past 10 years, a key player has now not been lost for a couple of years under Martinez reign, in fact young players are slowly being added. Could a young talented team actually be allowed to grow in to something special over three or four years project - maybe.
 
For me plenty of positives to get behind. However, we do need a good positive season (al la 13/14 season) to keep the players on board with this plan. Big season.

Howard
Coleman, Jags, Stones, Baines
McCarthy, Besic,
Naismith
McGeady, Etoo,, Mirallas
 
 
I would rest Barry for this one, I think a second game in the same week could expose his age and legs - with Besic having experience at Hamburg I think a first competitive start against Germany team would be perfect timing for him. I don't think we need McCathy, Barry and Besic on.
 
Naismith has to start as the bang in-form player.
 
I am torn between McGeady and Lukaku to start- I think a fresh Lukaka would be great coming on at 60min to get at a tiring defence. I think he could have a massive impact in the last 30min.
 
Eto'o experience all across Europe should be a given to start this game.
 
looking forward

Don't think Eto would be my first choice - but as it looks very much like he is coming, I am only going to dwell on the positives -
 
- Although he will still be on a decent wedge - he will definately be taking a substanical pay cut to come and play for Everton. So he is coming for football reasons and not a final pay off reasons. He could have had an easier life/bigger money offer elsewhere, I have no doubt.
- His name signing will take considerable pressure off Lukaku, which will not be a bad thing for 12 to 18 months,
- His presence will also give some quality competition to Lukaku, again a positive,
- Having his experience as one of the world top striker can only help improve Lukaku over the next 18 months, expecially playing in Europe.
- Playing away games in eastern europe will be like water off a ducks back to Eto, have been out in Russia for a number of years. He has great expericene all over the continent at the highest level. He could make a massive difference for us in Europa this year, small advantages make the difference in knockout football.
- He was still scoring goals at the highest level last season. Roughly 1 in 2.
- High wages but no transfer fee and only a two year contract. If it doesn't quite work, it will not to be the worst bit of busness ever done.
- A slightly risky signing, but a calculated one. If it pays off and he gets anything near 1 in 2 again this year, then its the free signing of the season.
 
Depending on playing time, if he gets +12 goals, then I would see he was a decent signing
 
Finger crossed on this one me thinks!

Don't think Eto would be my first choice - but as it looks very much like he is coming, I am only going to dwell on the positives -
 
- Although he will still be on a decent wedge - he will definately be taking a substanical pay cut to come and play for Everton. So he is coming for football reasons and not a final pay off reasons. He could have had an easier life/bigger money offer elsewhere, I have no doubt.
- His name signing will take considerable pressure off Lukaku, which will not be a bad thing for 12 to 18 months,
- His presence will also give some quality competition to Lukaku, again a positive,
- Having his experience as one of the world top striker can only help improve Lukaku over the next 18 months, expecially playing in Europe.
- Playing away games in eastern europe will be like water off a ducks back to Eto, have been out in Russia for a number of years. He has great expericene all over the continent at the highest level. He could make a massive difference for us in Europa this year, small advantages make the difference in knockout football.
- He was still scoring goals at the highest level last season. Roughly 1 in 2.
- High wages but no transfer fee and only a two year contract. If it doesn't quite work, it will not to be the worst bit of busness ever done.
- A slightly risky signing, but a calculated one. If it pays off and he gets anything near 1 in 2 again this year, then its the free signing of the season.
 
Depending on playing time, if he gets +12 goals, then I would see he was a decent signing
 
Finger crossed on this one me thinks!

Well, that's the arguement - Is 4th place or Europa Cup the harder task in hand? Not sure I agree top 4 spot is a lot easier. It could equally be argued that both are beyond our capabilities and punching above our weight. and a tad arrogent to think we could do either - But that's what we need to strive for - a bit of gatecrashing!!.
 
I am not underestimating the Europa leauge - But this seaosn there are two possible routes for Everton to get in to the CL next season - top 4 or win the Europa cup.
 
How ofter do any teams outside the 5-6 big spenders get in to the top 4 CL spot. I would say that Everton are the only club to manage that; the once.(So a once every 10 -12 year hit rate for any 'poorer' club). When Spurs, Leeds or Newcastle have managed it, they had paid to get there.
 
Middlesbrough and Fulham got to the final of the Europa Cup in 2006 and 2010 respectiely (two none top 5-6 big spending clubs have managed it in the last 8-9 years (so a once every 4-5 year hit rate).
 
On this evidence you could argue that getting to a Europa Cup final is slightly easier than getting in to the top 4 if you don't have the spending power. I don't think anybody would argue that the current Everton squad is a lot better than both the Middlesbrough or Fulham teams. OK, both fell at the final hurdle. But as mentioned earlier I would take a spot in the final now and take my chances.
 
Martinez does have some pedigree in Cup football, who would have bet on Wigan in a FA Cup final agaist Man City.

Well, that's the arguement - Is 4th place or Europa Cup the harder task in hand? Not sure I agree top 4 spot is a lot easier. It could equally be argued that both are beyond our capabilities and punching above our weight. and a tad arrogent to think we could do either - But that's what we need to strive for - a bit of gatecrashing!!.
 
I am not underestimating the Europa leauge - But this seaosn there are two possible routes for Everton to get in to the CL next season - top 4 or win the Europa cup.
 
How ofter do any teams outside the 5-6 big spenders get in to the top 4 CL spot. I would say that Everton are the only club to manage that; the once.(So a once every 10 -12 year hit rate for any 'poorer' club). When Spurs, Leeds or Newcastle have managed it, they had paid to get there.
 
Middlesbrough and Fulham got to the final of the Europa Cup in 2006 and 2010 respectiely (two none top 5-6 big spending clubs have managed it in the last 8-9 years (so a once every 4-5 year hit rate).
 
On this evidence you could argue that getting to a Europa Cup final is slightly easier than getting in to the top 4 if you don't have the spending power. I don't think anybody would argue that the current Everton squad is a lot better than both the Middlesbrough or Fulham teams. OK, both fell at the final hurdle. But as mentioned earlier I would take a spot in the final now and take my chances.
 
Martinez does have some pedigree in Cup football, who would have bet on Wigan in a FA Cup final agaist Man City.

Well, that's the arguement - Is 4th place or Europa Cup the harder task in hand? Not sure I agree top 4 spot is a lot easier. It could equally be argued that both are beyond our capabilities and punching above our weight. and a tad arrogent to think we could do either - But that's what we need to strive for - a bit of gatecrashing!!.
 
I am not underestimating the Europa leauge - But this seaosn there are two possible routes for Everton to get in to the CL next season - top 4 or win the Europa cup.
 
How ofter do any teams outside the 5-6 big spenders get in to the top 4 CL spot. I would say that Everton are the only club to manage that; the once.(So a once every 10 -12 year hit rate for any 'poorer' club). When Spurs, Leeds or Newcastle have managed it, they had paid to get there.
 
Middlesbrough and Fulham got to the final of the Europa Cup in 2006 and 2010 respectiely (two none top 5-6 big spending clubs have managed it in the last 8-9 years (so a once every 4-5 year hit rate).
 
On this evidence you could argue that getting to a Europa Cup final is slightly easier than getting in to the top 4 if you don't have the spending power. I don't think anybody would argue that the current Everton squad is a lot better than both the Middlesbrough or Fulham teams. OK, both fell at the final hurdle. But as mentioned earlier I would take a spot in the final now and take my chances.
 
Martinez does have some pedigree in Cup football, who would have bet on Wigan in a FA Cup final agaist Man City.

great news, was so good to hear that Everton has been pretty much his choice destination since the end of last season. By the grin on Martinez and Lukaku's face when asked did he think he would be coming back said a lot. That also says a lot about how the club as now perceived by the games top youngsters.
 
Cheslea drove a hard bargain to get £28M quid out of us, but he is such a hot prospect at only 21 and already a proven premiership goal scorer. Its easy to forget how young he really is. We could have 5-6 seasons out of him and easily be looking at recouping at least the same money possibly a lot more. A good calculated investment
 
This sort of signing must also go a long way to persuading the likes of Coleman, Barkley, Stones, McCarthy etc to be signing contract extensions rather than be asking for transfer requests, and it also makes other hot young prospects want to sign for us as a club of choice. £28M is a lot - but as a statement of intent it may provide hidden value that is actually difficult to put a figure too over the coming years.
 
Last summer our biggest transfer talking points were Fellini or Baines going - I don't see any player wanting to leave this club this summer, in fact I would say the opposite.

great news, was so good to hear that Everton has been pretty much his choice destination since the end of last season. By the grin on Martinez and Lukaku's face when asked did he think he would be coming back said a lot. That also says a lot about how the club as now perceived by the games top youngsters.
 
Cheslea drove a hard bargain to get £28M quid out of us, but he is such a hot prospect at only 21 and already a proven premiership goal scorer. Its easy to forget how young he really is. We could have 5-6 seasons out of him and easily be looking at recouping at least the same money possibly a lot more. A good calculated investment
 
This sort of signing must also go a long way to persuading the likes of Coleman, Barkley, Stones, McCarthy etc to be signing contract extensions rather than be asking for transfer requests, and it also makes other hot young prospects want to sign for us as a club of choice. £28M is a lot - but as a statement of intent it may provide hidden value that is actually difficult to put a figure too over the coming years.
 
Last summer our biggest transfer talking points were Fellini or Baines going - I don't see any player wanting to leave this club this summer, in fact I would say the opposite.

Can't really complain about the fee - Costing around the same money we got for Fellini. - I'm happy with that, proven premiership striker, already settled in at Everton so no bedding in period, young with massive sell on potential. - can't really lose on this deal.
 
Stones, Coleman, Barkley, Besic, McCarthy, Lukaku - What a platform for which to build a future, right through the side some of the most exciting young players in the premiership. Mix these with the more senior figures, a very exciting period in the clubs recent history.
 
I get the feeling these youngsters know they are buying in to something special under Martinez, for them to be either signing contract extensions or signing up for the club. Brilliant

I think he'd be a decent enough addition to the squad, he chips in with goals and will definitely get a few assists.
 
I think Heitinga out and McGeady in as a fairly straight forward swop would be decent business for us.
 
He could turn out to be a very good addition. I think he would be a better option than Naismith, and it would give us the option of moving Naismith on in the summer without weakening the squad to much.
 
He may not be a signing that will set the world on fire, but we have to cut our cloth according to our finances. His addition will freshen up the squad this month and sometimes that's all you need from a new signing or two.

I think he'd be a decent enough addition to the squad, he chips in with goals and will definitely get a few assists.
 
I think Heitinga out and McGeady in as a fairly straight forward swop would be decent business for us.
 
He could turn out to be a very good addition. I think he would be a better option than Naismith, and it would give us the option of moving Naismith on in the summer without weakening the squad to much.
 
He may not be a signing that will set the world on fire, but we have to cut our cloth according to our finances. His addition will freshen up the squad this month and sometimes that's all you need from a new signing or two.

Maybe try Kone up front then if Miralles is out - I just think a fresh Lukaku beasting a tired Man City defence in the second half would be a decent tactic. Talk about sending in the cavalry.

well to me it now sounds as if Baines will be going this January.
 
The club were talking about offering him a improved contract immediately after the transfer window then within a week saying there is now no hurry - sounds very much like the vibe is he is not looking for a new improved Everton offer, and would be unlikely to sign one of its put in front of him. The club may be backing away from the embarrassment of him not signing a new contract with us.
 
Stubbsy dropping the ball and saying Baines wanted to go to Old Trafford over the summer. It sounded like Baines all but handed in a transfer request. I think we all know now that he actually wants to leave. So having missed out this summer, he may be really pressing for this move come January. A transfer request just means we get more money in our pockets if he actually goes. I don't view a transfer request as a negative - we know he would like to go anyway, but not enough to relinquish his loyalty bonus yet.

The figure being talked about are Man U have already offered £15M and we want £20M. If United as still lagging behind in the league come the New Year, then it might be a good time to get them to
part with some serious money as they panic buy a little to bolster up the squad.
 
I would not want to see Baines go - but for £15M to £20M, well that is a lot of money to go towards a younger replacement.
 
I have seen enough so far from the Martinez revolution to see that we may not need be as reliant as we have been of our attacks coming via the Baines - Pienaar combination on the left. Baines is 29 in December and Pienaar is 32 in March, so this double act is in its twilight (not saying its still not a useful weapon to have), and Baines is not quiet as effective with other partners on the left.
 
I think the club should (and most likely are) now be scouring the continent for the best replacement left back possible.
 
Come next July we may just need £15M to £20M in the coffers to get in a replacement for Lukaku. I think he is going to be the player who makes the difference to us this season rather than Baines, and I think he is going to be harder to replace, so we might just be glad of the money and I don't think we are going to get much from anywhere else.

well to me it now sounds as if Baines will be going this January.
 
The club were talking about offering him a improved contract immediately after the transfer window then within a week saying there is now no hurry - sounds very much like the vibe is he is not looking for a new improved Everton offer, and would be unlikely to sign one of its put in front of him. The club may be backing away from the embarrassment of him not signing a new contract with us.
 
Stubbsy dropping the ball and saying Baines wanted to go to Old Trafford over the summer. It sounded like Baines all but handed in a transfer request. I think we all know now that he actually wants to leave. So having missed out this summer, he may be really pressing for this move come January. A transfer request just means we get more money in our pockets if he actually goes. I don't view a transfer request as a negative - we know he would like to go anyway, but not enough to relinquish his loyalty bonus yet.

The figure being talked about are Man U have already offered £15M and we want £20M. If United as still lagging behind in the league come the New Year, then it might be a good time to get them to
part with some serious money as they panic buy a little to bolster up the squad.
 
I would not want to see Baines go - but for £15M to £20M, well that is a lot of money to go towards a younger replacement.
 
I have seen enough so far from the Martinez revolution to see that we may not need be as reliant as we have been of our attacks coming via the Baines - Pienaar combination on the left. Baines is 29 in December and Pienaar is 32 in March, so this double act is in its twilight (not saying its still not a useful weapon to have), and Baines is not quiet as effective with other partners on the left.
 
I think the club should (and most likely are) now be scouring the continent for the best replacement left back possible.
 
Come next July we may just need £15M to £20M in the coffers to get in a replacement for Lukaku. I think he is going to be the player who makes the difference to us this season rather than Baines, and I think he is going to be harder to replace, so we might just be glad of the money and I don't think we are going to get much from anywhere else.

The Tin pot cup is the tournament to try out youngsters and give fringe players time on the pitch and get injured players back in.
 
If you think about it. It's McCathy and Lakaku's first start and only Stone, Joel and Gerry' second start in a Everton shirt so this coupled with Gibson and Heitinga's lack of game time this season, you have to say to go away from home and against a Premiership team I think to come back with a narrow 2-1 defeat isn't too shabby a performance. we where just a little unlucky, in a game we did possibly did enough to possibly win.
 
It is disappointing to go out of a cup competition, but the signs for the future are decent enough if you ask me.
 
with a bit of luck one of the big clubs win the cup and the an extra euro place goes to the league places.

Building a good relationship with Barca can only be a good thing- wherther it's their top youngster coming for experience, loans for fringe players, or even transfer of decent of player that don't quite make the Barca grade can only be a good thing- but the sounds of it the actual cost to us on this deal are relatively small.
 
Mourinio offering us Lakaku for a year. Chelsea are not shy on loaning player out.
 
 
If the top clubs have Everton and Martinez at the top of their list as THE place to send your talented youngsters that's not to bad a thing - even if you change the youngsters every year, it's almost like having a permeanent siging if you can keep them coming though the door. A bench half full of hungary, no fear top quality youngsters looks a decent formula to me.

as pace has never been Barry's stong point - I think he could easily play for another two or even three seasons. Not suffered to much with injuries and guess he is a model proffessional.
 
I think with him and McCathy in the middle it will give Barkley a little more cover as he grows in to Premeriship football.
 
If he stays on for another season or two then it will gives Martinez a little breathing space in finding a younger defensive midfeilder.
 
its going to be great start to watch a team develop around the 22 year old mccathy and 19 year old barkley in the middle of the park.

Building a good relationship with Barca can only be a good thing- wherther it's their top youngster coming for experience, loans for fringe players, or even transfer of decent of player that don't quite make the Barca grade can only be a good thing- but the sounds of it the actual cost to us on this deal are relatively small.
 
Mourinio offering us Lakaku for a year. Chelsea are not shy on loaning player out.
 
 
If the top clubs have Everton and Martinez at the top of their list as THE place to send your talented youngsters that's not to bad a thing - even if you change the youngsters every year, it's almost like having a permeanent siging if you can keep them coming though the door. A bench half full of hungary, no fear top quality youngsters looks a decent formula to me.

as pace has never been Barry's stong point - I think he could easily play for another two or even three seasons. Not suffered to much with injuries and guess he is a model proffessional.
 
I think with him and McCathy in the middle it will give Barkley a little more cover as he grows in to Premeriship football.
 
If he stays on for another season or two then it will gives Martinez a little breathing space in finding a younger defensive midfeilder.
 
its going to be great start to watch a team develop around the 22 year old mccathy and 19 year old barkley in the middle of the park.

Man U stumping up £27.5M have basically paid the extra we have had to pay for McCathy - so yes paid over the odds £3m over the odd for McCathy, but is out of Man U pockets.

Man U stumping up £27.5M have basically paid the extra we have had to pay for McCathy - so yes paid over the odds £3m over the odd for McCathy, but is out of Man U pockets.

united must have shit it thinking of the backlash - so they have paid the extra to cover McCathy.
 
Not a bad day actually we ended up with at least an extra £2.5M out of Man U and the loyalty bonus out of Fellinin - so probabley not far of a £30M deal compared to the £23M buyout clause on the cards two weeks ago. so around £5M to £7M better off. So say £6M more better off.
 
Take that extra £6M we made in the few weeks and few hours off the £12,5M means McCathy now cost us only cost £5,.5M. (i.e Whelan would have held out for £12.5 even if we sold Fellini for the buy out clause of £23M).
 
if we got £5M or so for Vic, then we have McCathy, and Barry and Lukaku for the season and around £20M in the bank for the lose of Fellini and Vic. decent days work in my opinion

barry and Lukaku in and nobody gone would not be a bad transfer window.

I am not so sure a transfer request has any bearing on any sell on fee to Leige. That wouldn't seem fair to Leige. I think any saving is only a the player sacrificing any loyalty bonus he may be due.