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I think we need to bear in mind that we managed last season with a small squad, but with the extra European games next season it will be important to have a deeper squad consisting of players who can all rotate in and out of the side as required. They can't all be 'stars' - we're not in that financial ballpark - but any of the likes of Cleverley, Rodwell, Moses, Caulker etc shouldn't cost a fortune and would all be capable of rotating in for certain games and not lowering the quality of the side. We need a couple of bodies like Cleverley - experience at this level but with the potential to improve - plus probably three who would improve our current squad like, say, Lukaku/Bony, Peresic, Tadic etc. If we can add a bright young bargain like Ziyech too, we'll be making the sort of progress with our recruitment that is needed this summer.

A tweet from the club this morning says it will be unveiled on Wednesday.

Agreed, he left at the right time after a disappointing (by his standards) final season, but he was a talismanic player for us at his best. A playing return to Oz could well be on the cards as reports today suggest that Sydney FC have had talks about signing him as a 'marquee player': http://www.smh.com.au/fifa-world-cup-2014/australia-2014/sydney-fc-reportedly-chasing-tim-cahill-as-a-marquee-player-20140620-zsh2k.html

With Alan Irvine now at WBA it's not surprising that he's apparently interested in Jack Rodwell, with ourselves and Newcastle also linked again: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2662787/Alan-Irvine-hopes-lure-Rolls-Royce-Jack-Rodwell-West-Bromwich-Albion-completes-signing-Joleon-Lescott.html?ico=sport%5Eheadlines http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/384893/West-Brom-Newcastle-and-Everton-eye-moves-for-Man-City-s-12m-rated-misfit-Jack-Rodwell

He's just made a nice assist from the inside right position to set up Olic for Croatia's opener against Cameroon tonight. Olic turned immediately after scoring to point to him and thank him for the pass.

Brilliant news! I didn't see that one coming but it's a great boost and a great sign of intent and stability. Quotes from Roberto and Blue Bill: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2014/06/12/new-contract-for-martinez?

Hull now reportedly favourites to sign Ince, with Stoke and us in the running too. Interesting that the bosses of the other two clubs are both former team-mates of his Dad. http://www.eastgrinsteadcourier.co.uk/Hull-Everton-Stoke-favourites-sign-son-Manchester/story-21227111-detail/story.html?

Kagisho Dikgacoi leaving Crystal Palace on a free to join Cardiff City.

If England win the World Cup http://imgur.com/a/Eh9y0

Great news, Mike. So pleased for you. Good luck with everything, Rubes.

No. So many reasons why. Just no.

Apparently Marca claim that we and Spurs are interested: http://www.totalfootballmadness.com/2014/06/08/everton-tottenham-linked-with-granada-midfielder-yacine-brahimi/

A lot of clubs have been linked with Navas in the last couple of months since we were first reported to be interested, so it'll be interesting to see what happens with this one.

Roberto's thoughts on Roy's comments: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/480490/Roberto-Martinez-Handle-Ross-Barkley-with-care

A ball-playing midfielder-turned-defender. Sounds like Roberto's type of player although the quoted price is a bit steep, even for League 1 apprentice of the year.

Given that it was Jones' first game back after an injury I would have said Smalling was the bigger disappointment of the pair. Actually 'disappointment' is the wrong word because I've never rated him and have no idea why he's in the squad, so I can't be disappointed! Jones was OK, but the presumably fully match-fit Smalling was a shambles. Don't understand Roy's praise for Wilshere either - he spent more time on his arse crying than anything else.

I remember us being linked with Luc Castaignos 2-3 seasons ago, in terms of a loan deal when he wasn't getting game time in Italy, so our scouting staff should be well aware of him.

I wouldn't start celebrating yet.... http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/478246/I-m-not-an-Inter-player-yet-Tom-Ince-gives-Everton-and-Palace-hope-over-transfer-plans

There's no stated link to Everton in this article but we've been linked recently and now Welbeck himself is saying he's unhappy at Man Utd and may leave in order to play regularly up front, either in the centre or on the left of a front three. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/25/danny-welbeck-manchester-united-louis-van-gaal

The headline says we and Liverpool are tracking this 6ft 5ins centre half, who has just got promoted to the Conference with Dover, then says later in the article that a move is unlikely! Apparently he caught the eye of bigger clubs when he kept Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford quiet in an FA Cup tie against MK Dons last season. Also says he been described as the next Chris Smalling.... er, no thanks then! http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/380079/EXCLUSIVE-Liverpool-and-Everton-tracking-Dover-Athletic-non-league-star-Sean-Raggett

I think Martinez was playing him with his back to goal at the request of Chelsea, who wanted him to gain experience of playing that way. Read something to that effect a couple of times, anyway.

Didn't they do well? You can often tell who's going to score a penalty from the look in their eyes and the way they step back from the ball, and our lads all looked absolutely determined and ready to do it, while I could tell which of the Dutch lads were going to miss. Ledson looks a real prospect and only 16, while Kenny is a neat and tidy defender who knows his job. Pleased that they both scored their penalties. England won this competition four years ago too, with Barkley and Sterling & co, and it underlines what Martinez has said about youth football in this country. At this age group we're as good as anyone else, but it's the transition from this age group into first team football where it falls down. I hope we do well by this squad because there are some promising players among them and it would a waste to see them rot away in a reserve side until the age of 21 before they're discarded in favour of the new crop. At least we can be sure that won't happen to the Everton lads.

Good interview with Conor Grant, who's looking to start pre-season strongly after six months out injured: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2014/05/21/grant-s-pre-season-desire? Loved this quote: "It'd be a dream come true [to make my debut]. All my family are Blues. My mum was a Red, but I think she's converted now. Hopefully I can push on and take any chance."

I'd be made up if this comes off, especially Griezmann! According to this source, Big Dunc was watching the Real Sociedad pair at the weekend: http://www.sportinastorm.com/Premier-League/Everton/Everton's-Big-Dunc-watches-Sociedad-duo/X1Y31Z1761847? It looks as though Griezmann is open to a move but likely to attract CL clubs, unfortunately: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11851/9313844/transfer-news-real-sociedad-forward-antoine-griezmann-reveals-his-ambitions

Yes, I'm glad he's missing out on that. He could do with a rest to come back fully recharged in July.