2022-2023 season - Preparation

[c1982]

I’d sell a lot of players - some controversial:

Pickford - peak price this summer in my opinion

Mina - best cb but wages far too high for what he brings

Holgate or Keane (even both) - done well recently but we need better

Allan - need to get something back for him this summer

Gbamin - may be a good time to sell on the back of regular playing time at CSKA

Doucoure - as Allan but not as desperately 

Gomes - not good enough

Simms - sell on the back of that loan spell

Richarlison - new contract with big release clause or sell

DCL - for the right price but only £50m plus

Rondon - no reason needed

That makes for a busy summer!!! I think Tarkowski is a no brainer when you consider Lampard wanted him at Chelsea - I think we actually need 2 centre backs. I love the idea of Gallagher on-loan and would ask about Broja too (maybe Colwill, Gilmour or Ampadu) on a low purchase/buy-back deal. Nketia could be an interesting option in we could get him on a free. Lewis O’Brien and Brennan Johnson are players I like from the Championship - NDiaye at Sheff Utd looks a player too. My wildcard is Zinchenko though - think he’d flourish here in a more advanced position and offer decent versatility too.

Left-footed is high on the priority list for me.

[DownUnderToff]

1 hour ago, c1982 said:

I’d sell a lot of players - some controversial:

Pickford - peak price this summer in my opinion

Mina - best cb but wages far too high for what he brings

Holgate or Keane (even both) - done well recently but we need better

Allan - need to get something back for him this summer

Gbamin - may be a good time to sell on the back of regular playing time at CSKA

Doucoure - as Allan but not as desperately 

Gomes - not good enough

Simms - sell on the back of that loan spell

Richarlison - new contract with big release clause or sell

DCL - for the right price but only £50m plus

Rondon - no reason needed

That makes for a busy summer!!! I think Tarkowski is a no brainer when you consider Lampard wanted him at Chelsea - I think we actually need 2 centre backs. I love the idea of Gallagher on-loan and would ask about Broja too (maybe Colwill, Gilmour or Ampadu) on a low purchase/buy-back deal. Nketia could be an interesting option in we could get him on a free. Lewis O’Brien and Brennan Johnson are players I like from the Championship - NDiaye at Sheff Utd looks a player too. My wildcard is Zinchenko though - think he’d flourish here in a more advanced position and offer decent versatility too.

Left-footed is high on the priority list for me.

I agree with all except for Simms.  Either keep (I have hope), or Loan into Championship.  Preference is to keep, I want multiple, hungry, young attacking options and I think he has the natural striking ability that we want to develop long term.

[Matt]

Mina is not our best fucking CB! He doesn't play, ergo he's useless! Cracking personality, useless player. 

 

[RuffRob]

18 minutes ago, Matt said:

Mina is not our best fucking CB! He doesn't play, ergo he's useless! Cracking personality, useless player. 

 

I have to agree, Mina being in and out has led to lots of chopping and changing. Yes, we do better when he is in the side, but pay for it as soon as he is out again, which has been a lot. I think if we had Keane and Holgate or even Godfrey as a pairing playing every game together better partnership will have developed. So over a whole season, defensively we would just be more consistent. 

I must admit I do like Mina, he looks like a real character and a fun guy to have around.

Shame he seems to pick up little niggly injuries so easy.

 

[StevO]

4 hours ago, Goodison Glory said:

What about Ben Mee?

 

 

Always preferred Tarkowski. Is Mee on a free as well? Poor from Burnley if they lost both on a free. 

[c1982]

47 minutes ago, Matt said:

Mina is not our best fucking CB! He doesn't play, ergo he's useless! Cracking personality, useless player. 

 

When he plays, he’s our best CB by a mile - maybe our most important player hence why we’ve been so poor this season.

[Gwlad]

22 minutes ago, StevO said:

Always preferred Tarkowski. Is Mee on a free as well? Poor from Burnley if they lost both on a free. 

Tarkowski but not two from Burnley. As a team they haven't set the Premier League on fire this season 

[Matt]

31 minutes ago, c1982 said:

When he plays, he’s our best CB by a mile - maybe our most important player hence why we’ve been so poor this season.

He can't even finish a game when he starts most of the time. Pretty sure he's cost us a sub within 30 mins twice this season and has been missing for 80% of the other games. IF he could stay fit you would have a point. But he can't. 

[c1982]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

He can't even finish a game when he starts most of the time. Pretty sure he's cost us a sub within 30 mins twice this season and has been missing for 80% of the other games. IF he could stay fit you would have a point. But he can't. 

Hence - ‘when he plays’ - because he doesn’t play enough for what we pay him, I’d sell him. That was the point all along.

[c1982]

It’s happening…

 

[Goodison Glory]

4 hours ago, c1982 said:

It’s happening…

 

Is that really when Dom header went in? ball seems too high to me.

That said, I think someone said it in the match thread the reason Gallagher didn't play from the start was possibly his loyalties to Frank. 

[Hafnia]

5 hours ago, Goodison Glory said:

Is that really when Dom header went in? ball seems too high to me.

That said, I think someone said it in the match thread the reason Gallagher didn't play from the start was possibly his loyalties to Frank. 

I said that yeah.  The stress over relegation made me look at all sorts of things.

Lampard is Gallaghers idol. Plus Joe Edwards also has a great relationship with Gallagher from working with him as a youth player. 

[Btay]

20 hours ago, Bailey said:

I would be very hesitant in picking up any Burnley defenders unless we intend to sit deep and compact next season.

Glad someone said. Both are good defenders but only play in deep block and I think the first 10 games or so of next season Frank will want to implement his style on the team.

First and foremost we need to clear out the players mentioned above.

2 quality, first team centre backs. Godfrey can be third choice or maybe first choice depending on how we recruit with Branthwaite 4th. Or loan Branthwaite and have Holgate cover.

Coleman & Iwobi can back up the right back spot but it has to be Patterson predominately.

We need a real quality midfielder- I was hoping DVB might be that but we haven’t seen enough of him so who knows.

A proper back up striker is a must who can come on and be a threat.

Ultimately we need to move on the sick notes and have a competitive group of 16 players who are reliable and first team quality. 

[Btay]

15 hours ago, Matt said:

He can't even finish a game when he starts most of the time. Pretty sure he's cost us a sub within 30 mins twice this season and has been missing for 80% of the other games. IF he could stay fit you would have a point. But he can't. 

Big fan of his but can’t agree enough. His lack of reliability is as bad for the team if not worse than Keane’s inconsistency. I’d actually keep Keane over him but in no way shape or form as a starter.

[Matt]

14 hours ago, c1982 said:

Hence - ‘when he plays’ - because he doesn’t play enough for what we pay him, I’d sell him. That was the point all along.

Fair enough. 

[StevO]

Out of Mina, Keane, Godfrey and Holgate I’d be shocked if anyone other than Mina was sold. 
I expect a new centre half to arrive, with any of the other three being their partner. 

[London Blue]

1 minute ago, StevO said:

Out of Mina, Keane, Godfrey and Holgate I’d be shocked if anyone other than Mina was sold. 
I expect a new centre half to arrive, with any of the other three being their partner. 

I agree, Mina is expensive in terms of wages, and too injury prone for the league, he will have suitors and free up cash. Holgate is still young and over the end of the season started to fulfill his promise, Godfrey is also young and has all the attributes to be a top defender.  Lampard is good at developing young players and I believe he can improve them.

Keane is steady, and with a commanding centre back continue be a good player for us. Our midfield needs major surgery and money is needed to be spent there.

[StevO]

9 minutes ago, London Blue said:

I agree, Mina is expensive in terms of wages, and too injury prone for the league, he will have suitors and free up cash. Holgate is still young and over the end of the season started to fulfill his promise, Godfrey is also young and has all the attributes to be a top defender.  Lampard is good at developing young players and I believe he can improve them.

Keane is steady, and with a commanding centre back continue be a good player for us. Our midfield needs major surgery and money is needed to be spent there.

I’d be quite happy if next season our defence looked like this;

Patterson, Coleman

Mykolenko, Nkounku

Tarkowski, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Branthwaite 

 

Enough cover & experience. Can play deep or high up. Play in a four or a five. And importantly, it doesn’t cost a penny in transfer fees but brings in money from Mina to fund the midfield. (I’m not even getting into how happy I would be to offset Mina for Gallagher as that’s what dreams are made of)

[London Blue]

Yep I would be happy with that, good young players and some experienced players to lead and help develop.

[Btay]

13 hours ago, StevO said:

I’d be quite happy if next season our defence looked like this;

Patterson, Coleman

Mykolenko, Nkounku

Tarkowski, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Branthwaite 

 

Enough cover & experience. Can play deep or high up. Play in a four or a five. And importantly, it doesn’t cost a penny in transfer fees but brings in money from Mina to fund the midfield. (I’m not even getting into how happy I would be to offset Mina for Gallagher as that’s what dreams are made of)

There’s just far too many question marks over those centre backs though. Tarkowski is decent but there’s serious question marks over if he can play anything other than a deep block. 

Keane, Holgate & Godfrey have all had horrible, inexcusable moments so I think one of them will go. Most likely Keane or Holgate - I really think we need 2 reliable centre backs in otherwise we can easily find ourselves fighting relegation next season.

Ultimately we need to find another 15/18 points to be over the season to be competitive. It starts with our defence

[MC11]

I expect one of Richarlison and DCL to be sold. There’s a possibility of both depending on our finances and most importantly them as players. Someone may also come in for Pickford. 

I expect Mina to see out his contract as well as Allan. Who are both capable players. We will need experience and leadership in the dressing room. Both offer this. 

Gomes must be sold a long with Tom Davies both not good enough. There’s also an argument for Keane to be put up for sale as his performances are not consistent and a lot of the time hugely costly. 
 

Sigurddsson, Delph and Tosun will be released. 

[StevO]

6 hours ago, Btay said:

There’s just far too many question marks over those centre backs though. Tarkowski is decent but there’s serious question marks over if he can play anything other than a deep block. 

Keane, Holgate & Godfrey have all had horrible, inexcusable moments so I think one of them will go. Most likely Keane or Holgate - I really think we need 2 reliable centre backs in otherwise we can easily find ourselves fighting relegation next season.

Ultimately we need to find another 15/18 points to be over the season to be competitive. It starts with our defence

I don’t disagree with your opinion, but if any of Keane, Holgate or Godfrey go I’d be shocked. You really think any of them would go or just wishful thinking?
 

If we have two centre halves like Keane and Tarkowski who can play deep and Godfrey and Holgate who can play further up and have pace then we have options to change depending on the situation at hand. 

As much as wholesale changes would be nice we also don’t have a lot of money to spend. We won’t be bringing in two new starting centre backs. We can’t afford to do that and sort out the midfield. 

[Btay]

49 minutes ago, StevO said:

I don’t disagree with your opinion, but if any of Keane, Holgate or Godfrey go I’d be shocked. You really think any of them would go or just wishful thinking?
 

If we have two centre halves like Keane and Tarkowski who can play deep and Godfrey and Holgate who can play further up and have pace then we have options to change depending on the situation at hand. 

As much as wholesale changes would be nice we also don’t have a lot of money to spend. We won’t be bringing in two new starting centre backs. We can’t afford to do that and sort out the midfield. 

I think Keane or Holgate could be an attractive acquisition for a promoted team or even an Italian mid table team. Frank seemed to only rely on Keane when we were short of numbers towards the end there so who knows.

My point is though 3 of those have showed themselves to all be incredibly inconsistent & unreliable. We only just got away with it this year, running the same personal is a huge, huge risk imo.

I don’t know the exact ins and outs of our budget/finances but we’ve not  net spent a lot on transfers the last few windows and we could very well see a chunk of wages go in the summer. If we can somehow sell Mina - his fee plus wages could get a £20 mil defender + maybe a loan similar to how we got Zouma or free agent/expiring contract. I just feel we really need to sign a proper, out and out defender.

[Romey 1878]

The season ended yesterday and it's taken a lot out of me so I'm not even thinking about this stuff yet. I hope Thelwell and Lampard have been doing more than thinking about it though and have been working behind the scenes on things for both eventualities (a list of players for if we were relegated and a list for if we survived - maybe even having sounded out a few on these lists), but I'm going to think about Everton as little as possible for a bit and, tbh, this sort of chat would wind me up a bit at the moment .

You lot have fun though .

[RuffRob]

Think you are right - we need a summer break as well this season. 

In the long term this season could be seen as a watershed moment. We avoided relegation by a very slim margin. If this was not a rude awakening for the board and owners that they need to stop fucking around and let football people run the football side then nothing ever will. let us hope the penny has finally dropped.

I think we need to stop being obsessed with top6 and European football for a while (chucking big wages at players simply does not work - period) - I think we need to put faith in the Branthwaithe's of this world and allow a season, two or even three for a team of talented young guns to develop together. We should develop ourselves as the club where the best young players want to come to - because they will be trusted and play. A lot of the top footballing talent in the country is going to Germany so they can play. 

Progression for me is seeing a young team coming together and growing, even if it is mid table mediocrity for a few years - There is nothing wrong with the clubs saying this - "be patient we want the new regime to get a young group of talent together and build from this". Us fans are intelligent enough to understand this and get behind it. 

Signing Mikolenko and Patterson is hopefully the start of this. 

 

[Wiggytop]

1 hour ago, RuffRob said:

Progression for me is seeing a young team coming together and growing, even if it is mid table mediocrity for a few years - There is nothing wrong with the clubs saying this - "be patient we want the new regime to get a young group of talent together and build from this". Us fans are intelligent enough to understand this and get behind it. 

I’d be happy with this, Frank doesn’t have that much experience as a manager yet, but does come across as a decent bloke, and was a great player, I think that he could good in bringing in some young ambitious players who would want to play under him.

I would like to see us keep a framework of key players Pickford, Richie, DCL, and add to them with a mix of above, plus a couple of experienced Tarkovski springs to mind, players to help bind the team over the next couple of season.

[RuffRob]

I don't think any of us saw Lampard as a relegation dodging specialist (al la fat Sam) when he came in, that was the biggest risk with him - he didn't have the relegation dog fight experience on his CV he was seen more as a potential builder of a young team based on possession based football, football we want to watch and something we can actually get behind and enjoy on a weekly. Risk was the timing of his appointment.

He has managed to get us over the line, so he has managed to negotiate what was potentially the highest risk part of his appointment. Now he has 4 month high pressure experience of this squad going in to his first transfer window proper and pre season - to try and build the foundations of his team. I imagine Lampard and his coaching staff have learn so much in this past 4 months about this club and squad, so to this extent the 'risk' of employing him in January (over s short term get us out of the shit specialist) has actually paid off. 

He has be able to have a dabble at playing more expansive and possession based football in high pressure games - the coaching staff how have a good knowledge of players strengths and weaknesses and where need strengthening, rather than a perceived knowledge you get from watching from afar.  We are in a much better position than bring in a new manager in June or July while the playing squad are away on holiday and giving him the purse strings to improve the squad. This also applied to also having Thelwall in place for a few months and working with the coaching staff.

This half season has also resulted in a genuine bond going on between Lampard and the Everton fans - its been a tough few months on everybody, and I somehow feel we have battled through it together. 

 Given the diabolical state of the club at the beginning of January - I feel surprisingly optimistic now the season from hell is finally over.   

[Cornish Steve]

6 hours ago, MC11 said:

I expect one of Richarlison and DCL to be sold. There’s a possibility of both depending on our finances and most importantly them as players. Someone may also come in for Pickford. 

I expect Mina to see out his contract as well as Allan. Who are both capable players. We will need experience and leadership in the dressing room. Both offer this. 

Gomes must be sold a long with Tom Davies both not good enough. There’s also an argument for Keane to be put up for sale as his performances are not consistent and a lot of the time hugely costly. 
 

Sigurddsson, Delph and Tosun will be released. 

Agree with all of this. I'm hoping we'll keep Richarlison (he seems very grateful to the club for allowing him time to play for Brazil), but we'll see.

For the previous two seasons, I suggested replacing Pickford first with Dean Henderson and last season with Aaron Ramsdale. Looking back, we've gained by keeping Pickford, and I was wrong. Now, though, he's at the peak of his form, soon to play in the World Cup, etc. Is there a case to sell and bring in Nick Pope, with a young backup?

[plaidharper]

42 minutes ago, Cornish Steve said:

Agree with all of this. I'm hoping we'll keep Richarlison (he seems very grateful to the club for allowing him time to play for Brazil), but we'll see.

For the previous two seasons, I suggested replacing Pickford first with Dean Henderson and last season with Aaron Ramsdale. Looking back, we've gained by keeping Pickford, and I was wrong. Now, though, he's at the peak of his form, soon to play in the World Cup, etc. Is there a case to sell and bring in Nick Pope, with a young backup?

Not sure we need to waste funds on a backup as we already have Begovic, Crellin (who we just brought in Jan.), and Tyrer.  Plus we still have Joao Virginia on the books.  Hopefully Lonergan will be let go (what a waste).   That is a lot of goalkeepers.  If a backup was brought in, we would need to clear a lot of those out.  We need pathways from our youth teams to advance or what is the point of having those development teams? Not saying tons of players will make that step up but we need to stop repeating past mistakes.  Hoping Thelwell will correct this.

Would like to keep Pickford but would understand if he was sold.  Pope would be a good shout but wonder if Burnley will want the moon for him?

[Wiggytop]

12 minutes ago, plaidharper said:

Pope would be a good shout but wonder if Burnley will want the moon for him?

From us , yes after yesterday’s outcomethey will try and fleece us, and they would probably want a similar price from other clubs as we would get for Pickford