Martinez targeting four more players

, 18 July, 75comments  |  Jump to most recent
Boss is confident of strengthening before window closes

Roberto Martinez says that he is looking to bring in at least four more players before the transfer window closes as he and his staff work on transfer targets defined since January.

Martinez suggested at the end of last season that he had a good idea of which players he would be trying to bring in this summer as he prepares for what will be a demanding schedule next term given the Blues' involvement in the Europa League.

Now, with the World Cup over and pre-season well under way, he is in a position to start putting those pieces in place.

While he feels he has enough depth in defence and in goal, Martinez has pin-pointed the forward areas as a particular area of need and he has plans to bring in three attacking players plus one more midfielder before the transfer deadline.

Muhamed Besic is likely to fill that midfield slot, with the Bosnian international's protracted transfer from Ferencvaros believed to finally be close to resolution and Martinez has made no secret of his desire to bring Romelu Lukaku to Goodison Park on a permanent basis. Media reports tonight claim that Everton feel confident in landing the Belgian in the next few days.

In that vein, the manager was keen to stress the value of continuity — a value that underpinned the acquisition of Gareth Barry on a three-year deal this month — but he also cautioned against putting too much emphasis on one player.

“We want to bring in three attacking players,” Martinez says in the Liverpool Echo. “We feel that we are OK in terms of goalkeeper and defence, but we definitely want one midfielder and three attackers.

“What excites me is that with the way this team plays, we are capable of getting goals from all over the pitch. We don't need to rely on just one player.

“That's a good thing, because if you just rely on one player, or even two players, then you can easily become predictable, and we don't think we are a predictable team."

The Catalan restated his intention to use the loan market again — work continues on a deal with Monaco to bring Lacina Traore back in on loan but it's not clear if Martinez counts him among the three forwards he needs — while also pointing out the potential strength in depth from young players at the club who may be ready to step up to the first team.

Academy graduates like Conor McAleny, Luke Garbutt and Ryan Ledson are on the fringes of the first team and could make the breakthrough to some degree this season and that would ease the pressure on Martinez to bring the squad up to the numbers he feels will be required to fight on multiple fronts this coming season.

“Our use of the loan market has been a strength in recent years,” Martinez continues. “That is something we will once again look to. “The loan players that have left were very influential for us last season. But we cannot forget that we have a lot of young players already at the club as well. I have been very impressed by some of those players, and we want to have a look at them over the pre-season. Overall I'm positive where we are at.

“At the moment, I look around and I feel that it will be very difficult to improve upon what we have in the squad, in terms of quality. That's a real positive thing, because it shows that our standard of competition is very good.

“We've worked hard to identify the type of players we want, and we are confident we will be in a good position to strengthen our squad before the end of this window.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (75)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 18/07/2014 at 23:55:31
I love this fella. In a totally platonic way of course.
Paul Andrews
2 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:05:21
There you go.

Stop panicking
In a Roberto we trust

Sean Lloyd
3 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:04:14
A change in stance.. Â’Before the window closes..Â’

With Martinez stating he had identified his targets weeks before the World Cup we now have the sound bite that rings true to Bill Kenwright. Wait for the Sky money to come in and live hand to mouth. I can see the first month of the season being another slow start because of this board's inability to bring in players early like most of our rivals.

Over to you, again, Bill.

Matthew Roberts
4 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:06:24
Daily Mail says we are 48 hours from Rom putting on an Everton shirt! I know it’s the Daily Mail but IÂ’m choosing to believe it.
Jimmy-Ãge Sørheim
5 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:19:04
What about the 7-8 players he promised at the end of last season?

He has refocused himself to just focus on youngsters because of pressure from Bill.

Remember how many times we heard he would get 7-8 new players and one or two from the youth team..

I will just inform you that we are going back to something wise, getting our own youth players ready.

Dave Rinehart
6 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:26:07
Very exciting if names being discussed end up coming. Seems like our weakest area would be left-wing as Oviedo is an unknown coming off injury and Pienaar is aging.
Harold Matthews
7 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:22:51
Positive news, though three attackers doesnÂ’t necessarily mean three strikers. Seems heÂ’s had certain people in mind for quite some time and they will have known about it. After the shocks of the last summer window, predictions are out. Martinez moves in mysterious ways.
Derek Knox
8 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:34:08
IÂ’m sorry but I must disagree here, defensively we are okay? What happens if any of our stalwarts get injured?

Especially Tim Howard; I thought when we first got Robles it was a good move but the guy does not instill any confidence from my perspective!

Besides, our tried and trusted centre-backs are not getting any younger!

Robbie Muldoon
9 Posted 19/07/2014 at 00:49:29
A friend of mine was with Ross Barkley in Ibiza last week. Barkley told him Lukaku was signing and even got the text message from Lukaku out to prove it. ItÂ’s nailed on... lucky my mate stuck a few quid on it before the odds nose dived.
Mike Green
11 Posted 19/07/2014 at 01:40:15
Robbie - not sure texts are legally binding, even in true stories.....?
Mike Green
12 Posted 19/07/2014 at 01:45:34
Mind you - you did do the Muldoon Badge so IÂ’m with you all the way on that. :)
Ant Dwyer
14 Posted 19/07/2014 at 01:55:22
At last, some good news! Bill Kenwright clearly does not have the financial clout to spend the £100m we would like, but some of his board do! Why not bang the drum and put their names to shame?

Anyways, Bobby has put it out there, we got Barry in (1); we're close to Besic (2) – both relatively low fees. Now hopefully on to Rom who in my opinion is a major major signing (3 - fingers crossed). Now two more to go.

Traore is one linked with a loan move and according to recent sources so is Hernandez of Man Utd who incidentally has not travelled to the States with them (4 – maybe??)... one to go?

For me, this must be a quick player who can take over from Pienaar or Osman and/or be good enough to enable Ross and/or Mirallas to have a break. Along with Kone, Gibson and Oviedo and with five youngsters mentioned previously by Roberto, all of a sudden, things are looking up.

Now IÂ’ve seen Derek Knox (8) say he disagrees with the defence and goalkeeper situation and he could be right, but I canÂ’t really name one side in the Prem (apart from Chelsea for the first time ever) who have a top class replacement for their goalkeeper.

And as for the defence, we do have Stones as a top class replacement for Jagielka or Distin, along with a couple of others if we start to get a little over piled with injuries in that department. Duffy, Browning, and Alcaraz are all as good as a lot of EPL sides' back-up players and, in my opinion, no worse than our last back-up player (Johnny Hietinga).

So, all-in-all, I think we need to stop worrying about our big spending rivals (who have lost a top top player btw and only really replaced him with half the Southampton team and some one-season wonder called Markovic) and start getting behind our team.

Onwards and upward COYB.

Mark Andersson
16 Posted 19/07/2014 at 05:39:59
All positive stuff, as always I’m amused by the glass half empty comments. Still I enjoy the counter-acting comments, always food for thought.
Terence Leong
17 Posted 19/07/2014 at 05:47:23
Without sounding delusional/ comforting ourselves because we aren't getting players in...
We cannot underestimate the need for players to gel as a team.

Part of Spurs' problem was only the departure of Bale. To me, the bigger part is that they had too many players coming in at the same time.

I watch with interest to see how the Reds are going to integrate so many new players.
Losing Suarez is one thing, but to aim to spend 100 million (albeit 75 comes from the Suarez deal) sounds a little like Spurs last season...

Rodgers coming off his best season, and losing his best player. That was what happened to AVB, isn't it?

My point is, let's be mindful that we don't add too many too quickly. If Lukaku comes back, then we have 2 new signings (him and Barry) who are already bedded into the team.

I am looking forward to the season already!

Mark Tanton
18 Posted 19/07/2014 at 06:04:17
The number is getting smaller. Six or seven a few weeks ago... Four now. Two next week?!
Terry Murphy
19 Posted 19/07/2014 at 05:03:46

Paul Andrews - no - in Moyes we trusted - in Roberto we believe!
Eugene Kearney
20 Posted 19/07/2014 at 06:22:19
Great news. At last something to look forward to.

Good to see/read him put emphasis on attackers - there have been so many rumours about different types of midfielders these past couple of months.

That plus the young Evertonians coming through.... I hope the signings start happening in the next few days.... starting with Lukaku, of course!!!

Harold Matthews
21 Posted 19/07/2014 at 05:49:06
Yes Derek, I would love a tough, young, technically gifted Alcaraz with good legs but there's not many about. Hopefully Browning will eventually fit the bill. BTW, will we be trying 3 at the back this season? It's not something I fully understand or appreciate but we seem to have the right men for the job.

We've picked a tough year for our return to Europe but it will be very interesting and we'll certainly have plenty to shout about. He did say "at least" 4 new faces and I suppose a lot depends on his impression of the youngsters who have joined up with the main squad.

Ernie Baywood
22 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:13:53
He's tended to make his promises carefully, and delivered on them. So I feel reassured.
Darren Hind
23 Posted 19/07/2014 at 06:37:17
Jimmy

7/8 is Martinez speak for 4/5, but this window is about bringing in quality not quantity. Sure we need bodies, but I think people like Hibbo can step in for 1 or 2 games and do a not-let-anyone-down kind of job.

Martinez is right: we need more attacking threat. If we do sign Lukaku for under £20M, it will not just be a fantastic signing, it would be a smart investment.

If we can get Lukaku and Besic signed up this week, that would be fantastic, and if there's anymore left in the piggy bank, I think we'd all rather see 1 or 2 players of genuine quality than 4 or 5 journeymen.

BTW Lyndon; Both you and Michael are doing some great work at the moment. I'm usually too tired to trawl the sites when I get home in the morning but, if it's Everton-related, you guys have been on it. Fantastic coverage.

Thank You

Eric Myles
24 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:31:00
Mark #18, but you're forgetting about our 3-4 long term injured players, having them back will be just like having new signings.
Graham Murphy
25 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:32:43
Anyone any idea why we have not got in for players like Bony and Remy, both have just had a really good season and won't cost the earth?
Eric Myles
26 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:37:58
Graham, didn't our neighbours have a £20 mill bid for Bony turned down?
Neil Cremin
27 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:41:02
I do not agree that we are okay in defence. Two aging centre-halves and a dodgy backup for right-back. I believe we need at least another young centre-half and right-back.
Richard Lyons
28 Posted 19/07/2014 at 07:37:40
Hmm, well although it does sound positive, personally I don't see getting Barry, Lukaku and even Traore as "new signings"; "signings" maybe, but not "new". If we manage to keep them, then we are in the same place as last season...
Paul Andrews
29 Posted 19/07/2014 at 08:16:32
Terry Murphy.

I never trusted Moyes as far as I could throw him.

You're right though – Roberto has given us fans belief.

Eric Myles
30 Posted 19/07/2014 at 08:39:31
Paul #29, but our first close season is panning out much the same as previously with Moyes.

So maybe the problem is not with the managers, but with the management?

Paul Andrews
31 Posted 19/07/2014 at 08:44:45
Eric,
If you mean the chairman and his board being a problem you are 100% correct.

Any success Martinez achieves will be in spite of Kenwright, not anything he will have contributed.

Mike Allison
32 Posted 19/07/2014 at 08:30:10
I agree with others that we don’t seem to have a back-up right back. I’d want a right-sided Oviedo to support Coleman, perhaps play the odd midweek cup game.

However, from Martinez’s comments, I believe he has decided that the young players, and perhaps Hibbert, will provide that support. In particular, Pennington played right-back for Tranmere last season (and scored a cracking goal apparently) whilst John Stones and Ty Browning are also options. Pennington, Browning and Duffy are all (I think) centre-backs, so it would seem unnecessary to buy new ones when we might have the next generation already at the club.

If, as Roberto seems to believe, these players could all be good enough to represent the first team, then we have 12 defenders for four positions. I can see why he wants to spend the money in attack.

Robles would become a good goalkeeper almost instantly with a week’s training on how to catch the ball, and possibly some hypnotherapy or aversion therapy to make him never punch the ball again.

Incidentally, I’m playing a little game with myself on ToffeeWeb this summer. On each thread, how long does it take before someone slags off Kenwright (response 3 seems to be quite common) and how long before someone uses the phrase ’like a new signing’ in an attempt at sarcasm/wit. Try it, it comes up a lot.

Can I also second Darren’s appreciation for Michael and Lyndon. I do like cricket, so occasionally watch that over the summer, but the main sport is still ’who might Everton sign’ and ToffeeWeb is excellent in carrying the rumours, but also judging the veracity and reliability of them. I also love posts like Robbie Muldoon’s on the Lukaku thread, and the guy whose mate works at the club shop and is printing Lukaku shirts. You might be making it up, but I choose to believe I’m getting some classic inside information.

Aidy Dews
33 Posted 19/07/2014 at 09:16:00
Just cos Bobby says he wants three attacking players doesn't mean he wants three strikers so people need to forget about Hernandez, unless he's a loan option instead of Traore?!

But Martinez as said he wants four strikers in his squad and considers Naismith as one along with Kone. So Rom and Traore will be the other two, hopefully.

Then I think he'll want a winger to replace Deulofeu in the squad. Martinez likes to have plenty of wing options amongst his squad.

Ray Roche
35 Posted 19/07/2014 at 10:24:42
Mark Andersson @16

"I'm amused by the glass half empty comments." I think it's born from experience, Mark!

I was always happy if my glass had some evidence that at some time in its life it may have held some form of liquid.

Then Bill took over.....

Chris Sillett
36 Posted 19/07/2014 at 11:13:48
I can't help but feel this pre-season has been a let-down so far. It could all change next week if we sign Lukaku and Besic but at this moment we are only four weeks until the new season and we have only re-signed Barry on a free transfer. I look at it that we are three players down on last seasons squad.

Even if we do get Lukaku and Traore back, it isn't really improving on the squad is it? It is just getting the players back we already had. I thought with us finishing 5th, being in Europe and with all the extra TV money we would go out and sign about eight players to really bolster the squad but all we hear is that the youth players will be given a chance, even though most of them have yet to make an appearance for the first team.

Hopefully I will feel better about it next week but, right now, it's a feeling of disappointment!

Andrew Hawes
37 Posted 19/07/2014 at 11:24:11
Last season, I thought our play in the final third was too slow and predictable. Ferguson, Campbell, Yakubu, Saha, Lukaku — all big powerful target men but we have always needed a livewire goalpoacher up front as well. I would absolutely love it if we signed Hernandez from Man Utd. This guys proved to be absolutely lethal in the box and would come to us with something to prove.

Kone, Traore, Lukaku and Hernandez in my opinion would be 4 quality strikers that I would be happy to start the season with.

Peter Cummings
38 Posted 19/07/2014 at 11:44:50
Whoever comes in during the transfer window, I think our season could be defined by the first four games as to where we finish this season,

Being realistic, if we come out with 4-6 points, it would be a good return given that, as usual, we will probably have to rely on Â’loanersÂ’ to provide attacking options.

As to signings, I canÂ’t get beyond the fact that Lukaku has repeated that he wants to sign for a Â’bigÂ’ club and CL football, Besic is an unknown quantity (if he signs) but, if the likes of Oviedo, Alcaraz, and possibly Kone are fully recovered from injury, we can look forward to having at least a stronger squad to deal with what is going to be a very hectic season, especially with all those Europa League games coming up.

Wayne Smyth
39 Posted 19/07/2014 at 11:27:19
Sean (3) Identifying targets and getting players in are two different things.

For example, if Martinez wanted Lukaku, do you think Chelsea would've let him go before they'd secured Costa?

Do you think Lukaku would've been open to a move to a non-CL club like ours before all the CL clubs at home and abroad had indicated they didn't want to sign him? I'm sure if RS or Juve or another rich CL club make a bid now, he'd go there instead.

When money is limited or if you're not one of the most desirable clubs, then you need to effectively feed off the scraps that are left when the rich clubs have had their pickings. Sad but true.

Jimmy(5), I think Roberto has been fairly consistent with his message, people just don't want to listen. He's told us that we need to add 7 or 8 players and that he wants to give a chance to some of the Under-21s. We've already signed Barry. He's said he's looking at four more external signings. That makes five experienced players. Then hopefully two from the youth team. So, it doesn't seem like he's refocused at all really.

Mark Tanton
40 Posted 19/07/2014 at 12:19:32
I fear we're being fed some positive news management here – don't be surprised (who would though?) if these players don't materialise.
Robbie Muldoon
41 Posted 19/07/2014 at 12:24:13
Mike Green (12) The 'Muldoon badge' ha! As I was saying at the time, a mate of mine designed that badge so I can't put my name to it, I just liked the look of it!

I shouldn't really be shouting about the Lukaku info, but that report in the Mail says it's 48 hours away so I might as well spill what I know.

Jon Withey
42 Posted 19/07/2014 at 12:33:55
Depends on how you count it really. If Bryne and Galloway count as 2, Besic 3, Lukaku 4, Traore 5 then maybe we can still expect a couple of loans or something.

I think he's smart in buying young but frees and loans for old.

It's also interesting that we'll have three Premier League players back in Gibson, Oviedo and Kone too.

We're down a Deulofeu though (maybe McGeady covers that as he was bought 'early'). Mirallas could also play right-wing in an emergency.

Assuming all that happens, left Wing could do with some young blood for sure. Although I'm happy for Pienaar to play there when he can; I still think he's classy, if not a goalscorer.

Jon Withey
43 Posted 19/07/2014 at 12:40:42
I'm also wondering how the new blood will step up - Browning, Ledson and McAleny seemed near to the first team and maybe we'll make use of Duffy this term.

Mainly I'm happy to see Stones and Barkley feature regularly this season and we'd be mad to sell them as we could never afford to replace them.

Mark Frere
44 Posted 19/07/2014 at 12:38:42
I will feel considerably more optimistic if/when we have tied up deals for Lukaku and Besic. Then hopefully they will be enough left in the transfer pot to sign a creative central midfielder... someone like Hakim Ziyech who is young and won't cost much.

Another 2-3 loans on top of the permanent signings and I for one will be very happy.

I also agree with Martinez's assessment of not needing anymore defensive cover. We can field 2 decent sets of back 4:

Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Hibbert Stones Alcaraz Oviedo

Some of those players are getting a little long in the tooth but all of them will be okay for at least another season... and hopefully Duffy might be able to make step up.

Colin Glassar
45 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:05:49
Signing Barry, Lukaku, Besic and, possibly Cleverley or Redmond, strengthens the spine of the team. Signing Hernandez, Traore, and Kagawa on loan would be fantastic for a top 4 assault
Mark Tanton
46 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:15:05
Bloody Hell, Colin — your faith is impressive. I'll have some of what you're drinking, pal.
Anthony Hughes
47 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:04:54
Bringing back Lukaku to add to Barry will be a good thing but that stills leaves us two short on last season's squad. We really need 6 to 7 incoming to bolster us for an assault on four trophies. Come on, Bill, it's not your money, it's Everton's... let's have a go at it next season and spend some fucking money and give your manager a chance.

Colin Glassar
48 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:18:28
Mark, Anthony (see what I did there?). I have total faith in Roberto.

Signing Barry was step 1. Signing Lukaku and Besic is step 2. Step 3 will be one more permanent signing, either Cleverley (MF), Redmond (attack) or Galloway (defence). These signings cover the areas Roberto has said (see Echo interview yesterday) need strengthening.

Once these areas are covered, he can go back and, patiently, get his 4 loanees. Traore seems a cert. Hernandez has been linked. The other two I will leave for others to speculate on.

Needless to say, I'm quietly confident Roberto's revolution will go into high gear next week.

Kevin Tully
49 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:18:43
I know some don't rate him, but Cleverley is a class above Pienaar, Osman and Gibson – I would take him in a heartbeat. Can play centrally or left midfield. Moyes made him look a mug last season, but he played 20 League games for a Championship winning side the season before. Would be a bargain.
Paul Andrews
50 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:41:29
Cleverly is a good player, his career was disrupted by a manager showing, once again, that he doesn't know how to get the best out of a player.

I agree: Cleverly would be a good signing.

Mark Griffiths
51 Posted 19/07/2014 at 13:51:32
I see Bojan is surplus. It was not that long ago that he was going to be one of the worlds greatest players! Maybe Robbie can get him. ;)
Mark Frere
52 Posted 19/07/2014 at 14:12:28
Regarding Cleverly, on the many occasions I've seen him play, I always find myself asking: what does he actually do? He always seems to spend the game passing the ball sideways or passing a simple 5-yard pass; I've never seen him do anything inspirational in the slightest – he actually reminds me of Joe Allen from the Redshite across the park.

Admittedly, I don't watch him week-in & week-out and SFA must have seen something from the lad to show so much faith in him, but I for one would not be excited by his arrival.

Patrick Murphy
53 Posted 19/07/2014 at 15:43:29
Roberto even got a mention on BBC's Test Match Special this afternoon Ed Smith? using Roberto's quote "I hate short-term success" in relation to the rapid turnover of County Cricket Captain's and the short-termism which begets short-termism. But I suppose as Evertonians any tangible success would do us at this moment in time.
Mike Green
54 Posted 19/07/2014 at 16:17:21
Robbie #41 - it will always be the Muldoon badge :)

I've got visions of your mate kicking stones grumbling 'it's not the Muldoon badge....it's MY badge.... I designed it....I did the work and it's gone down as his.....OK, it only took me five minutes to knock up but that was my genius - all Robbie did is stick it on Wet Toffee or whatever it was and BANG! all of a sudden it's the Muldoon Badge and the rest....is...well....history.....(harumph....!)'

Nev Renshaw
55 Posted 19/07/2014 at 17:38:24
It's good to read that he want's to use some homegrown players. This is what all clubs used to do years ago, now they all go for instant success by buying foreign players, this is why England are now a shite team.
Martin Farrington
56 Posted 19/07/2014 at 17:28:13
So lets be clear of this wonderful news.
At present we have only re-signed Gareth Barry.
We've given a shed full of non achieving nor rated youth players professional contracts. [Nothing new there - considering we've made Europe]. But I hope they are as good as Roberto says they are. [I refer to previous articles I've written - ie Don't panic Captain Mainwaring] .
For the longest 48hrs ever [!!!!!!] we have been 'about to sign' Muhamed Bešić. So long in fact it's been at least a week of 48 hours.
Now its only 48 hours before Romelu "I'm moving to a Champions League Team" Lukaku arrives. Another week or so ?
To be fair the list of suitors is dwindling massively and if we can't land him then we ought to pack up.
Roberto is quoted as wanting between 4 and 7 players to complete his Europe battle for the forthcoming season.
Hmmm even 7 additions seems well under strength to seriously challenge for anything ?
But not 1 journalist has held him to what he means or to define these additions.
Don't get me wrong - Roberto has potential to lead us to a trophy - I just HATE the way BK has puppeted him the same way as he did Moyes. A hatful of empty promises which Roberto has to justify and not the Charlatan from upstairs !
Please Please PLease BK PROVE ME WRONG
Peter Laing
57 Posted 19/07/2014 at 18:10:56
Martin, although I share your frustration I would suggest that you keep your powder dry for the moment mate. The squad are due to return from the Austrian training camp this weekend, Lukaku is still on holiday and we have a game lined up vs Tranmere on Tuesday. If we haven't concluded any transfer business by midweek I will start to share your frustration and pessimism.
Paul Andrews
58 Posted 19/07/2014 at 18:18:48
Talk of Lukaku coming on loan now.

If that is right, I hope we sign him on a permanent basis. It would trigger the £12 million release clause in Konoplyanka’s contract.

Ian Hollingworth
59 Posted 19/07/2014 at 18:28:31
Sorry to sound pessimistic about this but BK is a master of having us over. To push on every year, a team needs to improve... 'Improve' means buy players better than you currently have (or have had on loan in our case).

So far, we are securing players who were in the team last season. Although that is a positive step, it is not improving the team from last season. We need some better players than we had last season if we want to push on.

Tony Abrahams
60 Posted 19/07/2014 at 18:51:49
If we take Lukaku on loan, it would possibly become permanent after we play Chelsea at Goodison. (HereÂ’s Hoping).

Besic now also appears to be a problem because heÂ’s coming from A Non-EU country and needs to play a few more games for Bosnia.

This all could work out last minute in Bill’s favour once again, but only time will tell.

Robert Collins
61 Posted 19/07/2014 at 19:27:28
I’m disappointed with this transfer window thus far; we really need more that 4 more players with our coming workload, both for competition and injury replacement.

Where’s all this TV money gone?

Fair enough if we pay £18M for Lukaku, that’s a decent chunk, but there should be a bit more in Bill’s by now very dusty wallet?

I fear 4 players won’t be enough, we ran out of gas towards the end of last season, some of it due to lack of competition for places.

Mark Taylor
62 Posted 19/07/2014 at 22:19:07
If you went on the last three years of toffee web to look at the various transfer windows, add up how much of the sales proceeds was allegedly going to be spent in the next transfer window, then compared it to what will actually happen this window, it would be very sobering. It seems people have very short memories.

Martinez is an excellent manager and my hope is that he can again do good business in the loan market and maybe unearth one seriously undervalued player to buy. This might be good enough to allow us to compete for top six. The complicating factor is the Europa league. Stronger squads than our have struggled to cope with combining it with the PL. I'd want to see us use a lot more younger players for the Europa League otherwise it could be a poisoned chalice.

I dislike the current PR spin. Signing Barry, Traore and Lukaku is not bringing in new players- we had them last year. Personally, I'd sooner have Lukaku on loan, because I think he has a lot of shortcomings and isn't worth £20m plus. I trust Mourinho's judgement on that. He is clearly not convinced.

Sam Hoare
63 Posted 19/07/2014 at 22:48:11
I think we will get at least 4 more players if not five or six.

Besic- will happen once red tape is dealt with
Galloway- will happen once mo dons stop being greedy.
Lukaku- looking possible if not another striker
Traore- will likely return on loan
Atsu- or other Deulofeu type on loan
One other surprise.

Mark Wilson
64 Posted 19/07/2014 at 22:28:51
It's bizare this glass half full / half empty stuff it really is. Twitter goes into meltdown with the "don't dare criticise Bobby or the club" police patrolling the timelines searching for any tweets that don't say "all is ok cos we trust Bobby". Meanwhile, in the opposite camp the BK and CEO haters are also out on patrol, tweeting about looming relegation or at best mid table obscurity due to our pathetic finances. It's a different meltdown every night and it is a bit depressing.

But if you can try to look at in it a balanced way it is in truth hard not to be concerned that we are in danger of throwing away a reasonable start under a hugely impressive new manager.....who I respect greatly and think that with even half decent backing he can take us forward.

We didn't invest during the January window and in my view that cost us a 4th place finish.....well that plus a crazy gamble on Traore's fitness. We are alleged to have £30m plus to spend. Really ? Well who knows but even if we had more than that I'd still be worried given the quality being bought elsewhere at admittedly outrageous prices.

But tonight it seems much clearer....Lukaku and Chelsea have said no. So there goes the rumoured coup and a crucial part of the jigsaw remains un solved. Besic should still arrive but it now looks very iffy before next January if reports about his eligibility to play here are to be believed.

So it's not about how much is in that glass. No, it's surely right to ask why we are less than four weeks away from the start of the season and the squad is desperately short....again. We have no reliable forward line and look exposed on both flanks. Ross is the only real top class creative player, though Mirallas and Coleman and Bainsey will of course weigh in with some assists but its thin don't you think ?

The defence is not the big transfer priority it used to be and I feel Stones will come through even better this time around, and Jags and Bainsey will not be the worse for a disappointing World Cup showing. If Besic makes it we have those two holding / push fwd midfield positions well covered....if not it's a weakness.

So my four to six additions are all wide and up top and no I don't think Kone will be the answer. I hope Roberto has more up his sleeve than this very second-best option of Chelsea's misfit young winger whose name I've already forgotten. We have a tough start and momentum will be important so even for that reason alone I can't understand why you can be slaughtered for expressing concern at our snails pace transfer progress ? Hasn't Roberto himself talked about how vital it is to have additions in for pre season ? Yet suddenly the mood is changing and it feels like yet another mad scramble for loans and sidelined players to keep us guessing whilst watching transfer deadline night on Sky.

Roberto did well last year in those last few frantic days and it's far from impossible he can pull it off again, so fingers crossed. But all around look stronger, and Utd will hardly be last years soft touch again. So yes I'm worried the £30m isn't there and yes I'm worried we've missed our chance last season. Maybe the kids and Ross can do the business but yet again with Everton it's all a bit eyes closed and hope.

Pete Gunby
65 Posted 20/07/2014 at 01:22:35
Mark Wilson-this is Everton. You can close your eyes but, if you want to retain your sanity, don't' you dare hope.
James Stewart
66 Posted 20/07/2014 at 13:52:03
Signing four players is just effectively keeping the squad we had last season. Slightly embarrassing if you ask me. Injuries to key players cost us dearly last season.

I don't think we even have cover at goalkeeper or defence. I hardly think any of us would want to see Robles or Alcaraz on the team sheet for any length of time.

Mark Wilson
67 Posted 20/07/2014 at 17:31:21
James #66 I think we have more cover than most for both full backs and Jags, Distin and Stones are strong but Duffy as cover is untested and like you I'd worry about Alcaraz for any length of time. I think a loan of an experienced centre back makes sense but truth is we are so short wide and up top that this is where our pitifully low transfer fund has to go.
Chris Fisher
68 Posted 21/07/2014 at 10:24:16
How much of the £28 million we got for Fellaini have we spent then? Wasn't it £14 million on McCarthy and that was it? Last season, the rest were loan deals and now we have signed Barry on a free, so it looks like all our money will go on Lukaku and the rest will have to be loans unless we have a bit more stashed away! I would be happy if we got Christoph Kramer instead of Cleverly. (A World Cup winner or a bloke who can't even get in a very poor England team?)

Rom as mentioned, Besic, Traore (Martinez seems to rate him), Atsu and some other Spanish gem from Barça for a season.
But then I would also be happy with signing James Rodriguez, Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller. :)

Gavin Ramejkis
69 Posted 21/07/2014 at 10:55:40
I am in Florida on holiday; at the airport, I got a news item pinged to me that Lukaku was all but signed... similarly before we went away the Besic deal was all but done. Now it's "before the window closes"... Hmm where's Doddy when you need him as this was one of his favourites until he was reminded that by then the season was already started.

Given our early games include Arsenal and Chavski, surely we want at least the same-sized squad as last season or do we stick with Black Bill's annual "Let's buy that guy, Noah Bardy." If it works, he smells of roses; if not, he chooses one from his cupboard of overused lies, such as classics like "We really tried to get player x." The usual sheep will lap it up, of course.

Now it's 6am here and I am off for a swim in my pool.

Conn Prosser
70 Posted 21/07/2014 at 11:56:17
Last season, Alcaraz played 5, conceded 11 goals.

I think we should ship him out, get him off the wage bill, and get another centre back in. They are atrocious stats for a CL-chasing defender.

James Stewart
71 Posted 21/07/2014 at 13:05:45
The four targeted will be Lukaku, Traore, Atsu, & Besic. I don't think that leaves us any stronger than last season really, even if we get all four. I'm surprised Redmond hasn't been mentioned; he would be a good option
Bill Gall
72 Posted 21/07/2014 at 15:08:33
Evertons last game at the end of last season wasagainst Hull, and they won 2-0. Check the team sheet and with even the supposed signings mentioned how has the team improved from last year.
Mark Tanton
73 Posted 21/07/2014 at 15:25:33
Exactly Bill. We're desperately trying to send out that side on the first day of season. Now how is that fucking progress? We are a big club in terms of the wonderful support we supply. In every other sense, we're a small club defying gravity.
Paul Andrews
74 Posted 21/07/2014 at 15:33:46
Conn,

Did we play a 1-1-5-4 formation in the games Alcaraz played in?

James Stewart
75 Posted 21/07/2014 at 17:53:01
Conn, Alcaraz is an atrocious player; the sooner he moves on, the better.
Ken Williams
76 Posted 21/07/2014 at 19:59:20
Don't worry — all the money from Sky and Fellaini has been ring-fenced for the new ground....
Mark Tanton
77 Posted 21/07/2014 at 20:10:51
How many players will he be talking about in August? It's coming down from "6/7".
Paul Holden
78 Posted 21/07/2014 at 22:51:00
Better get our arses into gear soon or our only signing will be Dave Evans from Cammell Laird's Sunday side.
Drew Shortis
79 Posted 24/07/2014 at 09:59:42
If we can land all of the current strongly rumoured players (Besic, Lukaku, Traore & Henen) I think we will be in good shape for the coming season. We have four players for the wide midfield position (Mirallas, McGeady, Pienaar and Oviedo) but I think one more who can operate on the right would be a good idea. Perhaps Atsu on loan.

If the Lukaku deal goes through, I wouldn't expect to see too much more spending but a few exciting loan players would augment the squad lovely.


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