My Team for Next Season

Ben Hayes 19/06/2016 47comments  |  Jump to last

Now we have appointed Ronald Koeman – someone who didn’t start as my first choice (due to the poor time Valencia mainly, although he still won a cup) but, after reading many articles about his management from start to now, he is firmly my choice now. The more I read about his style and what he is saying, the more I like... such as Lyndon’s latest great read "Koeman aims to bring Dutch style to Goodison".

The point of my article is actually about silly season so, if you aren’t interested in who I think we should buy as what’s the point until they are signed (which I can see but who doesn’t like playing Championship Manager really??) then stop reading now.

Right then, fellow Champo players, here is what I would do, trying to be realistic about who would actually sign for us and improve the team:

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First for I think every fan is get a great Number 1 in – as they say, 10 points a season... and for us may be more like 15. For me, I’d go for Jack Butland who is now close to recovery from his ankle injury. He is 1.96 m tall, commands his area, a great shot-stopper, rarely makes errors, is English and still only 23. For me, England’s next Number 1 and I feel that may happen next season.

Next, I think we need one more centre-back and I rate Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. At 1.93 m he is good in the air but has a great touch for a big man. As he can play the ball out of defence, I think Stones can learn a lot from him and Big K about how and when to do this. Solid in the tackle, ball-playing when he can, but not too much; seven Man-of-the-Match awards last season says it all.

We need a bit more creativity in Midfield so I have opted for Georginio Wijnaldum. Although Newcastle had an awful season, he was one of the few that did well, scoring 11 goals and 5 assists (should have been more but no-one finished the chances he created). An ex Dutch Footballer of the Season, I think he would play well in a better team who can pass the ball. Defensively not amazing but he's not in the team for that side of things.

Right, we need two up front as I would sell Lukaku – his attitude towards Everton and the fans has been appalling. He thinks he is better than he actually is, is often lazy. Yes, I do appreciate selling someone who scored 25 goals in a team that played as badly as ours sounds silly but I think his attitude must affect team morale and his head won’t fit through the doors at Finch Farm anymore – and not even Moshiri has enough money for the revamp there.

So Vincent Janssen of AZ Alkmaar has only just turned 22 a few days ago, scored 27 in 32 in the league. He is an amazing finisher who also runs about as well, holds the ball up well, can dribble and pass as well. Not the finished article but what a talent he is... snap him up before someone else does. Another with seven MotM awards last season. With Koeman, I see this as a real possibility.

Secondly, Arkadiusz Milik of Ajax has also not long (4 months ago) turned 22 and scored 21 in 28 for Ajax with 7 assists as well, so he's a team player whose finishing is also good. He likes to take long shots and is a bit better in the air than Janssen. He can also pass and likes to play the ball on the ground; he has a bright future.

This would then mean a first 11 of:

Butland; Coleman, Van Dijk, Stones, Baines; McCarthy Deulofeu, Wijnaldum, Barkley; Janssen, Milik;

Subs: Robles, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway, Besic, Dowell, Davies, Mirallas, Niasse (unless he isn’t good enough then sell & replace)

For me, that team would have pace going forward and be able to pass the ball well through opposition defences. I believe Koeman will make Stones the player he should be and he will be very very good; we can even play the ball out of the back with both centre-backs being able to do so.

All realistic signings that would cost say £100M get £55M for Lukaku and only spend £45M so we can build further next season. The average age of the first 11 would be just over 24, and we would still have a core group of Everton players as we still need some continuity at the club, not signing 11 new players. Only two haven’t played in the Premier League but, if chances are created, a goalscorer will put them away and these two up front are just that. No more lazy Lukaku waiting for chances to come to him but players wanting the ball to feet and willing to run to get it.

I would want to start a youngster each match and rotate this so they all get a chance to show what they can do. This is assuming they are good enough and show this in training, as I would love a few of our academy lot in the team in a few years.

The Everton lads in the team from last season have all got a lot to prove. Baines being injured and not at his best so needs to show he still has it next season. We need to see the Coleman against Arsenal, juggling the ball up the line. I feel these two will play better in a team that passes quickly, allowing them to get forward more and find strikers that move into decent positions and make good runs. McCarthy I feel is far more than he has showed so far as I think he can pass and score as well in the right team with a decent coach improving him.

Deulofeu needs to show he can be consistent and a team player or he will be out in no time anyway under Koeman. Mirallas a bit like Deulofeu. Barkley needs to know when to pass, to actually tackle as he can do this if he keeps letting players go past him, he can do one as it's a team game and defending is everyone’s responsibility (to an extent). I know I have said it’s not why Wijnaldum is in the team further up... and the same for Barkley; but there is not being able to do something and not trying to, and I won't accept people not trying.

I know many won’t agree with this or that as we are all individuals with differing opinions but that’s my Champo Everton Squad. That’s a top 6 side and some will say we need time to adjust... why?? Did Southampton for the last 2 years… no and we have the manager that made it happen, now with a far far better side.

Make Goodison a fortress get the fans back on side and we will be behind you all the way, Ronald Koeman.

COYB – I've never been so excited for a season in June.

Thanks for reading and take care, fellow Blues.

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Reader Comments (47)

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Anto Byrne
1 Posted 19/06/2016 at 15:10:04
1. Goalkeeper.
2. Central Defender
3. Creative Midfielder
4. Centre Forward.

To improve the squad.

Alasdair Mackay
2 Posted 19/06/2016 at 15:44:15
I think I am alone in this, but I don't see Central Defence as a priority. We have Jags and Stones on the right side, Mori and Galloway on the left side and Pennington and Browning coming through - both of whom have impressed me when they have played. I think if Stones goes we will need to look at it, but otherwise I am okay with what we have for now.

We urgently need a 'Keeper and a Left-Midfielder.

We also need at least 2 strikers (possibly 3 if we sell Lukaku).

Colin Glassar
3 Posted 19/06/2016 at 15:59:00
Bit of fun but I'd like to see this team/squad:

Forster / Heaton
Coleman / Van der Wiel
Stones / Jagielka
Van Dijk / Funes Mori
Baines / Oviedo (fit)
Deulofeu / Lennon
Witsel / McCarthy
Wijnaldum / Barry
Nolito / Mirallas
Barkley / Goetze
Lukaku / Batsuyahi

Then all the kids on the bench.

Frank Thomas
4 Posted 19/06/2016 at 17:18:54
We have a lot of players who would play excellent football in the Championship I am thinking of Kone and Mcgeady.

Could we not kill two birds with one stone by finding any Vardy type players with EFC doing a part exchange and with Everton still paying the salary of the ex-EFC player (until the end of their EFC contract) at the same time as picking up a really promising player.

Craig McFarlane
5 Posted 19/06/2016 at 17:22:07
Playing Champ/Footy Manager is fun, so here is what my team for the new season would look like. (As you, I will keep the signings realistic as I can't see us having a Messi in our XI!)

GK: Obviously the most glaring issue for RK. Robles doesn't look good enough so I would look to 23-year-old Timo Horn of FC Koln who has a reported release clause of around £6m. I'd also have a cheeky bid for Donnarumma of Milan as he looks the real deal at the tender age of 17 (though he would probably cost big bucks as he is their number 1, though prob not as much as Butland would set us back).

RB: Coleman needs to prove that he still has it imo as he looked a shadow of his former self last season. A backup / challenger is definitely needed, however, so I would look at Tete of Ajax if RK feels Browning isn't adequate.

LB: We seem to be well stocked in this position with Baines (if he can rediscover his form) and Garbutt coming back from loan (as well as Galloway impressing there last season). I'd look to move Oviedo on as he hasn't looked the same since his horrific injury. If Baines is past it, we could do worse than bringing in Gaya from Valencia.

CB: We look okay here with plenty of youth coming through, so I don't think it is a priority. If Stones leaves, I'd bring in one such as Tin Jedvaj or Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen to sure things up.

CM: It seems obvious that the Barry - McCarthy axis will be broken up and I've been unconvinced of Besic as of yet, so we need at least one (maybe even two) for this position. I'd start by sounding out Bazoer from Ajax as he looks excellent – calm on the ball and can put in a tackle or two. Following that, Rabiot of PSG looks a future star, but may be tough to prise away, so maybe someone like Schneiderlin would be more realistic.

CAM: Ross has been our first choice, but we could do with a good challenger. Wijnaldum seems to be the player linked at the moment, but I have reservations at the £25m price tag being mentioned. Klaassen has done well at Ajax, as have Ziyech at Twente, Maher at PSV and Vilhena at Feyenoord. I'd have any of them at the right price as I feel they could do a good job, but my choice would be Ziyech.

LW: Last season, we had no balance on the left with Kone coming inside all the time, so I would want someone who stays wide ('getting chalk on their boots' to use the old vernacular). Januzaj seems to be a forgotten man at Man Utd, getting loaned out here, there and everywhere, so he could be worth a shout considering he is still only 21/22. Another option could be Driussi of River Plate who looks a proper player at 20 years old.

RW: I think is okay with Deulofeu, Lennon and Mirallas able to play there, so I wouldn't do too much.

ST: It seems that Lukaku is off, so I would get the most we can for him – hopefully close to the £65m being suggested – and reinvest in two of Embolo, Batshuayi, Milik and Barbosa (of Santos in Brazil).

Assuming Lukaku and Stones are sold, we would have around £200m to reinvest in players and our squad could look like:

(4-3-3)

GK: Donnarumma / Horn

RB: Coleman / Tete
RCB: Jagielka / Tah
LCB: Funes Mori / Galloway
LB: Baines (or Gaya) / Garbutt

CDM: Bazoer / McCarthy
CDM: Schneiderlin / Davies
CAM: Barkley / Ziyech (or Meyer, Klaasen, Vilhena)

LW: Januzaj / Mirallas
RW: Deulofeu / Lennon
ST: Embolo (or Milik) / Batshuayi (or Barbosa)

I reckon we could do that and still have change from the kitty for tweaks in the future as and when we need it... It's easy, this football manager lark!

Mike Allison
6 Posted 19/06/2016 at 17:59:41
If I'd been in charge of Everton over the last few years our goalkeepers would be Hennessey and Butland already by now. I agree that Butland is better than Forster, he's also better than Hart. I don't know how easy it is to buy players from other Premier League teams now though, none of them really need the money.

I rate our current squad and wouldn't want to do too much to it. Players I like at the moment are Axel Witsel, Marek Hamsik and Arkadius Milik. None of them plays left wing though, so we might need someone there, although Dutch tradition plays with two wingers and not necessarily on the 'correct' side, so I expect to see plenty of Mirallas and Deulofeu on the left next season.

I've been quite vocal elsewhere about keeping Lukaku, but I'd sign a 'replacement' as well, to provide both competition and respite for him.

There, that was fun.

Terry Underwood
7 Posted 19/06/2016 at 18:13:07
You're alllllll mad
Colin Glassar
8 Posted 19/06/2016 at 19:51:38
Tonight we will get a chance to see Embolo play for Switzerland. One we've been linked to for a while now.
Conor Skelly
9 Posted 19/06/2016 at 20:39:24
Pointless speculating who we will find to fill the vacant spots but I know who I want to vacate their spots: Robles, Jagielka, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Cleverley, Kone, Lukaku (for being a twat). Okay,it's pointless but is good craic so here goes.

Butland in goal is appropriate. A right back who can cross - to challenge Coleman. Axel Witsel as our marquee signing. Wanyama as the engine. Don't rate Milik but would take Pelle and Jansen or Bacca in to replace Romelu Lu-cack-u. If we manage to hold on to Rom and he stops being a sulk then we need a striker to complement him. God knows.

Conor Skelly
10 Posted 19/06/2016 at 20:41:08
He's been poor, Colin.
Colin Glassar
11 Posted 19/06/2016 at 20:58:40
Poor? Bloody awful Conor. I suppose the greasy pitch isn't helping though.
Kunal Desai
12 Posted 19/06/2016 at 21:03:52
Without anyone leaving we would still need to bring in a keeper, a playmaker and another half-decent striker.

I think there might be a surprise or two in players that leave, possibly Barry or McCarthy.

With Gibson signing a new deal, the emergence of Tom Davies and Besic who is still young I don't think there is a need to have five defensive midfielders in the side.

Dennis Ng
13 Posted 19/06/2016 at 21:30:41
Don't think we'll get to sell any of those DMs Kunal, not enough to recoup money anyway. Selling anyone after a poor season does not favor us so I expect us to deal mostly with incomings and little outgoings, barring swap deals.
Tom Flower
14 Posted 19/06/2016 at 22:06:23
Get Sneiderlin in the middle and Daley Blind at left midfield. We would immediately be stronger defensively and you hardly ever see Blind give away possession or fail to pick a pass.

Up front, Lukaku needs support. Don't know... who so long as it's not Kong who is woeful. Butland in the sticks. He's by far the best around.

Jon Withey
15 Posted 19/06/2016 at 22:18:44
Bare minimum of keeper, left-winger and striker in.

Wouldn't let Barry or McCarthy go without experienced replacement.

Steavey Buckley
16 Posted 19/06/2016 at 22:35:30
There is no point in having a good team without good tactics. Everton played last season basically a 2-2-2-2-1-1, which left Everton exposed at the back, in the middle and up front. Yet, it was the 2 centre backs, Barkley and Lukaku who received most of the criticisms.

Teams that have a strong defence don't allow the full backs to go beyond the half way line, so to keep a strong compact 4 man defensive unit and prevent the opposition from hitting Everton on the break.

The other 6 players in a 4-3-3 formation apart from the back 4 have more freedom to go on the offence and attack the opposition without having to scurry back in a panic when a forward move breaks down.

To improve the Everton team considerably, the back 4 should be composed of centre backs, because they lend height and weight to defensive duties, besides being able to, when necessary, play football and pass the ball without resorting to clearing the ball into the main stands.

The 3 in the middle should be able to make a contribution to scoring goals and should not be left to Lukaku to score most of the goals, if he can be persuaded to stay at the club. The other 2 up front with Lukaku should provide the crosses Lukaku needs to carry on making a sizeable scoring contribution. The other 2 like the other 3 in midfield shoud also score goals.

To make a difference to the squad, Everton need a world class goal keeper, an attacking midfield player and someone on the left of Lukaku.

Dan Davies
17 Posted 19/06/2016 at 22:39:59
A bit out of the blue- Andre Ayew anyone? You heard it here first!
Sam Hoare
18 Posted 19/06/2016 at 23:06:37
Butland, Krychowiak, Witsel, Lacazette. Top 4.
Chris Jones
19 Posted 19/06/2016 at 23:21:32
LW - Perisic, please
Jay Harris
20 Posted 20/06/2016 at 02:15:50
I believe MF has been our achilles heel over the last 2 years but more to do with the formation and tactics than the players.

I think McCarthy needs some down time to get fully fit and Barry is on his last legs. We have also lost Pienaar and Ossie so a few reinforcements there would not go amiss.

Witsel or Kante (if available) would do for defensive MF and I would love a goalscoring MF player such as Winaldum or Fellaini to supplement Tom Davies and Dowell both of whom should see some first team action next season.

WE do need a GK and I would agree with some others that we should be looking at Forster, Butland, Hennesey and Leno.

Depending on Stones situation we should be looking at a no nonesense CB.

Anto Byrne
21 Posted 20/06/2016 at 03:37:21
Getting Stones and Lukaku on for another season or even to the January window would be a major coup. Stones is going to Man City for £40mil and Lukaku back to Chelsea for £60mil. If not, they won't be leaving any time soon.

We have some good young players coming through. Pennington and Galloway in defense. Dowell and Davies in the middle.

I think Royle and Unsworth know which players will have no future and Koeman will make that call. For me, that includes Barry, Lennon, McGeady, Kone... even Coleman, Cleverly and McCarthy would be on my exit list. So it's going to be interesting watching how Koeman goes about this rebuild.

Chris Williams
22 Posted 20/06/2016 at 06:48:20
Depending on the style and formation(s) RK is looking at playing, we probably need 5 players to go straight into the first team and one player to support or challenge Seamus.

That is probably the absolute maximum changes any team can sustain at one time(witness Spurs and Liverpool if you go for more). It may take more than one window.

Assuming we keep RL and JS (big assumption !) we probably need
Goalkeeper
Box to box midfielder
Number 10
Wide left midfielder
Striker.

This makes Robles, McCarthy, Cleverley,Barkley, Mirallas, Lennon valuable squad members and a reasonable upgrade on last season. Factor in the young players coming through as well and we have the makings of a strong exciting and developing squad.

qOf course it is all a nice game at the moment but it will be fascinating to see how things unfold.

Martin Nicholls
23 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:59:10
My primary and main hope is that Martinez soon gets a job so he can help RK clear the decks by "raiding" us for some of the dross he left us saddled with!
Kim Vivian
24 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:42:44
No-one seems to be talking about an imminent departure recently with many wanting shut of him a few months back, but is the general consensus that Mirallas will be staying.

I'd be happy if he does. He's got goals and assists in him aplenty, and I think RK could get a lot out of him with a somewhat more disciplinarian mentoring.

Brin Williams
25 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:58:10
53 days to the start of what promises to be 'different'. Does not sound much time to get everything in place to whip a team into shape for the challenges ahead.
Tony Draper
26 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:59:30
Martin @23.
There is much in what you say, mate.
James Stewart
27 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:02:11
Janssen has already gone to Spurs hasn't he?
Ben Hayes
28 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:45:41
Not yet James, lots of talk about him going but no bids as far as im aware, I suppose a lot will depend how many players Ron feels we need and how quickly they can all integrate with the players we have already.
Mike Dixon
29 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:49:26
Any managerial appointment will bring both praise and concern from the fans... it's what we do! Similarly, the team 'make up' will divide us, it always has.

The only thing that will unite us is success for the club. Let's hope we have some!

Loko Sanchez
30 Posted 20/06/2016 at 14:36:24
Here's my team:
1. Robles
2. Coleman
3. Jagielka
4. Funes Mori
5. Baines
6. Deulofeu
7. McCarthy
8. Barry
9. Lennon
10. Barkley
11. Peter Crouch (to replace Lukaku)

We got a pretty good team already, except that (1) we had bad manager, and (2) we had a player with a bad attitude in Lukaku.

John Raftery
31 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:06:10
Fantasy football. Enjoyable but still a fantasy. Yet more uninformed balderdash about Lukaku being lazy. It was interesting to watch Morata playing for Spain in their first two games of the Euro Championships. In the first game against The Czech Republic he ran around trying to turn defenders but achieved very little. In the second against Turkey he followed instructions to hold his position in the middle and scored two goals. We have had many matches when Lukaku has run around achieving little and others when he has simply held his position in the middle in order to score goals. Yes, his form fell away after mid March but he still notched the highest number of goals any Everton player has scored in a season. Put decent players alongside him and he will score even more.
Danny Broderick
32 Posted 20/06/2016 at 18:16:58
Whatever happened to midfielders who could defend AND attack? I long for the day that we don't have midfielders who are just expected to defend and no more (McCarthy/Barry) or attack and no more (Barkley).

At a push, I can accept 1 midfielder protecting the back 4. But I expect any others to attack and defend, and cover a lot of ground while passing, tackling, shooting etc!

Witsel for me.

Kerry Frahm
33 Posted 21/06/2016 at 13:30:40
Am I the only one who remembers watching our very own John Stones have an absolutely barnstorming game when he pushed himself into the deep midfield/attacking role?

Buy a new CB alongside Funes Mori, who is having a good tournament with Argentina, and put Stones alongside Besic. Stones would be a great mobile shield to the back four and can pass or run if required. Basic can push forward more and hit passes or take strikes at goal.

As for a keeper... I am stumped. There is no one in the League I would buy. We need to go for real quality to give the back four confidence. Courtois and De Gea are the only ones playing in England who are at the level I would want but not available. I am not familiar enough with anyone from overseas except maybe Matty Ryan but I am showing Aussie bias there. He can make blunders as well though.

Sell Lukaku. He's done his dash. Get in someone of established quality and run them with one of our homegrown young lads.

I would sell off McGeady, McCarthy, Kone and Niasse, with half a season given to Mirallas and Oviedo to show their worth.

Dean Peamum
34 Posted 21/06/2016 at 14:06:35
Ben

I knew it was only a bit of fun when I saw McCarthy & Deulofeu in your first 11. Nice one.

David Milner
35 Posted 21/06/2016 at 20:05:27
McGeady, McCarthy, Kone, Cleverley, Oviedo, Niasse & Gibson must go. I would sell off Jagielka as well possibly Barry

1. Leno/Robles/Griffiths
2. Coleman/Kenny/Connolly
3. Baines/Garbutt/Foulds
4. Stones//Browning/Pennington
5. Van Dijk/Funes Mori/Galloway
6. Sneider/Shcneiderlin/Walsh
7. Deulofeo/Lennon/Henen
8. Dowell/Williams/Davies
9. Lukaku/Aboubakar/Tarashaj
10. Barkley/Mirallas/Ledson
11. Wijnaldum/Milik/Mata

Should just about balance the books also giving out youngsters the chance they deserve.

Gareth Clark
36 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:31:05
I like a lot of what this article says - but I don't understand the formation used.

For a team to be in the position to win anything, they need to have 2 players in every position, who are slightly different, but almost the same, in terms of ability. This, along with a suitable 3rd choice backup - usually a youngster.

Using my preferred formation (4-3-3): with one screen defending midfielder, one box-to-box creative mid & one attack focused creative mid

Butland (or Forster)/Ryan (GK)

Coleman/Yedlin (RB)
Stones/Jagielka (RCB)
Van Dijk/Funes Mori (LCB)
Baines/Garbutt (LB)

McCarthy/Besic (CDM)
Wijnaldum/Cleverley (CM)
Barkley/Tarashaj (CAM)

Deulofeu/Lennon (RW)
Janssen/Milik (ST)
Ziyech/Mirallas (LW)

Niasse on the bench, filling in across the front three (versatile and hard worker)

Robles is not good enough - my second choice keeper needs to be 1st team quality - I'd use one in the cup games (and hopefully future European games). That's why Butland/Forster & Mathew Ryan are the perfect choice.

I'd send a few of the other youngsters on loan - definitely Galloway, he needs a season in a team to build fitness, strength and hopefully bulk up a little, to mold into a perfect left sided Centreback.

Players like Barry, Jagielka, Gibson, Oviedo and even Cleverley need to be moved on over the next two years! (Younger, more enthusiastic players can be brought in - players like Dowell, Davies, Browning, Galloway, Holgate, Henen, Ledson, etc etc. can then form a part of the playing first team squad. Furthermore; our current players will gain a lot more experience over the next two years, and the before mentioned youngsters will be ready to the prem)

While players like Kone, McGeady, Robles, etc need to be moved on now! They're just not good enough, in my opinion & they're a waste of money as third choices.

While I'd keep a few of the other youngsters as 3rd choice back ups (i.e.- don't send them on loan). We have a lot of good youngsters - and if they aren't needed yet, send them on loan to a team who will play them every game! That's the only way they will learn and grow.

Therefore - my 25 man squad for next season - would be the players above (22 players), along with Dowell/Davies, Browning and a third choice goalkeeper (Renshaw or Griffiths)


Gareth Clark
37 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:45:29
On a second note - anyone who says "I'd sell Niasse" is naive af!

You haven't seen him play yet, you don't know how good he is! His stats and YouTube videos means he deserves a chance after a full preseason!

One thing he has is the right attitude, and the lack of that in Lukaku, shows how invaluable that is.

And on a second note - You can just get rid of Jagielka, Barry, Cleverley, etc - they are the calm heads of the team, the experience that has been earned & needs to be passed on to the youngsters, over the next two or three seasons. That doesn't mean that have to be starting every game of the next three seasons, it just means they need to be a part of the squad and be there to nurture the talent that is there & the talent that will come in.

Denis Richardson
38 Posted 22/06/2016 at 11:07:24
I'd start the other way, players I would not want to see regularly (if at all) in an Everton team next season;

- McGeady
- Cleverley
- McCarthy
- Robles
- Kone
- Niasse
- Lennon
- Besic
- Barry (old)

Admittedly Niasse hasn't had many minutes but I see a League 1 player there (at best). The rest should only be squad fillers and not regular starters. Would mean almost a whole new team but we need an overhaul and RK has shown he can bring in 5-6 first teamers if he has to.

Of the players we currently have and assuming Lukaku and Stones go, the only ones I'd like to see regularly in the starting XI are;

- Funes Mori
- Coleman
- Baines
- Barkley
- Mirallas

With the likes of Holgate, Browning, Oviedo, Pennington, Connolly, Deulofeu in the squad.

So as said above we need a few player, at least 5-6. GK, CB, CM x2, AML, Striker x2.

Over to you Mr Koeman.

Brian Foley
39 Posted 23/06/2016 at 10:11:43
Witsell from what I've seen is iron clad no brainier full stop. If Sneider, Wijnajdum, Van Dijk, Hendrick, and Aboubaker follow then that would be a good start.
Johan Elmgren
40 Posted 23/06/2016 at 11:33:18
Here's a few players I would really like us to go for this summer. I think we need a goalie, one CB, one CM, one LW and if Lukaku stays, a backup forward. If he goes, we need two forwards.

GK: Timo Horn, Jack Butland, Steve Mandanda
DC: Jonthan Tah, Benedikt Howedes
CM: Axel Witsel, Morgan Scheiderlin, William Carvalho
LW: Ivan Perisic, Julian Draxler, Andre Schurrle
FW: Arkadiusz Milik, Vincent Jansen, Michy Batshuaiy

In my dreamscenario (and yes, we dare to dream now!!) we would lineup with:

GK: Butland
RB: Coleman
CB: Stones
CB: Howedes
LB: Baines
CM: McCarthy
CM: Schneiderlin
RW: Deulofeu (fit and ready to kick on!)
AM: Barkley
LW: Perisic
FW: Lukaku

I think this would be one helluva team under Koeman.

Tony Draper
41 Posted 23/06/2016 at 14:26:47
My first pick team for 2016/17 season ?
And, I'm using a simple 4-4-2 with all players numbered 1>11.

1) Dominant, VOCAL, organised, shot stopper who can claim a cross, who doesn't "starfish" in 1-on-1 situations, but most important 'Keeper who TELLS his back 4 who goes where.
2) Coleman (my choice of Captain too, he's due to expand his popularity in the dressing room and utilise his leadership in Eire's campaign).
3) Baines fit and well and VC.
4) Jags.
5) Funes Mori.

6) Barry, by a country mile, our best player last season (Witsel or better to replace, but DEFINATELY want Barry to become part of the experience & class that develops our Academy).
7) McCarthy, ONLY if RK can draw out the best, and I think that he really can.
8) Down to you RK.
9) Lulu, if he wants to play "Grabbitt, the Mercenary", with us, FINE ! But we can do the same to him and even get him to propel us to (or close to) where we want to be next, which is "lifting silver", isn't it ?
10) Barkley, has stacks of talent, but seems almost bereft of a template, hero, or example. RK can point to Cruyff and say "watch his vidoes lad.... Then LEARN and MAKE things happen, otherwise, here's a bucket, sponge and a chamois leather and you can wash the cars...... ".
11) Down to you RK.

I'm not umbilically attached to this selection, no point really, 'cos I hope to fuck that RK knows far better that Scouse Plumber !

Paul Olsen
42 Posted 23/06/2016 at 14:48:19
Re: Niasse and a full pre-season

You know he is already injured until one month into the next season? So he will look his usual self when he returns, shit. And if he is in full training by september, that probably means he will be fully fit around october 2019 if the time he took to get fit this season sets the standard.

I´m holding my breath

Ed Carruthers
43 Posted 24/06/2016 at 14:30:36
How about Tom Heaton in net? I think I'd definitely rather have Butland as he's going to be a top keeper come 5-6 years, but what about Heaton as an alternative?
Paul Kossoff
44 Posted 25/06/2016 at 15:32:59
The whole team needs a good kick up the arse, warn anyone acting like a spoiled brat in this team will not be tolerated. Martinez was deluded with his philosophy but it was the players who were brainless in their attitude of 'We don't agree with you so down tools.'

Victor Valdez has been offered to Everton on a free, and if the answer to team rebuilding is to bring in 34-year-olds and players past the sell-by date, then we may as well have Mark Hughes or Pulis as our manager.

Koeman has to rebuild a team – not plaster over the cracks and use old props to stop the building collapsing. We will see where Everton are going by the players that are brought in, hopefully we don't turn in to another Stoke or West Brom.

Anthony Dwyer
45 Posted 25/06/2016 at 23:19:34
£100m to spend and none of our main players leave ...... I'll have a bit of that.

Forester. £20m
Coleman
Baines
Mori
Stones
Sniederlan . £20m
McCarthy
Wijaldum. £20
Barkley
Mata. £30m
Lukaku

Sub's
Robles
Davies, Connerly
Miralas, Del boy
Browning, Garbut
Jags, Galloway
Dowel, Gibson
Barry,Besic
Kenny,Tarashaja

£10m left and McGeady, Lennon, Kone, Oviedo, Niasse , surplus to requirement.

If they went we should raise another £17m at least to add to the £10m means we could save £27m for January.

Just a thought.

Austen Stone
46 Posted 29/06/2016 at 02:41:51
It's a shame Aymeric Laporte signed a contract extension; it would have been nice to see him in the EPL.

I think we would be mad to sign Juan Mata when there is plenty out there for the same price.

Gary Ashworth
47 Posted 03/07/2016 at 12:34:42
In my opinion the investment Moshiri has put into the transfer budget for Koeman is exceptional, something we've never had in the past. However, footballers being footballers, we will still struggle to attract a certain calibre. Many of the top "stars" will have the same opinion as Lukaku and want to play in the Champions League (Europa League being the next best thing).

So using speculation and rumours, here's my take on potential transfers.

Goalkeepers
Koeman has started with the signing of Stekelenburg, which is great because at least now we have two goalkeepers. Personally, in as much as Robles did a decent job last season, I've never been convinced of his ability to be our number 1. The truth is, had Howard not lost form, Robles would have stayed on the bench.

There are realistic links to Krul, Valdes and Cillessen. In my mind the most likely is Krul, as he is still young and needs to play at the top level in order to keep a place in the Holland squad. He will be keen to leave Newcastle to achieve that, and given Benitez has recently bought another keeper (giving him four keepers), at least one is likely to leave.

I'd also been keen on Vorm at Spurs. The guy was great at Swansea and has warmed the bench since he made the move. It's unlikely he will get regular games with Lloris being an exceptional goalkeeper. Everton has a history of turning goalkeeper's careers around - most had written off Martyn and Howard, both came to EFC and left as legends.

Fullbacks/Defenders
Koeman's primary issue is whether Stones will stay or leave, with Guardiola showing increasing interest in signing him. We already have an adequate replacement in Funes Mori, who only had one blip last season against Liverpool. The guy is young, talented and a proven goal threat. He is also proving to be a regular in the Argentina national squad, whereas Stones didn't seal a place in England starting XI at the Euros.

Jagielka's omission from the England squad for the Euros gives me the impression he has reached the peak of his career. Although he is our captain and a still a decent defender, but I would assume he has a season or two left in this evolving Everton squad.

Koeman apparently likes to work with youth and EFC has this in abundance. There's only been a serious link to Van Dijk, but he signed a new contract with Southampton, so his value will have risen. Koeman has already commented that he doesn't want to start a fight with his previous employers (in reference to transfers), so I'm not sure he will look to sign anyone from Southampton. That means Forster is also an unlikely signing.

Whatever happens with our central defence is very much dependent on whether we keep Stones or not. I think Coleman and Baines will be the fullbacks Koeman starts with. Not sure what will happen with Garbutt, but a decent reserve should Baines get injured. We do need backup for Coleman, although Stones can operate in this position too (if he stays).

Midfield/Wingers
This is an interesting area of the squad, as we have midfielders-galore and a few really good prospects coming through the youth team.

There are strong links with Witsel, who would be a good signing and another version of McCarthy... but better in my opinion. Schneiderlin is another promising rumour and he's someone who won't be happy sitting on the bench for another season.

Other notable rumours have been Wijnaldum (decent), Strootman (history of injury), Sneijder (bigger goal threat than Barkley), Grosicki (wasn't that impressed with him at the Euros) with subtle talk of Nani and Mata. Nani has apparently already signed for Valencia and I'm not sure where Mata would play. We already have Barkley as an attacking midfielder. Barry, McCarthy, Besic, Cleverley in central/defensive midfield. Duelofeu, Lennon, Mirallas, Oviedo on the wings (although I feel we need a natural left footed winger).

I like to look of Sergi Roberto at Barcelona, and a part of me thinks a cheeky bid could tempt Chelsea to sell Oscar.

Forwards
The biggest question is what is happening with Lukaku. Yes, comments coming from the Lukaku camp have been disrespectful to the club, but he is someone you want to keep. He's still young and so has plenty of time to improve... if not mature.

Links to Pelle, Aboubakar and possibly Bony (included in any deal involving Stones). I personally would love to see Rooney back at Goodison Park. It'll be interesting to see where Mourinho feels Rooney fits into his new squad. United already have Martial, Depay, Rashford and now Ibrahimovic going forward. They also have a number of decent midfielders - with links to Pogba amongst others and the signing of Mkhitaryan from Dortmund - is there room for Rooney?

I'm also interested in the reports that Van Persie is available. There is a risk of Everton becoming a team of Dutch players, but Van Persie is still a technically gifted footballer and would be great in the dressing room. I also feel there's something about Pato, if he can get fit and find a manager who sees his potential - although Rooney is my first choice for this position. Another fine striker who seems to be scoring for fun is Gyan - he has PL experience and is still a bag of talent with even more goals in the bag too.

Possible Departures
Taking aside the constant reports that suggest Stones, Lukaku and Barkley could all leave.

Robles could be sold if we sign another goalkeeper. The only possible departure in our defence is Garbutt, he might want regular games - although another option is another loan spell?

I was actual surprised we extended Gibson's contract, but was that Koeman's decision? McGeady surely is going to be leaving, we have too many right-sided wingers and he's not one of the best. Oviedo has spent most of his Everton career injured, so hasn't really been able to prove his worth. Mirallas is another who may want to leave rather than Koeman being happy to see him leave. If we sign players like Witsel and Schneiderlin, then I think McCarthy's role is under threat. I'm not sure I'd be sad to see him leave, he does his bit, but I don't really notice his absence when he doesn't start.

Kone surely must be on his way to China - the club could even pay for the flight and the fans get his taxi. Niasse looks to have been a bad signing and the link to Galatasaray (possible swap with Sneijder) is appealing to me. We won't recoup the £14m we spent on him, but I just don't see that striker's instinct in him. Should Lukaku stay, then I want competition on the bench - Kone and Niasse make Lukaku look like Pele in comparison.

At the end of the day, we must trust in Koeman and let him do his thing. I'm certainly excited and positive about next season.


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