Williams set to be unveiled as latest Everton signing

, 9 August, 122comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton are expected to shortly confirm the signing of Ashley Williams after Swansea City accepted an increased bid for the defender.

The Welsh international skipper, who turns 32 later this month, was on Merseyside today and came through a successful medical at Broadgreen Hospital before completing negotiations over personal terms.

The news follows confirmation of John Stones's sale to Manchester Cty in a deal that could eventually be worth the oft-reported £50m transfer fee that Everton had been holding out for this summer.

Everton's desire to land Williams was first signalled last week when they lodged an offer for him that was initially reported as £10m and agreed between the two clubs but was eventually turned down by Swansea.

Subsequent indications from sources closer to the negotiations suggested that the offer was likely closer to £8m but the Blues' increased bid, reported by The Express's Paul Joyce to be £9.5m, has now met the Welsh club's valuation and Williams should be unveiled as an Everton player within 24 hours.

Williams could be followed through the door by Lamine Koné who was apparently at the club's Finch Farm training complex yesterday and is the subject of an £18m offer to Sunderland. Reports also claim that a bid for Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie has also been accepted.

 

Reader Comments (122)

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James Watts
1 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:48
Ah ha! I've caught you out! Didn't you post the exact same story the other week just swapping £10 mill for £12 mill?

But let's hope it's true this time...

Kase Chow
2 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:43:37
£12M for a 32-year-old.

Let's hope:

A) He joins us;

B) It's a 3-year deal;

C) He stays fit;

D) He's brilliant for us.

Dave Bickley
4 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:50:14
Nothing changes at Everton; window shopping at Harrods but actually buying at Aldi or Lidl. I just hope Koeman uses his Southampton experience of getting the best out of cheap purchases because it certainly looks like he has to sell before he can buy.
Phil Malone Jnr
5 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:50:26
Is anyone else worried?

Stones out, closely followed by Rom...

Going from Koulibaly and Witsel to another Kone and Williams?

Mata to Bolasie...

Why wasn't Bony and or Hart included in the deal with Stones? The less money involved, the less we give Barnsley. And, according to the Dutch media, we're in for Bony anyway...

Mike Gaynes
6 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:50:30
He'll be a fine, if temporary, replacement for Stones. Half the talent but ten times the presence and toughness. And we need that desperately.
Peter Laing
7 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:53:28
I wouldn't mind shipping out Jags too, soon to be 34, injury prone and not likely to be much of a bargaining chip in the future if we don't act now
James Stewart
8 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:53:49
Exactly what we need and there isn't better out there for £12m. Will he come straight in as captain?
Andrew Presly
9 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:57:45
I welcome this but aged 32 he should have been the replacement for Jagielka (34) not Stones. Also why wait 3 weeks to get him in over a few million? Hasn't played a pre season game and our campaign starts in 4 days. Anyway get him in asap!
David Pearl
10 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:59:37
Half the talent?! But twice the tackles, twice the interceptions etc. The downside is smaller height and only a few years of his career left compared to 10 years for Stones. This signing improves our team right now.
Teddy Bertin
11 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:00:15
Delighted. Make him captain.
Francis Hogan
12 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:11:42
One of the top defenders in the Premier League; one of the best players in the Euros — no problem with his age as this gives us more experience and a player that wants to play for us!

See ya, John Stones!!

Stewart Lowe
13 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:14:39
I would like to see Jagielka go too to be honest. At 34 he is getting on in football terms and should never have been made captain anyway, I have rarely known a less vocal captain.

The two lads coming in today (Williams and Kone) are big imposing players and Williams isn't afraid to shout and ball at players not doing their job. Williams is a great improvement on Jagielka (even though Jags has served us very well) and Kone is a much cheaper option to the silly money Naploli wanted for Koulibaly (£34m).

Now can we get shut of Lukaku the sulker and bring in Javier Hernandez and Islam Slimani?

Scott Goin
14 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:19:48
Definitely too much for a 32-year-old with no resale value. If we put him on £75k wages for 4 years, add that to the £12 million and Williams is basically costing us £133k per week for 4 years. Maybe you can make a case that he'll be worth that in the next year or two. He almost certainly won't be worth it at 34-35.

I can deal with a move like this for an older player this one time since there's no doubt he'll make Everton better. I just hope we don't make this kind of signing a regular thing. We still need to focus on young players with a bit of resale value.

Jack Convery
15 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:22:02
Glad we look to have secured his services, after selling Stones. ( I've made a comment on another thread about that decision.)

He can play in a 3 or a 4 at the back – my guess is we will operate with 3 central defenders and Baines / Coleman as wingbacks. This explains why we need Kone. Holgate will act as cover. Oviedo will be okay as cover for Baines as a wingback. Will Lennon become the cover for Coleman?

I see Bolasie deal may be on too – funny how the ball starts rolling when the dosh from Man City rolls in !

Alan Maher
16 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:22:37
Great signing and exactly the leader we lacked last season. Although Stones is a loss, we have signed a proper defender for now and not potential for the future. Will be a great influence on Halogate, Browning and the young defenders coming through.
John Mckay
17 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:26:25
Why, we're rich now, didn't you know? If Moshiri wants to splash his cash on a player we'll only likely get 2-3 good seasons out of, then that's his prerogative. Besides, we need someone who can come into the team and do a job now not some youngster who going to take a few years to get up to speed.

We got Holgate and Galloway who could well make it at CB in the coming years.

I agree £12m is a bit steep for a 32-year-old. But defenders tend to last a bit longer than your average outfield player. Remember Richard Gough was immense at near 40.

Chris Gould
18 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:26:52
Scott, it isn't your money!!

Williams is a massive upgrade on Stones. We need immediate improvement and he brings that. We have future potential in Holgate.

Les Martin
19 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:28:18
We need to stop shipping goals and become hard to beat, Ronald is slowly getting that sorted.

Ashley Williams is an excellent player, said it last year when he completely marked Lukaku out of the game. One of the best defensive displays I had seen for a long time, the fans will love him!

Stewart Lowe
20 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:32:30
What is the obsession with William's age? I just don't get it? Distin was still playing as a great defender at 36. Williams will do us for 4 years and then he becomes a squad player and we move on, its the here and now that matters. We have paid what looks a lot because we are buying the finished article, a captain, and in a transfer window where all players fee's are falsely inflated.

We so so needed to get players in who haven't been poisoned by the football drilled into the them by Martinez.

By the end of today we could have 1 out and 3 in?

Di I mention bringing in Javier Hernandez, Islam Slimani and Kakim Ziyech?

Exciting stuff

Alastair Bates
21 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:34:15
And to add to Williams which I think is a good short term signing The Croydon Advertiser has reported us having a £25m bid accepted for Yannick Bolasie.

http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/crystal-palace-accept-25m-bolasie-offer-from-everton/story-29602005-detail/story.html

Mike Doyle
22 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:34:47
Good move if it happens. Like most of us Ron can see that that the team needs toughening up immediately and in several areas. The new boy from Villa appears to fit that bill, Ashley certainly does – as would Kone if that happens.

A Peter Reid type would be handy too – shame their are not many of his type around.

Scott Goin
23 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:36:24
I don't think we're as rich as people seem to think. Our funds are limited and we still need to spend wisely. £100 million doesn't go far enough in today's football landscape.

At least the Williams money is a relative drop in the bucket compared to the rumors of £25 million for Bolasie. That's completely ridiculous in my mind.

Mark Morrissey
24 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:36:30
I don't like the ethos of having to sell players to make funds available but I suppose that's Everton. We are used to it and I welcome the signing wholeheartedly. Not a better long-term prospect but currently a better player to have in any team and we need a leader.
Brent Stephens
25 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:38:43
Stewart #13 "Kone is a much cheaper option to the silly money Naploli wanted for Koulibaly (348m)."

That really is silly money!

Scott #14. I thought it was a 2 year deal. But if it's 4 years as you say, then £3m a year in transfer costs is peanuts if he can do better than Stones. Absolute peanuts.

Jeff Armstrong
26 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:39:55
We can't have every player with a"resale" value, or we'd end up with a team of potential. You need to mix it up: experience, potential etc. We just sold a bit of potential with a resale profit of £40 million, FFS.

Williams is a great signing, even at that price.

Colin Wilson
27 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:43:39
Can you all remember Richard Gough, David Weir, Sylvan Distin!!!
We'll be strengthening our defence immediately and still have potential with Holgate. Williams will organize the team and should be made captain.
Scott Goin
28 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:45:32
Brent (#25). I think I saw a 4-year deal being talked about on the Echo. No idea if it's true or not. And I'm not sure if I'd call an extra £3m a year peanuts. That's some big freakin' peanuts.
William Cartwright
29 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:46:50
The transfer window is going well as far as I can see. If you ignore all the media crap and cheap or biased journalism there are many reasons to be cheerful:-

1. Moshiri deserves some respect and patience. Long term planning is afoot.

2. Koeman is a world class manager – no doubt in my mind.

3. Steve Walsh must be good for the club player procurement strategy and may have already used his influence to bring in Idrissa Gueye?

4. Idrissa Gueye looks the real deal. Not many players would give away a penalty early on in their debut and go on to be considered as Man of the Match. That will do for me.

5. Stones leaving. Very sad but inevitable... He wanted to go, simple, and we get a healthy fee.

6. Ashley Williams brought in. Now that is good business, especially in the current situation.

7. Galloway on loan to Newcastle? Okay. He needs the experience and could come back as a serious team player next season (hope he doesn't do a Garbutt).

8. Rom, is Rom... If he goes, then there must be an alternative game plan. If he stays, he stays. Nothing more to say.

9. Promising youngsters looking more promising than expected: Davies and Holgate especially.

10. Stekelenberg good addition. Jury still out on the GK front.

11. On the horizon? Creative No 10, (Mata?), left midfield (Bolasie?), support striker (Niasse a gonner, Bony Mmmmmmm, Slimani would be good?).

12. Barkley? Hot and cold (more hot than cold so far).

13. Existing pool of our "best squad in years" still to be utilized but at least to be given the opportunity to perform – Mirallas, Gerry etc.

LET'S ALL CHILL OUT, TRUST IN OUR KOEMAN, AND GET BEHIND THE TEAM. COYB

Timothy Blanshard
30 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:50:08
People keep going on about the money side of things, his wages etc, honestly that is none of our business. I, like everyone else, want our club to be run properly but we're at the beginning of a new chapter and Ashley is going to fit into what we need for now.

Remember Richard Gough? People moaned back then and he did a great job for us. The BIG difference is we're not skint anymore; if we were, Koeman would never have come here. He's bought into Mr Moshiri's vision and I think Ronald knows exactly what he is doing. Let's stop worrying about who gets paid what because we don't have any say in it anyway.

For me the months years ahead are going to be the most exciting times for decades, I'm 53 now, I remember fondly the fantastic glory years, I wore out a VHS tape of the history of our club, especially the bit when Sharpy scores that cracker on 20th October 1984.

This is only the start, if we have to use a few older players so be it, I believe within the next 3 years we will win something and if I didn't I would give up football.

Scott Goin
31 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:50:19
As for the age thing, it feels like you guys are talking about exceptions to the rule.

The norm for the majority of top level athletes is start degrading physically at around 31-32. Defenders in particular can make up for this degradation through intelligence and experience but eventually it catches up to everyone.

Can Williams stay at the top level until 35 years old? It's possible but I wouldn't bet on it.

Regardless, he absolutely makes Everton better this season and maybe that's a good calculated risk since we need to make our mark this season so that next season we aren't stuck having to massively overpay to get players to come here.

Bobby Thomas
32 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:53:27
Peter #7

Compounding the amount of change at center back by selling the club captain, who is still a very good defender, and leaving the somewhat sketchy Funes Mori as the only center back to have played for the club would be ridiculous.

Jagielka and Williams will be a very good partnership.

James Hughes
33 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:55:11
It's only a 2-year deal so a solid player added to our options and we need leaders on the pitch NOW. He can do that.
Scott Goin
34 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:55:30
I'm definitely worried about the money. That's just the way I am, I guess. I think we've all had first row seats to the utter dross that Liverpool throws their money away on the past 5 years or so. It has not helped them to have a lot of money. I just don't want Everton to end up like that.

If we spend £25 million on guys like Bolasie, that's £25 million we might not have next year when a truly impact player comes along.

Danny O'Neill
35 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:03:10
Obsession with youth; you need a balance between the 2. Defending is the area of the pitch that comes with experience. As many have pointed out on here, some of our most stalwart defenders were way into their 30s before we saw the best of them.

Scratched record time; a central defender is at his peak around the age bracket 28 - 34; perfect time to be buying someone like Williams.

Stones one day will be brilliant if he develops into the defender he can, but that is years away yet.

We've done very good business today. How you spend, not what you spend.

David Barks
36 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:06:22
Scott,

Liverpool spend that money to remain competitors in the eyes of other players and their own players. They nearly won the league a couple seasons ago.

And going into this season, they're expected to be very competitive with a lot of young players to grow around.

Anyone saying they wouldn't trade our situation for theirs is being disingenuous.

Geoffrey Hall
37 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:06:57
Get real, everybody — we only have money if we sell!!!
Soren Moyer
38 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:09:27
According to SSN, he'll be given a 2-year contract.
Ognjen Mojovic
39 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:11:00
If Williams come, he will be exact age as Distin when he joined Everton, so it won't be new thing. I hope that Williams would be better.
Scott Goin
42 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:13:01
David (#36).

Liverpool have only had a little success in recent years by throwing massive amounts of cash around. They're like a blindfolded kid trying to pin the tail on the donkey. Occasionally they get lucky but mostly they wind up face-first into the donkey's rear end.

We don't have the resources currently that Liverpool do so we need to be smarter with the funds that Moshiri gives us. That's all I'm saying.

Brent Stephens
44 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:17:31
Scott, Sky report Williams as a 2-year deal which strengthens your case. That equals £6m/year in transfer fees. Stones at £48m on a 6 year deal equals "only" £8m/year. But maybe Stones is more of a risk? If he dives in the first year and gets shipped out, Man City then maybe set to lose a stash.
Mike Green
45 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:21:07
Scott (#42) – we've just brought one of the best defenders in the Premier League into the club and made a £35m profit.
Scott Goin
46 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:22:36
Brent, while a 2-year deal would mean Williams costs us £190k per week for two years, at least we won't be stuck paying him if age catches up with him. I prefer it that way. If he's still looking top notch 2 years from now, we can probably resign him easily on year-to-year contracts.
Scott Goin
47 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:26:02
Mike #45. There's no doubt in my mind that Ashley Williams is a better defender right now than Stones. I'm not even certain that Stones has the kind of tenacious mindset to ever be as good as Williams so I'm thrilled that we got so much money for Stones.
Mike Green
48 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:27:55
Talksport saying we've agreed deal for Bolasie that could rise to £30m...

Now that is funny money

Ian McDowell
49 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:30:41
I'd be happy in fact delighted with Gueye, Bolasie, Kone, Williams and a GK, CF, and another midfield player to follow.
Jonathan Miller
50 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:38:40
Bolasie is a top player and will start every week if fit. Baines will be delighted to have him in front of him and he will provide great cover and devastating pace.

Williams is a top defender and just what we need ATM to stop us shipping goals from set pieces and crosses. We will ship less goals than last sear with these guys on board.

Great additions if true; let's get Kone from Sunderland, who was fantastic against us, and another keeper; then the defence will be sorted.

Now for a midfield maestro and another forward...

David Price
51 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:44:29
Great news.
Amit Vithlani
52 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:54:48
If this gets over the line - an excellent signing.

To Scott Goin, Everton is a football club, whose purpose is to win football games.

A key element of that is to find good players, who can perform in the Premier League. Williams may provide us with 2 years only, and this may mean his transfer amortizes over a short period (6m a year).

But so what? I don't support the club because they have a better P+L then the opposition, I support the club because I enjoy them putting one over the opposition on the pitch.

Now, if spending 12m on Williams is some kind of opportunity cost for acquiring someone better - as you infer - then I would politely ask who you have in mind that Everton's scouting team have missed?

Koulibaly's price range is not far short of Stones. An 18m bid for Lamine Traore was rejected. On the assumption the bid is increased and Traore is signed on a 4 year deal, he is likely to cost 5m a year, having made only 15 PL appearances.

William's transfer fee appears par for the course for a proven PL defender who happens to be captain of his current club in country. His transfer is pleasing as we bought a solid performer to fill a gap. That we also taken the captain of a fellow PL club, having taken the manager of another PL club, in the same summer is a bonus and not something I have seen us do in a while.

Colin Glassar
53 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:08:54
Good player Williams but it looks like we are going for brawn over brain this window.
Ian Fisher
54 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:10:24
Good signing in my opinion as Williams is what we need right now. There is no issue with 'potential', he is a proven Premier League defender and an obvious leader. If he's only got 2 years left at the top then surely enough time for Koeman and Walsh to find a suitable understudy/replacement/young player coming through.

He will hopefully make the defence better pretty soon, not hoping what might be in the future, and after last season is just what Everton need.
Paul Tran
55 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:11:54
Colin, maybe it's bringing in brawn so that when the brains do something we stay in front?
Neil Jones
56 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:14:17
Let's hope he is as successfull as the last Welsh Captain to play for Everton.
Phil Walling
57 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:33:05
Most sensible signing since Gareth Barry. Another true professional.
Eugene Ruane
58 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:42:11
Very pleased we've got this lad (if we deffo have, Everton transfer deals etc).

There are no guarantees with any player (incl Pogba) but what I've seen of Williams and the general..um.. 'cut of his jib' (type stuff) has impressed me a lot.

Physically big and knows how to use it (ie: doesn't suffer from Anichibe-itis). He has a mouth and is prepared to use it. He gives us a bit of a threat from corners and gives us a presence in defence that (imo) we've been missing.

(if he just screamed at the others to 'concenfuckingtrate!' when they do their 'let's all switch off' thing, it would be an improvement).

If we stick Sunderland's Kone next to him, we'll start to look like quite a handful at the back (didn't think such a thing possible a couple of days ago).

By the way Scott (14) - 'Definitely too much for a 32 year old with no resale value.'

Too much eh, I imagine you were going to go for a few pints at the weekend but can't afford to now because Everton...paid 12m for Williams.

(the money thing, I just don't get the worry)

Sandra Bowen
59 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:45:54
I'm sure it'll be more than a two year deal. No way would he join another club for a such a short term deal when he could easily pick up a big contract elsewhere or even staying at Swansea.

Great buy though, sad to see Stones move on as I loved watching him play when he was on form but Williams improves us instantly.

Looks like Koeman wants some height, pace and power in the team with Williams, Kone & Bollasie. I'd love for us now to get Mata, desperate for a brain in the team, especially in the forward line.

What an eventful day, love it.

Peter McHugh
60 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:48:30
Only old players I can remember us signing and we're rubbish were Kone and Mark Hughes
Ian Riley
61 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:57:48
Had to happen!! Panic buy yes but ready and experienced to go. We don't have many options.
Chris James
62 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:05:52
Absolutely brilliant days business, we've got £47.5M from a great ball-player who can't actually defend and got in someone with real heart, spirit and proven pedigree for a quarter of the price!

Also another great defensive Welshman in a proud history!
Over the moon Brian!

Keith Glazzard
63 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:15:06
I know sod all about football, but I do know that given the option of Stones or Williams at CB in my team, which one I would choose. Good luck John, apart from your glaring errors you have done a good job for us. Enjoy the millions you will never know how to spend. Welcome to a rock hard defender with a footballing brain. Welsh? Both my parents are buried in Wales - dad would have approved.
Len Hawkins
64 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:23:45
If anyone doesn't go to bed tonight and have a better night's sleep than last night, then you need to play the headache card.
Keith Glazzard
65 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:26:25
Colin G, I suspect you are right, but ... RK will have seen enough pre-season to know what needs fixing first. How many points did we lose last season from winning positions? I wouldn't call Williams brawn – although he has plenty of it – and I recall Stones scoring a wonderful goal.

Did he ever help us to win a game for all his carrying the ball out of defence? I am quite prepared to be proven wrong, but my memories of him are more likely to call up glaring errors. And I love cultured football.

Sondre Haga
66 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:28:10
With Williams and Kone coming in, we will once again have one of the best defences in the Premier League! Bring in a competitor for Lukaku up front now and we look much stronger.
Aidy Dews
67 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:40:05
Williams is a great signing, regardless of his age. Still got a few years in him yet, he's experienced, all hearted, no nonsense with a bit of class and best of all he's a leader, a talker which we've lacked for years.

Get Kone in to partner him and we've got a very strong CB partnership, a base to build on for this season.

I like Stones and think he's a cracking talent but IF we get both Williams & Kone in, we'll be much stronger than we would of been if we'd of kept Stones and gone with him and Jags at the back!

David Chait
68 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:53:36
We did need a player brought in for he here and now. Although I was concerned RK will focus on the short term I trust Walsh will keep the club focuses on the long term.

Very smart purchase. Feels a little like moneyball... Gueye now Williams. Both high level of stats and performance without the fee from coming from glamorous countries.

Michael Polley
69 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:01:58
Good strong passionate defender. I'm pleased with the news.
Eddie Dunn
70 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:11:37
Peter 60, what about Gazza and Ginola?
Alastair Donaldson
71 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:26:25
We've been way too nice for too many years now; Koeman has recognised this flaw and is doing something about it. Give me a real tough CB like Williams over Stones / Jags anytime.. expect the class of 84-87 would approve. Pat/Gary/Kev & Derek eh?

No's 9 & 10 next please.

Dan Davies
72 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:29:44
Well happy with this, good strong defender first and foremost. Some may not be happy but he could be our best signing this summer. Watch this space...

Shame about Stones but as we now know he didn't want to play for Everton, get over it. Turn the page...

Damian Wilde
73 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:44:31
People saying how good he is, how much have you seen him play? Five minutes on MotD?

This is the opinion of my match-going Swans friend:

"The last two seasons he's been error prone and quick to bollock others, rather than himself. A quality leader, but I heard the dressing room was getting a bit tired of his leadership. And he was awful on corners last season. He wanted a four-year contract, we only offered two, so your deal makes sense to him plus we've had eight years of him and cost us £350k."

Simon Smith
74 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:49:03
The mirror is stating that Niasse may be thrown in as a makeweight in the Bolasie deal. This has now upped the fee to £40 million.
Damian Wilde
75 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:52:50
'Best signing this summer...' seriously? Maybe if we were Burnley.
Ian Riley
76 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:00:01
Thank you Mr koeman. You are not building for the future. No five year plan that's turns into feck all. Your not here too make friends with the board. You have a three year contract and want to achieve quickly. The youngsters need to step up but we have experience and leaders coming in.

I will sleep better. What a difference a day makes!!!!

Peter McHugh
77 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:06:49
Yep good shout Ginola and Gazza were over the hill although must admit still enjoyed watching Gazza at times who even often on drugs or hungover and past his sell buy date you could still see glimpses of undoubted quality
Ray Roche
78 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:09:45
Against United we played three at the back with the wing backs, Coleman and Baines, dropping back when United had the ball. You could clearly see a back five and we looked much stronger. Maybe that's RK's plan, to have a back three of Kone, Williams and Funes Mori or Jags, with Gueye in front as DM.
Jamie Sweet
79 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:14:09
People suggesting he is made Captain (a very good call in my opinion)... Can anyone confirm if Ronald has officially declared his team Captain for the season yet or is it still up for grabs?
Colin Glassar
80 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:19:24
Where do all these transfers leave our young guns like Papa Kone, McGeady, Niasse and Aaron Lennon?
Eugene Ruane
81 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:27:49
Jamie (79) - a real captain doesn't need an armband.

Peter Reid didn't have one, neither did Alan Ball, didn't stop them running games though and/or keeping their teammates from losing concentration.

Simon Bates
82 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:33:41
Williams has signed and posed for pictures with fans and signed the shirt, adding number 6, which is Jags' number.

Really don’t know what to make of that! Apparently it's his favourite number for Wales but still...?
Colin Glassar
83 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:34:23
Will Williams be given Jags number (6)? I've just seen a photo of him holding up his Everton shirt.
Soren Moyer
84 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:35:45
The deal is done now. Welcome to EFC.
Les Netherwood
85 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:40:56
Good signing Williams...right into the team. We have time now to set about finding a replacement for him in a couple of years time, at his age he will not last much longer.

Lets get rid of Lukaku and get somebody who can control the ball and turn with it...also someone with a decent first touch and who is not doing what his dad says all the time.

Could be a decent season this time now there is no Roberto!!

Tony Draper
86 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:50:56
Ashley, mate, if you can match Nigel Martyn, Richard Gough, Syllvain Distain then good. Very, Very Good.

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Welcome to the Greatest Football Club.

Peter Gorman
87 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:00:16
So nevermind that if we've sold Stones to bring in Williams our defence has become several times more competent overnight.

Williams doesn't have any 'potential'. It isn't all about the here and now, it is all about the what ifs and maybes years down the line. And another obvious downside to this deal is Williams may actually want to play for us. Worst day ever!

Eric Holland
88 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:07:10
Just googled Ashley Williams images to see if there was any with him at Finch Farm. All I could see was some bint with her tits hanging out all over the place!!!

Hope she takes her shirt off every time we win.

Oliver Molloy
89 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:21:19
I wonder if our manager is disappointed that he couldn't keep Stones (assuming of course he wanted to).

It was reported, even before Koeman had been confirmed as our new manager that Stones wanted to leave for Man city, so Koeman was unable to convince this young player to stay and learn from him , one of the best defenders of his generation.

So once again , amid all the headlines of Moshiri investing in the club Everton have cashed in on a player we bought for peanuts – it's what we do.

I will not be surprised at all if Lukaku is be next to go.

Geoff Evans
90 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:35:29
If a player isn't committed to the cause, ship him out, whoever he is.
Kase Chow
91 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:37:54
Amit #52 Brilliant post

Seems most on here are in agreement: we've exchange a defender who can't defend for a defender who can defend. Makes sense to me.

Kone seems like a good buy IF we get him. Not seen much of him but all reports are positive.

Bolaise may be overpriced BUT look at it this way: the players we are buying are at their peak. We're taking the better players from clubs in and around us to make us better. It's been ages since we've bought players at their peak. And as others have said, it's not your money so don't worry about it!

Bolaise.

Darryl Ritchie
92 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:16:44
I don't understand all the "not good/young enough; we paid too much" comments. We're a better side this evening, than we were this morning. Well done Koeman and Walsh.

Good enough for me.

Matt Garen
93 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:17:50
Today was the day.
Matt Garen
94 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:25:03
Damian he's that bad he is only top of the stats in clearances by a defender in the Premier League for the past 3 years. Let's hope he stops that defending malarkey and starts doing Cruyff turns on the 6-yard line because we are solid as fuck at the back. Fucking defenders who defend. That's so 2013.
Dennis Ng
95 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:41:06
Thought of this as a single deal but if dealt as moving Stones for 3 veterans, it's a decent deal. We have good youth coming through and hopefully these players will help shepherd them.
Mike Corcoran
96 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:43:22
Been in the Camp Nou today. They love Koeman and have footage of that European Cup winning goal on a reel. Pure class. Good to see us going for players in their prime. Jury is out on Stonesey but I hope he doesn't go the way of Rodwell and Jeffers.
Fran Mitchell
97 Posted 10/08/2016 at 00:55:35
As an isolated signing, Williams is a good move. Solid defender, essential for the Swans stability in the Premier League. Should take Jags place (if he is still here????) and a good head alongside Funes Mori (who I hope can make the step up to consistent top class defender).

I am pissed Stones has gone, but onwards and upwards.

Here's hoping Funes Mori turns out to be Martinez' best signing, he has quality and has an eye for goal (good defenders who score are worth 6-8 points a season) but needs to cut the lapses (something Martinez would never work on).

Let's also play Holgate in the cup games and a few times in the league, loan out Galloway and get Pennington fit and a a good loan spell (to a Premier League team ).

Mike Dolan
98 Posted 10/08/2016 at 02:03:06
Better than Stones right now perhaps he will be a better CH in 3 years also Stones still has a lot to learn all he is is potential right now. We skinned City on this move.

The idea is make Everton better now and those massive signings will begin to fall into place. We desperately need a creative midfielder next. Who would you rather have on your team Stones and Sterling or Williams and Bolasie.

Abhishek Saha
99 Posted 10/08/2016 at 02:52:41
Williams and Bolasie COYB!
John Pierce
100 Posted 10/08/2016 at 02:54:32
Koeman buying results now, not potential. A fully grown, mature player. No 5 year crap, it indicates an attitude to win now! And perhaps he is (and should be) under boardroom pressure.

Jackie Barry
101 Posted 10/08/2016 at 03:19:05
This guy is great defender, a born leader and exactly what we need. Those being critical don't have a clue. He should be made captain. If we get this guy and Kone from Southampton our defence will be solid. Apparently Chelsea are now interested in Kone, hopefully they make a mistake and come after ours.
Bernard Yeo
102 Posted 10/08/2016 at 04:26:43
If we play 3-5-2, with Kone, Williams, Mori ... I really think we have got the height, composure and the aggression needed to prevent those goals we concede from set pieces.
David Price
103 Posted 10/08/2016 at 06:48:05
One of the best signings possible. Given our status in the Premier League, we have to turn around our home form and get near the top of the table before we can attract the top talent.

Williams has proved to be a true leader on the field and personally I think defenders improve with age — just look at John Terry.

Now we need to sort out this Lukaku bollocks; either stay or go but stop pissing us around... and, if he decides to stay, pay him by the assist! He will end up paying us!!!

Mind you, another centre-forward and a creative midfielder would be nice.

Denis Richardson
105 Posted 10/08/2016 at 08:53:40
Very welcome addition. Please make him captain and stick him straight in next to Funes Mori.
Phil Walling
106 Posted 10/08/2016 at 10:06:29
Mori is out until the New Year, thus the urgency of TWO centre backs by Saturday !
Patrick Murphy
107 Posted 10/08/2016 at 10:11:39
Phil (106) What has happened to Mori that will keep him out until the New Year?
Danny O'Neill
109 Posted 10/08/2016 at 11:36:37
Funes Mori just looked fine in training on the live shots from Finch Farm on Sky Sports News.
Jack Convery
110 Posted 10/08/2016 at 11:52:03
Can't wait to see him get a grip of Rom, I like Rom but he needs a bomb under him sometimes - Williams could be the detanator ! Now there's a nickname.
Victor Jones
111 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:11:49
I don't understand why some supporters are worried about how much Williams cost. Or about his age. Do you all have to balance the Everton coffers? Have none of you seen the inflated transfer fees nowadays, for very average players? Williams is on top of his game and worth £12 million.

Do you not remember that some of our better defenders in recent years have been well over 30? Gough, Stubbs, Weir, Distin, Jagielka... and what age did Watson, Radcliffe and the great Brian Labone play on too??

Williams (barring injury) will be a very good signing for Everton... gaps in a very flaky defence are now getting plugged. NSNO...

Simon Smith
112 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:13:17
http://www.footballinsider247.com/this-imminent-everton-arrival-will-be-the-signing-of-the-summer/

A good article to read, pretty much sums up what a lot of us have been saying.

Alan Bodell
113 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:13:27
Jack, if Marc Wilmotts couldn't get the boy to match his team mates output then I fear no-one can, it's just in him unfortuneately.
Sam Hoare
114 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:21:04
Think Williams for £9m is a bargain to be honest. Can't say the same of Bolasie for £30m so hope that reported fee is wrong.
Mark Melton
115 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:27:46
Perhaps Rom can use his world class pointing skills to show Ashley where the toilets are at Finch Farm.
Stephen Coles
116 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:43:35
So we offer £10m, they say No, so we come back with £9m offer? Moshiri is a shrewd businessman!
Thomas Surgenor
117 Posted 10/08/2016 at 12:46:00
Phil 106. It's Mo Besic who is out till new year.
Raymond Fox
119 Posted 10/08/2016 at 13:08:20
If we can sign all three, Williams, Kone and Bolasie we are a lot stronger and things are starting to look much more optimistic.

If Lukaku does leave that's going to be a headache for Koeman though. Rom has faults but he can stick the ball in the net at a decent rate can he not! He's going to be very difficult to replace in that regard, we need another top class striker anyway so I'm expecting that to happen if he goes or not.

My only concern is that we have some cracking young players that were on the brink of the first team, it must be very disappointing when established players are bought, in their positions. They will get time on the bench no doubt and will have to bide their time and hope to make the breakthrough and become first choice.

Ciarán McGlone
120 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:16:02
What's keeping this!
Mark Tanton
121 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:18:45
They're keeping Williams on hold until Bolasie is done probably?
Danny O'Neill
122 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:18:51
I reckon they're wanting to unveil them in one go, Ciaran. Waiting for the other deals to go through; Bolasie, Kone and Williams ...although if you believe some rumours this afternoon, Bony too (with no Lukaku at training!)???
Ian McDowell
123 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:21:08
Would be great to get all 3 announced at the same time.
Duncan McDine
124 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:23:05
Danny, where did you get the scoop on Lukaku not training with the team?
Ian McDowell
125 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:24:20
Sky Sports news reported Lukaku not training today. Although they did mention his ankle injury which he may be having treatment on.
Jeff Armstrong
126 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:28:09
We need striking options immediately, even if Lukaku stays for the remainder of the window he won't be arsed anyway, he stopped being interested in playing for us on March 5th.

Arouna Kone is not the answer, and even if we get Bony it's still not enough. What about Slimani or that Dutch guy we were linked with at the start of the window, as well as Bony?
Danny O'Neill
127 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:31:24
That makes sense Ian. Too easy to read too much into everything at the moment. And I'm normally pretty calm and considered!
Danny O'Neill
128 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:35:06
I stand corrected; official – Williams an Everton player
Ian McDowell
129 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:35:10
Yeah I am not reading much into it Danny. In true Sky style they had it as headline news – Look who is missing from training at Everton today.

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