Season › 2016-17 › News Everton confirm Schneiderlin transfer Lyndon Lloyd Thursday, 12 January, 2017 126comments | Jump to most recent Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Everton have announced the completion of Morgan Schneiderlin's move from Manchester United for an initial fee of £20m. The Blues fended off interest from West Bromwich Albion and a reported approach from Marseille for the 27-year-old who was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho. Schneiderlin has put pen to paper on a 4½-year contract after completing a two-part medical yesterday and wrapping up the final details on a move that could eventually rise to £24m if appearance-related add-ons are triggered. He will wear the No.2 jersey last worn by Tony Hibbert. “There is a manager in place here that I know, I know he can get the best out of me, I know his style and how he likes to play football," the France international said. “I've always loved the atmosphere in the stadium. I can't wait to play and to represent this great club. "I want to put my print on this club and do everything to get Everton where it belongs." Schneiderlin has spent almost a decade in England having signed for Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 for £1.2m. He was a prominent member of the Saints side that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2012 and had blossomed into one of the division's best defensive midfielders by the time Mauricio Pochettino left St Mary's Stadium and Ronald Koeman took the reins. He attracted the attention of former United boss Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015 and, billed as a long-term successor to Michael Carrick, made a £24m switch to the northwest, a fee that would have topped £27m had he met certain appearance-related add-ons. His first and only goal for the Red Devils followed in October — coincidentally, it came against Everton at Goodison Park in a 3-0 win — but he has failed to impress Van Gaal's successor this year while Carrick has remained a vital part of the United team. Article continues below video content Under Mourinho, Schneiderlin has played less than 2½ hours of competitive first-team football for United and just 11 minutes in the league. The Old Trafford hierarchy were keen, nevertheless, to recoup their outlay on the France international and reportedly knocked back offers of £13m from West Brom and an £19m bid from Everton before a deal closer to their asking price was eventually agreed. An obvious long-term replacement for Gareth Barry who turns 36 this year and short-term cover for Idrissa Gueye while he is at the Africa Cup of Nations, Schneiderlin is expected to go straight into the squad to face Manchester City next Sunday. "I know the qualities of the player," Koeman said after his reunion with Schneiderlin was confirmed. "I know him as a person and he's really desperate to come to Everton and that's what we need. "He's a fast player, a clever player and he's a personality. This is a new step. It's a new future and he will show us his qualities, I am convinced of that." Reader Comments (126) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer PG Malcolm 1 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:12:13 Delighted with this news. Welcome, Morgan. Let's see what you're made of. Anthony Hawkins 2 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:14:25 I've not seen it announced anywhere other than here but a great piece of business!! Anthony Burke 3 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:14:28 Welcome, Morgan. COYB!!!!! Stu Gore 5 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:15:43 Good stuff. Next . Shane Corcoran 6 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:17:35 Anthony, I'm not sure what websites you use but it's on most football ones. Paul Newton 7 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:17:43 At last!That's two; now for the others... Tony Hill 8 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:18:32 This one is a serious acquisition. Welcome. James Flynn 9 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:19:51 Nice.Also saw a couple articles on interest in Gibson. Patrick Murphy 10 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:21:08 Welcome to Goodison, Morgan, you've joined a plethora of players who have turned out for Everton and Manchester United over the years. Players such as: Howard, Gidman, O'Kane, Neville, Gibson, Cleverley, Thomas (Mickey), Saha, Kidd, Rooney, Felliani, Blomqvist, Kanchelskis, Mark Hughes... and Whiteside. With probably a few more who don't immediately spring to mind. Did Mark Higgins play for Man Utd after his injury? Shane Corcoran 11 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:21:54 James, who's interested? Brian Furey 12 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:22:52 㿀M isn't too bad in today's crazy market and it would be great to see him at some stage on Sunday v Man City. I was watching him a bit there on YouTube and as well as his tackling he can hit some good long forward passes which could suit Rom rather than the hoofball we have been playing.I hope Depay is not on his way too although maybe on loan wouldn't be too bad.Now, lets get the Nurofen lad in next. Tom Magill 13 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:23:33 Welcome to the best team in England, Morgan!Nil Satis Nisi Optimum Iain Johnston 14 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:24:19 The Gibson rumours are for the lad at Boro. Mark Tanton 15 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:24:31 I've seen him play a couple of times, and was struck by his size and presence. He is a class player and when you consider that Phil Neville was our centre midfield lynchpin for years we are making progress. As someone else said serious player. Peter Gorman 16 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:24:51 Top player with an immensely professional attitude something we have in very short supply. Shane Corcoran 17 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:24:52 Oh right, too good to be true, Iain. Will Mabon 18 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:27:56 Well knock me down with a feather. A relatively straightforward transfer done & dusted: unusually painless.I'm about 7 out of 10 for this one on the hope scale, so pretty satisfied. I will feel even better when we see how he can provide midfield solidity to link with and augment our attack which might stop just about every mainstream media sports news outlet trying to sell Barkley to Spurs. Frank Sheppard 19 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:29:51 Really pleased with this; looks like a great signing. Possible future team captain material. James Flynn 20 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:32:20 Shane - Don't know it's true, of course. But interest from Leeds.What certainly appears true is that Ron has no interest in him. Strange we signed him again recently, but I'd guess it was for "pennies" compared to his previous contract. Worth the risk for Leeds, I imagine, since they're a point off 3rd place. Fran Mitchell 21 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:33:40 Good signing.Expect this to form as 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1 formation. Havn't seen that much of him, just hope he can pass the ball forward.But having 2, hard running and tireless centre mids will be essential for Koeman to implement a high pressing game. Mark Morrissey 22 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:37:55 Cleverley gone and Schneiderlin in... now that's good news. A French midfield of Schneiderlin and Payet. Go and do it, please! John Hammond 23 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:38:50 Great news! Another midfielder needed though as a couple of injuries in that department and we're screwed. Mike Oates 24 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:50:55 Should be a good signing, though it will take some time realising he's a midfielder with the No 2 on his back!!! Ste Bold 25 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:51:26 Good signing. Him and Gana could anchor any midfield. Maybe our next captain too. Gordon Roberts 26 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:52:58 Another piece of the jigsaw in place, let's give Gana and Schneiderlin time to gel. Hoping for a centre half with pace and power, if not in this window, then certainly in the summer transfer window. COYB Mike Gaynes 27 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:54:38 WOOHOO!!!!!!!I've been hoping for this for three years.Hoisting a cup to Moshiri, Koeman and Walsh.(Okay, so it's only decaf, but the spirit is there.) Will Mabon 28 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:57:33 "A French midfield of Schneiderlin and Payet. Go and do it, please" Don't know if you heard, Mark, but in regards to West Ham, Payet has apparently now said* he "Doesn't want to play for the club again..."I doubt he'd ever end up here but who'd want him with such traitorous tendencies.* if true. Alan Bodell 29 Posted 12/01/2017 at 17:59:06 Players that will play for Koeman is just what is patently obvious because so many here now don't sign up to that but slowly he's getting there. Bill Gall 30 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:00:58 With 2 new signings and what appears to be quality signings completed in the first 2 weeks of January, it seems that we are finally becoming a club that is being run by people who understand football with the desire to push Everton into the position that we as fans want. As a number of fans have expressed ,despite poor performances Koeman deserves time to place his stamp on the team, to see what direction we are going in. These new signings, with the possibility of more on the way, may not show immediate changes, but one of the things it will achieve is the rest of the squad will have to raise the standard of their play as it appears that the manager has the full backing of the ownership to make changes. This January window is possibly showing the true direction the owner wants for the club, and let's hope it continues. Dave Williams 31 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:02:41 Patrick, Yes Mark Higgins played for MU after they compensated the insurers for paying out when he thought he was finished through injury.I've been racking my brains but I don't think you have missed anyone else where do you get all this data from? Surely not just memory?? Ian Hollingworth 32 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:04:26 Bloody brilliant news!!!At last, some ambition by signing a quality player who is better than what we have.Top drawer signing this; now let's have some more... Dave Williams 33 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:04:28 Patrick got one!!Tommy Jackson!!!! Stephen Brown 34 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:05:40 Patrick what about Peter Beardsley?? Oscar Huglin 35 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:07:08 Fantastic signing. Terry Underwood 36 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:07:18 Just phoned my cousin, a Saints season ticket holder. His reply was unrepeatable. I see this as a great signing.COYMB Patrick Murphy 37 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:07:45 I said it wasn't a definitive list, lads, mind you I wasn't aware of Jackson having played for Man Utd in the mid 70s and I should have known about Beardsley, although Peter never appeared for Man Utd according to his stats. Dave Williams 38 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:08:29 Nice one, Stephen went to Vancouver after them, I think... then Newcastle etc. Stephen Brown 39 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:09:34 Should have more quiz questions like this on TW!! Will Mabon 40 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:10:23 Another one Patrick/Dave Peter Beardsley, though in the most minimal sense. Look it up! David Booth 41 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:11:24 Great news.Seven new players brought in by Koeman now and good reason to suspect more might follow before the end of the month (a rock solid keeper and a nasty centre-half would be good, oh, and a creative midfielder like Payet...).Are we finally going to begin seeing 'his type of team' at last? Will Mabon 42 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:11:30 "Patrick - what about Peter Beardsley ??"Sorry, Stephen - simultaneous posting... Dave Williams 43 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:12:23 Patrick/Stephen, Sam Byrne, who plays for our U23s, was signed after being released by Man Utd. Patrick Murphy 44 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:16:59 Peter Beardsley made one appearance for Man Utd in October 1982, a league cup match against Bournemouth, which United won 2-0, thanks to an own goal by Harry Redknapp (28') and Frank Stapleton (88'). I'm sorry for missing him out, I will write a thousand lines "I will not post anything unless it is gospel and I have checked out every single clubs records in detail." :) I did write "with probably a few more who don't immediately spring to mind"!!! Dave Williams 45 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:19:35 We're just enjoying trying to think of anyone else, Patrick you set the hare running, that's all.We'd never be able to out-do you on this sort of stuff! Liam Reilly 46 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:28:00 I didn't think Beardsley ever turned out for United competitively; even though it's used as a quiz question as who played for all 4 clubs.A good window so far, but will be interesting to see how much more Moshiri spends as it will be cheaper in the summer and we've little to play for. I'm not convinced that 7th will be enough for the Europa League. Rob Halligan 47 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:43:38 How about John O'Kane... didn't he play for Man Utd and Everton? Tony Sullivan 48 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:49:52 Patrick (#44) What about Ted Buckle, early '50s, one for the oldies? Patrick Murphy 49 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:52:42 Rob, I had O'Kane in the original list but good shout. Tony, I'm getting on but not quite that vintage I assume Johnny Carey played for Everton and Man Utd too? Bill Watson 50 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:55:16 Patrick (#49),Carey played for Man Utd but not Everton. He was the Blackburn Rovers manager before he came to us. Soren Moyer 51 Posted 12/01/2017 at 18:58:53 Greate news. Now get rid of Kone et al! Stephen Brown 52 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:02:22 3-5-2: HowardNeville Higgins Gidman Kanchelskis Schneiderlin Hughes Fellaini WhitesideRooney Beardsley A bit weak at the back but Championship material? Schneiderlin is a good signing and is at a good enough level for other potential signings to sit up and see we mean business! Bill Watson 53 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:04:35 Tony (#48),Ted Buckle was before my time but I worked with him in the 1970s in Standard Triumph, Speke. Jimmy Tansey also worked there.Of course, they had the misfortune to play in an era when players had to get a job when they finished: usually a pub or a newsagent or, often, anything they could get. Geoff Hurst, a World Cup winner, worked as a Co-op Insurance agent when he finished.Different world! Rob Halligan 54 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:04:50 Sorry Patrick. Never saw it. Patrick Murphy 55 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:05:36 Bill (#50), Thanks for that, however, during the war ,Carey made two guest appearances for the Blues in February 1943 as Everton beat Southport 8-3 and 10-2. He also played against Everton 3 times that season. Denis Richardson 56 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:06:29 Amazing what a manager with some balls achieves. I can imagine Koeman saying "Back me or I'm off".Also can imagine he's told a few of the squad some home truths and the garbage is finally being put out. Don't really want to see Barry starting another match so hopefully we're not done on the transfer front yet. Creative mid and a striker and I'll be over the moon.Two in and we're not even half-way through the transfer window! Times really have changed. Gordon Roberts 57 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:15:11 Eager to see if the Schneiderlin/Gana partnership has a positive impact on Ross. Lookman and possibly Depay on either flank would be an interesting proposition also. Soren Moyer 58 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:20:02 We still need a goalkeeper, a defender and a striker. Trevor Peers 59 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:22:59 Interesting choices for Koeman when Gana returns, could be Ross who has to make way, with Davies the creative option. Patrick Murphy 60 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:23:50 As far as I'm aware, the last Everton player to score for the Toffees first team, whilst sporting the No 2 jersey was Steve Watson when he scored his hat-trick against Leeds in September 2003. Not surprising given that the shirt has only been worn by Krøldrup and Hibbo since then. A hat-trick by the new lad on Sunday and a 4-0 win would be fantastic... :) Darren Hind 61 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:28:31 Patrick, If memory serves me right; Mark Higgins (very good player) was forced into early retirement through injury. His insurance company paid him out, but he forfeit the payment to have another go with Ron Atkinson at Man Utd. Didn't last long.Not a hundred percent sure on the details, hopefully somebody will have a clearer recollection than me. Bill Watson 62 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:29:00 Patrick (#55), I never knew that! One who went the other way was John Gidman.It looks like Moshiri could be the real deal. A real quality signing! Darren Hind 63 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:31:37 Dave Williams, Sorry Mate, missed your post (#31). Alex Parr 64 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:41:12 Thrilled with this signing, loved him at Saints and was gutted we weren't in the market for him when he went to Man Utd. Welcome Morgan! Dave Abrahams 65 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:41:34 Patrick (#49), yes, I couldn't expect you to get Ted Buckle. He came around 1949. I saw him play one Saturday afternoon for Man Unt Reserves at Goodison the next week, he played for Everton versus Man Utd in a First Division game. Both matches finished up 0-0. Ted cost about ٥k... he was later transferred to Exeter City. Jonathan Tasker 66 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:45:38 Funny how we had to loan out Cleverley before this deal was confirmed.Any chance of buying some decent goalkeepers? Chris Corn 67 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:46:44 Darren (#61), I remember Higgins played for Man Utd against us at Old Trafford in 86.I think it was a 0-0 draw in the Lineker season. He came down our end to get his applause and got roundly abused for being a traitor. His face was a picture. Steven Sturm 68 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:56:55 Hmm... He's getting Hibbo's #2... Does this mean that Schneiderlin will never score for us? Tony Sullivan 69 Posted 12/01/2017 at 19:59:12 Patrick (#49), Dave (#65)My early 50s memories of Ted Buckle were he played without his false teeth in and always looked knackered. Different era, but I had the impression that he was always given a hard time by our fans of that era. Maybe much doesn't change. Alan Humphreys 71 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:03:53 Steven (68) the thought of a midfielder wearing No 2 on his back has set my kid off. Hasn't been like this we had Eto'o as No 5... Mike Berry 73 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:14:16 Great news. But due to lack of match fitness, I bet we don't see him until end of February. Time for Ross boy to show? James Marshall 74 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:15:01 His stats speak volumes most tackles and interceptions of any Premier League player since 2012. Gana had the most for 2016 the blue wall! Alan Bodell 75 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:18:56 Mention of John Gidman on here and a few months ago, while skimming channels, I came across a mini-doc about his career and this was after Howard Kendall left us. Oh wow... Gidman hated Kendall with a passion and said some really nasty stuff about him which was totally out of the blue for me.Sorry to go off topic here but it may be of interest to some Blues. Chris Leyland 76 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:22:19 He's been given Hibbo's shirt number and Niasse's locker. John Pierce 77 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:23:34 You'd hope having two athletic, capable central midfielders will move Everton up the pitch a good £10-15m. This has to be good news for Lukaku and Barkley. Getting that ball in better situations closer to goal will only accentuate the positives there. The interesting thing for me is will Koeman move to a back 3 with wing backs? Devoid of pace unless Holgate is in the side, Koeman looks like he only feels happy with Holgate in a three. if not I expect a quick centre-half to be in before deadline day. Colin Glassar 78 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:29:03 Niasse only had a bin bag, Chris. Dave Abrahams 79 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:29:12 Tony (#69) had me smiling to myself, your description of Ted Buckle. Yes, he looked like death warmed up but he had a tremendous shot with either foot, but he did look knackered, as you said, and looked like he could collapse at any second. Nevertheless, he scored some important goals for the Blues. Patrick (if he's finished his tea) might come up with his goal record for Everton. Gordon Roberts 80 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:39:54 John (#77)Virgil van Dijk??? Bill Watson 81 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:40:37 Let Patrick finish his tea in peace lol.Ted Buckle: 107 League and Cup appearances and 33 goals. Jonathan Miller 82 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:44:00 Anyone mention Brian Kidd? Bill Watson 83 Posted 12/01/2017 at 20:48:26 Jonathan (#82),Didn't Kidd come via Man City? Alastair Donaldson 85 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:34:07 Good signing; is he just the 2nd ever Frenchman we've had... thinking it was Madar previously? Would have to think we are strong in defence and defensive mid positions, and it's undoubtedly the creative midfield influence we desperately need.Payet is a superb player... but!!!I would bite my own hand off for Gylfi Sigurdsson fits the profile perfectly. Creative, strong running, dead ball specialist... mentally solid. He would inspire the Icelandic in us all... uuuuuuummpph. or however the chant goes.New goalie too please. Ian Guignet 86 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:38:24 Nope; Ginola was French. Patrick Murphy 87 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:45:02 Sylvain Distin and Oliver Dacourt were both French, Alastair... as were David Ginola, Louis Saha and Magueye Gueye. Alex Parr 88 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:45:56 Johnathan (66), I think we are heavily incumbered by FFP rules around pay. We shift Niasse and Cleverley off the books and that's £100k roughly freed up per week that we can then use as wages for the new players. For once, I think (or I hope) that its not a matter of spending the money, its doing the right deals to shift around players in order to meet the imposed budgetary requirements (free up wages) rather simply than not stumping up the cash.Anyone with a better knowledge of FFP care to confirm or correct me? Mike Galley 89 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:46:14 Alastair,We had David Ginola. I think Oliver Dacourt was French as well, if my memory serves me right. Ian Hams 90 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:51:00 Damn, Mike, you beat me to it although I forgot about Dacourt. Jonathan Miller 91 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:52:31 Here's one for you blue noses! Players that captained Everton and Arsenal? John G Davies 92 Posted 12/01/2017 at 21:56:44 Patrick Murphy.Very quick, mate.I will set the ball rolling.Italians? John G Davies 93 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:02:55 Bruce Rioch?Alan Ball Geoff Trenner 94 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:03:47 Matterazzi, Ferrari Geoff Trenner 95 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:04:44 Keown, Arteta Andrew Ellams 96 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:05:05 Mikal Madar was French. Pistone was Italian too. Geoff Trenner 97 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:05:58 Samson? Geoff Trenner 98 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:07:15 George Wood? Terence Beresford 99 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:08:19 Can we riot when he scores and pretend it's Hibbo?On Payet, I would love every club to come on and say they wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. Money-grabbing prick. John G Davies 100 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:10:38 Wasn't Guiseppe Max Moore Italian American on his mama's side? Peter Laing 101 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:12:45 Whispers doing the rounds about Virgil van Dijk. Tamhas Woods 102 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:12:54 (#91)... Bally. John G Davies 103 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:12:59 Sorry.Joe had an American/German heritage Brent Stephens 104 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:25:31 Jonathan men's or women's football? Tony Hill 105 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:29:35 Peter (#101), my God, I hope so. Now that would be a declaration. David Barks 106 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:34:37 I think we need to have a moratorium around anyone mentioning Financial Fair Play. It's being thrown around as an excuse for anything and everything but nobody actually really understands what exactly are the regulations and where Everton sit in regards to being compliant. Enough. Colin Glassar 107 Posted 12/01/2017 at 22:45:00 Van Dijk and a winger/forward would make this one of the best transfer windows in a long, long time. Ray Roche 108 Posted 12/01/2017 at 23:13:16 Tommy Lawton? Neil Wood 109 Posted 12/01/2017 at 23:40:40 Only one option for me to bring in as a forward. Falcao. The man is a beast and was unfortunate in his first spell. I know it's pie in the sky but that's who I would be buying. You don't lose that kind of talent, as he is now proving for Monaco. Julian Wait 110 Posted 13/01/2017 at 00:54:16 Great news. Just got in from the states today and we're headed up for the weekend for my first game since Southampton away last season. I'd take another 3-0 win and to see Schneiderlin play. :-) (Here's hoping the snow stays away!) Anthony Dwyer 111 Posted 13/01/2017 at 01:01:24 Colin Glassar;I don't think Van Dijk is worth the fee being branded about for him if I'm honest, I do rate him but not in the 㿏m+ bracket.I'd love to see us bring in some players of his age and ability, I just think we missed our chance with him when available from Celtic, his price now is just crazy.If we do happen to spend that type of money on a player, I'd love it to be a top class attacking player who could compliment Rom, not exactly sure who but we pay people good wages to pick these players. (Just don't let the guy who scouted Niasse use our funds!)Goalkeeper and striker/attacking mid would be my choice 2.If Ronny does go with a centre-half, though, I'd really hope it isn't Fonte. Mick Davies 112 Posted 13/01/2017 at 01:04:11 Jonathan @ 91, Joe Mercer? Mark Andersson 113 Posted 13/01/2017 at 01:16:22 I have to eat a slice of humble pie. Didn't think the board would back Ron too much. Only pride to play for now so I don't see any improvement. Summer transfer window is the next thing to look forward to. Brian Wilkinson 114 Posted 13/01/2017 at 03:30:39 Patrick@ 10 what about a player who scored our fastest ever FA Cup Final goal, Louis Saha if no one else has mentioned him playing for both clubs. Dan Egerton 115 Posted 13/01/2017 at 05:57:50 "Seven new players brought in by Koeman now and good reason to suspect more might follow before the end of the month."Koeman has brought in 8 players in total (albeit one on loan). Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie, Idrissa Gueye, Maarten Stekelenburg, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman and Enner Valencia (loan). I agree I think we'll have at least 2 maybe 3 come in this window and perhaps 1 more leaving. I want Galloway back for rotation. John G Davies 116 Posted 13/01/2017 at 07:11:11 He is getting there slowly but surely, Dan.When he gets his own squad is the time to judge him. Sam Hoare 117 Posted 13/01/2017 at 07:44:52 Van Dijk will almost certainly go to a Champions League club given his performances this season. We could have got him instead of Mori...too late now.I would still Iove Koulibaly. Tah at Leverkusen looks a real gem too. Someone big and fast to command the centre of our defense. One of my favourite Everton players was Joseph Yobo. He had a few slips in him and got a bit stale but at times he was a one man fortress and much of our solidity under Moyes was thanks to him initially. Tony Draper 118 Posted 13/01/2017 at 08:15:07 Very happy with this signing.Now I still want a top-drawer keeper, beast of a centre-half, midfield tiger and a proper No 10 (like Inchy). Tony Draper 119 Posted 13/01/2017 at 08:25:59 Sam @117.Yep. I was a big fan of Joseph. Too much mileage made of his occasional slip ups (stones makes more goofs in 45 mins than Joseph managed in half a season, and he always will).However, I want a real fuckin beast of a centre half !Someone with character, presence and who intimidates not only the opposition, but his team mates.Put an end to "Nice Everton"!Ratters was the business, fast as fuck, determined but with the ruthlessness of an assassin. Ask Kevin Moran. Knocked him out cold on the centre spot in the opening minute. Loved that!Plus, he scored for me at "Our Old Ground" against "The Whale hunters". Mike Keating 120 Posted 13/01/2017 at 09:18:17 Patrick Murphy,Here's one that got away: Alfred John Schofield (A.J) sometimes Joe Schofield played for Everton from August 1895 till August 1900 and then transferred to Newton Heath. According to my friend, James Rees, who is a descendant; 'He then went to Newton Heath which then became Man Utd, and played for them till 1907. His first match with United was against Glossop on 01-09-07. He had 157 appearances for Man Utd in the league and 22 in cup matches. (Total 179). He scored 30 league goals and 5 cup goals for them (Total 35)'James inherited a medal awarded for the 'Football Combination Championship' with AJ's name on one side and the Everton logo on the other.We tried in vain to unearth a photo of him in his Everton days but could only find one in Man Uretd strip. If anyone has one let me know.This really is one for the pub quiz in the Wilmslow. Aidy Dews 121 Posted 13/01/2017 at 09:26:46 I'm really happy with the Schneiderlin signing, think on his day he's a great player and will be a really good player for us, especially when he gets his partnership with Gueye up and running!I really hope that isn't our spending done but I suppose it depends on the kind of players were after?! Koeman did say he only wants his No 1 targets this month and if he can't get them then he will go without and won't just bring players in to make do. So if we are in for say, Van Dijk, then we won't be signing him or another centre-back I bet even though imo we desperately need one!Still think we need some better quality brought in for out wide. I think we will probably see Depay come in. Koeman wouldn't make the noises he did about him leading up to January and then not go through with trying to get him surely?! This one could drag out throughout the window though as I think we probably fancy a loan right now compared to a permanent deal. But we could do with a better option for down the right. What we have at our disposal currently just isn't good enough imo so we need some quality out there.We look to be wanting to get a target man through the door this month in Belfodil and tbh I don't know a great deal about him. I know a few years ago he did okay at Parma and earned a move to Inter but that didn't work out and from there he moved from club to club and ended up in the Middle East and then released from there and now he's at Standard Liege and seems to of found a bit of form. But previous to that his record wasn't great, not the most prolific goal scorer you ever see but obviously Walsh and his team have seen something in the lad to recommend him to Koeman and Koeman likes enough about him to want to sign him so I guess we need to trust their judgement.I think Koeman is wanting a centre-forwardin the Pelle mould that can hold the ball up and link play, get our attacking players more into the game in the final third. We all know that part of the game isn't a strong point of Lukaku's and he struggles and it looks like Koeman is trying to bring someone in to help take up some of that burden off of Rom in games, wether that's playing directly upfront with him from the off or from off the bench at times.But if we only end up signing Lookman, Schneiderlin, Belfodil & possibly Depay, would we all be happy with that? That alone could be a big lay out but personally I think we will need more than that. Add a centre-back and another, more first team ready winger to that list and for this month I'd be more than happy with that. Then come the summer it would be about fine tuning and we could go and get another centre-back, a top goalkeeper, a creative central midfielder that chips in with goals and a couple more better quality squad fillers (right-back & left-back competition, centre-forward option) to sort the team out a bit more. Patrick Murphy 122 Posted 13/01/2017 at 09:57:26 Interesting stuff Mike @ 120 – here's a link to his Man Utd career details: Alfred Schofield at Man UtdThe Everton collection has a photo of the 1897-98 team, it's not very clear and doesn't have a list of the players in the photo. It probably doesn't include Alf, as he didn't appear for Everton too often, during that season, but you never know.1897-98 team photoThe first mention of him to appear on the excellent Blue Correspondent site is in Sept 1895 as he played in a reserve match against Leek.Blue Correspondent Sept 1895 Brian Denton 123 Posted 13/01/2017 at 10:00:05 Bill Watson (53) I was reminded by your post of a tale my mum told me once. Apparently she met Jimmy Tansey at an event when he was a player. Some days later she was out at the British Legion with my dad and various wives and husbands. When she proudly told them that she'd shook hands with Tansey all the men smirked.Apparently "Shaking hands with Tansey" was service slang for something rude... Adam McManus 124 Posted 13/01/2017 at 10:08:21 It's all good news and hopefully the other rumours for the lad from Standard Liege come to fruition as well. Either way, we should be happy something is being done about the standard of football, which has been shocking and shite in equal measure. I'm pleased about the news and we'll see how they perform against Man City this weekend. Joe Digney 125 Posted 13/01/2017 at 13:07:14 Apparently Stoke will part with Bojan for the right offer. He's the kind of player we need a creative midfielder/forward. He showed his quality before he got injured when he had a run in the team. Brian Williams 126 Posted 13/01/2017 at 15:35:31 Schneiderlin is making all the right noises again, this time about Ross Barkley. Says he's going to help him be the player everyone expects him to be and set him up for assists and goals.I know talk is cheap but I love it when someone at least has the decency to make the right noises. Martin Nicholls 127 Posted 13/01/2017 at 15:56:24 Terence (#99), I like your sentiments on Payet but it's far too late now. Clubs should have taken such action back in 1999 when Pierre van Hooijdonk did the same to Forest as Payet is now doing to WHU. By failing to stand behind Forest then, they allowed the genie that is player power out of the bottle. Tom Bowers 128 Posted 13/01/2017 at 16:05:17 Yep, I hope Payet gets to languish in the Hammers 'B' team until his contract runs out. When it expires, his age may prevent bigger clubs from getting in a bidding war for him.Sadly, that won't happen and the Hammers will be forced to ship him out as they won't want to pay his big wages too long as a non-starter although there may be a stipulation in some contracts about wages being frozen upon refusal to play. Guy Hastings 129 Posted 13/01/2017 at 17:20:59 Should have retired the No 2 shirt when Hibbo went. Michael Kenrick Editorial Team 130 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:17:01 Patrick (#122),If your links don't work, after the "Everton" issue you've identified before, the second cause seems to be a line break [br] in HTML-speak creeping in at the start of the embedded link that may be the cause. Just saying! 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