Funes Mori sold to Villarreal

Thursday, 21 Jun, 2018 154comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton have confirmed that Ramiro Funes Mori has left the club to join Villarreal for an undisclosed fee.

The Argentina international leaves after three years with the Blues having signed under Roberto Martinez from River Plate back for £9.5 million. It has been reported in Spain that the fee taking him to Spain is €9m (~£8m).

In all he made 67 appearances for Everton, scoring five goals, but missed the end of the 2016-17 season and almost all of last season following two surgeries to correct torn meniscus in one of his knees.

Funes Mori appeared destined to join his brother Rogelio in Mexico when a report emerged last month that he was close to an agreement with Monterrey but he has made a move to La Liga instead.

The 27-year-old is the first player to be sold under the new management team of Marcel Brands and Marco Silva. He has signed a four-year contract with Villarreal.

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Reader Comments (154)

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Steve Ferns
1 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:33:45
Ramiro Funes Mori just left. Good luck mate
Dave Cook
2 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:35:55
We need to cut down on players, eh?

So with Jags and Williams past it, the leaves us with Keane. We playing one at the back now?

Brent Stephens
3 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:37:28
Villarreal in for Funes Mori.
Steve Ferns
4 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:39:15
Williams will play his first game for 5 months, if he plays in August. Would that be like a new signing?!
Jason Conlan
5 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:51:24
If he has been let go it's because Brands and Silva have it in hand this isn't the same old Everton
Minik Hansen
6 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:53:22
Nooo.. liked his passion. Thought he would be motivated by the arrival of Silva, being latino and all and get back to his best. But I see the point, if we replace him with a proven defender, I'll be happy again.
Dick Brady
7 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:56:25
Dave Cook, We only have one centre-back now?? For some reason, you don't include Williams and Jagielka. You are also just forgetting possibly our best centre-back, Mason Holgate?

Then you have forgotten Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning. And what about promising youngsters Morgan Feeney, Lewis Gibson or Matty Foulds? Plus there's plenty of time for Brands & Silva to bring in a new centre-back.

I think we'll be covered for centre-backs come the start of the season.

Alan Bodell
8 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:01:24
I liked his energy and agression that all in his position need but like so many that we get - it just doesn't work, he'll probably do well in Spain, good luck as he never shirked even when he wasn't on top of his game and fuck you RS, he thought he was doing things natural, he came from River Plate after all.
Hugh Jenkins
9 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:03:22
Holgate stepping up?

Neither he nor Keane are naturally left footed.

Perhaps Jags is being kept as a back-up.

I understood that Williams had been told he can leave.

Both Galloway and Browning are back from loan and both did pretty well for us previously when promoted to the first team they only seemed to fail when out on loan.

We are also still being mentioned in the hunt for De Ligt from Ajax - although at £50m for an 18 year old, it is a bit of a risk.

If all else fails, as Jason at 5 says, if the deal is done for Mori, Brands / Silva must be pretty satisfied they have a definite solid back-up plan in place, before they let him go.

What I do like about this move is that there has not even been a sniff of it in the gossip columns - till the deal is done.

That is how it should be and hopefully heralds the new "Everton Way".

Dermot Byrne
10 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:04:04
I sniff change and like the smell.
Steve Ferns
11 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:06:01
Who’s going to do the late night BBQs now?
Colin Glassar
12 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:06:20
Good riddance. He was rubbish.
Jack Convery
13 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:14:01
Good luck but his actions in that derby made me sick.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

14 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:20:06
Agree with Jason @5.

If he has been let go it's because Brands and Silva have a replacement (or two) lined up for centre back, as well as willing to give more game time to our young 'uns already on the books.

Brian Williams
15 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:21:34
Don't much like the old "undisclosed" fee malarkey. Usually means either the selling team don't want to advertise how low the fee was or the buying club don't want to advertis how high a fee they've paid.
Wonder which one this is???????
Eric Paul
16 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:32:48
What actions were they Jack ?
James Morgan
17 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:33:16
A decent player but not really suited to the PL. Good luck, Ramiro.
Fran Mitchell
18 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:35:55
First of many I assume.

He'll suit the Spanish league more.

Unfortunately Williams is injured, so won't be going anywhere soon. But very much doubt he'llbe anywhere near the first team when fit, January free transfer move for him.

Very much expect someone to come in.

I wonder if Jags will stay as back up and move into the coaching set up? I'm sure he probably feels he can still do a very decent job, especially at someone like Fulham, Huddersfield, Bournmouth and the like. Maybe a move would be a good move for all.

Dave Williams
19 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:40:48
It seemed to me that people forgot how error prone he was when faced with the dire defensive displays from Williams and co last season.
Not a first team player for me and hopefully we got most of our money back. Williams, MIrallas next please!
Kunal Desai
20 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:41:47
Good. Hopefully the start of shovelling shite out of the exit door.
Tommy Surgenor
21 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:53:05
Disappointed to see him go. He was our only left footed CB and I enjoyed his passion.

However, is he a top 6 player? No! Therefore he had to go. Just thought others would have been out the door before him.

I think we don’t want to be embarrassed by how low the fee is. I’m guessing we’ve took a big hit on him.

Gary Carter
22 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:56:29
We still have Holgate, Keane, and Jagielka with back-up of Galloway and Browning. I would expect Browning and / or Galloway to be sold too, probably Browning as he's 23 and just hasn't made it for us. Galloway out on another loan when we bring someone in which – with a new management team and Jags being old – we almost certainly will.
Brian Williams
23 Posted 21/06/2018 at 20:59:37
Eric#16.
He's referring to the atrocious tackle in the derby on Origi and the stupid badge antics on his way off after being red carded.
Martin Nicholls
24 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:08:28
All very well saying Brands has someone lined up but didn't we all complain (rightly so) when Lukaku was sold be to a replacement was actually signed? And we saw how that ended.
David McMullen
25 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:11:09
Had a bit of passion but he was average and error prone at times we need to off load quite a few players he's the start aye. Like the way this has been done.
Mark Pringle
26 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:12:00
Quite liked him when he came at first, home leg of semi v Man City he was excellent (mind you so was Besic). A threat in the opposition box and although left footed he was more Mountfield than Ratcliffe. Unfortunately, proved to be too error prone and ultimately not fit often enough. Good business and I'm sure Marco and Marcel have it all under control. First of many to go, Williams, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Mirallas, Bolasie all next hopefully. The revolution has begun!!!
David Gallant
27 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:17:22
So long Ramiro, and all the best. I had such high hopes when we signed him, but he never really convinced. Not suited to the Premier League and may be better in La Liga.

Keane, Jags and Holgate (who I mentioned on another thread reminds me of a young Des Walker) will be our first three CB's, with one being targeted to come in. I hope Holgate gets more game time because I really rate him, but I guess it depends on who comes in. Will it be someone ready to go straight into the first team, or a younger player to compete with the 3 mentioned above.

Now lets get rid of Mirallas, Williams, Bolasie, Klaassen and Rooney . . .

Darren Hind
28 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:26:48
The finest exponent of the ossie pass in the premiership. Villarreal players are in for a treat
Christine Foster
29 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:43:35
Good luck to the guy, he played to his best and gave it all. Sorry he didn't make it but there are a lot more I would get rid of before home. I liked the fact he could score too always useful!
There are alot more deserving of fans devisive comments though.
Stephen Davies
30 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:50:06
Report that we got €20m for him. Unbelievable if true!!!
Derek Knox
31 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:50:59
I wish him all the best, and just hope we got a decent deal for him, more importantly, I hope as some have said already, there is/are a replacement/s in the pipeline.

He was unlucky with his injury, and missed a lot of game time, ironically when we needed him the most.

Brian Williams
32 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:52:19
Where's that report Stephen, the Viz?

Unbelievable is right. If it IS true lets get a few more on the move clubs must have money to burn.

John Fieldstead
33 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:55:57
Adios, Ramiro, and good luck! I didn't mind him and I think if Williams was fit, this could have been our second departure.

I do like the way it has been announced and it hasn't been a prolonged transfer. The gossip column before had Tony Pulis bidding £5 million for him. Shows how much they know, or not? Maybe this is a sign of things to come?

Chris Gould
34 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:01:39
Wow, that was done under the radar. Brands has got his feet firmly under the table.

I feel totally at ease with this guy calling the shots. Never felt that way with Walsh.

Ian Bennett
35 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:04:36
£17m/€20m would seem a fair deal for someone who has been out for 12 months injured.

Carry on the cull – Robles, Funes Mori, Rooney...

Peter Thistle
36 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:15:07
Better have a replacement lined up cos the other lot at the back are utter rubbish. Funes Mori would have been the last one I woulda sold.
Danny Baily
37 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:18:37
#27, going into the new season with just Keane, Jags and Holgate plus another at centre-back sounds a bit risky to me.
Andy King
38 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:19:15
I liked Funes Mori and always wanted to see him play alongside a sweeper style defender. He clearly wanted to attack every header but was generally hamstrung by being the younger centre half. As such he was usually tasked with covering the runner instead so we'll never know.
It's probably more hope than anything else but I love how this business was done. Gossip column says he's going to Boro and seemingly out of nowhere he goes to Villareal. Now I'm hoping rumours of us being linked to a young lad from Hull actually mean we'll sign Hazard. I know, I know, but it does feel a bit different to what we've been used to...
Bill Whity
39 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:32:26
Mangala anyone?
Brendan Fox
40 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:39:10
The start of the clear out hopefully. Thanks for the effort and passion Ramiro but it just didn't work out for either you or the club, all the best at Valencia.

Despite not knowing the money received from Valencia I like others am happy that the first any of us heard about this is when the deals been done, I hope this is the way the club will conduct it's business going forward.

There will likely be a good few more following Ramiro out of the door, especially if the club is offered what it deems a good offer be it to cut the losses/make a small profit and to reduce the wage bill at the same time. Whether the players not deemed upto the standard required be it due to their lack of quality or their attitude.

Tom Bowers
41 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:49:56
Now we know they need another centre-back to partner Keane.

Jagielka still has ability but isn't getting better and they really have to get someone as Holgate is not a viable alternative.

Hopefully this is the start of some wheels turning in the right direction.

Steve Dawson
42 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:53:31
Maybe an opportunity for Morgan Feeney?
Steve Ferns
43 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:58:00
Don't forget Feeney guys. This lad is meant to be ready to step up. Sure he ain't first choice ready, but he can be fourth choice behind Keane, Holgate, and Jags. But I would be surprised if we don't sign someone at centre-half now.
David Gallant
44 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:59:17
4 centre-backs seems adequate to me, Danny Baily (#37) – only two can play at any given time (unless he goes 3 at the back) and I think I read somewhere that Silva did mention his ideal set-up is at least two players competing for every position.

Also, there may be guys from the youth setup who could step up at a push.

Sam Hoare
45 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:00:46
A fit and firing Funes Mori would be one of our best defenders in my opinion. £17m is good business though and can go towards a left-footed centre-back that Brands and Silva think highly of.
Paul Kossoff
46 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:02:51
Awaiting with bated breath contract extension for Williams, Jagielka and Baines, oh, and our Number 2 keeper, Stekelenburg.
Brian Williams
47 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:08:33
Where's the £17m figure coming from, other than post #30?
Paul Birmingham
48 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:13:08
Hopefully the start of a busy transfer window, but this time we get proven players. I reckon Marcel does his research and homework before buying players. Let’s see.
Jon Hirshman
49 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:13:16
Shame, I liked him and thought he was quite a good defender who was our best Central Defender in the air and was also dangerous in the oppositions penalty area.

He certainly wasn't shit and was unlucky with injuries. I think Argentina could have done with him tonight. Good luck to him. We now need to sign a replacement.

Bill Gienapp
50 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:14:08
Not the first player I would have pushed out the door, but wouldn't have been particularly high on my "to keep" list either. Good luck to him.
Si Cooper
51 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:20:10
Didn't think he would be out so early. If Brands and Silva are responsible, then it follows that they are looking at a whole new standard for the squad and are very confident of bringing players in. Fingers crossed.
Rob Dolby
52 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:24:52
I would have kept him but obviously he wanted away. Williams and Keane must be breathing a sigh of relief.

We can't go into the season relying on Jags again... can we?

Laurie Hartley
53 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:26:15
I expect Ashley Williams will be next. Then I expect us to sign someone who can step straight into the first team as left-sided centre-back.
Liam Reilly
54 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:31:52
Good luck to the lad but coming back from that injury, talk of £17M or £20M is just nonsense.

Not the first I'd have gotten shot of in that aging defense; so I hope the dynamic duo have an ace up their sleeve.

Brian Cleveland
55 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:37:37
Got to laugh at all the crappy "journalism" that has linked us with every player under the sun coming in, and where everyone of our players will go to... and yet not a single one of them got a sniff of this until it was done and dusted.

I thought there was a dotted line between every player and every club now, how did this one get missed?! Anyway, I like it, the way it should be done.

I was never a big fan, he always looked ungainly and on the point of messing up, but best of luck to him.

James Stewart
56 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:45:02
@43, that is a truly scary post! The thought of going into a season with those 4 as our centre-back options is terrifying.

Keane – one of the worst defenders I have ever seen, the guy has no pace, is shit in the air, and that is when he isn't ducking out of heading it.

Jagielka – no longer first choice option due to age.

Holgate – rookie, very doubtful he will fill out enough to be centre-back.

Feeney – who knows he's barely kicked a ball for the first team.

We need two first-choice centre-backs in my opinion!

Terry White
57 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:45:38
Say something positive for once, Peter (#36). Or...
Steve Ferns
58 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:49:12
@Brian #55, a lot of the "rumours" in the press come from agents. Sometimes they leak transfers to put pressure on clubs to meet demands.
- eg Look Everton, Chelsea are coming in so you better sign this quick
- or Look Everton we want an extra £5k a week, Chelsea are interested now, you'll know they'll offer more

Or perhaps, the player wants a move:
- eg: Everton need a left back, I'll tell my mate who works for the Sun that Everton are in for you, that'll alert them and we can let them know you have a release fee they can afford
- or: I'm going to speak to my friend at the Sun and tell him Everton are interested, it'll bounce around a few more papers, and then maybe some other clubs like Bournemouth might be interested and then we can get a buzz going for you, and you never know maybe Everton will be interested afterall

There's a lot of stuff generated by agents for lots of different reasons.

Chris Watts
59 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:49:39
Looks like the purge is coming in chronological order with Martinez signings going first... :)

Seriously, though, this is good news: the defence never seemed secure with Funes Mori – he would not have been first choice. Next up: Besic, Williams, Schneiderlin, Bolasie, Rooney, Mirallas, Niasse, and McCarthy are next. I'd say Klaassen as well but he's clearly only worth half of what we paid so maybe we'll give him a go or use him as a makeweight. Likewise Sandro.

One thing I've noticed is Premier League teams are not seemingly desperate to sign our players. Walsh & Koeman must have cost this club a fortune. I'd be happy to jettison the players above and sign 4 top players and just give it a go next season.

Si Cooper
60 Posted 21/06/2018 at 23:51:12
Rob, I'm not sure you can conclude this is the player's will being manifested. In fact, I would be greatly alarmed if players like Funes Mori weren't prepared to give the Brands - Silva combination at least until the end of the year to see what they can offer.

If it's decisive management... great; if it's player power on the rise, then things are getting worse.

Gaute Lie
61 Posted 22/06/2018 at 00:11:47
Very sorry to see him go. But the best for his future. Bet he'll shine there (Spain).
Nick Armitage
62 Posted 22/06/2018 at 00:25:51
So it begins. All I care about is making Everton better and him leaving does that. Normally there's a bit of emotion when a player leaves, it could be relief, anger or sadness. But here there's nothing. Nothing other than thinking who is next?
Gavin Johnson
63 Posted 22/06/2018 at 00:28:40
Good news. Good on his day but always had rash judgment and wasn't a top 6 defender. Now sack Williams off and bring in 1 quality centre-back. It's Lascelles for me!

I'm also liking the new link with Loftus-Cheek. A complete midfielder who can defend and attack. A rare commodity in a midfielder these days.

Simon Dalzell
64 Posted 22/06/2018 at 00:47:09
Good news. The kind of 'average' player we need rid of to compete at the top.

His nauseating Falklands rant was enough to sack him alone. Lovely to watch Croatia hammer the Argies.

Michael Gaynes
65 Posted 22/06/2018 at 01:01:08
I am actually pretty shocked that he's not going to Mexico. I had thought that the Monterey deal was nailed on. It was a chance to play not only with his brother but with his friends from Argentina league football.

But perhaps he thinks that the higher visibility of Spain will help him regain his place in the Argentine national team picture. Based on today, They sure as hell have some openings! Anyway, I wish him the best.

Steve Ferns
66 Posted 21/06/2018 at 01:01:47
Marco Silva's Centre-Backs:

Watford (in order of how often they played for Silva)
Kabasele - 27yrs, 187cm, right foot
Mariappa - 31, 180cm, right foot
Prodl - 30, 194, right foot
Britos - 32, 189cm, left foot
Wague - 27, 191cm, right foot
Note - Silva didn't sign any of them or anyone to play centre back and had injuries to Prodl and Britos for extended periods.

Hull, in order of games played:
Maguire - 23, 194cm, right
Ranocchia - 28, 195, right
Dawson - 32, 189, right
Davies - 31, 188, right
Note - Silva signed Italian international Ranocchia from Inter on Loan, he is still on the fringe of things for Inter and now 30 years of age.

Olympiacos, in order of games played:
da Costa - 30 yrs, 191cm, right foot
Siovas - 29, 191, left
Botia - 29, 188, right
Vouras - 23, 183, right
- Note da Costa was bought for £1.8m - He was previously bought by Sam Allardyce for West Ham in 2011 (4 seasons before) - note currently playing for Morocco in the World Cup.
- Also, Goutas was signed for £700k. He was a 21 year old Greek, signed when Silva had just joined and moved on loan to another Greek side in Jan, barely playing a game (sounds like a transfer nothing to do with Silva).

Sporting, in order of games played:
Oliveira - 22 yrs, 187cm, right foot
Mauricio - 29, 185, right
Figuiredo - 24, 188, right
Sarr - 20, 196, left
Ewerton - 29, 188, left
- Note: Oliveira was bought for £1.62m, he was just 22.
- Also: Sarr was bought for £900k, they doubled their money at the end of the season selling him to Charlton.
- And: Ewerton was signed aged 25 at the time, on loan for 6 months from January, before Sporting signed him at the end of the season properly.


Estoril, in order of games played (only players with more than 30 games listed):
Vitorria - 31 years old (now), 195cm, right
Tavares - 30, 188, right
Fernandes - 32, 187, right

If you're wondering what cm is in old money then:
6'0" is 183cm
6'1" is 185cm
6'2" is 188cm
6'3" is 191cm
6'4" is 193cm
6'5" is 196cm

I think we can tell a pattern that Silva plays and signs big centre-backs. At least 6'2" or 188cm.

What about our present squad:
Keane - 25 years, 189cm, right foot
Funes Mori - 27, 186, left foot
Holgate - 21, 187, right * listed from 184-187cm but the lad is clearly young and growing!


Williams - 33, 183, right
Jagielka - 35, 180, right
Browning - 24, 180, right
Pennington - 23, 185, right
Feeney - 19, 190, right * height unknown - value comes from FIFA!
Gibson - 17, 185, left
Foulds - 20, 180, left * left back now?

Quite Simply, if Silva does prefer height at the back, then we've quite a small side, and maybe this is why Silva is moving on Funes Mori, so expect some height to be brought in

James Hopper
67 Posted 22/06/2018 at 01:07:59
Sorry to see him go. Not a world beater but maybe the best of what we have, on his day.

I'm surprised we've let him go right now given what it leaves us with:

Keane – I still think he could come good but he was responsible for a lot of mistakes last season
Williams – Just an all-round embarrassment last season. Enough said.
Jagielka – A great servant but too old now. Too slow and not the tallest either.
Holgate – I'm not convinced he'll ever be good enough.

I can only assume that Brands and Silva already have replacements lined up.

Victor Yu
68 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:27:31
Undisclosed" = we don't get much for him.,undisclosed = we don't get much for him,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com ,1,02:16:02,,210.57.22.164,ok,16940,06/22/2018 02:16:02,victoryu19,reader,, 927099,36829,toffeeweb,22/06/2018,David Barks,evertonbarks@gmail.com,"No it doesn't, Victor, doesn't mean that at all.
Gavin Johnson
69 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:31:13
Victor – I shouldn't think we got more than £5m for him. But a few posters reckon they've seen reports we got £20m. Doesn't really matter what we got, although it would be nice to get £20m.

What matters is that it's one less body and one less wage. There's a limit on what our wage bill is allowed to be under Financial Fair Play rules but we're not the Everton Football Club that had sell to buy anymore. If we make a loss on a few players, it's not the catastrophe it would have been a few years back when we were looking for money down the back of the sofa.

Mark Andersson
70 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:43:20
A statement of intent: Selling our best centre-back on his day... Williams — look out! Jags is still faster than Kean; Holgate is still wet behind the ears...

Let's see how many more are off-loaded before we spend £10 million on an ex-Man Utd player...

I'm not sure that Silva can turn this Everton team into gold... only time will tell... but these days no-one gets the time.

Have we signed anyone of note yet?? Pickford will be sold if he has a good World Cup.

Nicholas Ryan
71 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:45:50
I thought he was good!
Dan Parker
72 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:50:45
This is one that's best for both parties. Decent player but not good enough to push us up the league. Agree there's much weaker players in his position that need to go too.

Good luck, Ramiro, leave with integrity intact and respect for your performances on the pitch. There's too much sentiment of players hanging around on the premise that they might do well. Proof is in the pudding.

Dan Parker
73 Posted 22/06/2018 at 02:53:56
Let's not be mistaken, it's going to be harder to sell Williams (plus he's injured).

I don't think the club has mandated the selling of Funes Mori above Williams and Co, it's just that there was a club that actually wanted him for a decent price.

Gavin Johnson
74 Posted 22/06/2018 at 03:03:05
Bloody hell Mark, that's a negative post, even for you mate.

Put it this way, for all the doom-mongery like yours, I'm counting on Brands to get the numbers down and sign three or four quality players this summer. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got up his sleeve.

I can tell you one thing for sure: We'll be spending more on transfer fees than what we bring in. It's not sell-to-buy in the context you're thinking of.

Fran Mitchell
75 Posted 22/06/2018 at 03:25:33
People moaning about the order of sales? Jesus.

The fact is, Klaassen's sale is protracted because we don't want to make a huge loss, so negotiations are longer. The likes of Bolasie too. While we're stuck with Williams til January and he's injured. I am sure negotiations over the likes of Besic, Sandro are ongoing. Mirallas may be difficult; a loan maybe... with us paying part of his wage.

But Funes Mori was cheap, could be sold without much difficulty, so of course was done more quickly.

Steve Brown
76 Posted 22/06/2018 at 03:45:51
Thought we'd keep him as a young left-sided defender who can play in a back 3 or 4, but not crying that he is gone. My assumption is that we have a replacement lined up and are confident of getting him.

Williams will go when he is fit enough to sell, which leaves us with Jags, Keane, Holgate and Pennington (who apparently is highly rated). I can't see us reintegrating Galloway and Browning back into the first team squad.

Michael Gaynes
77 Posted 22/06/2018 at 04:02:43
Mark (#71), whatever you drank before you posted, don't drink any more of that.
Karl Meighan
78 Posted 22/06/2018 at 04:16:21
My guess is this transfer went under the radar as there is a little tournament on rather than anything to do with how Brands and Silva do transfer business.

We must bring in a left-footed centre-back now; Pennington looked worse than Funes Mori the couple of times I have seen him play and it's risky playing anyone inexperienced alongside Keane who needs a steady start as he is error-prone himself.

Let's hope for some creativity for midfield and another striker as well before the season starts.

Roman Sidey
79 Posted 22/06/2018 at 04:21:10
I really liked Funes Mori and think if he'd had an extended run in the side he'd be one of the better CBs in the league BELOW top four, which is where we firmly are and will be for at least the next half-decade.

I don't think it has too much weight, but I think it would have been a better move for the new regime to cull from the bottom. Williams may be injured so hard to sell, but he also has no future at the club. Let the supporters know you mean business by either paying him off to terminate his contract or put out a team list with him having no squad number. Something to let the fans know he won't be part of the plan moving forward, because, quite frankly, if Funes Mori is playing in Spain and Williams is still playing for Everton next season, then we've gone backwards in a bad way.

James Hill
80 Posted 22/06/2018 at 04:36:18
I can see Jags, Holgate, and Keane being ahead of him so not really a surprise. I think he would probably want to move on to something better where he will get more game time and play himself into some sort of form.

He did okay for us though so I wish him all the best. Some piss and nasty comments on here for someone who did no wrong.

John Fieldstead
81 Posted 22/06/2018 at 05:37:28
One player we could bring in is Ben Gibson. The BBC gossip column says we are swapping him for our ‘German’ midfielder, Mo Besic!
Paul Tran
82 Posted 22/06/2018 at 05:42:59
Good luck to him. I can't think of Funes Mori without remembering we were looking at Van Dijk at the time. Oh dear. I always wondered whether Martinez though Funes Mori was better, or whether he was steered towards the cheaper option that ended up dearer!
Paul Traill
83 Posted 22/06/2018 at 06:12:20
Glad he's left, I never rated him at all. Morgan Feeney to step up?
Ash Moore
84 Posted 22/06/2018 at 06:28:50
Too often crocked really. We wouldn't get 17 million chocolate buttons for him let alone euros let alone sterling! But he's off the wage bill and our treatment table.
Hope he gets fit and has a good run in Spain anyway. Watching Argentina get battered he is probably glad he missed the World Cup now. My theory on Mirallas is he went completely AWOL when Martinez turned up and he realised he wasn't going to Russia. I'm hoping Funes is made of tougher stuff, mentally.
Terry Farrell
85 Posted 22/06/2018 at 06:49:21
Mori had some good games for us and had loads of potential but injuries stopped him bedding in.
Surprised at some stating Holgate isn't up to it. He was superb alongside Jags. He is quick gets stuck in and loves to defend. If he can steer clear of injury we have a gem and big statement future international.
David Hallwood
86 Posted 22/06/2018 at 07:14:03
Like Sneiderlin he expressed a desire to leave because he was homesick. Maybe he's shite at geography as well.

I think we all got excited because he was an Argentine international, but judging on the perfomances at the world cup I'd get in the side.

I decidedly average defender, except for the blood rushes to the head when he was a total liability.

Derek Thomas
87 Posted 22/06/2018 at 07:14:05
So much for all those ITK journalist's. Brands channeling his inner Catterrick...nobody gets a sniff, then Bang, an announcement - deal done.

That said, I'd rather it was that porky waste of space Williams who'd gone.

Zahir Jaffer
88 Posted 22/06/2018 at 07:23:05
For all those asking for a source who has pulled this number out of the wazoo well it’s sporx.com a Turkish site with quite the fan following on Twitter. I’m not personally convinced of how reliable it is; Hence I’d put the spork away.
Zahir Jaffer
89 Posted 22/06/2018 at 07:24:33
Quoted price of €20m
Eddie Dunn
90 Posted 22/06/2018 at 07:43:59
An ordinary player, decent in the air but a woefull passer. I was pleased to see him fit again after watching Williams push and shove his way through the season and Keane's horror show. However, that just illustrates how poor these guys are.
Jamie Evans
91 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:01:09
Good luck and good riddance.

There's a reason he cant get a game in the current, awful Argentina defence and just because he's left footed doesn't make him the answer to all of our defensive problems.

Socks over his knees tells you all you need to know - a blag hardman who won't be missed.

Let the cull continue.

Rick Tarleton
92 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:11:44
A left-sided central defender, I always thought he was a decent defender who was not fully appreciated by the crowd.

Villarreal may well be better for him and I wish him well. He seemed as good as any of the central defenders we have and I hope we haven't made a mistake.

Marc Hints
93 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:12:15
I still think these players need to go and get off the payroll:

Ashley Williams
Cuco Martina
Davy Klaassen
Mohamed Besic
Yannick Bolasie
Sandro Ramirez
Kevin Mirallas
Oumar Niasse
Shani Tarashaj

That's 9 players which will be a big ask this summer with the World Cup and transfer window closing early and to replace with maybe five or six quality signings if we are to challenge the top four.

I think we have to be patient with Silva and Brands as it seems too much work to do this summer and maybe wait until next summer until we see more of a team that is built from these two.

Marc Hints
94 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:15:53
Although I maybe wrong; with Silva, he may get the best out of players like Klaassen, Besic and even Niasse and we may see players like Dowell and Baningime become better first-team players.
Niall McIlhone
95 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:23:48
For those Beatles fans out there, do Villarreal (nickname: The Yellow Submarine) realize they have signed a Blue Meanie?
Duncan McDine
96 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:23:57
Let's hope this starts the ball rolling in terms of turfing out the dead wood. In a perfect world we'd be able to offload Ashley Williams instead, but he'll be happy to see out his contract on the bench I imagine.

I expect Rooney to follow soon enough, but I wouldn't be surprised if 4 or 5 are sent packing on transfer deadline day – when we know more about who's coming in.

Lee Whitehead
97 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:25:27
Good luck, Ramiro – always liked your passion.

Heard a rumor Ross could be on his way back!!!!!

COYB

Martin Berry
98 Posted 22/06/2018 at 08:39:29
Good luck to him, unlucky with injury and the regimes during his time with us.

The clearout begins!!!

Derek Taylor
99 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:09:00
Hardly did enough to merit a near hundred posts on his departure – I know, mine is one of them!

He was one of those players who, as they say on here, always had a mistake in him. I think the likes of Williams and some of our other centre-backs addled the memories of too many whilst he was out injured.

'A better player when he wasn't playing?'

Denis Richardson
100 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:15:24
Good luck to him. Never really seemed like he'd nail down a first choice spot and in the end I think it's best for both sides.

Another out the door but probably one of the easier ones to shift. The likes of Klaassen, Williams and Niasse will be harder I imagine. July 1st not far off so hope there'll be a lot more movement in the next couple of weeks.

Besic for Gibson would be a good one. Finally get rid of Besic and bring in a decent centre-back.

Simon Smith
101 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:33:22
I have read that the fee was £17.5 million. If true as the article states, that is very good business
Tony Everan
102 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:55:00
I am not sorry to see him go, he never hit the heights expected for us, but I wish him all the best at Villarreal.

I am finding £17.5M hard to believe unless it is some accountancy jiggery pokery to get around the FFP rules.

I thought we would get our £9M back on him, over about 5 years.

If they have got the £17.5M, I salute them.

Barry McNally
103 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:56:51
£1.75M more like! There's no way in the world Villarreal paid that kind of money.
James Marshall
104 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:01:59
Funes Sorry.

Who? Not a player we'll ever miss for me.

For undisclosed fee, read tuppence.

Martin Nicholls
105 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:02:01
Can any of you guys quoting figures let us know the reliable source you got them from?
Tony Everan
106 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:02:21
I am hoping Ashley Williams is the next one out. He feels like a lead weight on the squad to me.

I think he could do a job for Swansea and help them get back into the premiership. It is the right challenge at the right time for him. He needs something to wake him up out of his footballing torpor.

We will have to let him go on a free or a low fee to get his wages off the books.


Clive Rogers
107 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:04:34
Terry (#86), I rate Holgate also but it's his passing he needs to improve on.
Derek Knox
108 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:10:47
Clive @108, it's not only Holgate whose passing needs improving, virtually the whole team were guilty of diabolical passing last season.

Hopefully this was due to having no direction under Allardyce, and also something that will never be repeated.

Simon Smith
109 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:17:39
Hitc.com is where I read it.
Alan J Thompson
110 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:20:02
On the ball he was better than what we have with the exception of Holgate and as good a defender than those with whom we are left. Perhaps, De Ligt or A N Other is lined up but it is unlikely that what is left is what Silva & Brands intend as starting the season.
Alan J Thompson
111 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:22:57
Oh, and I meant to mention that the undisclosed fee may be because he had a clause written in, as he did with his previous club, that he is entitled to part of the transfer fee.
Brian Porter
112 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:23:31
Good luck to Ramiro. I still think, if he hadn't been injured playing for Argentina, with an extended run in the first team he could have proved a great asset in the long term, but, it's water under the bridge now.

The thing that's bugging/worrying me at the moment is that everyone seems to be accepting the fact that we're not making any signings due to the World Cup, yet other clubs are finding and signing players despite the distraction of the tournament.

I could be wrong but I believe West Ham, Leicester, Man Utd, even newly promoted Wolves who've signed Portugal's World Cup goalkeeper, are doing business seemingly unhampered by the World Cup.

There's something decidedly 'Everton' about the current state of limbo we seem to be in. I can see others stepping in to make the best summer signings while we prevaricate as usual. Will we sign Lozano for example? Or will we lose out to someone who will step in with an offer he can't refuse? Couldn't Brands have reached an agreement with his agent in advance of the tournament, and the same goes for the German defender we apparently want, but who is now on the radar of a few other clubs.

Sorry if I sound negative amongst all the recent positivity but I'm getting twitchy, I admit. Brands and Silva have so far talked a good game but so far haven't really DONE anything apart from offloading a few players.

Oh yes, and to those wanting rid of Niasse, let's not forget that between them, he and Rooney contributed 20 goals last season. So do we really want to be rid of the two players who scored almost half our season's total at the same time? Niasse is surely the perfect impact sub, has played under Silva at Hull, and surely would continue to be a good squad player if we were to hang on to him. It's not as if we are blessed with a plethora of natural goal scorers at the moment is it?

Gary Russell
113 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:27:24
I went to have a look at Hitc.com after Simon mentioned it and saw this dated yesterday.

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/06/21/88-million-for-juanpe-ramirez-would-be-incredibly-shrewd-busines/

Could it be its a done deal after Funes Mori did one sharpish?

Tony Everan
114 Posted 22/06/2018 at 10:47:21
Brian (#113),

No it's not just you, I am getting twitchy too.

I am keeping the faith with Brands and Silva though, and giving them time. Proper discussions and assessment will have been going on and it won't be easy for them to get the players they want at a fair price/wage.

I am expecting some good business to be done over the next few weeks. Without it the twitchiness will develop into nervous spasms.

Drew Shortis
115 Posted 22/06/2018 at 11:05:03
I think people questioning selling him before bringing in a replacement, and using the Lukaku situation as an example, are off the mark. Lukaku was in hot demand and we should have lined up a suitable replacement to come in as soon as the cheque had cleared.

With Funes Mori, he was a player the new management wanted to offload and not a vital cog in the team, so taking advantage of interest in him when it crops up makes sense. I don't doubt they will bring in another centre-back and next season; we will, at a minimum, be able to pick from Holgate, New Guy, Keane, Jagielka & one or two youngsters as back-up.

I liked Ramiro, but he wouldn't have been a starter for any of the top six teams, so his departure doesn't weaken us in comparison. I hope the rest of our transfer dealings are conducted as swiftly before the inevitable "West Ham also linked" nonsense.

Keith Monaghan
116 Posted 22/06/2018 at 12:32:19
Drew @ 116 – it's also true to say that none of our central defenders would be a starter in a top 6 team, and at least one of them (Williams) is not good enough for this league.

Jagielka was very good, although his distribution has always been poor – but he's well past his best and only good enough for back-up.

Kenwright chose to sell Lukaku in order to bring the washed-up Rooney back – if we wanted to sell him, we should have replaced him first – his importance to us was far greater than Funes Mori's.

Aidan Wade
117 Posted 22/06/2018 at 12:45:08
"€20 million" for an irregular starter recovering from a serious injury – Did Villarreal appoint Walsh? I'd say one of the zeros in the rumoured fee is a typo.

All the best anyway Ramiro. He was far from the top of my "Gotta Go" list, decent squad defender and chipped in a goal or too.

James Stewart
118 Posted 22/06/2018 at 12:55:42
The fee was £4.4M according to the Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/jun/03/transfer-window-summer-2018-every-deal-europes-top-five-leagues

For that money, I think it's very poor business. Limited as he may be, he was probably our best centre-back apart from Jags. Who the hell can you buy for £4M who is any better?!

Dermot Byrne
119 Posted 22/06/2018 at 13:13:26
Add on the wages, James (#119), and the situation becomes impossibly hard to assess if we don't know incoming plans. Brilliant young replacement on lower wages they spot and the pace of a quick sale can make sense?
Derek Taylor
120 Posted 22/06/2018 at 13:32:40
I can see at least nine of last season's team being in the Everton line-up at Molyneux come August... viz: Pickford, Coleman, Baines, Keane, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Walcott and Tosun.

This poses the question as to whether Silva can effect a very necessary improvement in these 'regulars', as well as adding the vital new faces!

Ernie Baywood
121 Posted 22/06/2018 at 13:49:04
Sold just before people realise that being an Argentinian international who isn't called Messi really doesn't mean much.

No idea what the sale price was and don't care too much. On one hand I thought he was a chance to make the team this year, on the other he's no world beater so if we're targeting better then I'm happy.

Always looked like we would shift players on before adding to the squad... so I guess this is a good sign. Things are starting to happen.

Dermot Byrne
122 Posted 22/06/2018 at 14:02:12
Derek (#121),

Umm. Does your presumption of players remaining actually justify guessing if Silva can make them better?

Bit like: When the apocalypse strikes next week, will Mrs May deal with it?

I think the question of who Marco can make good depends on who we have. None of us know that just yet.

John Harrop
123 Posted 22/06/2018 at 14:15:31
If that Guardian figure of £4.4m is correct, then I'm not surprised that the transfer fee was undisclosed. It's shockingly poor business for a former Argentine international, even if that term has lost its shine a little recently. The website transfer markt has him valued at £9m, and it's a big loss on the £11.5m that we paid for him. He would not have been my choice for first central defender out of the door.

Having said that, you can only do a deal if the player is willing to go and someone is willing to buy, and we don't know the full circumstances. The move could well turn out to be a good one for him if he can command a regular place. Villarreal finished 5th in La Liga and will be in Europe next season, so it could even be seen as a step up, at least from the Everton of the past season.

Our central defence now looks particularly slow and ponderous – I can only hope that Marco has a replacement in mind.

Jay Harris
124 Posted 22/06/2018 at 14:35:39
I don't care whether the fee was £4M or £17M, Funes Mori was a decent reserve centre-back, no more, no less. With injuries, form and suspension, he has not helped the first team in the last couple of years.

The squad undoubtedly needs trimming and improving so, for me, this is a step in the right direction.

Andrew Clare
125 Posted 22/06/2018 at 15:17:09
I would rather it was Williams and Bolasie being sold. Until those two go, I will reserve judgment on our transfer business.
Martin Berry
126 Posted 22/06/2018 at 15:39:15
It's amazing how will all "assume" we know the transfer fee! Via who? A daily rag, and how do they know when clubs purposely leave it undisclosed for a reason.

Just be thankful we are shifting players seen as surplus and they are off the wage bill. There's no pleasing some!

Dermot Byrne
127 Posted 22/06/2018 at 15:56:39
Funes Mori demanded low fee" says Daily Scroat.

Interesting.

,"Mori demanded low fee" says Daily Scroat.

Interesting.,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com ,1,15:44:27,,2.124.201.239,ok,19546,06/22/2018 15:44:27,debyrne,reader,, 927182,36823,toffeeweb,22/06/2018,Simon Smith,Stamfordtoffee27@gmail.com,"Bill,

I'm guessing that was Italia 90? Furthest I've got to was quarterfinals. Certainly didn't fancy going to Russia though.

Anyway, guys, I don't want to argue, I'm just enjoying this World Cup. Really hope that Pickford can come home with his head held high.

Minik Hansen
128 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:01:45
£17.5 million sounds about right, for a still relatively young defender, who barely missed the World Cup (as a starter) due to an injury he just recovered from. Anyhow, £4.4 million or not, undisclosed, I'm glad we have Moshiri and Brands now.

Through the summer, we will see the real work as a whole, instead of isolating this and addressing it on its own. Looking forward to any signing now; hopefully it will quicken the transfer dealings we need to do.

Steavey Buckley
129 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:02:13
Everton sold the only left-footed centre-half while keeping hold of Williams, Jagielka and Keane who favour their right feet. Just about sums up Everton Football Club... don't know their right hand from their left.
Dermot Byrne
130 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:09:18
Steavey (#130)... for heaven's sake mate. If a statement had been issued that that was all business this summer or the transfer window had just closed, then your post would be justifiably miserable. But come on.

We are in the middle of the World Cup and, whilst we may not be buying players who are in it, the competition has a knock-on effect of stagnating the whole global transfer market.

Cheer up – you may be wrong!

Steavey Buckley
131 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:29:06
Dermot (#131), Everton have lots of form for doing the wrong thing. Finding a good left-footed player is as rare as hen's teeth. The only true left-footed player at Goodison is Baines and he needs replacing.
Brian Williams
132 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:30:47
So did Funes Mori. You don't keep someone "just" because they're left-footed.
Dave Abrahams
133 Posted 22/06/2018 at 16:34:28
There is talk of Everton using Besic as a make weight to bring Gibson of Middlesborough to Goodison. I don't know if that would suit some fans on here, and yes, it is only talk. I haven't seen much of Gibson to have an opinion of him.
Dermot Byrne
134 Posted 22/06/2018 at 17:16:09
True, Steavey, and I suspect new management team know that. Guess it's faith in new start I naively have.
Sam Hoare
135 Posted 22/06/2018 at 17:17:16
Gibson's not one for me, Dave. He was pretty average in the Championship last season. He'd probably do okay but we have to be looking for better than that if buying someone to get minutes ahead of the likes of Holgate and even Feeney et al.
John G Davies
136 Posted 22/06/2018 at 17:27:14
Gibson is as slow on the turn as Keane. He quite often breaks the back four offside line to compensate for his lack of pace.

Not for me.
Jim Potter
138 Posted 22/06/2018 at 18:16:01
This is the first thing we've seen from our new duo regarding transfers and it makes sense to me and was done under the radar. Bodes well for the rest of the summer.

They'll have a plan and we have to place our trust in them.

Funes Mori wasn't assured enough for me and was an accident waiting to happen too often. Good with his head but distinctly average with his feet. He lacked a cool temperament (at times) and was not a leader on the pitch.

If we got half the reported fee I'd be made up.

Good luck to the lad.

And even better luck to those doing the wheeling and dealing.

Denis Richardson
139 Posted 22/06/2018 at 18:44:00
Sam (#136) – I think you might be wrong about Gibson. Personally I'd put Gibson ahead of Funes Mori, Williams, Holgate and Jagielka (given he's almost 36). Gibson's also left-footed.

If we can sort out a swap for Besic (who've I've wanted off the books for years – can't believe we've had him for 4 years already) and keep the fee relatively low I think that would be great business. He's 25 with over 200 odd games under his belt so we'd be getting him just as he's getting into his prime.

Young, experienced centre-back who's English, left-footed and decent. He may not be the best centre-back in the world but he'd be a solid addition to the first team and better than most of the centre-backs we currently have.

Sam Hoare
140 Posted 22/06/2018 at 20:34:50
Denis, I don't disagree with anything you say to be honest. But being better than our current centre-backs sets a low bar! I think he would be decent as I said but I'd rather aim a little higher than that if possible. Lots of Boro fans saying they'd rather lose him than Ayala.
Phil Tottie
141 Posted 22/06/2018 at 21:02:34
Think Funes Mori going is a good move. The list of centre-backs everyone has been producing omits Matthew Pennington who by all accounts had a decent season with Leeds last season despite having had a bad injury for a chunk of the season.
Rob Halligan
142 Posted 22/06/2018 at 21:29:47
Don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere above, can't be bothered reading back, but the Red Echo is saying the club have made a small profit on the sale of Funes Mori. The figure of £17.5M was mentioned by the Red Echo but they think it highly unlikely he was sold for that amount.
Denis Richardson
143 Posted 22/06/2018 at 23:18:29
Sam (#141), agree I'd rather set the bar higher but not sure if that's possible/realistic. Hope so anyway.

Ideally we'd sign 2 CBs as we need to get rid of Williams as well and Jags is almost 36 so shouldn't really be playing many games. We really only have Keane as a ready made centre-back now and he had a poor season last year.

Hopefully the new management can sort it out.

Laurie Hartley
144 Posted 23/06/2018 at 00:51:28
Steve Ferns # 66 - I hope you are correct in suggesting that Marco Silva might like height in his centre-backs.

Jagielka has been terrific for us but his one short-coming is lack of height. If he was 1.88 m or 6'-2" or more he would have been a world beater.

Although Keane has that height I remain sceptical as to whether he is a good enough centre back.

In the old-fashioned way of thinking if you wanted a good team the three key positions were goalkeeper, centre-half and centre-forward.

My view is that we only have one, possibly two, of those positions covered in Pickford and Tosun.

Although a self-confessed dunce when it comes to tactics, I am adamant that if you have a top class centre-back pairing you are half way there towards having a very good football team. Those two positions form the heart (as opposed to engine room) of the team.

Just imagine putting a combination of Niklas Sule and Alfie Mawson or Matthijs De Light in the centre of our defence. Even with the players in the current squad, everything starts to look better.

When I read that Everton have signed at least one of these types of centre-back, I will breathe a sigh of relief for the coming season. Until then it's bated breath but I remain optimistic.

Neil Cremin
145 Posted 23/06/2018 at 07:50:08
Unfortunately, our history regarding decisions on centre-halves goes back as far as Moyes. We have never had sufficient cover and now I believe we are at the most vulnerable. Selling Funes Mori before we have a replacement is madness. There is no way that Jagielka, Williams, Keane, and Holgate can form a long-term stable partnership.

Martinez did the same with Duffy who is a workhorse at Brighton. We could have done with some of his drive and aggression last season. Hopefully there is a plan in the pipeline otherwise I will get the same feeling as I had at the start of last season.

Need two centre-halves, one footballer and one dominant and aggressive who is good in the air. We also need a creative midfielder who pass the ball successfully and has the engine to work box-to-box to link play quickly. And this is not just this season. But has been glaringly obvious for many seasons now and yet still remains unresolved despite numerous managers. I live and hope that this time it will be different but the sale of Funes Mori does not bode well for me.

Hugh Jenkins
146 Posted 23/06/2018 at 09:29:56
I am never 100% clear what a DoF does but from what I have read he identifies targets, negotiates transfers (in and out) and agrees wages etc.

The target identification is however done in conjunction and agreement with the first team coach, otherwise the system is unworkable.

I am convinced that Silva has known he was coming to us since January, when he was dismissed by Watford.

If that is the case and if he has anything about him as a coach / manager (which I am sure he does from all the accounts I have read), he will have been preparing his plans and his strategy since January.

He will have watched all of our games and many others and will be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of our players and of potential targets.

Consequently, if he and Brands have agreed and decided that Funes Mori can go it will be because they believe they have identified a better option who is either definitely prepared to come to the club, or is already here.

The Funes Mori deal passed well under the radar and I don't see Everton's name being bandied about in the BBC "Gossip" column much nowadays - so, whatever we are doing it is being done quietly and discreetly.

Hopefully, as I said earlier this is the new "Everton Way".

Time will tell, whether at the start of next season we have bought in one or more centre backs, or have promoted from within (Holgate, Pennington et al), but one thing I am sure of, Brands and Silva have a plan and are starting to put it together.


Derek Taylor
147 Posted 23/06/2018 at 10:40:45
Hugh, from her recent interview with the Echo, 'She of three names' has a part to play in the transfer process – both in and out – just as Elstone did.

For this process to progress quickly, she has temporarily moved her work base to Finch Farm. No mention of Chairman's involvement any longer though!

Filipe Torres
148 Posted 23/06/2018 at 12:15:02
If I had to make an assessment of the current Everton defense, I would keep: Baines, Holgate and Coleman, and probably... probably... Keane, and let all the others go.

Simply terminate Williams's and Jagielka's contracts, and try to offload Martina, Galloway, Browning, Besic, Schneiderlin, Davies & McCarthy, thinking of defensive mids as... defense here; and that is why I would probably keep Keane, as our defense was exposed completely by our defensive midfield, and if I could cut everyone, I would cut Gueye as well.

No need to thank me, Marco.


Filipe Torres
149 Posted 23/06/2018 at 12:48:43
Hopefully Williams and Jagielka would have their contracts terminated by the club. I would only keep Coleman, Holgate and would give Keane one more chance till January.

Players at this level earn a lot of money, so I don't feel sorry for these so-called loyal servant-type of players. Throughout the season, the defense was left exposed by our defensive midfield, so if we want to improve they have to be cut as well.

Players like Schneiderlin, Davies, Besic or McCarthy (I know the last two didn't play much) simply have to go. I also blame Gueye who I think was to blame for most of it, but I'm trying not to cut everyone on the current staff.
Nil satis nisi optimum?

Peter Gorman
150 Posted 23/06/2018 at 15:56:39
Wow Filipe.
Neil Cremin
151 Posted 23/06/2018 at 16:26:12
I stand corrected but our best run of the season was when McCarthy came back from injury until he went out injured.

He woke up the crowd who booed him when he came on with a few crunching tackles against Man Utd. So I for one see him as a key component of our team.

David Israel
152 Posted 23/06/2018 at 17:01:58
Filipe, carry on in that vein and you run the risk of being dubbed a mole from Mordor! Not even the hottest-tempered around here would advise going to such extremes! :-)
Paul Birmingham
155 Posted 24/06/2018 at 07:50:01
Like the refurbishment on the Park End and, with no obvious signs of the window kicking in, perhaps the incoming transfer plan will start as soon as the World Cup is done – and who knows what the squad will be at the start of the season.

I'm confident Brands and Silva won't allow the squad to be compromised to the point we'll be improvising players for the first game.

But who knows?

Chris James
156 Posted 24/06/2018 at 21:11:01
Nothing against Funes Mori, but we need to clear out the squad and he has to be filed under the 'passable but not exceptional' category.

Williams has been told he can go too (and apparently Schneiderlein) and I think Martina, Mirallas, Bolasie, Ramirez and Rooney (especially IF he's demanding to start every match) should probably be on their way also.

I'd keep Jags as cover primarily getting a new starting centre-back and look to a starting line and get a decent backup or challenger for Baines (although Leighton has another season in him I think) and go with a starting line up as below (before further summer improvements) with the youth given a chance from the bench.

Pickford
Baines - New CB - Keane - Coleman
Gueye - Davies
Sigurdsson
Walcott - Tosun - Lookman

Subs:
Stekelenburg Kenny, Jagielka, Baningime, Dowell, Klaassen or Vlasic, Niasse.

Victor Yu
157 Posted 26/06/2018 at 04:47:02
We should be aiming high.

Jagielka, Williams, Browning, Pennington, Galloway, etc are not good enough. Keane may recover his form given the right guidance. Duffy makes it back to the Premier League but he is average at best. We should aim at world class players not fringe or average players.

We need at least 2 more world class CBs. I know I am dreaming but let's get Koulibaly and Zapata to go with Keane and Holgate for the upcoming season.


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