Reports: Everton make first move for Højbjerg

He's not creative per se but he's good at moving the ball forwards. He's a fighter and wins a good amount of duels. Don't expect him to contribute much in the way of goals or assists.

Not a thrilling signing. And wouldn't be my first choice. But a solid player who is undoubtedly better than what we have. £18m is a decent price for a proven ball winner with his best years ahead; though I'd prefer someone a touch more dynamic.

I would be surprised if Carlo didn't bring Allan in, he could be a key player (sorry). At his age though any fee would have to be low or non-existent as there is zero resale value.

By the way, Sam, do you ever cast your eye over the lower leagues? There is value to be had there, also, in Ireland. Seems to me you can spot a bargain but I think you focus too much in Europe.

I can't remember if it was this season or last but he bossed the MF almost singlehandedly against us. Not a great recommendation, I know, as most of us could do the same.

I'm thinking he's nowhere close to Tommy Gravesen? I'll take your steer.

We need a dynamo – a Michael Essien type who has that healthy mix of talent and violence. Allan is the nearest out there in our price bracket and who'd come.

Ndombele at Spurs is better than Hojbjerg so I don't really know why they want him – other than Mourinho being a weirdo these days.

I am very concerned that Brands doesn't appreciate the rigours of the Premier League; we finally get rid of Schneiderlin and then try and get a player with the exact same deficiencies.

Everton are a joke if they think that this player is the answer.

He is tough, has a snidey side and is a leader. I think we will be looking to sign several leaders this summer. Koopmeiners would tick that box too.

If he is after more money, then he may end up at Everton.

He is a decent player and Everton do need more in the midfield but is he any better than what we have? Gbamin when fit may slot in but will he ever be fit enough.

Everton got fleeced over several midfielders like Schneiderlin, Bernard, Iwobi, Sigurdsson and some may argue Gomes who isn't the same since Son crocked him.

If his finishing is lacking he should probably be playing in a holding role. For comparison, he's not as good a tackler as Gueye, but better positionally. If his end product gets coached up a bit, he offers quite a bit going forward, but that's not what you buy a holding midfielder. We're buying him to replace a non-scoring/attacking midfielder in Gueye. He's not the same style player, but he fills the role.

If it looks like he's only half the solution in midfield, that's because we need two midfielders. He's a good first addition.

Not an exciting or inspiring signing, but if he's competent he'd be an improvement. And we need to be realistic, we ain't gonna be getting Coutinho or Sergio Busquet. We need to become a good team before we can become a top team.

He's 24 so much room for improvement too. And maybe Ancelotti knows about him from Bayern, even if he did leave Bayern as Ancelotti arrived

It could also be a bit os posturing in terms of showing clubs we have other targets.

Buy shit players each season ad infinitum.

His wages. Bernard's one of the (or maybe even the) top earners.

Unpredictable transfer window is coming.

He's yet another holding midfielder, a midfielder that just helps the ball on.

We need dynamic and player that can carry the ball, once again what's the point in Marcel Brands?

It's like reading our posts on Schneiderlin, with most fans amazed they'd get anything near 㿀M, and if they could ‘snatch their hand off'.

I wasn't opposed to this signing but, having read all those comments, I'm pretty worried now!

Hopefully they're looking at maybe Sigurdsson or a reunion with Walcott which would leave room for another addition for us in vital positions as I still think we need another centre-midfielder.

I could have told you that myself. I watched Southampton quit and Hojbjerg, in my view, he'll just be caught up in our slow pedestrian way of playing and become another Davies or Gomes, same mould of just keeping safe passes, no risks.

If we were trying to sign Ward-Prowse, Ings or Redmond, they are players that would have driven a different dynamic to our style.

As I say, you wonder what the point is in Marcel Brands really.

He'd be bought in for his ball winning. And he's very consistent at that. He makes 10.5 recoveries per match which ranks him higher than the likes of Ndidi, Fred, Kante and Rice. It's actually the highest in the league. About 4 times higher than Gomes or Davies! We are sorely lacking lacking someone like this in the middle.

He's also very durable. In a season where we've lost Gbamin, Delph and Gomes to injury this is a player whose got slot of minutes and hasn't had a serious injury since 2016.

He's not my top option but if we got him for £14m it would be excellent business for a durable ball winner who's very capable of playing in a midfield 2 with someone a bit more creative. He's a captain at only 24 and he's a hard worker. I think he'd prove popular. Though it's true I'd prefer someone with more speed.

Don't know if he's the best choice available, don't know if the price is right, but I understand the thinking here. I won't be thrilled if he comes, but I certainly won't be disappointed either.

Not a glamour signing no, but part of the jigsaw that Carlo and Brands are working on I hope.

Hojbjerg is an average Premier League player and at the moment most of our midfield is below average. Therefore he is an upgrade. Shows how our standards have slumped.

Not a signing to get the pulse racing, but then again perhaps this is just the sort of lad we need. Tough, athletic and strong.

Still plenty of time for Carlo to find a cultured schemer.

People say he's tenacious, you could buy a tenacious player from the Championship or League One that would probably do a similar job for 㾻 million less.

There's seems to be no scope for transfer at Everton anymore.

It probably says a lot that we just can't attract or won't go for up-and-coming talent. Plodders and failed top 4 players rarely have taken us forward.

Not the best signing in the league but it's about time we went a bit more ‘Moneyball' and identified what we really need and go after it rather than buying Alex Iwobi because he's available.

The shouts on here every week are that we miss Gana. Need someone who breaks things up. Need someone who'll put a foot in. Need leadership.

We get linked with a player that demonstrably fits the bill and apparently it's a joke?!! Terrible signing. Just like what we've already got (he isn't)

And as for Doucoure not being better than what we've got... I give up.

I do hope though that he's one of 2 bought in for the centre mid positions and that the second in will have the pace and power we so need and that you and I both crave.

Quite happily shift Delph on if there are any takers, especially if Gbamin's injury isn't as serious as first thought.

So let's get him in, so we can play Gomes further forward and play on the front foot. As it is, these tactics are worse than Allardyce. In fact it might just be big Sam with a mask on... just a bit thinner.

I would much prefer to get someone dynamic, and not another plodder, and someone who can lift what players remain after the Summer Transfer Window. I know I am probably asking for a miracle worker there, but other (dare I say lesser) teams seem to find these type of players, why can't we?

Your appraisal of the player and situation is spot on.

Also I think Allan will be brought in to play alongside, we will then have a competitive midfield that we sadly miss at present.

“Most Saints fans consider him at least 'good'. He's the heartbeat of the side and when he plays well, we play well. He's incredibly strong and sets the tone for our aggressive performances and he leads the pressing. My problem with him is that when he can try too hard and force it. That's when he loses possession and tries speculative efforts from range. In those matches, the harder he tries the worse he plays.

“I like him a lot and would be gutted if he went.“

I hope that, if this is true, sensible scouting has taken place and he's not another Schneiderlin who's simply looking good in a team that others try to attack. Otherwise, he'll be just as pointless as Schniederlin if we are trying to push on.

He's a class player and if we want to attract class players we need to pay commensurate wages as well.

If we're paying high wages and getting nowt in return (Schneiderlin a prime example) then I would consider that being fleeced. Both Man Utd and Arsenal have done that to us time and time again with their castaways.

Aren't Southampton Liverpool's nursery club?

In 2018 he had a real "spoken fight" with the national team coach cause was spoken in media and not directly with the coach about disagreements.

So I don't think he has played for them since? (I could be wrong now in 2019-20)

Edit: He did play again for Denmark in 2019 but I know he was out of the team for a while in 2018 cause of those issues.

The fact that the two highest paid players aren't considered the first names on the team sheet is worrying. Maybe that type of thing goes towards the obviously dreadful team spirit we have (alluded to by Colman a couple of times now).

How can Richarlison, Holgate, and Calvert-Lewin feel about fringe players being on more money? Also, can you tell me the last time Bernard had any influence on a game?

I think we'll all be much happier when that player arrives. Which he surely will – presumably in the form of Allan.

That does just leave one more incoming player if Brands can be believed. Which is probably a centre-half unless they change their minds after Branthwaite's performance last night.

So it might be Iwobi & Walcott on the right flank next season.< Grim as that sounds, both will probably fare much better with a decent midfield duo – and the possibility of Kenny crossing the halfway line now and again (which Coleman no longer does).

If Roma are apparently interested in Kean, for me, it would make sense to swap him for Cengiz Ãœnder and then buy a striker. So that would be 5 new players in Hojbjerg, Allan, Under, Donarumma and a striker by offloading Kean and Pickford.

Since the '70s, it has been downhill except for a handful of top players and the Kendall Golden Years in the '80s. How are the mighty fallen.I'd love to hear what Sir John Moores would have had to say about the running of the club today.

I think it was on The Days of Their Lives when Kendall Royle and Harvey were on it and Kendall said he got in the lift with Moores who said something like:

"You're Kendall, aren't you? We paid a lot of money for you and we expect great things from you."

If we do sign him it surely won't be the only midfielder we sign. A box-to-box energetic type is desperately needed. If Gbamin ever gets fixed then we'd have these 3 plus Gomes as our first choice/backup. Davies and Delph would be next in line.

Sigurdsson has to be sold – he just doesn't fit anywhere and his legs have gone.

Compare that to a couple of Moyes's pre-seasons when I was looking forward to a free transfer on August 31st.

You'd have to wonder why he'd swap Southampton for Everton, other than hard cash, of course.

We need to be a high performing team which is successful as the sum of its parts; no star players for me but players that compliment each other and have camaraderie and back each other up. That's all the likes of Wolves, Sheffield Utd and Leicester City have.

Let's be honest, we have to compete with them before we can get to the best of the rest on our way to getting top 4. At that point, then start adding a sprinkle of stardust each season.

As for signing Allan, no chance. Everton will sign Hjoberg and he'll be added to the ranks with Gomes, Sigurdsson, Davies, Delph and Gbamin. Unless some fools want to take Sigurdsson or Delph off our hands, we don't have capacity in the wage budget for another central midfielder, even if he is better than what we have.

Hjoberg is relatively cheap, as his contract is set to expire. Therefore, we might be able to spend a little more to strengthen the team in other areas, particularly to bring in more quality wide. Judging by his tendency to switch his wide men, I think Carlo is unhappy with his options here and would be looking to bring someone in.

Where did I say we'd get more for Pickford than what we bought him for?! I didn't

Donarumma is going this summer, it's in his contract that he can go for €26M and Riola is his agent. It's very feasible we could buy him and frankly I don't care whether we get what paid for on Pickford as long as he gets out of our club.

Put it this way, we'd get at least the 㾸-15M it would cost to buy Alfredo Morelos from Rangers. That would do for me.

Real Madrid need a keeper (Courtois is not impressing there), Chelsea need a keeper, Tottenham need a keeper, Arsenal need a keeper, Man Utd need a keeper as De Gea is terrible right now, and the Italian clubs would fall over themselves to sign the new Buffon who could be in goal for them for the next 20 years.

And saying Spurs are an elite club?! Maybe on sponsorship compared to us but they've had a terrible season. So have Arsenal... That is just being far fetched to prove your point.

We'll have to agree to disagree but I think you're doing us a great disservice by saying we'd have 0% chance. The same for saying we can't buy Allan. On your logic, we won't sign Hojbjerg then, seeing as Spurs are an elite club and we aren't.

Raiola will look at commissions going forward in terms of bonuses for trophies won etc. Do agree though that Pickford is a busted flush and needs to be part of an overall restructure?

On the main topic – wouldn't dismiss Hojbjerg out of hand, he ticks a few boxes, but if we did get him boy do we need pace and a lot of it. It would be the end of Davies and Gomes other than as back-up.

I agree re Donnarumma. We might have a chance if accompanied by a sugar daddy bankrolled rebuild of superstars. But that's not what is happening so he'll either stay at Milan or go to an elite club.

I disagree re Allan. I don't like the age – but he is what we need now and has good experience. There is every chance we will get him – for a fee of 㿊 to 㿔m.

If we also get Gabriel Maghaeles there is a strong Brazilian spine to the side. Might cheer Andre up to have a few more Portuguese speakers around too.

On other comments, swapping Kean for Under is nice in theory - but Under is more of a 4-3-3 player, and losing Kean leaves us very light on forward options. I don't expect much wheeler-dealing from Brands – although he may bring in a few more teenagers, like the midfielder from Rangers, to follow in the footsteps of Branthwaite, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin etc.

Brands is going to have to look at possible part exchange deals as are all clubs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and it wouldn't surprise me at all if we bring in a player from Italy by swapping Kean, or even Bernard.

Expect the young striker Joe Gelhardt coming in from Wigan too.

Robert, you say we have no chance of getting Donarumma and in the next breath talk about us getting Gabriel. Gabriel has offers from 5 elite clubs. Why would he come to us?

I think we are in with a shout of getting Gabriel in that company. Comes down to wages, first-team prospects and confidence in the management. Ancelotti may be boring the tits off us at the moment but he has some cache as a coach.

Robert, Atletico Madrid are also after Gabriel but I'm glad you don't go as far as Steve Ferns in thinking we have no chance competing with so-called elite clubs like Arsenal and Spurs.

We will not attract Lionel Messi and any other of the glitterati until we can prove we have potential. So all you dreamers who want 'Top, proven, Champions League performers' should take a dose of realism and get behind the club.

Our target next year is to compete with and be better than Burnley, Sheffield Utd, Wolves, Arsenal etc. Then we can build on that to compete with the rest.

What we have with Carlo as manager is the ability to hold onto players we get, either through the youth system or by good buying, who previously would have been snapped up by the current big boys. I think a young Rooney now could be told that we could build a team around him.

Therefore our transfer policy has to be to buy players that offer better than we have. From there we can build. Having started to watch Southampton closely since Hojbjerg was first mentioned, I would say that he does give us something we lack. Therefore he should be a target. He may not have got into the 85 championship team, but frankly, I can't name many around now who would.

A starving man won't turn down a burger because he prefers sirloin steak. We aren't starving, but we are in need of whatever improvements we can get.

Koopmeiners is one of those players that someone will take a punt on sooner or later – like Sangare, Roca and a few others. Certainly got talent but no idea how they would fare in the Premier League. Probably worth the risk for a moderate fee.

But get the impression that Brands / Ancelotti are looking for ready-made Premier League standard midfielders because we've been so terrible in that area. Hence Allan and Hojbjerg.

More speculative signings might arrive next summer once the squad is in (hopefully) better shape and the wage bill is light of Bolasie, Ramirez etc.

ps: Would be pleased to get Gelhardt and Cole McKinnon from Rangers. As important as players for now are, these are the sorts of signings that can really move the club forward.

If we can partly strengthen the central midfield by doing that type of deal, with a club we want a player from, it would be a result. I'm not sure Southampton will be as willing though.

I think you guys need to temper your expectations because you are going to be very disappointed this summer.

Steve, I haven't got huge expectations but the club finally have a world class manager and they'll back him. Brands has said 3 players, and the players we're linked with are 㿀-30M players so I see us still spending 㿨-90M and it being closer to 㿨M and that's fine.

We could also do more business by offloading the likes of Pickford and Kean. Transfer fees are going to go down across the board so, while we might not spend as much as the last couple of seasons, that's going to be the same for all clubs.

There's also talk that FFP will be dropped this summer so that will enable clubs to spend more so the money drips down to smaller clubs.

I would prefer Koopmeiners to Hojbjerg personally, but the only thing in the latter's favour is he has proved he can do a job in the Premier League. Anyway, it is all speculation, and I'm sure the Covid-19 situation will greatly affect the transfer merry-go-round.

But Branthwaite (and hopefully Gibson who got glowing reports during his loan at Fleetwood) and his performance last night may have bought Brands and Ancelotti some time and reduced the urgency to go for a big-money signing at centre-back, unless it is the intention to let one of the existing 3 1st team centre backs we have go.

Branthwaite is as impressive in this post-match interview as he was in the game last night:

Branthwaite Post-match Interview

We had people desperate for us to sign him last summer and his form this season shows we may have dodged a bullet. Hojbjerg is premier league tried and trusted. He doesn't set the world alight but neither does Kante.

We need team players and players with balls. This lad might be one. As many have said, he's better than what we have so any improvement is good. We will not be buying at the top end, we're about to finish 11th in the league! We're not all that attractive I'm afraid

Hojbjerg at Saints Web

Wolves managed to attract skilful footballers like Diogo Jota, Raul Jiminez, Rueben Neves, Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho, when they weren't exactly playing Champions League football.

I'll say it again, what's the point in Marcel Brands?

Since we went round telling everybody we've got tons of cash to spend on shite players every player we've seemed to be interested in has suddenly become the only player the club don't want to sell (even Bolasie and Iwobi for god sake).

Move on, yet another summer over-bidding for tosh isn't what we should be about as much as players have their own skillset none of these turned out to be world beaters why not spend the same sort of money on some better scouts as we have clearly slipped in this department since Moyes left.

Like Steve, I think we are going to struggle to sign the players we want to this summer. We are just not attractive particularly to foreign players any more.

Well Hojbjerg is a good example of just that. No pace, no finesse just grit and determination something sadly lacking throughout the squad.

On the other hand, Southampton players have not done so well at other clubs in general so that would be a worry.

Those players you mentioned at Wolves weren't hard to attract! At the time they were bought, they were question marks! Especially Adama! I'm agreeing with your point about Brands; Wolves saw fit to take a risk.

I remember reading many articles a couple of years ago about Everton watching a striker at Benfica, a Mexican international with a below-average goals ratio but big, strong and the style of play that may suit the Premier League! What did Wolves see in him that our scouting department didn't?

Same with Traore, the whole world knew he was rapid and no end-product. Wolves thought Nuño could sort that! Again, why didn't we?

Hojbjerg is getting a rough deal I think. I just saw a stat that he's played nearly 700 forward passes this season. Our highest is Sigurdsson with around 380! Says it all really!

Trust Carlo. He demanded Bale at Madrid, managed Ronaldo, coached Lampard and Terry. Brought through Crespo.

We'll be better off at the end of the transfer window in each position in his formation, that's guaranteed.

The obvious one for Saints as a swap is Walcott. Much as I've been underwhelmed by his whole career, it was a super header last night.

Any less than that 㿨M and there's no point having Ancelotti. We might as well have gone for Dyche.

I suggested we focus on 2 or possibly 3 quality players in the 㿔 - 60M bracket rather than shopping for 6 in the 㾻 - 25M range. I appreciate this is optimistic, especially without European football, but that's where I'd rather be.

But if this materialises, it could be a real coup. Started at Bayern and I've been hugely impressed with Southampton. Their tenacity is envious.

It's tough for Brands in this cutthroat world of agents and getting fed bullshit on a daily basis. But with this type of signing, give the player a deadline to make his mind up and, if they are still messing us about, be 100% prepared to walk away.

If so, the reality will be that he didn't really want to come here anyway.

"Yeah he's worth about 㾾M. What's that you say, Everton are interested? Tell them 㿏M and then go down to 㿈M plus add-ons Oh, and see if you can get Besic thrown in."

At least we can focus on specialists as the management say.

One very good thing, Gordon and Branthwaite have come through very well this season! We did well on the youth side this season.

Let's see how Dowell, Kenny and Gibson feature in pre-season next?

Your thinking of the Schneiderlin, Cucina, Beattie etc. brigade.

Think about Bale, Walcott, Van Dijk, Mane, Lallana, Luke Shaw (I think), Wanyama (I think), Chambers, Tadic – and there's probably more I can't think of.

Southampton seem like one of the best feeder clubs for some reason. I like the look of their current set up and was saying in the early part of the season that they were seriously under-performing, especially with this manager who I fancied for us tbh before Carlo was mooted.

Whether this lad would be any good for us we can only hope (if he comes) but, as you say, some grit and grunt wouldn't go amiss.

Full backs: Lewis, Aarons
Midfielders: McGinn, Grealish, Luiz, Lerma, Cook, Buendia, Cantwell.
Forwards: Wilson, King

I really think we'll need to pick up at least three centre-midfielders with Schneiderlin gone, Sigurdsson on the decline, Gbamin a write off, and Delph (who should never have been signed) always out injured.

Certainly this transfer window is massive but with little time in pre-season, you'd like to think that Marcel has done his homework and Carlo has also used his contacts to influence getting in proven players who are dynamic box-to-box midfielders.

Let's see what happens.

Does the Director of Football know any young talented players from Europe? Got to be talented players from lower leagues with hunger and desire worth a chance. Surely Carlo has certain players in mind from clubs he has managed?

At least one signing must be a player who has won trophies. This is paramount to put a winning mentality in the team. Currently, the economic standing could mean selling players and a budget of 㿔 million? Our next two signings with a couple of loans is crucial to us going forward. Unbelievable how we have spent with no improvement.

Stupid to waste 㾾M on a player of this ability. I hadn't even heard of the guy until yesterday. A couple of Google searches later, and reading the comments about this guy from other TW contributors, my only conclusion is this is another waste of resources by Everton Football Club.

My guess is we'll have a net spend of circa 㿨M on 3 first team players...

Therein lies the problem in my opinion. Spend 㿨 million on one player who can make a difference. Swap dollars on our remaining players we have that aren't on board / aren't trying for new, young players with a point to prove.

The other issue is precisely who these 㿨M players are who would want to join us.

With a bit of luck, we might be a more attractive prospect for an icing-on-the-cake player next year.

Allan is exactly what we need. We need to get that over the line and then buy a player like Sangare, Koopmeiners or Soumare from Lille as the 2nd midfielder. People are going to be laughing at us if we overpay on Hojbjerg. Any of the aforementioned three can do the same job but also have the athleticism to carry the ball up the pitch.

OUTs:

Kenny - ٣ million love the guy, but afraid he won't cut it in the PL
Sigurdsson - ٣ million - I think he would fit in really well in the German Bundesliga, where the pace is slower and technicality is more valued
Tosun - 㾶 million to Crystal Palace, if they are convinced that he has overcome his injury
Iwobi - 㾶 million, again a player I think would do very well in Germany
Bernard - ٣ million, Italy, Germany, Spain
Mina - 㾻 million, Spain would be good for him, or a newly promoted PL side
Bolasie - free
Sandro - free
Besic - free
Sidibé - return back to France
Pickford - 㿅 million, I am sure that one of the PL teams will be eager to have the England No 1

Revenue from Selling: ~㿷 million

INs:

Right Back - Aarons from Norwich - we need a long term replacement for Coleman possibly as early was next season, 㿀 million
MF - Hojbjerg - looks like a good fit, 㿀 million
MF - Buendia - looks a very, very good right mid-fielder, 㿀 million
MF - Douglas Luiz - I really liked the look of this guy yesterday - he is Brazilian, much younger and cheaper than Allan, plus PL experience, which is worth gold, huge potential star, IMO, 㿀 million
Goalkeeper - go for a cheap option - Fraser Forster would be great value; he has solid PL experience, a bit on the older side (32 years), but could give us a good 3-4 years of safe, reliable service, should be available for around 㾶 million. He won't be worse than Pickford

INs: 䀆 million

As you can see, my preference would mainly be players with PL experience, but quite an international cast - 2 Englishmen, 1 Argentinian, 1 Brazilian, 1 Dane.

Net spend 㾻-20 million, max 㿅 million, plus we would get some of the high earners out of the payroll. If we are lucky, get a good experienced PL striker on loan - someone like Giroud, someone who can make an impact coming off the bench or to give rest to our main strikers. We need to hope that Delph and Gbamin will return fit and healthy and offer options in our MF.

The Everton 2020-21 squad:

GK: Forster, Virginia
RB: Aarons, Coleman
LB: Digne, Baines/Nkounkou
CB: Keane, Holgate, Gibson, Branthwaite
RM: Buendia, Walcott
LM: Gordon, Delph
CM: Gomes, Davies, Gbamin, Hojbjerg, Luiz
Forwards: Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Kean, (New Loan Player)

Great breakdown of his stats in the Echo online today. He would be a really solid addition, I think it makes sense, we get one in with PL experience and great capacity to improve and then maybe we can afford a punt on more of a wildcard option... Sangare for example.

There will be no major rebuild. Just a few in and a sprinkling of that magic Ancelotti fairy dust.

Lots of players we dislike will still be in and around the first team next season.

The three players I mention in #123 would all be available and two of them would cost around half the price of Hojbjerg.

Allan should be our first priority and Hojbjerg will be fine, but paying more than 㾻m is ridiculous and we could buy better. Soumare had got Lille fighting for Champions league place. He's tall, rangey, can tackle and get us up the pitch.

A family full of Norwich fans means I have seen a fair bit of these lads, I just love Buendia's industry and guile. I think we will be picking the bones of the relegated clubs this season trying to sniff a bargain with Premier League experience.

Van Dijk made his name at Celtic and was bought by saints and wasnt there long.

I don't consider Wanyama, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain or Luke Shaw successes as they have all been very inconsistent over the years and in and out of the teams they went to. Clyne was another one.

I hadn't thought about Bale but he always had exceptional speed and looked a world-class player.

Oh, fantasy football has started early this summer... Time to dream, Blues.

They're going to probably finish above us in the table this season. Wouldn't they be looking to improve? If so, if this dude were decent, they'd hold on to him, no?

I do not understand this transfer if it actually goes down. Just don't understand the logic behind it.

Jamie – Saints will sell Hojbjerg because he wants to leave. And he only has a year left on his contract. He is looking for the next step up in his career and (ignore the league table for a minute) we are a step up.

Also @ Jamie. Sad, but the circa 㿨M signings we could (big if) make would be the likes of Icardi (always trouble), Dembele (always injured), Coutinho, Chiesa and Oyarzabal. These could be available if no-one else comes in and the clubs need to sell. I could just about see Coutinho coming in on loan. Chiesa and Oyarzabal would be incredible signings but almost inconceivable.

Robert, it's true that Soumare turned down Newcastle in January but that was before there was talk of a takeover so no-one can blame him?! Personally, I think he'd be interested in an upwardly mobile premiership club, which we should be under Ancelotti next season when he starts on the same points as everyone else. Of course, it would depend on who else went in for him.

Btw, Robert, I think the boats sailed with Gabriel now. I've just read a report saying that PSG want him to replace Thiago Silva. Damn! And to think the deal was all but sealed before the pandemic.

If a player is good enough, it doesn't matter who he's been playing for.

Also Soumare is not a great ball winner. He's a good passer and can run with the ball a bit but he's more Gomes than Hojbjerg so to speak.

Colin #138 players that you mention are the sort of players that give 100%. Sometimes it's not the fee or club but what they bring in terms of hard work and doing their job.

Next season is building confidence to press on. We must first be difficult to beat. Let's go back to the Dogs of War in midfield. It's not pretty but competitive. We have lost that. An easy touch. Money changes our thoughts but there are different methods to become successful. The management team need to be creative.

Of course the teams with the supposed big bank balances will be named at the forefront of the biggest deals with Everton not far behind.

Most agree that Grealish and Zaha will be the big money movers.

Experience tells me to ignore every headline until it translates to a done deal.

I wouldn't say that Soumare is like Gomes, Sam. The lad can tackle while Gomes is the most dribbled past midfielder in the whole of the premier league. Soumare usually plays in a pivot of 2 in a 4-2-3-1. I think you're right that Hojbjerg would edge it for just winning balls, but Soumare can tackle, pass and move. For me he's more like a Robiat or Viera

I don't see the point of buying a one dimensional player like Hojbjerg if we genuinely want Allan, as he'd be the player running around doing the dirty work.

Shifting the deadwood will be very difficult but, if the club can see the light and lessons learnt, could be they can try and have a crash dead wood sale.

Some of the promoted teams, perhaps or as you say Belgium, Germany, or Spanish teams.

Fingers crossed.

Simple, this Fifa Manager lark.

He's not going to make much of a difference as it's the transition into attack that we struggle with.

If we only bring in 1 central midfielder it's a fast, energetic, disciplined player that can tackle and pass. He isn't any of that.

Beattie, Walcott, Oxlaide-Chamberlain and remember that year when Dalglish's Liverpool seemingly bought Southampton? Not to mention Van Dijk more recently.

It's what Southampton do.

Agree with your earlier point, Jamie, about rather spending 㿨M on one player that makes a difference. I said the same earlier in the thread you are slightly more realistic with your one than my optimistic 2 or 3!!

Iwobi 㿈m
Kean 㿅m
Gbamon 㿃m
Delph ٦m
Gomes 㿈m
Mina 㿈m
Walcott 㿀m
Tosun 㿁m
Sigurdsson 㿔m
Keane 㿅m
Ramirez ٣m
Klassen 㿄m
Schneiderlin 㿀m
Bolasie 㿂.5m
Niasse 㾹m
Kone ٣m
Robles ٣m
Williams ٧m

What is the common link between all of these.? Most were either at big clubs and have stepped down. The mental picture of going to something where there is less pressure and less success works negatively in performances clearly. Ratcliffe said playing for any other club after Everton and the defeats don't matter anymore. This is clearly a professional talking.

Some of the others have always been at inferior clubs skirting around relegation. Again damaged goods unless they really shone.

Of the list, how many are on the up. How many have battled in a lower league and want to prove themselves on the big stage. How many are winners, and how many are mentally weak?

How many will put their body on the line in a derby, or away at the big 6? How many will fight for the cause in a tricky away cup game? None. Not fucking one.

I see a recruitment list of cowards. 𧸖m on transfer fees and probably the same again in wages. The recruitment pattern of just buying technically average players isn't working. Dortmund have shown away that they're buying the best young talent with something to prove.

In the team you have Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Coleman, and before them Cahill, Lescott, Jagielka. All lads that had something to prove and fight. Not big fee, but big guts.

Good managers will play a system that suits his squad so, before we start picking media-hyped names out of the hat, the manager needs to have a plan. We have seen nothing yet to give us any hope of moving forward.

They would be big upgrades on what we have currently and would allow some high earners to leave also. Raise some money (while we can) and get shut of Pickford!

Marcel Brands, you have a hell of a lot to prove.

There is a lot of chat amongst us about how there is zero consistency in the teams play. Take Villa the other night, apparently we started well, zipping the ball around and making Villa do all the running(this is from my nephew, Villa mad and watched on TV). Then it just stopped, may have had something to do with Holgate going off, it would seem coincidental.

My nephew also commented that 'you look a good side and play lovely stuff from time to time', then it just stops.

For what its worth, this is my opinion, which I explained to him.

We don't have very good player's and this is born out in the fact that they can play well for 10 mins, but if not ultimately successful in those 10 mins, ie score a goal or 2 then they give up as it all seems too much work and not worth the effort. They can't see that if they just keep playing exactly as they are, they will have success, however long it takes. It's called patience and belief - average player's do not possess this trait. These players lack either, desire, discipline or determination - the better players all have this, ours do not.

The very best never give in, and refuse to believe they are beat.

Instead of targeting the latest flavour of the month player, Everton need to target young, hungry lads who are up for it. Vandervalk needs to do his job properly, stop taking the easy option, do his Groundwork on young player's, find out if they are at it on the 3Ds, desire, discipline and determination, are they the right character, can they be a nasty bugger if pushed, do they fancy putting a few noses out of joint amongst the elite, where do there loyalties lie in a group of mates, do they realise what hard work and team gets them?

I don't see any of this in our team. Cosy soft arses, whose money comes too easy, that what I see.

Ancelloti needs 10 player's to replace this sorry bunch immediately and top of his list should be Grealish. You can forget it if they just keep buying cosy arsed players, we need lads with a pair please.

Kenny – ٣ million; love the guy, but afraid he won't cut it in the Premier League. I agree, his an average player at an average club in a league not as difficult as the Premier League. ٣ million would be a steal. If even less of an offer, say yes.

Sigurdsson – ٣ million – I think he would fit in really well in the German Bundesliga, where the pace is slower and technicality is more valued. That means we'd have to eat the other ٣ million. I'd rather keep him another season. Bad as this season has been, he did just score 14 goals last season.

Tosun – 㾶 million to Crystal Palace, if they are convinced that he has overcome his injury. A miracle if they or any club would pay that. He's not a top league player. His last 2 seasons would cost around ٣.5 million in wages. If someone would pay that to him, let him do a Mirallas or Schneiderlin, leave on a "Free".

Iwobi – 㾶 million, again a player I think would do very well in Germany. Nah. Keep him for now.

Bernard – ٣ million, Italy, Germany, Spain Maybe. 2 years wages left, about 㾶.5 million. Think we're keeping him another season.

Mina - 㾻 million, Spain would be good for him, or a newly promoted Premier League side. Nah, keep him.

Bolasie - free. Yes, a Mirallas, Schneiderlin "Free"

Sandro - free. Same as Bolasie

Besic - free. Same as Bolasie

Sidibé - return back to France. I liked him. But isn't he going back anyway?

Pickford - 㿅 million, I am sure that one of the Premier League teams will be eager to have the England No 1. He's not going anywhere until we hear of us in serious talks with some other club's first-string keeper. Certainly wouldn't want to sell him before his replacement is signed, sealed, and delivered.

As I said in another thread, stop looking for elite players but focus on players who:

Can pass the ball especially forward
Have an engine to work box-to-box
Hate losing games
Have the potential to be leaders

I always think of Roy Keane who had very Average ball skills (he was no Ronaldinho) but had all of the above and almost single-handed dragged Man Utd through the Champions League semi-final against Juventus – even though he knew he would miss the final.

Peter Reid, John Morrissey were others.

Forster is absolute garbage.

There is a reason he is on loan at Celtic and it's because he isn't very good.

We need to improve on players, not replace with inferiority.

Have any Blue watched this bloke and thought...fuck me the lad's total quality?...doubtful.

Concentrate on the teams that go down and bid for their best players,it's what the rest of Prem. would do.

As of now,bid for Cantwell and make a cheeky bid for Krul...a decent shot stopper with bags of experience would would not give us Blues palpatations.

So it's no from me...jeez the lad at Cardiff Tomlin would do me, kind of reminds me of Cahill in his Millwall days, only age is going against him.

Sweet Jesus.

Well we got to have a wishlist. right?

I'd rather we get someone possibly about the same age, with a good engine and an eye for goal, possibly who hasn't been 'discovered yet' on the big stage.

Don't mock, they are out there, it's just finding them and giving them the opportunity to do it on the big stage. Been alerted to Alexandru Cicaldau in the Romanian League who is a live wire midfielder who has scored 15 goals and 6 assists, and would be available for around ١M.

These are the sort of players who, if it didn't work out, would at least get your money back on, wouldn't be demanding Megabucks per week, and quite possibly could be the gem we have all been wishing and looking for!

I hope we don't do a Sigurdsson and bid against ourselves!

To be honest, I don't see Hojbjerg being much better, if at all, on what we've got at present.

Rubbish. Look no further than across the park. Liverpool's business model over the past decade has been to buy up-and-coming or yet-to-be discovered talent from the continent.

Torres: in for £25m, sold for £50m.
In comes Suarez for £22m, sold for £65m.
Cue Coutinho for £8.5m, sold for £105m.
They even got Firmino for £24m and the £40m they spent on Chelsea reject Salah is looking like spare change they found down the back of the Anfield couch right now.

The buy and sell seems to have stopped, but the principle of finding talent around Europe has served them extremely well. With the exception of Salah, none had Premier League experience. Even Salah never really got his chance at Chelsea, but then that's also the club that loaned out Kevin De Bruyne to Werder Bremen and then sold him to Wolfsburg doh!!

I'm with you Derek.

This would allow Sigurdsson and Gomes to play and then you ask for more goals from them. They both have the ability. I know we'd prefer to get shut of Sigurdsson but that's unlikely to be a possibility, so we try to get the best out of him for what's left of his contract (2 years) until he departs on a free.

Even Man City, who are way more patient on the ball, when they do decide to go forward, it is done with purpose and intent. Not forced or in hope!

Spurs won't pay more than that and Southampton are just bargaining hard. They won't want to lose him for nothing in 12 months though so really we should hold the cards.

There are a few other decent box-to-box centre-midfielders out there (Sangare, Mwepu, Zakaria, Wendel, Dominguez, Laimer, Soumare, Kessie, Fulgini, Cyprien, Roca, Santamaria, Barrios, Owusu etc.)

Who else in world football would pay $25 million for this guy?

He'd better shit rainbows.

Jamie@181, I think 㿀-25m is probably going rate for a good Premier League centre-midfielder with his best years ahead of him. It's what we paid for Gomes.

Hojbjerg may not be a glamorous player but he's a dependable: 7 out 10 most weeks. A player who wins a lot of balls and makes us harder to beat.

However, we do need the attributes he brings so there's a good chance that it is a good signing. And I suppose a slim chance that it's a bad signing.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8545935/Everton-25m-Pierre-Emile-Hojbjerg-bid-accepted-Southampton-blow-Tottenham.html

Talksport broke the story I think. No idea if it's actually true or not.

Mind you, how the hell do we know what's true and what's not in these days of anyone being able to put any old shite out there for it to be taken as gospel!

2 years from now, they will be in penury and possibly relegated. We have at least 5 years before committing our version of stadium Hari Kari.

Pastures new will have beckoned long before if he parks his Bentley here.

It's 5 days since they mentioned Everton's approach regarding the player. I'll wait until they have more to say on it.

This fella by all accounts is no Messi but he wins possession, keeps running, is rarely injured and is a battler. Maybe he is not as good as Idrissa, but you get what you pay for. He sounds like he would beef up the midfield and provide some ammunition for those players who don't like to get their shorts dirty.