Season 2021-22 Opinion Talking Points

Three Big-Money Transfers That Could Happen at Goodison Park This Summer

There can be no hiding from the fact that the season just finished has been an unmitigated disaster for The Toffees. Following in the footsteps of Carlo Ancelotti, so impressive last term as his side finished just three points away from European qualification, was never going to be an easy task. Rafa Benitez, despite being appointed much to the dismay of the Goodison faithful, appeared to have built on the outgoing Italian's good work. Andros Townsend’s late equaliser at Old Trafford back in October left Benitez’s side in the Champions League places.

As we all know, it was all downhill from there. Frank Lampard was tasked with replacing the abject Benitez, and four wins in eight at the end of the campaign, including six big points taken from Chelsea and Manchester United, secured survival with a game to spare. Oddschecker, who provide offers and free tips on Premier League football, are predicting that Lampard’s men should survive comfortably next term, but the Englishman has a rebuilding job on his hands to make that prediction a reality. 

With the top-flight term just finishing, the rumour mill is in overdrive as football’s annual silly season is about to get underway. Let’s see what deals are in the pipeline on the blue half of Merseyside. 

In – James Tarkowski

The Toffees shipped a whopping 66 goals in the league last time out, the most they've conceded since the Premier League began 30 years ago. A man who may be brought in to fix that problem is relegated Burnley’s, James Tarkowski. The two-time England international has been a rock at the heart of The Clarets’ defence for some time now, racking up 194 top-flight appearances since his arrival in Lancashire six years ago. The former Brentford man is out of contract this summer, and with his side plying their trade in the Championship come August, it’s highly likely that he will be on the move. 

Plucking defenders from Turf Moor has worked in the past for Everton. One only needs to look at centre-half Michael Keane, who has pulled on that famous blue shirt 186 times, and it’s possible that he will be reunited with his former partner at centre-back once the summer is over. Two more Clarets, namely Dwight McNeil and Maxwel Cornet have also been linked with a move to Goodison, so Tarkowski should recognise a few familiar faces if he does sign on the dotted line. 

Out – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

If Lampard plan’s on taking his team back to the top half of the Premier League, he may have to do so without his star striker. Despite his lack of form during an injury-hit campaign last time around, his playing time was reduced to just 17 appearances, in which he netted only five times. His potential suitors will look back fondly on the year prior, however. Under Ancelotti and fed by the hot-and-cold James Rodriguez, the former Sheffield United man bagged an impressive 21 times in all competitions, forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad in the process. Both Newcastle and Arsenal appear to be leading the race for the number 9’s signature, and it may be wise to cash in on the club’s prize asset before it’s too late. 

In – Conor Gallagher 

Was there any young player in the Premier League last season that impressed as much as Conor Gallagher? The Englishman thrived under Patrick Vieria at Crystal Palace and he is set to return to Chelsea following the expiry of his loan deal. Should Calvert-Lewin move on, money will be there for Frank Lampard to spend, and he will be well pressed to find a better way to spend it than on one of England’s newest lions. 

A stumbling block could be the form that Gallagher showed at Selhurst Park last season. He, and his parent club, may feel that it is best for him to continue his incredible development in South London. However, the 22-year old is a boyhood Chelsea fan, and the chance to play under an icon of the Stamford Bridge club may just be too big an opportunity to pass up. 

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