Everton may still be interested in Donny van de Beek

It's hard to judge a player that I haven't seen play much but two things worry me.

He reminds me of Davey Klaassen. Good technical player but not suited to the fast and physical Premier League.

He can't get a game ahead of Fred, McTominay, Lingard, Matic, Mata.

A Schniederlin Mk 2 gives me the shivers. Loan only... or just leave alone.

I'd swerve this one for sure. DK MK2.

A 6-month loan makes sense to me. We aren't going to see our #10 for a while, if ever again, and can't be paying his wages under the circumstances. So what's the harm in taking this lad on loan?

Why are we interested in him? Who would he replace? What would his role be in the team? Why has he failed at Man Utd? Why are we after Sky 6 cast-offs again? What are his wage demands?

We should be looking lower down the leagues and bringing talent through rather than pissing it up the wall on overrated shite like this who think they are too good for us, and down tools at the first sign of a raised eyebrow.

Swerve it, Everton!

I guess this would complete our journey back to 'Plucky Little Everton', bringing in Man Utd cast offs. It had some merit when they had been fit established players, Howard, Neville etc, but a Dutchman who can't get a game, that has way too many warning signs.

Makes sense to me. Probable 6 month loan with view / option to buy.

He's a very good player, an upgrade on Klaasen and different to anything we've got. He also fits the profile we seem to be going for - like Maitland-Niles, quite young but plenty of experience and Everton offers a chance of regular football so it's a step up of sorts.

Good movement, good quick passing and played well in a dynamic Ajax side in a 4231 ahead of DeJong & Schone and with a bunch of wingers / playmakers either side (esp. Tadic, Ziyech and Neres). Scored and assisted a lot in this set up and not just in the Eredivisie - against top Champions League teams too.

He would most obviously play as a third midfielder alongside Allan and Doucoure.

There's no shame in failing to dislodge Pogba and Fernandes from the more attacking / creative positions because they are absolutely top drawer. DeBeek is not quite up there with them but still good.

I leave it to our management who are doing very well at the moment thank you. Like most commentators I don't know enough about his game to comment.

Not for me.

We need another player of the profile of Doucouré in my opinion.

We are an injury to a CM away from mediocrity.

One of Bissouma from Brighton or Frank Kessie from Milan would be my guy. Longstaff if we're hard up for funds.

Doesn't have the physicality for the Premier League. Pass.

Once bitten twice shy, it may be a bit unfair to categorise him with Davey Klaasen as they are both Dutch and haven't been able to break through. It seems to me too convenient to stick him in that pigeon hole, he's got a bit more about him physically than Klaassen and may adapt to the Premier League under Benitez.

Saying that there is no way on earth we should be doing anything other than getting the player on loan. Then seeing if he can sink or swim. Way too risky to be spending what Man Utd would want. £20M+?

We've been linked with the Spanish midfielder Gonzalo Villar too from Roma who may be a decent alternative. I think we will end up with Longstaff for £1.7M as he's out of contract in June, Benitez seems to want him and the rumours keep resurfacing.

Robert #3,

Why can't we be paying his wages? You have decided he is guilty? No thoughts he might not be? Then where would we be? Breach of contract? Or is the crime of which he has been accused one where there is a different rule? So if he was doing fraud then fine he can be paid or are you anyone being investigated has no income?

Stupid comment.

Villar looks quite good and Longstaff looks ok. Neither have anything like the pedigree of Van de Beek though. I agree with the point about unfair comparisons with Klaassen. It's a bit like saying we wouldn't want Robben because Drenthe was crap.

As for Kessie, I expect he'll move for big pay and Champions League football. I don't think we'll fork out the sort of money needed to sign Bissouma for a good few years yet. He won't be short of offers either.

The way Solskjaer speaks about him, it seems as though he was bought without his consultation and it looks from the outside as if he is making a point by never picking him. All speculation on my part of course.

He offers something different to what we currently have (whilst our current No 10 is not playing), although I'm sure Iwobi would disagree and tell you he wants that central position behind the striker!!!

Agree with everything Robert (6) says. A permanent move would be too risky at this stage, especially with United probably looking to recoup as much of their original investment as possible, but a loan makes a lot of sense. I'm kind of surprised this didn't happen in September, Ole clearly has no intention of playing him more than the bare minimum.

Michael & Bill @13+14,

Maybe Ole doesn't trust his own judgement on the player and prefers to keep him on the sidelines rather than let him potentially shine at Everton and embarrass him?

He's under no financial pressure from above so like a spoilt child holds onto all his toys out of insecurity?

I've no idea how good he is but to rule him out as Robert says because he is Dutch like Klaassen... is silly really.

Not sure this guy is anything special given average players ahead of him at Old Trafford. If we get him will he be another who will be on the six months injured list as soon as he arrives.

Brian Williams @ 2, DK MK2 ?

I could really take umbrage at that remark, but then I realised it was with reference to Davy Klassen, so you're off the hook sunshine! :-)

Derek#17.
Thank God for that. 😁

Robert #6 bang on the money. Watched him in Europe for Ajax, played primarily as an attacking midfielder, class act. A level above Klaassen, who I was always skeptical of (should have gone for Ziyech).

Clearly bought over Solskjaer's head, hence him being marginalized. Assuming Man Utd aren't going to be idiots over us being "rivals" loaning him in January is an absolute no-brainer. Still only 23 and an intelligent player, Benitez would get the best out of him. Not on ridiculous wages, allegedly so would be a possible permanent signing if he works out.

He would play ahead of Allan and Doucouré in a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 or alongside in a 4-3-3. Would be a real asset.

I think the negative opinions are coming from people who haven't watched him and just assume he's a United cast-off.

Given that I am now using Demarai Gray as the benchmark for all future transfer dealings, I expect us to be able to pick up this Van de Beek lad for around £750k.

This is all just speculation and lot can happen between now and January, including whether Ole is in the Man Utd hot seat or not. If Ole departs, the new manager may give him opportunities to play, and then this discussion becomes redundant.

On another rumour being floated around, the papers are saying that Arsenal are interested in signing Calvert-Lewin or Ollie Watkins. Very arrogant of them to think that they would be a more attractive option at the moment than Everton and Villa, repectively.

Also, some reports that Mina wants to play in the Serie A next season onwards. My opinion about him has been changing slowly, but I am still not convinced that his body can take the rigours of a full Premier League season. However, I wouldn't want to lose him after he has just started to become productive for us.

DK #17, yep, the first reference I saw to DK... thought they were after my pal and it fired me up.

I'm generally with Robert on this guy. I saw him play for Ajax. He's good, and fills a role we need filled.

To address a couple of other comments, there's nothing "average" about the players he's sitting behind at Old Trafford, and Klaassen's problem wasn't a lack of physicality, it was a lack of quickness off the mark -- which is not a problem for Donny.

I'm all for a loan.

I don't doubt his quality but is he the type of player to fit into the style of play that the manager is implementing now?

Not sure he has the physicality or defensive ability to play the Allan or Doucouré role successfully. He could do well behind the striker but, given how well Gray has been doing there, I don't know that he'd be first choice – in which case, why would he come?

It's strange we've not made use of many loans recently. We might have benefitted from Lingard last season, or Gallagher this season. Some of my favourite players of the last decade (Arteta, Pienaar, Lukaku etc) came initially on loan and, given our lack of depth in certain areas, I'm surprised we've not utilised loans more.

I think this guy is just what we need. he is a tidy player who used to score goals. I would buy him in January because, if we loan him and he shows what he can really do, his price will rise.

Of course, Man Utd might be reluctant to let him go to a rival if we are still in touching distance by then.

This manager seems able to instil work ethic and fitness to even the more laid back or gifted of the squad so, if Danny boy is up to the fight, we will get it out of him to be a team player. That would've been totally alien to Rodriguez unfortunately.

If we could get him on loan in January, plus buy Maitland-Niles or Patterson, then the squad would look in as good a shape as it has since the end of Silva's last full season – or even longer ago than that.

Still light in attack (although exciting to see chances being given to Gordon and Dobbin) and the chemistry is still not right in central defence, but that might be sorted in summer (along with buying Van de Beek if a success).

Agree with Sam though, these 'try before you buy' deals are ideal, especially if you fix a purchase price in advance.

If you take Saturday's starting XI and insert Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison ahead of Rondon and Gordon where does somebody like Van de Beek fit in?

We need to improve our midfield options from the bench but I'm not sure he's going to want to be part of that.

Maybe the interest in Donny van de Beek is because Mbappe will be leaving PSG, either this January or in the summer at the latest, and it seems Richarlison is being touted as the player they will buy to replace Mbappe. So Gray would play on the left and Townsend on the right of Calvert-Lewin. I hope we don't lose Richarlison as he and Gray could cause most teams serious problems.

I read yesterday that Allegri wants to take Allan to Juventus, as he knows him when they were both at Napoli. Again, let's hope that doesn't come to fruition either.

Certainly solve a few FPP problems in this thread.

Reports that Mina wants to play in the Serie A next season onwards. Richarlison is being touted as the player they will buy to replace Mbappe

£70M spend and what – £150M incoming? What we have been saying all along – spot the young up-coming stars and sell them for a profit.

Good age. Would be good to secure a loan deal with an option to purchase. He offers something different to Doucouré and Allan. Perhaps filling in the role Gomes was meant to play. Isco from Real Madrid is another one, Ramsey from Juventus etc.

Anyway, more of rumours will be around for these unused players of Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea...etc.

I think Benitez has a plan of who he wants and how they can fit in before he buys. Hopefully the sensible buying decisions continue.

Ultimately we need to get to a point where there is competition for places, cover for injuries, loss of form etc.

Attacking players in particular often blow hot and cold (except the very few truly world class ones) so we need to allow for that – and embrace the fact that some will be on the bench. Having the likes of Gray, Richarlison, Townsend and Von de Beek competing for 3 starting spots seems very healthy to me.

As the last 15 years show, we can't win / achieve things through having a strong first XI but a weak bench.

Mina looks happy but into the final 2 years of his contact. These rumours will continue untill we make a decision on him. Me, I'd extend as he makes any centre back he plays alongside look better. Plus, he's an on the pitch leader.

So is Allan. No way we are trading him to Juve for Ramsey. Daft story.

Calvert-Lewin to Arsenal is certainly exciting their Twitter fans! No chance this happens. If he maintains his form, I think he goes in 2022 to a big hitter for big money. So not The Arse, then.

I've said it before, all signs point to Richarlison being sold next summer for £80M, possibly more if he has a good season. 4 seasons at a club that's largely treaded water is a big chunk of his career. He'll be 25 and want big games at a high profile club. We had Lukaku for 4 seasons; without making progress as a club, that length of service is the best we can hope for.

Of course, if we can somehow crash the Top 4, then all bets are off.

It's okay to discuss and debate which future transfers would suit the club but I'd rather wait and see what actually happens in January to be honest.

I'm with you, Dave, in the "wait and see" category. The transfer window ends but the clickbait crap just keeps on coming. Even though nothing is going to happen for the next three months!!!

You'd think they would give it a rest and just talk about the football... but no, they now have half our team signing up for other clubs. I hate to say it but it never used to be like this in the Good Old Days!

Until Everton start to make real consistent progress there will always be speculation about comings and goings.
As it is we are always linked with players who can't get into the first eleven at some "rich" club with a big squad while our best players are linked with those same clubs. Hence we are linked with Van de Beek, Maitland-Niles etc while DCL, Richarlison, Mina and Allan are apparently off to pastures new.
I doubt there is much truth in any of it. But until we are taken as serious contenders for the big competitions this situation will continue.

Michael

I think you are right whatever the rumours nothing will happen for 3 months, as for your comment "it never used to be like this". But before we had the introduction of the transfer window then players could move at any time during the season, so at any point you could lose your best player. So at least having a designated time for transfers at least you can hopefully plan things a little better.

For me the power has shifted to much in the players favour, they want 4/5 year deals for their security which is understandable but if a more lucrative offer comes in they then want to renege on the agreement they signed, so they want it both ways. I remember a few years before he died Brian Clough was asked how he would deal with players not seeing out their contracts, his solution was very simple. He said he would get the player and his agent into his office pull out the contract they had both signed get them to verify it was their signatures on the contract, then tell them to F*** off and come back when there were a few months left on their contracts. Funny when a team is doing well quite often a player will send his agent in to get more money, but if things are going badly they never offer to take less money. I think the classic is Chelsea under Benitez, they had been knocked out of the Champions league, so the club lost a lot of possible revenue, but under UEFA rules they went into the Europa league. They got to the final and John Terry as captain went in and asked for a bonus for getting to the final.

That's football now, ain't it. Agents (some are even"super agents") in either upsetting a player into getting a move to a so called "bigger" club," or a bigger pay deal. The agent loves a move because he rakes in bucket loads of money, millions sometimes. I think it's a moneymaking racket that football can't stop.

Then you have the click bait cowboys who need to make a story up somehow and quite often are just re-hashing parts of columns from the papers.

Then you get the bloody "pundits" quite often being quoted for their thoughts because the click bater can't get anyone else.

It's like the Magic Merry Go Round because there's money in it. They all depend on supporters desire to find out "what's happening" at our club. It might be better than the front page news, but it's not worth believing until the club say something, and the club's not going to say much until a transfer takes place.

It's nice to have a good natter about who we'd like to see the club bring in to strengthen the squad, what positions are we weak in, but Dave's right we've got three months of tittle tattle constructed by the media, and that's all it is.

Another tidy video compilation by Everton of Demarai Gray's every touch v United.

On The Ball - Demarai Gray v United

Dare I venture to suggest that he is doing more and proving far more robust than a certain Colombia megastar some continue to pine for.

I've always found Donny van de Beek a better footballer than Davy Klaassen for the simple reason that he has a very good knack of finding free space in the penalty area. Almost a cleverer version one could argue.

That's not saying we should get him. It's up to Rafa first to see if he could fit in.
The way we played at Old Trafford on Saturday was a joy to watch, in that we played as a team. Long may it continue.

Now that Donny isn't playing, he isn't getting picked for the Dutch national team.
Davy Klaasen is. (Before Everton, it was mostly the other way around)
To his credit, DK has never played better.

Donny 's girlfriend, Estelle Bergkamp, has a famous father. No prizes in guessing who that is.

We should avoid this transfer, it's doubtful Man Utd would do business with EFC these days anyway.

A man who knows a thing or two said this about Van Beek -

Tallying up the differences of playing in the Netherlands with Ajax as opposed to playing in a midfield role elsewhere, van Basten suggested that the 24-year-old may not be up to it.

"Van de Beek is not that good," he stated. "As number 10 at Ajax it is much easier than as number 10 in Spain or England.

He may be wrong as it's only opinion, but an opinion I would say carries a little bit of weight

Link

Donny van de Beek, along with Dele Alli, or Harry Winks, and Jesse Lingard (all on loan) and the kid, Patterson (£10M) would be a great bit of business in January and would see us challenging for a top 4 spot.

It would also be a miracle. You don't let your rivals strengthen their squad by weakening your own.

Jay39, Gray and Townsend are far better than the Colombian. By the way has he even played for Al Rayaan yet or is his very small calf problem still keeping him out?

Mike @ 22, sorry but I have to disagree with you're comment regarding some of United's midfielders. Both McTominay and Fred are very average. At best.

Even the United fans dislike them and, as a pair, they simply don't play well together

Michael #35.

There are tonnes of rumours now, many obviously bollocks too just to help increase advertising revenues. However, both Van de Beek and Maitland-Niles were close to joining in summer and, had we offloaded Rodriguez sooner, we might have them on the books now. So it is speculation about something reasonably likely, even if it remains just speculation.

Personally, the reason I remain interested so far ahead of each transfer window is because I expect the current squad will fall short of either a cup or the Europa League if we don't improve. So the hope of better helps dampen the sense of pointlessness.

I think a loan deal that works for us would be fine with reasonable fee if capable, as when we signed Arteta. To give Manchester United most of their money back for a transfer failure and humbly grateful for the opportunity is path trod before with predictable consequences.

Reckon we may want to swerve Bissouma…

Annika #45,

McTominay is a very, very good player having a crap season due to an injury, which he finally had surgically treated last month.

The other two players that Van de Beek plays behind are Pogba and Fernandes (nothing average about those guys at all). He is not really cover for Fred, who is primarily a defensive midfielder -- a position Van de Beek rarely played at Ajax.

And the arrival of Cristiano, which pushes Lingard back into a wide midfield position, pushes Van de Beek even further down the pecking order.

Finally, who a player plays behind is often not a predictor of how good he will be. Gray and Townsend were only occasional starters for their previous clubs.

I'll take Van de Beek. Anytime.

Colin (42),

Harry Winks? If someone asked me to find the least dynamic footballer that's likely to cost more than £20 million, then Harry Winks would be my immediate answer. File under "avoid at all costs".

Mike Gaynes & Colin Glassa,r

Damn. It pains me to disagree with two of my favorite posters on the same thread re Winks and McTominay. If you see me giving Darren a high five, please send over the white coats.

Phil #11,

Calm down, lad! I just made a comment because that's what I think would be the scenario. I've no verdict on his situation, but assume as we couldn't name him in the Premier League squad, we're getting insurance payouts.

Van de Beek is for me.

Kieran, actually I was wrong about both those guys. Three years ago when they were first breaking through at age 22, I thought Winks would be a star and McTominay would crap out. Now I think McTominay will be a mainstay at Man Utd for years to come. And Winks will be knocking around the likes of Norwich or Bournemouth.

Gary @ 48, is he the latest unnamed footballer then?

Mike @49, sorry but we will have to agree to disagree because I go along with the United fans opinion of McTominay. That is he isn't very good. A very limited footballer as far as I am concerned.

Pogba is playing wide left for them but they need a better ball distribution from midfield. Neither Fred nor McTominay provide that. Anyway, enough about that mob. I do agree I would like to see Van de Beek at Goodison though.

Good points, Robert @42. The Van de Beek story did rise above the parapet, as it were, in terms of potential credibility, but what swayed me was the direct quotes from Marcel Brands, which are pretty rare in our media. You have to wonder if he was less circumspect talking in Dutch with his compatriots?

I'm sure you probably maintain a far more attentive gaze on this end of the spectrum than I can bring to bear, so please let us know if you think something comes up that is worth a rumour-mill discussion thread.

What of this Aussie lad at Stoke City – Harry Souttar, for example? Doesn't look like anyone has been drawn to that story in The Sun...

Well I was wrong about Davy Klaassen so I might be wrong about Van de Beek as well. I thought he was superb in that brilliant young Ajax team alongside De Jong and De Ligt. Perhaps Dutch players aren't as good as they used to be.

I still like Harry Winks though.

Harry Souttar is an interesting one, looks like the next Michael Keane, Tarkowski or Maguire. Could be a good one though personally Ii'd like Mina to stay as I think he's been our best central defender for a while now (when he stays fit).

On the fence with this one as he doesn't seem to have had the opportunity to make it (or not) in the league. We need bodies though so a 6-month loan with option to buy in case he comes good, probably best for all parties.

Whether he has the stamina for the Premier League; we'll only see if he plays regularly.

If this is true, Brands should resign. What more proof do we need the that the Director of Football model isn't working than our deadline day enquiries in the last 3/4 windows.

We needed a centre half - enquiry made for Rojo. We needed a keeper - enquiry made for Romero. We now need a centre-mid – enquiry made for Van de Beek. Enough of shite from Man United!! A 9-year-old could come up with these players for us!

Where are the gems our DOF is supposed to find? Where's his little black book of contacts? Where's the coordinated strategy to avoid us having to do mad scrambles on deadline day to get Man Utd reserves?

I seem to remember us being linked with John Souttar – Harry's older brother – back when he was about 17 and breaking into the Dundee United first team (at the same time as Andy Robertson and Ryan Gauld).

He's gone on to have a decent enough career at Hearts, but has obviously not quite broken through to the top ranks. Not seen much of Harry myself but, at 6'-6", it seems that, when I do, I will struggle to miss him.

Annika, the Man Utd fans I know (and try to kick the shit out of on the kickaround pitch) think quite highly of McTominay because of his relentless effort and solid fundamental play. They think he brings a winning attitude that some of the more talented players (Fred, Lingard, Mata) do not.

Mike @ 62,

The Man Utd fans on their biggest independent fans forum certainly think differently about McTominay, he is rated a squad player at best by them.

Keep up the good work on the kick around pitch though!

Is this not Man Utd trying to offload rubbish, as usual?

Colin Glassar @42,

Are we going back to the Koeman & Walsh days with that wishlist, bud? Three No 10s? Sigurdsson, Klaassen and Rooney all day long for me... :)

Wow, if only we could turn back the clock, find out who rubber-stamped that splurge and punch them in the face. Mind you, I wouldn't mind Lingard at a reduced fee in January.

I'd go with the opposite view, Jerome, especially after looking at the “superstar” list of players that Mike G, has given us, and can see why a player like Van de Beek is not being given a chance to see if he his good enough to play in England.

Real Madrid did it quite a few times, getting rid of top players to bring in their latest Galactico, and whilst the top players flourished elsewhere, the same could not always be said for the Galicticos.

I think Brands spoke about his fellow countryman just to remind us that he's still here, but this type of loan deal makes sense; I'd be surprised to see Everton spending much money in January.

I wouldn't buy a player from any of the so called “top six” for two reasons:

We would either be solving a problem for them OR
We would be being “sold a pup”.

Or both.

They aren't going to strengthen the opposition.

So that rules Donny van de Beek out for me. Next!

Laurie, I would make an exception for talented young players who cannot dislodge established stars from the first team. I don't want high earning, average players like Ake, Bailly or (probably) Barkley. But we should be interested in players on the fringes like Van de Beek, Dalot, Zinchenko and Doyle.

We'd all be pleased to have Livramento and Lamptey, I expect.

Same principle applies to the bloated squads and B teams of Bayern, Inter, Barca and Real.

Robert # 68 - they would have to be very exceptional to convince me.

When I do a quick mental run of our most successful forays into the transfer market in the last 20 years or so the only one who I would put in that category (exceptional from a Top 6 club) would be Lukaku (begrudgingly grits teeth).

On the other hand, you have older players deemed to be past their best and youngsters who are on the up or haven't made the grade with clubs lower down the pecking order than us or European clubs.

Coleman
Baines
Stones
Holgate?
Calvert-Lewin
Richarlison
Godfrey
Gray

Barry
Carsley
Martin
Yakubu
Townsend

There for me is the template – a blend of youth and experience. I think we should stick with what works.

Footnote: I think we did alright with Digne and Mina from Barca – but we were no threat to them.

Laurie, Howard and Neville were cast-offs. Not brilliant but good servants. Henry, Vieira and Coutinho were all big club reserves struggling to get any game time. As you say, Lukaku too.

Perhaps the more important thing is who to avoid. Like I say, we don't want average players who have plateaued or hit a downward trajectory but have high wage demands.

People like Schneiderlin in the past or the likes of Bailly now.

Or expensive signings who have already peaked at below the level we're aiming for – like Sigurdsson or Keane.

Laurie - why is Yak on your older, has-beens list? He was a youthful 24 when he signed for us - allegedly!!!

Robert @70,

What do you make of the regular Aaron Ramsey rumours? I've always liked the player as he is goals-from-midfield material as well as having a good engine. Always seems to pop up in the right place at the right time.

On the downside, he is almost 31, will want a huge salary, seems to me to get injured often, will be playing many games for Wales which will exacerbate this.

I'm not sure about this one. On balance, I think he would be an asset to the club on the right wage deal, especially if we could counter it by moving on a couple of our unproductive midfielders.

Anyway, I can see him going to Newcastle on big money as we won't pay it.

I've always liked Ramsey, Tony. A class act. A trio of him, Allan and Doucouré would have a bit of everything.

The trouble is financial. As you say his wages will be high even if the fee is not. The only chance might be a loan. Personally I'm not sure it'd be worth it because of the injury record which you would not expect to get any better for someone who's been playing first-team football since he was 16.

We don't need to sign these sorts of players. A try-before-you-buy loan for Van de Beek makes more sense. He could be a key part of the side for 5 to 8 years or more, as opposed to a bit-part player when fit for the next 2 or maybe 3 years.

To me, Ramsey looks nailed on to sign for Newcastle. He's worth the risk for them and they can afford it.

First, no to Ramsey.

Second, "I can see him going to Newcastle on big money as we won't pay it."

If such signings are the Saudi group letting Newcastle supporters know, "A new Sharif is in town", I'm all for it.

On the other hand, Bruce looks to be out and Antonio Conte is home sitting on his hands. There's no doubt that they can throw all the wages and transfer funds at him he'd demand. Hope his ego won't accept going to that club.

Martin # 71 - I loved the Yak - smashin' footballer.

Robert - Howard and Neville should have made my list - they both brought leadership qualities to the team.

Whoever is doing the recruitment for us over the next 3 years has got to get it right because we definitely won't be shopping at Harrod's. We will have to leave that to Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, and now Newcastle.

Personally after the shemozzle of the last few years I am not bothered about that. Gray is a fantastic signing and who would have thought Townsend would be a better acquisition than Rodriguez? I love a bargain.

A lot of people seem to think that, because you are not built like a brick shithouse, you are not strong enough for the Premier League. That's nonsense. Look at Hazard, Mount etc.

We have a brick shithouse in Gbamin... Enough said.

Doubtful that Van de Beek will still be linked, with Newcastle's new money coming in... but, if there is still interest from Everton's side, it'll surely be as an understudy or injury backup to Doucouré in a more attacking role.

Clearly Everton have more pressing issues to spend their limited transfer pot on, so I can't see this happening.