Interest in Allan from Italy

He's a good player who I'd have loved us to have 5 years ago in his prime. At this point he is probably better suited to a slower league and if we can get a decent transfer fee back (£10M-12M?), then it should suit everyone.

Hope Thelwell has some good midfield targets lined up. Villa have already signed Kamara and Palace are close to signing Cheick Doucoure, two players I'd have quite liked.

Sadly too old for us now and not what we exactly need either.

I see we're being linked with Tom Lawrence from Derby... a quality player, always starts, can add goals and assists from midfield (finally), has worked with Frank before and in his prime (28) and will be available on a free too!

Sign him up.

We need to be finding a 25-year-old ‘Allan' as his replacement. A bit faster but with all the tenacity.

We will need a centre-back if Mina is sold, we may need one anyway because of Mina's unreliability to be fit. I think this continued instability at central defence is one of the sources of our weakness. It needs addressing.

The main focus has to be the midfield. Get this right and we'll see a new Everton next season. Thelwell needs to be working overtime on it. Any funds need to be targeted here. Pay the money, whatever we can, for a young hungry core at central midfield.

Allan, Delph, Sigurdsson, Gomes (if possible), Gbamin (if possible) That's five midfielders who could well be out. They have to be replaced by hungry quality players. Sam and Robert will come up with a good few to look at.

I'd love the young players full of energy, Conor Gallagher, James Garner. We'd have to spend big. Lingard needs consideration on a free transfer, I wouldn't write off Dele Alli, after a full pre-season he may get right back into it, he has a touch of class. Always interested in what the French league throws up regarding young potential.

Most who know me know my thoughts on Allan.

His attitude to Everton has been great. A leader on the pitch as well as a talented footballer.

I'd loved us to have had him a few years earlier.

Lingard reportedly wants £150k/week if he goes to Villa. I will be shocked if he joins Everton.

Obscene money for a Man Utd reserve. Half of that would be pushing it.

Gbamin played 12 games for Moscow and scored 2 goals I believe, so he's match fit now. Maybe this could be his chance, he has a brilliant physique, and could be an upgrade on Allan?

I'd still like to see a fit Gbamin given a chance, Christy. There's a player in him and he was spoken highly of at Mainz, where he played holding midfielder and centre-back. Many have spoken of doing that with Holgate. This player can do it.

If fit. There is the conundrum.

To me, this is a no-brainer. Allan is a good soldier and his commitment to the cause has never been in question. But he's past 30, he's entering the last year of his deal, we aren't going to extend him, and the fact is he was an Ancelotti signing who no longer fits the current reality of the team.

Shifting him back to Italy (which is a much better fit for him anyway, at this stage of his career) and getting something in return makes all the sense in the world.

Free agent = big wages as there is no transfer fee. Also good for FFP.

Same Gbamin whose agent has apparently been denying this week that “he's more interested in the nightclubs and alcohol than CSKA” and who has already been banned from driving here for 14 months for being pissed at the wheel?

Guess there's always hope. Unfortunately this feels like a very slim one.

Allan out, Sean Longstaff in on a free. Could be an astute bit of business.

Depending on his price, if Frank can use his connections, I would certainly consider Conor Gallagher as a replacement.

I would more than consider Gallagher, I would grab him with both hands. He is what many of hoped that Tom Davies would become.

Christy and Danny, we should absolutely give him a clear shot. Nothing to lose.

I am convinced that Allan is a very committed footballer. Last Thursday, I noticed that as soon as Dominic's header went in against Crystal Palace, Allan was on his feet and talking animatedly with Frank Lampard on trying to get himself on the pitch. Frank decided on sending Kenny on and thankfully, it worked for us.

However, I think it would be best for all parties concerned if Allan were to be sold to Italy, a league that he is familiar with and will give a few more years to his career than the hurly-burly of the Premier League.

One player I would dearly love to see playing for Everton next season would be John McGinn at Aston Villa, if they are willing to sell him. It will probably take about £25-30 million to get him, but he is a terrific player who also scores quite a few goals and has a combative mindset, which is exactly what we need in our midfield.

Allan: A great technician with a great footballing brain but far too slow for what we need in our midfield.
If the Lazio interest is genuine he should be sold so we can look for younger, faster, more athletic players.
We've been overrun in midfield this season by almost every other team in the league due, in the main, to lack of pace.
So called "lesser" teams have simply outrun and outpassed us with consummate ease time and time again by the very simple practice of their midfielders finding space in a forward position, receiving the ball, moving it "forward" quickly to another "forward" moving midfielder and before you know it they're on the edge of our box.
It's something we hardly ever did all season.

The great escape act we pulled in the last month was achieved on the whole without Allan in the team.

As much as I love his attitude and drive, the fact remains he can be a liability due to his lack of pace and a killer pass.

Along with Gomes, who was always too slow, and those whose deals have expired, he gives us the opportunity to free up massive salaries. Any money we can get can be reinvested, much as we did with the Digne sale.

There are a lot of players looking for clubs and asking daft money. But, as was mentioned above, with the financial rules to consider, paying a player his transfer fee as salary over the 3 years of his contract helps us stay the right side of the ledger.

I wish Allan well, but would drive him to the airport myself if I knew we could get a quicker, younger replacement.

Sean Longstaff has been offered a much improved new contract which will take him to 2026 which he is expected to sign.

How on earth will we get rid of Gomes who is on £112k per week with another 2 years on his contract???

Gallagher is an interesting one. He got a lot of good press this season and young English players do not go cheap. I reckon he'd probably cost around £25-30M and only then if Chelsea reckoned he wasn't good enough to get in their team.

He's a very useful young player and full of energy which is what we need but he's not a defensive midfielder (though he does make a fair amount of tackles) which is probably what is required first and foremost.

Given the widespread needs of the team I have a feeling we won't be buying any players this summer who cost over £20M. It will be about finding the next Gallagher I suspect.

Sam, agreed, there will be no glut of £20m plus incoming.

I think we have seen the light concerning FFP (who on earth was responsible for the reckless spending?) and Thelwell will be searching for the players in lower divisions or overseas who are poised to make the grade.

I can imagine maybe one bigger signing to add creativity in midfield but we are now looking at what Howard Kendall Mk 1 did — hungry young players with athleticism and add a few established leaders with maybe a star player.

Keeping two of Pickford, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison will be a good start.

Clive @20

We would likely have to let Gomes go on a free and pay a portion of his wages for the remaining 2 years. That would be better than paying 100% of his wages over the next couple of years and having him sitting here on the bench or, worse still, actually being picked to play for us.

Surely someone would take him on a free if we cover some of his wages. maybe one of the USA teams which seems more his level at present. Hopefully we could convince him to go.

Thanks, bye

Have we missed out on signing Boubacar Kamara who Villa have snapped up on a free if Allan is on his way?

Shame about Kamara and (the other) Doucoure whom Sam mentioned on another post. There are always more fish in the sea but those look like good business by Villa and Palace.

On Gallagher, I can't imagine Chelsea would let him go for less than about £45M. More likely still he'll be earmarked for a role in their engine room for the next 10 years.

They will, however, be likely to listen to offers (possibly loans initially) for Gilmour, Ampadu and Hudson-Odoi.

I'd have included Broja in that list until watching Lukaku play the cup final as though he was 35. They may decide Broja is actually their best striker.

We are all saying the obvious names we may or may not get but, for the third time of asking, I want this DOF to make inspired moves. Too much to ask? Then get another one.

It makes sense to help reduce salaries and possibly bring in £6M transfer fee.

It's not about age, it's about ability, mentality and effort and adapting to the team's needs on matchday and manager's instructions.

We can't afford ready-made Premier League players, even on free transfers, as they all want £100k per week plus.

There are plenty of players, of a good enough standard and profile that we should be able to identify and bring in.

The problem is I've been expecting using to do this for several years but have struggled.

If Allan had Doucouré's athleticism, he'd be great, but instead he's a good player that will only become more reliant on others' pace.

Gray and Townsend were two good examples worth taking a chance on. I agree, Lawrence would be another.

A quick scout of Championship and Europa League games would be a good start. I Iike the directness and energy of several German teams and players.

Steven Gerrard is looking to do to Villa in 18 months what Farhad did to us over 5 years. He's spending crazy amounts to get them to lower mid-table.

Robert, I think Broja and Gallagher would be inspirational signings if Frank could pull them off. Chelsea would probably want have strings attached but there are connections and paths of logic that give Frank, an admittedly, faint ray of hope.

Conor Gallagher on Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

"Frank Lampard is someone I have always looked up to, being a Chelsea fan, it was incredible watching him and the number of goals and assists he got was crazy for a midfielder," Gallagher said from St George's Park.

"It is ridiculous with his numbers. I want to be a goalscoring midfielder but there's a lot of work to be done. I got a couple of goals the other day which gave me confidence for sure."

On Cole, he added: "I haven't worked with him yet but I've seen him around the Chelsea training ground. I'm really excited to work with him. I looked up to him as well as a Chelsea fan.

With regards Broja, Frank knows him and gave him his first team debut.

Sounds to me that both would be open to working with Frank Lampard if the Chelsea first team is overlooking them.

Gilmour showed huge potential under Frank, didn't do a lot at Norwich, but an aggressive midfielder.

Bassey from Rangers is a must – he can play a few positions.

Get Sam Johnston and sell Pickford.

Get the money in, buy a few good young hungry midfielders who will play for the badge.

Keane has to go, Mina as well. We can't rely on him, I'm afraid.

I'd like Gallagher but Palace were told at least £50M for him and it now looks possible he'll have another year there on loan.

We need to find the next Gallagher equivalents before they have a pretty high profile and definitely before they play for England. Right sort of player wrong sort of price.

If Frank makes this one happen then brilliant, I just can't see it.

No way Gallagher can be brought for under £45M (to whoever said we could get him for £25M). I do think we have a shot at getting him on loan and I can see us buying Gilmour as Chelsea have a bloated squad and he has been shite for Norwich all season – Frank could revive him though, maybe?

I would take two loans from Chelsea if possible, the lad who has been at Huddersfield maybe and Broja. Let's see if Frank holds any further sway there.

I can see us dipping into the Championship too in the summer, Lewis-Potter of Hull, Brennan of Forest and Brereton-Diaz all look like players to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if our DOF scouts from the MLS too given his past connections… maybe Mike and Jamie could give us a few names?

Sam # 21 and Dave # 22 – without bringing in a decent amount from player sales, clearly FFP will constrain our ability to pay out big transfer fees. Then again, teams such as Leicester, Brighton, Palace and Brentford have shown it's perfectly possible to assemble a respectable side for a modest amount.

Our new DOF will have experience of this from his time at Wolves; if Frank can flush out another couple of Mason Mounts on loan, then we should be looking upwards.

Complete mystery why we signed him in the first place. Our penchant for buying "names" past their best has been a massive reason for our decline going back years.

Hopefully a return to Italy signals the end of such amateur-night recruitment because watching him gasp for breath as opposition players sped past him was unedifying.

Mike @34,

You're dead right FFP will be a big factor in our summer business. But, even if we had big money to spend, I think our strategy should still be to buy young, promising players up to around £25 or £30 million.

There are a lot about. I keep banging on about Bassey from Rangers. Left-sided defender with pace, physique and aggression. I think he would be a great acquisition for us.

Chelsea are supposedly in for Neymar and are putting in an offer for Rabiot. I think Broja may be available when they get finished shopping. If what Tony said carries some weight, Frank should test that by chatting up Touchel.

Ajay @16,

I'm also a big fan of McGinn. Great tenacity and aggression as well a decent centre mid. He'd be a great signing but I can't see Villa selling (or why he'd want to leave Villa to come to us tbh). He's exactly the kind of player we could do with in the middle of the park.

On Allen, as most have said above, better to sell for a fee now instead of him walking on a free next summer. We really need younger legs/engines in the midfield. We were just too slow in that part of the pitch for many games during the season. Gomes is another prime contender to be sold (if anyone will take him).

I can see us signing 3-4 'frees' and selling a few to get a better FFP position but still have the right number of players in the squad.

It will be an interesting next couple of months and thank god we're still looking forward to being in the Premier League. I never wanted to believe we were down but thought we were sailing bloody close to it for too long.

It's going to be an interesting summer and likely some long poker games in the transfer context.

Allan's deffo going somewhere, and I'm sure Lampard and Thelwell will be using research and stealth before throwing cash at any deal this summer.

There's hope on the horizon, but the squad depth is almost non-existent, like for like, so a massive rebuilding is needed to get close to par with the so-called Top 6.

The midfield area was my bone of contention for most of last season. It seemed to start off well but didn't last. Doucouré looked good but, after he got injured, things fell apart.

As we all seem to agree, the tackling was poor and the closing down was suspect, and this was generally due to players being half-a-yard too slow. Other teams just seemed to be able to get at the Everton back line too easily and we always looked like we could concede.

Thank God Pickford had some really decent games to keep us out of trouble, as well as Iwobi giving support to Coleman in those last few games.

Frank really has his work cut out to get a midfield that can be competitive next season.

I like Allan as a player, he is tenacious and aggressive and also capable of delivering quality forward passes with a little bit of time on the ball. In some ways, it would make sense to cash in before his contract expires but, in all honesty, I think selling him would only bring in about £6M which, given what we paid (£21.7M) hardly seems worth it, it may be better to keep him for the last twelve months of his contract as a backup or to play selectively.

If we lose Kenny, Delph, Sigurdsson, Van de Beek, El Ghazi, and Allan all together, it will leave us very light on midfield players. There are no guarantees that any midfield replacements will hit the ground running or be of the necessary quality we need to stabilise let alone progress.

I can only assume that Gomes will try to be moved on also. I think Allan lacks consistency partly because of the pace and speed of the Premier League. Our movement off the ball is shite and, with improvements in this regard ahead of him, Allan may well give us a decent last season.

It is all well and good having young and hungry players but we also need players who are capable of retaining possession well, knitting play together well and whose movement off the ball is good and supportive.

A fit and motivated Dele Alli would improve things… as would playing Alex Iwobi in his correct (central) position!

I don't want to temper anyone's excitement but we are not going to be signing Armando Broja or Conor Gallagher. If Chelsea want to loan them out for another season, then we might be towards the front of that queue, but these are two players we just cannot afford to buy right now.

Broja and Gallagher are young players whose values have shot up in the last 12 months precisely because of the performances that now see them being mentioned as possible transfer targets. We need to find young talented players that are on the cusp of proving themselves – as opposed to the ones that already have.

This is wild speculation on my part but, a year ago Chelsea might have sold Broja for £12 million – and now, he's worth at least twice that. Conor Gallagher's value has probably trebled.

I hope the players we are targeting are ones that the average fan is not that familiar with – in the same way that most Southampton fans would have been googling Broja before he joined them last summer – and the same with Tino Livramento, who looks to be a great buy for them.

We may need to swell the squad with a few players who offer great value for money in one respect or another – whether that be because they are free agents, or coming from clubs who need to sell, or because they are players at the very beginning or very end of their careers.

Some of these players will be little more than stop-gaps as we try to rebuild over the next few years, and a few such players added to the squad – alongside a few promoted academy players – might give us the chance to use any money we are able to spend on one or two bigger targets.

I'll offer one example of this type of stop-gap player that I think we might need to identify: Jack Cork. Contract with Burnley coming to an end, has a lot of Premier League experience, 32 years old, and plays in a position we are hopelessly short in – defensive midfield. And he spent 5 years on the books of Chelsea when Lampard was in his prime.

These sorts of signings – like Andros Townsend was last summer – are unlikely to get our fanbase purring in anticipation of bigger and better things, but they might just make a season like the one we've just had become less likely – and the chance of bigger and better things being more achievable in two or three seasons time.

If we had a “bigger squad”, maybe keeping Allan to play around 20 matches would make sense, because I personally feel he's a player, who does a lot better in the games at Goodison, for whatever reason.

We don't have enough good players in our squad; most of our better players were injured for prolonged periods, I think this really killed us last season, and things are only going to get worse now teams are going to be able to use 5 subs next season.

It's another contradiction of course, hamper them with FFP, whilst the teams who constantly make the 90% closed shop of the Champions League, won't really have this problem, enabling them to keep pushing that little bit further away from the rest.

My own view is that athleticism is key nowadays, and the quickest way to start bridging the gap, is to get in more players who can cope with the physical demands of the Premier League, so if we can get a few quid for someone who is probably a very high earner, selling Allan for even £5 million, might make sense.

I also heard Allan was suffering with a possible double hernia, and this was probably why he wasn't really used towards the end of the season.

With Delph & Sigurdsson out of contract, plus Gbamin who seems to be not part of any plans going forward, the midfield is likely to be thin on numbers already. I could actually see us getting a fee for Allan and at his age that might be good business. So it's a FFP midfield overhaul then?

Love Allan's commitment. When he was on form, he was good for us, but, as everyone points out, the Premier League is too fast for him at his age.

A player of his quality should be getting games – not bench-warming. Let him go back to Italy and get in a younger version!

With the number of exits in central midfield I wouldn't rush to be ushering Allan out the door just yet. If we have signed a definite 1st team centre mid and we can get a good deal for Allan then fine.

I really like Allan so torn.

If the £6M many are touting is accurate, then from a football perspective, I'd been inclined to keep and use sparingly. The departure door is going to be busy and we're not going to be grabbing the headlines on Sky Sports.

Plus the other aspect he brings is leadership and our cupboard is not exactly brimming in that department.

£6M is not great but I'd take it based on age and wages. He was bought for a manager and system we no longer have.

I have to agree with Barry #36, as a character and a man Allan comes across as a thoroughly nice bloke and a leader, although he cannot run a midfield at his age and pace in the premier league.

I've never enjoyed watching him in our side to be honest and I have been waiting for him to turn into Peter Reid ever since we signed him.

Sadly though he has taken up a key position in central midfield and has been run ragged most weeks and is a liability for cheap fouls, poor passing range, often out of position and whilst were on, although not what he was brought in for zero goals and assists.

If we want to progress we need someone much more dynamic, compare him to someone like McGinn at Villa for instance, Bassouma at Brighton.

A classic Everton signing of over the odds, past their best with little sell on value. Carlo needed to bolster the midfield I get it but he had a whole summer to be more savvy and again raises the question what Brands was even there for, as it appears most managers were allowed to bring their own players in.

I thank him for his effort and professionalism over the 2 years and he will be fondly remembered by the fans I think but whatever we can get for him we should sell.

I think a lot of posters are going on his end of season form when he was suffering with groin injuries.

To me he is a real leader and when paired with a good DM contributes a great deal more than Gomes or Doucoure. Some of his passes are defence splitting so for me he would get a pass unless and until we get a top class MF.

Villa have apparently signed Diego Carlos today (a very good CB from Sevilla). Him and Kamara (and Coutinho) are good players, solid early business from them. Think they will challenge for top 7 next year. We will not.

Sam I don't think we'll be challenging top 7 for a couple of seasond atleast. It's a big reset at the club and some players on big money will see it out until summer 2023. Combined with our perioulous financial position we'll need to solidfy and get the foundations and core of a squad bedded down and build around that. I expected mid table bottom half finishes over atleast the next two seasons.