Reports: Gueye close to making Everton return

Even though he is older, he is still better than anyone else we have been associated with and his experience in the middle of the park is just what we need.

He has been up against some of Europe's best players in the last few years and has not been found wanting.

Go Gana.

If his legs suddenly 'go' then he won't be able to do this and I'm not sure if he has the discipline or nouse to become a sitting CDM? And his passing range was never brilliant, either.

But even so, I make a point of being positive rather than negative so let's hope its another Gareth Barry coup and its not massive wages. Only 5 days to go and we've made a few signings, we're at home and we're the underdogs...suits us perfectly! COYB

A proven player who was an integral part of a team that included Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Fucking Mbappe...... Unbelievable, Jeff.

The main thing is, is he better than what he have? Yes. Get him signed on the cheap, improves our starting 11. Sensible signing as 2 ball winners means we can probably fit Alli in the side much better, trusting he wants to play at his best again.

Yes, we need to pick up good youngsters when we can but the ultimate issue is avoiding relegation in the short term.

Our scouting network is so fucking bad it's taken us 3 years to replace Gueye… with Gueye.

Jeff @ 8, I am open-minded about this deal but the fact that we attracted this league winner is not, to me, any great endorsement of him.

I thought he definitely played his best football in the very latter stages of his Everton career. If he's here just to sit and cover our marauding fullbacks, then maybe another part of Lampard's system might now be in place.

I still think Gueye can do a job but I'd rather have a younger version.

Definitely a no to Barkley's return. We can't gamble on another player regaining his mojo when we're already taking a risk on Alli doing so.

As for Gana, it's a no-brainer especially compared to Allan etc. I would hope in the future, or even the coming days and weeks before the window shuts, that he does recognise an unknown gem though.

For example, we identify player x. He’s 22, plays midfield and currently plays for a middling European team. We make an enquiry. His club are prepared to sell. Player x says, Everton? That team that just avoided relegation? Whose fans are protesting about the current owners? Neighbours to one of the most successful clubs in recent years? Up north, no where near London?

Then Gana becomes available, and is willing to sign.

Our scouting looks poor, but not really, as the player originally identified isn’t interested.

We can’t just throw massive wages as a temptation. That’s one of the reasons we’re financially screwed.

If Gana is the best we can get, I’m all for it as I’m sick of the current lot in midfielders.

Gana didn't down tools and let his form drop, he was professional to a tee for us during that period, playing some great matches, with the best stats in the league for tackling and interceptions. To me this professional, selfless attitude sets him apart from the rank and file and I'm delighted he's back.

It wouldn't surprise me now to see Allan sold (Sarri's Lazio) so we are neutral financially on this deal. Then, Gomes and Gbamin will be sold or loaned whatever the deal to the highest bidder. Then we will sign a DCM, an experienced quality player like Guido Rodriguez if we can, maybe an alternative. If not, it will be Billy Gilmour on a loan-to-buy deal.

Gueye
Rooney
Ferguson
Jeffers
Pienaar
Gravesen
McFadden
Unsworth
Stubbs
Pistone
King
Curran
Fernandez
Harper
David Johnson
Beagrie
Deulofeu
Donovan

Manager: Kendall

Tony @25, I agree, the lad's fit as a fiddle. Naturally though not like Rooney or Gazza who always needed to work at it.

I think he could come and have an impact on freeing up the 1 or 2 other midfielders to get further forward.

Good business in my eyes

I think you're being a bit harsh. As you stated our scouts identify a good talent playing in the UK, Europe or Worldwide.

The one point you have missed is that these players have agents and, once the agents are aware that Everton are interested, then that information is put out there for all to see, and the likes of Spurs, Newcastle and a host of other Premier League clubs suddenly take an interest as well... and with our money issues the other clubs are very soon in the driving seat.

Everton are a big club and seriously big enough to tell players - "We want you please hang in there whilst we sort out a deal with your present club". Hence why the Cornet deal is hanging in there; Everton want Cornet, Cornet wants to come to Goodison but we have to agree a deal with Burnley. Lots of clubs want him but Cornet wants to come to Goodison.

So let's see who we sign and who we sell but let's not belittle this great club.

Reflects the over-sentimentality of the club, particularly of the current Chairman. I’d argue that only Unsworth and Donovan were as good second time around. I hope Gueye proves to be another exception.

We've had a gap in this area of the pitch for a few seasons now and have to be realistic as to who we can get.

With what we have on paper, there is a good blend of experience and youth.

We're not exactly shown in a good light in the media.

I agree wholeheartedly about agents.

1. Every club in Europe is scouting for that 19-year-old player you speak of. To think that there's some superstar that hasn't been spotted yet and we can just swan in and get them for "peanuts" – that is dreamland, mate.

2. It's no shame not to be able to get in that PSG team, a lot of the bigger name, more expensive players we've been linked with wouldn't get near their training ground, nevermind the team!

Gana's been there, played a major part, got more experience and will come back a better player imo. Ready to slot right in. For a lot less than some unproven prospect.

As you know I am about to start a new journey, a journey that I have dreamed about since a kid and when this opportunity presented itself I couldn't turn it down. To my teammates and coaches I will miss you and will continue to support you. Everton. we are family and will continue to be and for me Merseyside will always be BLUE #COYB.
Love, Idrissa Gana Gueye

Dream realized, now he comes home.

Welcome back (hopefully).

You got it, sir.

It does not matter what the clubs decide whether you are trying to sell or buy, it all depends on the player in what he wants. It may be that he does not want to go to the club that asked about him, can't agree with the contract he has been offered, or as he is older, believes he can earn more staying on the contract he already has with his present club, until it is time for a new contract. We have deadwood that can prove that.

We have a number of promising young players coming through the system and what they need is an older experienced professional to set an example of playing against different formations. Gueye is an example for this and, to me, if you are good enough the age is not a problem.

There are younger quality players out there but, if they are like most of them, they want to join a successful club for trophies and recognition, at the moment, going on Everton's last 5 seasons and the signs of next season it will not be with Everton.

The question with Gueye as a defensive midfielder is he better than what we have? Or are what we have good enough.
Trying to rebuild a struggling club with limited finances to me is hard enough and to try bringing in younger players who may not fit will make it worse. Most clubs bring younger players into a settled team; Everton are not at the moment a settled team.

Get another striker and see how we go.

Understandable comments about our lack of scouting but this is one I'll happily accept back.

Why would his legs suddenly go as he hits 33? He's been mixing it in the Champions League for the last 3 years and done just fine. His game IQ will have improved which is most important in his position. This will make him an even better player than the one that left.

I agree, I am not a fan of bringing old players back. Looking at Chris's list @28, how many of those where better 2nd time around?

Regardless, it looks like it's going to happen and he will have my full support. He does the dirty work and generally will improve those around him. It wouldn't have surprised me if Man City had signed him as I think he would do a great job there.

It will be interesting to see what formation Lampard settles on. I did like Alli playing the False 9 last week when Calvert-Lewin went off. Pack the midfield and get the ball back quickly.

We have Gordon, Gray, McNeil, Iwobi, Allan, Doucouré, Alli and Gueye battling it out for 3, 4 or 5 spots.

Sick of every season a dreadful goal difference while our neighbours score for fun. Even Moyes much celebrated 4th finish all them years ago with 1 - 0's we finished with -1. Bar Humbug!

Dissapointed in Thelwell, we don't want any more ex-players coming back, including Ross (they will all be older). The one I really want is Cornet, but we are going to lose out on him also. Very pleased with Dwight McNeil, but we desperately need more goals.

Sick of every season a dreadful goal difference while our neighbours score for fun. Even Moyes's much celebrated 4th finish all them years ago with 1-0 wins, we finished with -1. Bar Humbug!

Well, he certainly coped with the pace of the fastest and most dangerous player in the PL four months ago.

He shut down Salah completely in the biggest game either one has ever played, to determine which would go to the World Cup. Marked him off the pitch. Salah barely got a touch and never got a shot away.

Gana will start in the WC in November, likely the only Blue besides Picks to do so. Salah will be on his sofa watching.

David #36, well said.

Is it an area we were lacking in strength, again yes.

Up to now I think we have done well with the players we have brought in.

If he still anywhere near as good as the player he was first time around, I think he will be another sound addition to our squad, should he sign.

I honestly think we will not land any of the Chelsea players, ie Gilmour, Batshuayi, until Chelsea have got the first match against us out of the way.

One last thing,plenty of names banded about, of former players returning to Everton, yet no mention of Gravesen in the lists.

Welcome home!

Welcome home!

I know practically nothing about promising young players on the continent or closer to home, and I don't mind being sidelined by board members who insist on bringing back their faves (as long I still get paid).

So it would appear that I am qualified to do whatever Thelwell is doing. Oh, and I'll do it for half his wages too.

The new partnership will allow Everton supporters to dress their avatars in licensed, non-replica Blues attire specifically designed by Fancurve for the metaverse. Fancurve creates its digital wearables through blockchain technology, resulting in virtual 2D and 3D “photo-realistic garments’’ that can be utilized as fashion plates, character skins or in-game assets.
Maybe Bill can get some digital world class players.

I admire your stance of absolute maximum optimism in Gueye's mindset.

At the time of his signing, re-elevating him from Championship football, and during his playing, I do believe we were a team with a recent new owner, some money, and stated ambitions to improve our level, with a new stadium announced.

Gueye didn't want to wait around. We must hope his trophy ambitions are now satiated, and that his next dream is coming to help a team that just avoided relegation and is much less likely to win anything.

"Home". OK.

As to where he would fit in to the system I haven’t got a clue. Joe, you know Burnley, what do you think? Do you think he could play as a second forward behind DCL ? In a 4411 formation?

I have high hopes of Stanley Mills as well, I really think he is the pick of the bunch of our youngsters and looking forward to him eventually playing regular, for the first team. Would not be suprised if in a season or so, if Everton fail to keep hold of Gordon, or he refuses to sign a further contract extension, Mills will come in to fill his place, before anyone calls me mad, yes I want Gordon in an Everton shirt, his energy and play is a breath of fresh air, however if he gets itchy feet, it will be out of our hands.

If we can bring Gana in for free or on a loan deal and sell Allan for a many kind of fee then that is very astute business.

A defensive specialist midfield player like Gana will improve our starting XI immediately. If we get a decent season out of him with a view to replacing him in 12-18 months time with someone of promise in that position then that seems like a plan that makes much sense to me.

However donning a tin hat, and biting my bottom lip, I do think this guy is an exception to the rule, and like Gareth Barry has that class that defies age, and any lack of speed is adequately compensated by experience and doing the right thing on the pitch.

Again, I can understand why he went to PSG. It is, or recently has become, one of those Clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, that many players regard as being the pinnacle of their career, and possibly an accolade that they would be interested in signing him. However all these Clubs are equally ready to discard a player once a new system or Manager comes along.

Therefore, summing up I will welcome him back, and as many have said, he is head and shoulders (not physically) above anyone we have in midfield. Incidentally, another player I would have no qualms about him coming back is Geri Deulofeu, he is more experienced now, has that bit of magic, and understands what Blues Fans want as I hope Gana does too !

Think we are looking at an option for cover in attack and I think Batshuayi would be a terrific signing.

Still think though he will come in after we have played Chelsea though.

Batshuayi is a player to me, very much like Barkley, in that he creates a massive impression with a few goals, and performances after arrival. Then once his boots are a fixture in the Dressing Room he tapers off and doesn't seem to cut the mustard from then on in!

Maxwell Cornet, on the other hand, has more versatility, and possibly something to prove to the Premier League that not all players who have been in a relegated team aren't good enough.

Our midfield last season was so weak, so lacking in guile and bite, and with Gana on the pitch I doubt we'll be anything like so over-run and outmanoeuvred. He won't dictate proceedings and he won't grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but he'll cover the ground in midfield better than anyone else we have and free up the other midfielders and full-backs/wingbacks to stay further up the pitch.

I really hope we are welcoming back Gana. The additions of Tarkowski, McNeil, Vinagre, and Gana all make sense to me - particularly for the combined outlay. They might not be the hot, young, breaking talents that fans on here seem to obsessed by, but I think the transfer business thus far is ticking a lot of boxes for me.

As tenacious, energetic and positionally aware as ever.

I'm way more confident of us staying out of a relegation scrap this season with him patrolling our midfield than I am without him. Get it done I say.

A player I have extolled the virtues of on here many times. This player will be a star.

We should seriously attempt to hijack that deal. Particularly if a similar fee is earmarked for the signing of Cornet.

I imagine we could even attempt to offload the likes of Allan or Andre Gomes to them to offset any fee.

Whenever I watched him play for PSG in the Champion's League, I thought he looked right at place. His passing and distribution all good enough, while his main duties of being the presser (in a team with 3 superstar attackers who do not press) he did very well. He was not a guaranteed starter, PSG have numerous multi-million £ midfielders, but he was an important player in their squad.

For us, he will bring much needed presence in the middle. Since he left teams have too easily just waltzed through the middle with little to no disruption.

Doucoure isn't a centre mid, and even if he can occasionally use his power to track and disrupt, he usually undoes such work when he woefully gifts the ball back to the opposition.

Allan is a ball hunter, but he is not on the level of Gana, and also feel Allan suits being further up the field. I would not see him as a defensive midfielder, but a 'presser'. I feel he could have a good partnership with Gana, as 2 midfield disrupters.

Davies, Gomes, and GBamin are just not good enough even for the bench.

I expect Gana will be less energetic now, but an so maybe he will sit more, which is exactly what we need. If he continues as the chaser of before, then we will still need someone who is more positionally disciplined - but also who has pace, power, distribution, to make our midfield fit for the Premier League.

Batshuayi however would more than likely be a much lower fee and possibly staggered payments as well, I think that’s the Avenue Everton will go down.

I think Had Calvert-Lewin been sold, we would have brought in Broja, but with Calvert-Lewin staying, for me he will bring in Batshuayi, I could be completely wrong, but that’s my assumption of things.

Must admit I do like Batshuayi, as you probably already know, with me bending your ears Derek at our pub meet ups in the past, a big fat yes from me for Batshuayi.

Hopefully will get to see you soon, along with Jim, Bill, Steve, Danny, Dave and some of the other ToffeeWebbers.

ToffeeWeb the stream is embarrassing, keep trying and trying???

As far as attitude is concerned, he will be on the ball. Remember he was going to PSG from January in his last season with Everton and put a highly professional performance in till the end of the season.

As for his fitness, I don't think there is any doubt and injury-wise he knows how to tackle to avoid it.

Besides the media usual suspects we go for, our scouts seem to get a nosebleed past the Rocket on Queens Drive.

Hope you're right as there's still time but that type of signing, it looks like not our strategy, for now anyway.,

Forever. Just Forever. I can't wait.

Considering Chris's list @ 28, the probability says it's touch and go whether it works out.

Gueye was a great team member first time around though not without faults. If he's as he was, it will improve us and give us further options. The motivation and enthusiasm is the question. Fingers crossed!

I can recall teams waltzing through the middle while Gana actually was meant to be there. Like you, I expect that Gana will be "less energetic now", however, you contrive to make this a positive. I think he is better than we have on a very short term basis. As a signing he fits where we are now, he'll do.

It might be right out of order but I find it hard to believe that such so many utterly limited footballers are earning fortunes and being called, number tens, water carriers etc.

Back in the day they were the last picked in a kickabout. Dull.

I must admit that the portrayal of his apparent homophobia left me bloody uncomfortable (oh go on, call me 'woke' and then run away to the other end of the playground). Sometimes, there's a wider perspective though – I'd really suggest reading this piece by a Senegalese rights activist

Gay activist defends Muslim player who shunned rainbow uniform

So, it's a 'yes' from me

I agree 100% with Gueye. He'll walk into our midfield and enable the likes of Dele Alli to get forward more. Not too sure about Geri, though. He flatters to deceive and tends to disappear from games. We already have plenty of those.

Regarding Cornet; an insider tells me Everton and Burnley had agreed terms and the player's representatives also agreed personal terms. The sticking point was the squad number. Apparently, Cornet insisted on the 99 shirt.

I'll get my coat!

They have not been able to offload the dross they had and, with money being tight, I suppose we couldn't expect a class replacement for Richarlison being affordable.

We have a lot of competition for the midfield but, no matter which way Frank shuffles the pack, it's hard to see Everton being much of a threat going forward.

McNeil might be the bright spark but I think it will be a season of consolidation to maintain some respectability after the near calamity of last season.

It goes without saying that the rich clubs will dominate the Top 6 or Top 7 spots again and the rest will just pick up the scraps. The first game against Chelsea will be especially tough as they have made some strong additions.

We can only hope some big investor makes a serious bid to take over.

"Cornet insisted on the 99 shirt."

A bit Flakey there Bill, you deserve Crushed Nuts, for your Raspberry Saucy comment! 🤔😜

A bit pricey for Cornet – we may need a whip round... but how dairy say that!

He is 33 years old in September, the Premier League is arguably faster, I feel that this is a waste of precious transfer money.

It's not a no-brainer, he's nowhere near the quality, stature and strength of Gareth Barry who didn't have to readjust to a new league. An expensive risk.

Will #63, I don't think Gana is hurting for work. From PSG he could go to lots of clubs in lots of leagues and make lots of money. He is choosing to come back to Everton. I think that's a significant statement.

Simon #102, Burnley reportedly wants us to pay an extra £7.5 million for Cornet for the privilege of spreading out the fee. I find that highly unreasonable and I thoroughly endorse Thelwell's decision to piss them about for weeks if necessary. If Cornet truly wants to come to us, it'll get done before the window closes. We don't need him for Saturday.

Gueye’s last season at Everton was easily his best. His tenacious tackling and positional sense was finally augmented by his ability to pick a forward pass. He was so good that one of the European giants decided to come in for him.

Despite your assertions to the contrary, I see barely a comment suggesting he wouldn’t be missed: Gueye sold to PSG (2019).

It's certainly doable but you need to do proper scouting – not like ours who are doing theirs by watching YouTube highlights or asking Billy Bullshitter who he wants back at the club most!

It's pure simulation. There are no consequences for the fantasy decisions you make, whereas those with the power to make actual decisions must do so with the sort of care and attention that you wouldn't recognise unless it had an eight-minute highlight reel edited by someone called Total Football Superstars Of Tomorrow.

We have made horrible mistakes in the transfer market. Every club has. We've made more than most over the last 7 years. But the idea that anyone who comments on this website and essentially has a part-time interest in football could somehow do a better job than the people whose actual full-time job is covering thousands of players in a meaningful manner - rather than just the few who are raised above the parapet by few prolific posters on Twitter that you follow – well it's just self-inflated nonsense and is the biggest red herring on this site.

If Gueye signs today, it will be the second time Gueye signed for Everton, on 2 August, after signing from Villa back in 2016, on the very same day: 2 August.

I hope this transfer happens. How bizarre that the only way we could actually replace him is by bringing him back. Proper soldier now with added nous.

If you look at Liverpool, they bought Jota last season expecting that one of the strikers would go. Jota bedded in nicely. So Mane can go this season. Now they got Nunez first, preparing Salah to leave next season.

In similar way, we brought in Tarkowski, will let go of Keane or Mina or Holgate. We got McNeil, preparing Gordon to move next season if a massive bid comes in. We might bring in Cornet or Batshuayi, preparing Calvert-Lewin to leave next season. Getting in Gueye and perhaps Gilmour, preparing for Allan and Duke to leave if offers come in.

Yes, we might note able to keep our best players because of financial strains. But at least the club seems to be smarter and have some plan instead of throwing money away.

Okay, I gotta ask. Somebody explain the 99 joke to the Yank.

Of course it's also worth saying he cannot confirm or deny it's the case as to do so places his family back home in jeopardy. I guess like most things, the answers are rarely black or white.

If we do get Cornet (never saw him play) or Batshuiy, I'd be happy with the window really. More if we offload the evident surplus players.

Still I would like to know what is Lampard's main system? If it's a 5-3-2 or something else. But anyway it's important we finally add these two players because the new five-sub rule means strength in depth will prove as important as ever this season, I believe.

Two reliable players per position could be ideal.

COYB!

To be honest, I can't believe we will beat Chelsea this weekend but, as rumour says that Frank still has his hat in the ring for more signings, I am confident now that we will finish around 10th at the end of the season – and who knows – we may see Danny at Wembley next year, wearing his blue shirt with its Dame Toffee, going up to the table to receive that trophy on behalf of the team! Happy Thoughts. And it would be icing on the cake if 'Luvvie Bill' announced his retirement!

Perhaps I should put this Whiskey away!

No. You are wrong. I have never watched any player highlights on YouTube. Ever! I just think bringing back a 33-year-old former player on a £100k/ week and giving him a 3-year contract is madness.

In my opinion, we should have gone for Julian Weigl (26 by the way) from Benfica who we can get for £12.5M and on lower wages.

To most of us, the reference to a "99"-er goes back to childhood when an ice cream van used to tour the housing estates selling a "cornet" of ice cream with a stick of Cadbury Flake pushed into the ice cream section.

In supermarkets, Wall's ice cream produced a wrapped cornet of frozen ice cream you could take home and stick in the freezer. A brilliant bit of marketing, came up with the changed lyrics toO Solo Mio which was actually sung in an advert by Pavarotti!

Brilliant, but many preferred the ice cream sold fresh with the half stick of Cadbury Flake which Cadbury called the Cadbury 99 Flake! Hence why the ice cream cone was called a 99-er.

Market rivals and both icons hard to choose from. I seem to remember that it came from a King's Guard of 99 men, so special that 99-ers were a term used to acknowledge the best..

And don't forget the raspberry sauce and sprinkles too... Oh how I wish I could get one here!

As the cousins done with Suarez, it protects the club. Sign a new contract. Increased salary and benefits for a year and then get the move you want.

Or run it down and the club loses out. So in the context of the modern game, I don't see issue with signing of contracts and then moving on - as I say, the club looking after itself.

I can't look past how the Gueye relationship with Everton has been a rare example of good transfer business by our club in recent years.

Bought for a modest price. Was an effective player for us. Sold at considerable profit. Comes back as a seasoned player with Champions League experience having played alongside Messi and other FIFA 2022 names to please the gamers. I don't see any bad in this one. And still has a lot to offer. That Ronaldo guy must have been done at 33 right?

Bernie, don't put that whiskey away. If we think it, we believe. If we believe, it will eventually happen. It's happening.

What we do know is that Gana's engine and ability to cover the ground were second to none. Gana will play more games than Delph and if he signs it will be a small fee.

I don't expect Gana to take us into the European places; however, I would expect an improvement on last season's relegation fight.

Lampard seems to want him and he should know a bit about central midfielders; I've seen little or no reason not to trust his judgment as yet.

Goals and pace are needed in the final third, they always are, but Gana, if signed, will give value and hopefully the time for a youngster to make it into the first team.

My guess is half those games in France would have been a stroll and not taken a lot from Gana which I imagine most of our fans would be concerned with.

You seem to be remembering some sort of alternate reality. Gueye was having a good season, then – after we rebuffed PSG in January – instead of pouting, he kicked things up several notches and played his best football ever for us.

He was a huge reason why we finished the season as strongly as we did, and the vast majority on here were extremely concerned about the fallout of him being sold.

When you have options and runners in front of you, it makes you look a better player.

When you look up and it's static, the instinct to keep the ball will make you go sideways or backwards.

It's not always the player on the ball. It's what you do off the ball that often affects the game more. Be that pressing to turn the game or to provide options for the player on the ball, who really needs to play it. The longer you have the ball, the more you are a target and will be closed down.

See it, play it. Pass and move. Work hard to make space in possession and equally as hard to retain possession. It's a simple game really.

Gueye recently refused to wear a rainbow shirt and we shouldn't go anywhere near the bigot.

If he doesn't sign, we have had a lucky escape.

Am I glad he never asked what a "69" was! :-)

I would still very much like a genuine No 6 to be brought in who can sit at the base of a three-man midfield and allow Gana and Allan, Doucouré or Iwobi to hunt the ball. But, if that's not possible and we play a 2, then he's still miles better than what we've currently got. Absolute no-brainer.

I am a very tolerant person and respect people's rights to choose. I've literally put my life on the line for that freedom of choice.

But I wouldn't wear a rainbow shirt or armband to demonstrate that. Like many things in life these days, it's often a token gesture without substance behind it. Be seen to do rather than actually make a difference.

Like many of us, he has his beliefs, be they personal or religious. I'm not going to go holier than though on him. I'll forge my opinion on the footballer.

I hope not as imagine working for an employer who sponsored Man Utd or Liverpool.

Can he still do a job for us, will he improve us that's all we should be bothered about.

Virtue signalling.

Thanks for the insight Chris.

I do wonder though if Everton had a gay player, would Gana play alongside him, support him, pass him the ball, congratulate him when he scores? Truth is we don't know if it's lip service to his faith to ensure family safety in Senegal, or his own religious zeal. The first is a pragmatic choice; the second more debatable.

I think that in all the time Gueye played for Everton, we were a very poor “football team” except for the time that Silva's team had a great end to his first season, when I thought this little fella was an eight or even nine out of ten, most games.

Maybe it was because he knew PSG were watching him? But the attitude he showed after Everton refused to sell him in the January window was very refreshing, and is exactly the type of attitude that I'd love to see out of every player.

When I had my first season ticket at Everton in 1998, I was a fresher at Liverpool Univeristy and a very confused young man. Everton was one of the few things that gave me pleasure, and a sense of belonging, in the big bad world of uni and generally growing up and wondering about my sexuality. But even then it made me sad that football was silent, at best on these issues.

I'm happy to say it was very very rare I heard homophobic chanting at Goodison, the odd physically inadequate man shrieking insecure infantile nonsense at Freddie Ljungberg aside. But it's still made me a bit sad that my beloved Blues where I'd always felt welcome, didn't do more.

Then Everton were one of the first clubs to do the ‘rainbow laces' thing. Yes, it is gesture politics, but it's an awfully nice gesture and it harms nobody and makes people know they're welcome and respected. I wrote to the club about it and got a lovely response.

Refusing to wear the logo of an alcohol or betting sponsor is about a personal lifestyle choice, based on religion or otherwise. The rainbow flag is a symbol against systematic and horrid human rights abuses all around the world, even today.

I agree gesture politics are fraught with difficulties and I'm all for freedom of speech. But by refusing to take part in that small gesture, Gueye and his ilk aren't just being themselves and are not just expressing a preference for themselves (à la an alcohol or betting sponsor, which I note he had no problem with when he was last at Everton). It is tacitly but very clearly saying that he agrees with looking down on, judging and ostracising a minority in society.

So be it. That's up to him. That's his freedom of speech. It's my freedom of speech that it makes him look like a gobshite.

Sure, I'll hold my nose and have him at the club for a season if he sticks to the football. But I don't have to respect his views.

That many companies have diversity / equality policies that are part of your contract of employment, that really worries me as a believer in free speech and people having the right to have their own views as opposed to having them forced on them by employers for example.

In terms of views, and this is my personal one, we have an issue in our country and society of being outraged and trying to impose our beliefs onto people from countries where we don't understand the culture or the context.

Okay, I'll use personal experiences. Our approach to the Middle East and Afghanistan was to try to "westernise" them and impose our form of democracy upon them. It was never going to work. And it hasn't.

As much as we respect our hard-fought-for freedoms, we should also respect the culture and backgrounds that others come from. The world is different. We are all different, even if we don't agree with it or it's not how we would live our lives.

I didn't want to turn this political, but I guess it's part of the thread, but typical Liberal. Be seen to be tolerant. Until someone disagrees with you. Then get nasty and intolerant.

However, it is a topic by topic thing as people have differing views on all topics and we take some topics more personally than others.

Hence why to me everyone has a right to their own views and definitely should not be belittled or anything else by people who have differing views.

Most people find that sport is a way of forgetting about the trials and tribulations of daily life and, even if your team is not doing so well, we can forget about life's issues even if just for a couple of hours.

Whilst the judgemental woke brigade are doing everything they can to force their opinions and beliefs down our throats, please leave your politics at the door. Idrissa Gana Gueye has every right not to promote homosexuality by refusing to wear a rainbow jersey, as has been the case with some players here in Australia in the NRL.

Even though I am against racism in all forms, I would never kneel in support of BLM. It doesn't make me a racist, nor does Gueye's refusal to promote homosexuality make him a bigot.

Your comment is one of the ugliest I've seen on here in ages.

A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Let's get back to football.

Here's a novel idea, everyone be who they want to be, stop shoving their own personal views down everybody else's throat and deal with the small minority of sexists, racists, homophobes etc on an individual basis as and when situations occur.

For the record, I don't care if you are black, blue, pink, gay, female, male... respect me as a human being and I will do the same for you.

Sign him then.

I think we've come a long way and I wish we would stop looking for problems even though we should strive for improvement and tolerance in our society.

I don't expect everyone to know this, but it was only in 1994 that being found to be homosexual in the Army resulted in up to 2 years imprisonment in a military jail followed by dishonourable discharge. It was only in 2001 that it ceased to be a dischargeable offence.

Disgraceful. I served alongside many homosexuals, male and female, who had to hide it for literally decades.

As many will relate to, I stood on the Gwladys Street with racist bigots in the 1980s hearing "Everton are White" chants. The Daily Mirror called us out at the time. It was quite bad. A guy who stood near me even proudly wore a badge on his chest proclaiming it. He was one of those who went to the match to complain; you know them. The "You're shite, Everton" bloke.

And he was from Runcorn. Irrelevant and I only know that because he used to get on the Amberwood Coach at Widnes for the away matches and spout his bigotry for most of the journey. There was no escaping him, home or away. Fortunately he was asleep for most of the trip back.

I remember a number of Evertonians I went to the match with threatening to give up their season tickets when we signed Amokachi. One tried to get on the pitch when he was introduced. That was obviously into the 90s and that sentiment still existed then.

If you honestly look in the mirror, which I always will, as a fanbase, we were not immune from bigotry in that sense. So let's be careful with judgement and taking the moral high ground.

I'll disagree with you on one thing, though, Paul. I do respect different views and perspectives, as long as they are not bigotry. No-one should be forced to do or wear anything they don't believe in. Within reason. That's freedom of choice.

Most on here know my background, both country, religious and professional. But I hold no grudge against James McLean for his refusal to wear a poppy. A symbol that is massive for me. I personally can't understand why anyone wouldn't. But that is his decision and his right to choose.

We seem to continuously look for the bad rather than acknowledge how far we have come. This means including the views of others. Not dictating. Otherwise, we live in a dictatorship.

Apart from the views of Kopites. Now that is literally a red line that should not be crossed.

There seems to be uncertainty on whether his real views are homophobic or not.

If he is homophobic in views, I wouldn't use that as an excuse not to sign him. What is important is how, if at all, those views manifest themselves in words or other behaviour - some forms of expression / behaviour are acceptable, others not. I've neither seen nor heard anything from him that is unacceptable.

So far, a very tolerant, liberal thread here – bravo. (I assume those are not intolerant conservative views wrapped in a false shroud of tolerance.)

As for his beliefs, I think that is up to himself. I don't think it is wise to judge people on their religion or their colour. Judging people on their personality is the way to go, I believe, but each to their own.

With five at the back, maybe Lampard is not looking for a specialist CDM and Gueye and Allan may share the load in the midfield sector.

It has to be said that his displays in his final season, particularly the period post-Christmas until the end of the season, were his best and we never properly replaced him.

If he was teased as a kid, that shit stays with you.

It seems fairly obvious that the club have little money and little pulling power. To get Gana is an excellent move. He's just spent several years in the first team for PSG. I think we got about £30M for him. I don't know whether we're paying anything in a transfer fee, but I think it's a great move.

Until we get in a position to be able to compete financially again, and show we've moved steadily away from the relegation zone, then we will be restricted in our choice of players. Though it might mean that we can sell or loan Gomes and Gbamim (if anyone will take them) Davies? well, maybe him as well.

As for the issue of beliefs, if our club ask him about wearing a shirt with a motif he doesn't agree with, he would tell them before he signed. If our club decides to become a crusader for an issue that some believe in but many don't, and then emblazons it on the club shirts. Players who have a belief that object to that issue, will not want to wear it and people who object to buying the shirt, won't buy it. Then that is their right.

There is too much "holier than thou" wokery in this country where a liberal dictatorship is trying to enforce their views on others. They are the same mentality as the Puritan zealots in the 16th and 17th Centuries, who tortured and burnt people at the stake for holding views different to them and burnt thousands of women as witches, in Britain, Europe and America.

As for Gana coming to Goodison, I'll be made up, I think he's top class.

Ah yes, but most of the time what people are trying to debate isn't actually political. That's just what people label it when they don't want to discuss it but the definition does not necessarily fit. Politics is simply the activities of the government, politicians, or political parties, or the study of these activities.

Rainbow laces and shirts (which support the basic rights of people not to be discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality rather than actually promoting homosexuality, and people should be aware of the difference) or even ‘opposition' to the poppy is not politics unless someone chooses to support a political party because that party has identified itself as a supporter of a particular view or cause. You can still support a cause without supporting a political entity.

Bigotry is defined as an obstinate or unreasonable attachment to a belief, opinion, or faction; in particular, prejudice against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group. Being opposed to something that belongs within that definition cannot itself be bigotry. The crux of the matter is who gets to decide what is 'unreasonable'?

In practice, each society will decide what is unreasonable. If you live in a society and hold what the majority consider to be ‘unreasonable' attachment to an opinion, you should expect some flak for it.

I've never got the logic of viewing homosexuality as a sin and it just doesn't fit with what Jesus seemed most bothered about. I don't particularly think or care what Gana thinks but I hope he's learnt that there are greater burdens to bear in life than occasionally keeping schtum whilst wearing some multicoloured garb.

Sorry mate but I'm calling utter bollocks on that statement.

The top 7 newspapers in the UK by circulation are:

The Scum; Metro; The Scum on Sunday; The Daily Heil; The Heil on Sunday; The Sunday Times, and The London Evening Standard.

All are owned by right-leaning organisations and wear those colours very clearly.

We have a right-wing government (check-out the policies being promoted by the two people vying to be the next PM) which has now got the BBC to 'toe the line', so that it rarely challenges government policy.

Woke

/wəʊk/

adjective

A word only used by those on the right, to describe people or things that they do not agree with i.e. almost everything.

This seems to have been made a huge issue about a footballer who made a choice.

I don't think anyone here, or Gueye, supports dictatorial oppression, invasion, destruction and killing.

I don't think you can compare an individual deciding not to wear a symbol against supporting a brutal pummelling and destruction of a country and it's people.

I go back to my James McLean poppy example. His choice, even though that is very emotive to many.

We are hosting the most inclusive Commonwealth Games at the moment, most of the countries participating have laws against same-sex marriage.

Morally I don't think the club is in a position to start judging. He hasn't broken any laws.

The Rainbow Toffees may not like the signing but I am sure those involved have had to deal with a lot worse than a footballer not wanting to wear laces.

To be honest, I am more worried with being only days away from the start of the season and we still haven't signed a forward to replace Richarlison. We know when the season finished Richarlison had told the club he wanted away, so signing a replacement should have been our priority.

I know Dwight McNeil came in and scored 2 in the friendly but the stats say he hasn't ever been a 15- to 20-goal-a-season player.

This club are sleepwalking into another relegation battle. We have been massively short of goals and yet we seem to have prioritised other positions than the one that should have been our priority.

Usually in business you look to see what the best companies do and try and follow what they do. So no surprise that the top 2 clubs knew who they were prepared to let go and got their replacements in before they left so the impact is minimal.

But... we have also been conditioned to accept others' intolerance toward ourselves.

It's all well and fine if people accept others beliefs and ways but unfortunately this will never be the case, bigots and extremists usually always win out because they shout the loudest and the woke generation are only too willing to label anyone who doesn't agree with their agenda a racist or homophobe.

Christian, Muslim, Gay, Straight...we all breathe the same air, for fuck's sake.

Regarding his religious beliefs, and the rainbow emblem, as a Muslim, I find it a bit hypocritical that he'll wear a jersey with a gambling company logo?

Salah has been wearing the Standard Charter logo for seasons. They are no more than a big corporation that gambles with investment on a daily basis.

I hope Allan stays and, if he did play with Gueye, we would see a different player.

Brian @161, thanks for getting this thread back on track. I'm excited about seeing him back in our team. Some astute business considering where we are in terms of our financial plight.

The season is just around the corner. Can we have a striker and playmaker please, Mr Thelwell?

Comically blunt, but not without a germ of truth.

I don't see any comparison at all with Gareth Barry who was a superior footballer with a superior footballing brain, but I would still like to see this happen.

We all yearn for creativity, but to be creative you need the ball. EFC definitely has a vacancy for a destroyer who will break up opposition possession. We've been wide open through the middle for years

I'll get me duffel. Coyb, let the good times roll (not the Kenwright way).

1. In what planet is this government regarded as right wing, when taxation is the highest for decades, with a chancellor boasting that he intends government spending to be higher than any Labour chancellor would plan?

2. Your describing daily newspapers as Nazi is frankly offensive to any Jewish person or indeed anyone who knows what went on in the 1940s.

3. Woke is in fact an Americanism, introduced by the American Left.

4. Your obsession with an offensive newspaper story decades old (since when all the staff on the paper will have changed), is to my mind a bit sad, and just reinforces the opinion of those outside the city that Scousers are self-pitying whiners, in love with their perpetual victimhood (not an opinion I share).

In short, grow up.

One player doesn't make a team. But they all bring different attributes that contribute. It's a bit like the centre-back debate. Some who talk about the good attributes of Michael Keane could also be those who chastised John Stones. I know who I'd rather have, but it's all down to opinion.

I still think we might fill that creative gap before the transfer window closes. But the important thing is to close the gap. I am hopeful that, with Tarkowski and potentially Gueye, we have the experience and leadership that we have been lacking to do that.

But on the other hand, it feels like we might be going to use the flanks and width? It hasn't worked too badly for our cousins. Full backs, diagonal to the forwards. Goal. Midfield is almost a precautionary measure. Coming from someone who can be quoted as saying games are won and lost in midfield. The game evolves. Managers and coaches adopt different approaches.

"We could have found each other in the dark" - Alan Ball

"They were the only three-man team to have won the Championship" - Brian Labone

Gueye was a top player for us. He's been a successful player at the highest level since, and he is fit. Most of all he wants to come back to Everton.

The signings so far this summer have been pragmatic, but all of them improve on what we have. If I was driving a VW Polo, I would be dreaming of owning a Rolls-Royce. But if someone offered me a Ford Mondeo, I'd take it.

That's where we are. We can't sign the Rolls-Royce players, but we can, and have, brought in improvements with the people we've signed.

Is Tarkowski better than Holgate, Keane, or Godfrey, and fitter than Mina? Yes.

Is McNeil more creative than Gordon etc? Yes.

Is Vinagre a better crosser of the ball than Nkounkou? Looked like it on Friday.

Is Gueye better than any of the defensive midfield players we have in the squad? Yes.

If each of these players adds a couple of points to our total from last season, we will not have such a traumatic time.

As for others mentioned. Batshuayi won't be a starter but adds an option we missed all last season.

Get real, people. We all wanted to lose the high-earning non-performers and bring in better. This is still an ongoing situation but, with a month of the transfer window to go, we are on the right track.
COYFB

Totally out of order.

Taxation is high because there was no getting around it after Covid. The Tory government from Cameron onwards have been more right-wing than Thatcher. Austerity and then Brexit has messed up the country big time with thousands more people on the breadline.

The Mail, Sun, Telegraph and Express are just lie machines to help prop up a Tory government and help the rich get richer at the cost of the country's well being.

Don't call me left. I want fairness in society and I see lies, corruption, racism, and criminality in the Tory party. Clear as day.

Everton are making a great signing with Gueye!

We come from different worlds, we have different beliefs and we don't agree on things such as being pro-LGBTQ+, much the same as I don't have any belief in any God, which he does (exhibit A, dinosaurs).

It should be put to bed in my view - he's a footballer, not a politician or an activist. Let him kick a ball about, it's what he's good at, so let's try to judge him on that. By God (whichever one is your favourite) we need him!

1. One that sends asylum seekers to Rwanda; that illegally prorogues Parliament for 5 weeks in what was described by the Supreme Court as "the improper purpose of stymieing Parliament"; that makes peaceful demonstrations illegal etc. etc.

2. I was actually basing the name on that newspaper's current output, not on its historical position. Nice of you to bring it up though.

This country, like the US, is sleepwalking towards authoritarianism, which is effectively fascism. The Mail is one of the most vocal proponents of the policies that are leading us in that direction.

Doesn't your concern for the groups of people you mention amount to 'virtue signalling'? I hope not because right-wing newspapers hate that. They think it's woke.

3. What do the origins of the word matter? Most of us were unaware of its existence until it became the go-to insult for those on the right.

4. See point 2. Also, it was the current Prime Minister who famously called Liverpool the 'self-pity city' and made other slurs, for which he has refused to apologise. It's good to hear that you don't agree with him though.

I'm as grown up as I want to be, thanks.

(Anyway, let's sign Gueye and UTFT)

No doubt that this Tory government is UKIP in all but name and is supported by the very right-wing British media. The sooner they are gone, the better.

Back to football, I just hope we can bring in a creative midfielder and a striker before the window closes. The season will then look much more promising than it looked like being a couple of weeks ago.

Crazy, just crazy.

If he helps us achieve mid-table mediocrity this season – something I think we would all be 'happy' with – then he will have paid his own fee.

To depend on him to get us up the league is a huge leap of faith based on YouTube snippets from a slower league. On a free would possibly be acceptable but to spend money we are struggling for?Madness.

Me? I don't think they would be bothering to sign players if there was no need. Nor would they choose Gana, if we had a top class midfielder begging them to take him in.

I don't know how many matches he failed to play in last season, but I seem to remember Delph missed loads. Gbamin... who's he? Gomes, sadly he seems to have lost whatever he had.

There's a good chance we will get a season out of him, maybe two. And between him, Davies, Allan and possibly another transfer in and one or two of the Under-21s, we won't be doing too badly.

If we have to spend money, I'm sure Frank and our DoF will spend only if they have to.

And how they have stayed in touch with the club.

I don't understand why we are still being linked with Cornet as we have that area covered now with McNeil. We need 2 midfielders and a striker, I can see us still going for both of those positions after Gueye is in.

Life is full of contradictions though, because it was those Tory-hating scousers that demanded Frank Lampard be put in charge of Everton.

Hopefully now, Lampard can make our team as colorful as any rainbow, win us a silver pot, and dance around the corner flag!

Spend an hour or two on the World Economic Forum website. Research the Davos meetings.

Spend an hour or two on the W.E.F website. Research the Davos meetings.,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com,1,14:03:07,,82.2.50.200,ok,19747,08/02/2022 14:03:07,overdrive,reader,,,no,
1260756,42416,toffeeweb,02/08/2022, John Otway,,"Brian #198. According to The Guardian it was $800,000,000!! Your point is an excellent one though.

On the politics. Asking everyone to wear a sign, then pillorying individuals who don’t, is a manifestation of the sort of intolerance seen in a fundamentalist or fascist society.

A liberal secular, society is tolerant. All it asks of people who want to bring their families and ply their trade is to abide by our laws. All of them.

The rest is life-style and opinion.

For the record, I don't care if you are black, blue, pink, gay, female, male... respect me as a human being and I will do the same for you."

Sean - thank you.

Essentially the way it used to be, and gradual, realistic improvements were being made.

Sadly, that didn't fit.

Some comments on here bring up the UK Government. Speaking from Australia, we have first-hand knowledge of how dysfunctional governments can be – on both sides of politics. From a distance, Boris Johnson has been a disaster for the UK. Should never have had Brexit and his behaviour as a Prime Minister has been pretty damn awful. Parliament seems to be a disaster area.

Individually, we don't have much say in who is elected. It seems now, though, that the modern world has lost it's way – what with the likes of Trump, Johnson, Putin, Kim Jung il, Xi Jinping and others. Too much testosterone? What can we do?

At least we should still be able to watch some great football matches with real competition (without a European Super League, eh!). COYB

We're all Prawns to the New World Order. But until they brainwash us all for our own good, it's great to cock a snook at them.

As I write that, it sounds a bit fishy!

Will, Sean – good posts.

Interesting season ahead!

I agree, Dave.

Sadly it's become, virtue signal or get pilloried. Woe betide those who don't pull the right face around Dear Leader.

There used to be agree, disagree, and a big neutral area or scale in between. Now it's just two poles - for or against.

It is still unfortunate because men's football evidently has a big problem with gay inclusion. But I don't think he was trying to cause offence or make a statement (although I think a Senegalese teammate did – forget who).

I know this won't play well to traditionalists, but society is changing. It could even be that there is a sporting advantage to be gained by showing greater inclusion to parts of society that haven't traditionally provided footballers – gay, Asian etc.

Your "Leader" and many current ones – research their links to the World Economic Forum. National government is a ghost.

This is not Blue Bill getting all sentimental on us. This is great business, plain and simple. If our past relationship with the player has helped facilitate this deal, then that's a good thing.

I saw someone comparing him to Delph – there no comparison, even on the incredibly rare occasion when Delph was fit.

Robert - being changed.

1. Incessant negativity, and
2. Totally unnecessary politics.

I suppose we can't do much about the 1st but the 2nd is easily dealt with. It has nothing to do with EFC so, if you want to make political comments, then bugger off to one of the many political sites and do it there.

Stick to Everton please. Goodness knows there should be enough to keep us going.
And by the way, Gana will be a terrific signing. Less that £10M fee, less than £100k pw, knows both the club and the Premier League really well. Forget his age, he's as fit as a fiddle. Ticks all the boxes.

Question now is, change driven by whom, why, what to, and at what rate.

The days of natural, organic change are over.

I don't agree with his views on things but, from a footballing perspective, he improved us, protects our defence, and allows us to play further up the field.

Back to the politics. Brexit a mistake? Not so sure on that one. Regardless of political persuasion, many Labour areas voted out. It wasn't a Tory thing.

We were always an reluctant partner. We reluctantly joined the EU (as is now) club late. We drive on the left. Converted to litres at the petrol pump but still drink pints. Measure road distance in miles but run school races in metres. Buy in kilos in the supermarket but weigh ourselves in stones and pounds. Measure our height in feet. Didn't join the Schengen or the single currency.

Always a half way house and uncomfortable member. I think we'll be a better European partner out than we ever were in.

And let's not let the BBC forget. The EU isn't Europe. Europe is more than the EU. There are over 40 countries in Europe (possibly as many as 50), yet only 27 are in the EU. Despite talk of Defence, they are toothless and indecisive with ineffective militaries. The strongest military alliance is a bilateral agreement between the UK (non EU) and France (EU). The EU couldn't defend itself tomorrow. It has dined off the good will, investment and nature of the US and UK for decades.

The UK is generally a moderate centre left or centre right country.

Right wing is 1930s Germany. Left wing is late 20th Century Soviet Union. Both were brutal dictatorships. We are not even close. Left or Right, the extremists have more in common than they would care to admit. They ruled by fear rather than govern by consent.

Right wing media? I think we have a very liberal and outraged media. But then I sit and watch the BBC most mornings. I spend half an hour getting wound up and irritated before the dogs calm me down when they take me out.

Apologies. Back to the football. Only 4 days to go until we beat Chelsea.

For some reason, Danny, I get this strange feeling we'll win. Maybe I'm running low on negativity.

Martin #176, great summary. I agree.

Will #212, society is always "changed"... it does not change itself. And if there has ever been an era of "gradual, realistic improvements", I am not aware of it. People of a certain age and/or background tend to look back wistfully on such a time, but in my opinion it never really existed.

Stephen #214, TW has never been, and will never be, football only. It's an open forum for Everton fans. It has never been censored by topic. I happen to like it that way -- I have had some tremendously interesting, informative discussions on here that began as footy and turned into something else. Along the way I have learned a great deal about history, music, literature, food, health care, British humor, fish puns and, yes, politics as the fascinating people here have shared their views and experiences. I've read books and listened to music I would never have known about as a result of conversations here. It's one reason I cherish this site. If you don't like that, or you don't care for the discussion on a particular thread, there's an easy solution. Don't participate. There are always threads here that are all (or mostly) footy.

There are none more intolerant than the woke. Sooner people point the spotlight back at them, sooner people wake up to the bigotry.

Access to things that many of our generation aspired to are being denied to the younger generation... and affecting many of all ages. Things have been reversed. It's not happening naturally.

Just study the proclamations and actions of the W.E.F. and U.N., where they want to and are taking things. There'll be plenty to feel wistful about.

I think that despite the impatience of many on here, the summer is shaping up nicely. It looks like we will be nearly there in terms of squad by the time the season starts. The remainder of the month may see clubs across Europe panicking about their squads and coming in for some of our players. One hopes it is Gomes, and one of the centre backs, not DCL.
That may give us an outside chance of a late summer addition, or money in the bank to spend in January.

That being said, I cannot think of ANY area of the economy that has improved or grown as a result of the vote.

Has Brexit a) increased salaries above inflation b) reduced taxes c) improved public services d) increased exports e) allowed us to attract overseas investment f) improved industrial competitiveness g) improved opportunities for poorer segments of soceity h) accelerated levelling up i) stimulated our technology sector?

No to all of the above.

In the only instance in modern history where a nation voted to make itself poorer.

Regarding people's lifestyles or religion, that is their choice and I respect them for it, and hope they respect mine. I was one of those rare breeds as in 1961, as my religion was classed as Church of England, I married a Catholic girl in a Catholic Church.

The only problem then was we had the nuns trying to get me to change my religion and they failed, so they brought the big guns in and the local Priest came and said, "I am here to help you change your beliefs." My reply, "No, Sir, I am staying an Evertonian."

That got a laugh out of him and he said "So am I!" All we talked about, much to my wife's annoyance, was football. We are still married after 62 years and I can't remember any arguments over religion.

People arguing over religion always remind me of that movie, Kingdom of Heaven, with the Christians and the Muslim fighting over Jerusalem; a caption came on stating 2000 years later they are still fighting over it.

I'm with you pal. What a load of guff there is but occasionally some do talk about footy and some are worth reading unlike this one of mine which is actually shit when I read it back lol.

I hope we get Idrissa and Batshuayi from Chelsea.

I employ people in the US and the EU. We afforded them pay rises this year based on assumptions. Way below the cost of living increase and inflation as it stands now. It's not unique to the UK. It's not a Brexit thing. It's a global thing.

Public services? Again, we rightfully beat ourselves up about it and expect high standards. But I have American colleagues who have experienced our NHS and won't have a bad word said about it. One had both of their children born here in the UK.

We are rightly self-critical. But the grass isn't necessarily greener anywhere else. Where you do actually have to pay for it. I know we all do through our contributions, but believe me, it's a bit more harsh in other countries, including our EU partners. Try getting the same health service in Germany that we take for granted and criticise.

Nothing is free in life. As my mother used to tell me as she worried about how much milk was in the fridge.

I think Frank is sticking with the devil he knows and then maybe, if we ever get to a Top 6 level, he can add all these European £10M players I keep going on about. That's the way it looks but the window has a bit to go yet.

He is 25 years of age, importantly he scored 9 Premier League goals in a Burnley team that could not buy goals. He also will link up well with the other ex-Burnley player, Dwight McNeil, who was amazing in his first game for Everton.

I'll cock a snook at your fishing fleet!

One thing I will say about the state of the nations politicians, we do at least (in the main) get to vote and participate in our political life. Some countries don't have the luxury of tossing out one set of possible tossers for another set. Though with leaving Europe, he didn't take us out. 17½ million people voted for it. Much to the disgust of Blair, Obama and assorted billionaires like Soros. I'm glad to see that that bit of democracy was eventually carried out.

Mike Gaynes. Aye, a good post, Mike! I think through the dark horrible days of the outbreak and pandemic of Covid, ToffeeWeb played its part in letting us communicate, tell jokes, talk politics, console each other, care for each other and generally stop us from going totally crackers, as well as chunnering merrily away about footy generally and the club we love in particular. It's what keeps us... us!

Well said, Danny, re our country and its services we take for granted and often criticise no end.

It's been another heartening discussion; including what the post started off about. Gana coming to Everton. If it's true, Welcome back, lad!

Must be great being perfect.

Anyway on to other matters a little off topic and apology Danny and others beforehand.

Our game against Forest on 20 August clashes with a rail strike for that day, unless resolved before then, with Arriva buses also still not running, I will have to come up with another way of trying to get to the match.

First thought was one of those old rail road carts, that is operated by two people pushing a lever up and down, are you free, Derek, to assist? :-)

I normally park off St Domingo Road so hopefully you are ok to walk from there.

I spent times doing things I didn't necessarily want to do, but had no choice in because I'd signed up. Away from the family for long periods and when I look back, not that well paid.

But I done it and wouldn't change it or complain about it. So I struggle with the strike thing in honesty.

Rail strikes. I guess it's British Airways and Uber then.

There's always a way.

I am more towards St Helens - Warrington side.

If Arriva solve their bus dispute, I am fine to catch a couple of buses, or the rail workers get their deserved pay rise, then all will be well.

Anyway, thanks again Neil for the offer.

A few other things have happened since Brexit that have had a far bigger effect on our economy than Brexit has. As there was never one quantifiable benefit of the UK being in the EU, there can be no problem with leaving as long as we take advantage of our newly gained freedoms.

A real problem was having a Prime Minister as incompetent and directionless as Johnson.

The Bobble who is in the know is now reporting that DCL picked up an injury in training today and he might miss Saturdays game. Lampard and Thelwell have serious questions to answer why we still havent signed an out and out striker its over a month since Richarlison left.

Steavey #235, you haven't kept up. We have reached personal terms with Cornet but the financial negotiations with Burnley have bogged down. Reports say the two sides are far apart. They may pull it together closer to the end of the window.

Jim #237, Soros??? Really? Are you sure you want to go there? Or are you simply not aware of what that reference connotes? I'm very much hoping it's the latter.

First, they take your pride
Turn it all inside
And then you realise
You've got nothing left to lose

So, you try to stop
Try to get back up
And then, you realise
You're telling the Story of the Blues

And another one from the Mighty Wah filmed in 1980s Liverpool I think. Come Back. Please come back Everton. I'm willing to try. Come back!

The bird is blue. The city is ours.

It's nearly time. Come on Everton. Here we go.

Brian, I'll have that book on fishing! I'm after snooks! :)

Also reckon we’ll get Batsuayi and Ross, but on Monday. No chance Chelsea are selling to us before we play them.

Is this true?

I would rather we spent £4m apiece on 2 championship level prospects and give them a chance.

Little impact? The farmers in The Netherlands and many other places feeling the impact right now would disagree with you. World's second largest food exporter facing agenda-driven regulation that will devastate it. Coming to other countries very soon.

Our way of life as we know it is the target, Mike. The W.E.F and the U.N. and other globalist agencies are what's driving it.

The communications and other technology is now at a level that has helped enable this, at the rate it's happening. The plans however, go back much further.

As I've alluded above, and said before - it's all there to be seen and digested for those that wish to.

Let's be clear: there is no evidence he's a bigot, as he's never responded publicly about this issue. But even if he viewed homosexuality as sinful because of religious beliefs, that's a far cry from wanting people who identify as LGBT to suffer or be punished.

And even then, we have to view this in the context of him being from Senegal, where homosexual relationships are punishable by 5 years in prison.

As a man of the left who once wore a “marriage is so gay” shirt before it was cool, I'd love for more people with a platform to be freedom fighters, but it's unfair, unrealistic, and also often counterproductive if we think athletes are always going to be eloquent and knowledgeable about anti-discrimination policies and advocacy.

And we sure as heck don't further any cause when we pillory an athlete from another country and culture because he doesn't feel comfortable wearing a rainbow flag.

As one countryman said in an article I read trying to understand this hullabaloo, it would've been more strange to his fellow Senagalese if he had worn the shirt than when he didn't.

It's easy to say he should take a stand, but unfair and lacks an attempt to understand the complexity of where he may be coming from — which none of us actually do.

Welcome, Gana Gueye, until you're out there actively promoting discrimination.

Are you at the Chelsea game Saturday, if so fancy a meet up with the regulars for a tipple.

Word of warning that you most probably will not be told. If you are receiving a British Pension there will be no increases to it living in a Commonwealth Country. Live anywhere else in the world and you will receive the same as living in the UK.

"Your comment is one of the ugliest I've seen on here in ages".

Wearing the rainbow armband is not about "promoting" homosexuality, it is about recognising that people should be respected whatever their sexuality. A concept you have a problem with obviously.

Gueye did not have a problem with wearing an alcohol-promoting shirt despite being muslim, so why should he have a problem with wearing a rainbow armband, laces whatever? Unless he is a bigot.

I knew what you meant mate. We're on the same page on this.

After hearing Calvert- Lewin is doubtful for Saturday. I think our priorities have shifted big time.

I have no idea who will lead the line against Chelsea. A chance for someone to make a name for himself ?

Where and when did it become incumbent upon anyone to overtly and publicly "Recognize" anything?

Will let you pick the destination Jim, not that Keen on the Oak myself.

Pretty sure I will see Steve and Danny in town, just need listen out for one man went to mow and pretty sure Danny will be close by :-) only kidding Danny.

Not keen on the Oak myself mate. Depending when we can meet up then there's orry's in city road. (The old Everton supporters club and an even older flicks!) If so and Steve and Danny have another idea, then i'm happy to go wherever. Danny isn't a farmer is he?

Another striker and let's see, but DCL being rumoured to be injured before the season starts leaves Everton with no punch upfront.

Let's see, and if the midfield will be up for scoring some goals.

Hopefully Chelsea won't have gelled yet, let's hope so.

Stop what, Bob?

Does nobody else think spending £8M on a player soon to be 33, is lunacy?

I think the real problem is exposed by DCLs injury news today. The fee / wages now earmarked for Gueye rob us of the money we need for the more urgent recruitment of striker competition.

Leeds seem close to buying Kalimuendo from PSG - a young forward of considerable talent / end product squeezed out by their wealth in attack and recent acquisition of possibly the new8 Henry in Ekitike. The fee will be about £17m.

That sort of signing would give us a stronger squad - and over an extended period - compared to the near 33 year old Gueye.

Danny: to your earlier comment about good squads needing youth and experience, that is true - but very few buy in their experience. Most wise heads at successful clubs were acquired at a much younger age and give their prime to the club. We only buy old because we can't afford someone in their prime. Big difference.

If Everton can get their act together on Saturday, and get a good result it will be a very good day and great start.

Let’s show the rest, and let them worry about Everton.

“Whats Our Name?”

Gana on a free or season long loan is an awesome deal

Gana for £8m is a terrible one

I totally agree – has anyone on this site seen Gueye play in the Premier League in the last 3 years? Or anywhere live for that matter? Nobody can say, hand on heart, that he is not past it! No-one can say how quick or slow he is.

A huge gamble and a lot of money for another potential has-been. He will not be the player that left us. I feel that we need a hungry young defensive midfielder who is the future and not a blue-tinted past.

Having read your post, I have to wonder if you are related to Atticus Finch!

I'll put my tin hat on now – I don't really rate Calvert-Lewin as our striker, and if he is missing at the weekend, then so be it. I'm sure Frank will have someone in the squad to replace him temporarily.

I'll be glad though when we do sign another striker – we surely need one.

He's a good lad did, you not come in The Crown with us last year, after the West Ham game?

Derek will love your tugboat quote, likes a good innuendo, our Derek does.

See what the others think then, Jim, I am fine meeting anywhere you recommend.

I have always been against the Common Market (as it was back in the 1960s) and was please when the UK voted in favour of Brexit.

I'm reminded of the TV Show "Yes, Prime Minister" when Sir Humphrey was explaining to the PM why we should keep 'The Bomb'. Jim said "But we are now friends with Russia" and Sir Humphrey exclaimed "I'm not talking about Russia – it's France we should be worried about"!

Obviously he could see into the future. Never trust the Frogs!

We have irons in the fire (apparently) but nothing forthcoming. I hope I'm wrong, but another last day scramble is on the horizon again.

Good old Bill Kenwright!!!

On the question of leaving Europe, some of the comments on here are extremely naïve to say the least. Being in Europe was our guarantee for the future prosperity of our children which has now been robbed off them. Instead, we face decades of economic decline and chaos, we're governed by right-wing crackpots like Reece-Mogg and his ilk, whose only ambitions are to get rich quick by offloading his millions into offshore tax havens.

Meanwhile working people are being shafted with ever-increasing food and fuel bills which are directly caused by leaving our biggest trading block partner. I can't think of a single good economic reason why we left the EU. Quoting the ridiculous notion of different weights and measures, along with the big red bus, was the biggest con trick in our history and we are all going to pay and already are, especially the Northern Irish, a horrendous price economically and socially.

Except of course the rich millionaires who are making and squirrelling away huge amounts of untaxable profits, so sad to see the country in such a mess. So sad to read people's apathy to our own demise.

Fun to be on TWeb. Enjoyed the irony of all the negative comments about Dwight McNeil not being a goal scorer and then he scores 2 in his first game for us. Just now wondering how Gana will perform for us if the deal goes through and then look back at the corresponding posts on here. If he signs, I hope he does really well. Only time will tell!

Mike @248 - Good post but what is the story of Soros? I was under the impression he is a philanthropist, who has given away more than he has kept.

Final one on the EU, I don't share the doom-mongering outlook. I work for a company with it's HQ in the EU. I employ one of my teams based in the EU that complements teams in the UK and US. I've not seen any change. When I go to airports, none of this supposed disruption. I go to a different passport queue. But I did anyway because we were not in Schengen. Ever. When I go Skiing, once I get through Passport Control at Munich, I'm free to drive through Germany into Austria and onto Italy without being checked. No change.

A minor observation. When I go through an EU airport, I get directed to the "all other passports" queue. When I enter Heathrow, EU citizens are directed to the same queue as UK citizens. We are being a little less petulant than the EU in my opinion.

My view; as I've said, the UK always had an uncomfortable relationship, so I think we'll actually be more cooperative out than in, once they get over it. Personal opinion; the UK was a promoter and supporter of an economic partnership. When it went wrong is when talk of political union started to gather momentum.

Bernie; friends with the Russians? Funny that. As someone who spent the first years of his career with Soviet Troops still in Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland, I often quote the irony that here we are again. Not quite a Neville Chamberlain moment, but trying to cosy up to Putin? But the UK has been quite vocal against him. Unlike some of our European partners who cosied up to him.

Enough of all that. Dave @269. I too have no idea. Dobbin – but he's more of an attacking midfielder from the little I've seen of him? And when I've watched him, the tendency has been to play him outside of the 3 behind the striker. Unless we pull a rabbit out of the hat before Saturday, I can see us playing without a striker.

Worked for City last season right?!!!

That is a blatant injustice that no UK politician or the government can explain or is interested in addressing. It was raise during Brexit and completely ignored. Out of sight, out of mind. They would even fight against changing it through the courts to the highest level.

Flight delays, cancellations, quues, blue passports… As my mate in the US says “Say what?” Some fuckers are making too much money and all we are doing is complaining and putting up with shit.

Ducked me not politics but it is! £7 billion profit for BP in a 3-month cycle and gas bills are out of control and we are paying 3 times as much for petrol as the US.

Sorry, guys, we have to get real. DCL sell the fucker for big dough. Coz seriously the world is fucked – and EFC as we think we know it. 1878 does not exist anymore and we cannot compete because our current board doesn't understand globally where it needs to compete.

The only people benefitting from Brexit are these rich tax-avoiders whilst the average man on the street struggles to heat his home, fill his car with petrol and put food on the table. The rich are getting richer and disaster capitalism is booming.

But hey, we've got blue passports and those EU burecrats can't impose all that rubbish stuff like consumer rights and minimum safety standards on us anymore. We can now freely dump our British sewage into our British rivers without interference from Brussels.

As for us supposedly not cosying up to Putin, I wonder what all that Russian money that the Conservative party has accepted over the past 10 years in donations was for? I'm sure that those wealthy Russian donors didn't expect anything in return and that the reason that the so-called Russia Report into interference and influence on UK politics had never seen the light of day is simply a massive coincidence.

Paul, I'm a regular traveller to the States and Europe. I have a property in the US and have been to 30 of the 50 States, both on personal and professional visits. So maybe I'm just lucky. Way back before Covid and Brexit, it was common place to circle around Heathrow in the air for ages waiting for a landing slot, creating knock on delays. As for queues, well, US Customs has given me some of my longest waits. Houston in 2013 springs to mind. It honestly took nearly 2 hours to get through.

I appreciate there are issues with post-Covid staffing levels and I'm not in denial, but I'm really not experiencing much difference on my travels.

Don't worry, once Saturday comes, all will be fine and the world will feel a better place!!

I think the UK has historically taken more of a stance against Russia politically, but yes, business-wise we opened up.

Yes, the right to work and live in the EU (not Europe) is a big change. But it's just a different process to follow as it would be if I wanted to live and work in the US.

Self harm? Time will tell. The 1970s wasn't a great economic period for this country. As I keep saying, I actually think we'll be more of a cooperative partner now, once the dust settles.

And you don't know how I voted, by the way!!!

I refused to pay Maggie’s poll tax in the ‘80s and so I've never been on a voting register for a long time. Probably owe them thousands in council tax. Bring your own bottle party is the only one I'd put an x in front of.

Don't talk to me about my relationship with the taxman. Hammers me every year. I think I'm too honest.

Have we signed Gueye and where is our striker? I'll stretch my hamstrings just in case.

I and many other Brits worked and lived in what is now the EU well before the EU was formed. There has always been free movement in Europe. What was quantified as it seems to be only a benefit for the individual?

There is a gamble with all transfers, Gibbs-White would cost £25-30M or thereabouts yet that's not based on anything other than potential. Very different type of player... however, if Gueye is fit, we know what were getting and only time will tell if the fee makes him overpriced.

Delph is no longer here so his huge wages should take care of the fees needed to get Gueye if he does sign.

Everyday, it's the same – the player wants to come, the deal is agreed, and they are just finalising the last few details.

So if the fee is agreed with PSG and the player wants to come, how come we haven't seen Gueye at Finch farm???

Like me arl fella says.

We never voted to go in the EU, we voted to enter the common market... free trade around Europe.

The EU has silently morphed out of that and created an old boys network for free loaders and policy makers.

I think that any delay could be caused by him needing a new work permit. The club needs to get this confirmed with the Home Office before the Premier League will allow his registration.

I think your last sentence says more about our government than the EU. Leaving the EU has been disastrous for the UK. Our plight has little to do with Covid or the conflict in Ukraine. The European countries are dealing with Covid and rising energy prices far better than our self-serving government, who actually couldn't care less about us the general population.

I voted to remain myself.

When heading home the same way, it will be stamped out at Schiphol.

In July, I landed in Athens, stamped in. Toured Europe and came home via Barcelona where I was stamped out.

There will be travel issues at times, there were before Brexit, don't listen to the doom-and-gloom merchants.

Anyone having a debate about wokery from either side needs to give their head a wobble.

And lastly, but most importantly, anyone advocating for Tom Davies to be anywhere near a pitch in Everton related attire needs a serious word.

Yes, the current government are swindlers and fakes but so is Starmer. I voted for Corbyn myself and proud of it.

Enough politics: just one Cornet[o] for me…

As the so-called Russia Report was in fact published last month, how many of your other claims should I also treat as being completely false?

Investment has increased - it hasn't.

UK trade as a share of GDP is more than 6 percent below its Q1 2017 level. Between 2017 and 2020, average UK Foreign Direct Investment inflows as a share of GDP dropped to its lowest level since the 1980s.

Our exports have increased - they haven't.

UK is now underperforming over the long term as it is the only country tracked where goods exports remained below the 2010 average. Brexit led to a 14% decrease in exports to the EU in 2021

Inflationary pressures resulted from fighting Covid, furlough and/or the Ukraine-Russia conflict - not entirely right.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 5.5% in the 12 months to January 2022, predating the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The largest upward contributions to the change in the CPIH 12-month inflation rate between December 2021 and January 2022 came from basic items - clothing and footwear, housing and household services, and furniture and household goods.

Given employment rates rose by 424k compared to pre-Covid levels, more people were in employment and able to afford these basic items.

The economy has benefited from Brexit:

In March, Michael Saunders, external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee said that Brexit had “reduced the economy’s openness, in trade and labour mobility”, which lowered the extent to which capacity pressures could be eased by imports and immigration.

Our technology is world class - you may be right on this one.

Venture Capital investment into UK technology startups saw the biggest annual opening on record despite the start of global economic uncertainty, with $11.3bn raised in Q1 of 2022 compared to $7.9bn in Q1 of 2021. So we are seeing investment in technology start-ups but it has decreased in the wider economy.

Better public services will result from Brexit - erm...

NHS waits for care have continued to grow with the number of people waiting over a year for elective care rising to just under 300,000 by February 2022. Access to emergency care, mental health, primary care, community care and social care have also deteriorated.

Brexit always appeared to be a political decision rather than an economic one to me, and I think that has been born out. We have control of our own borders, can set our own laws (in theory) but it has impacted our economy and not improved public services.

Anyway, back to football.

I think both sides of the debate gets hooked on the media coverage and hysteria.

It's like the Northern Ireland border. I spent 3 years of my life there. Yes there were check points and towers in certain areas. But there were also hundreds of miles of invisible unchecked border that I often strayed across myself before realising I was not were I was supposed to be. Days before SatNav.

I revisit where I used to live on the Dutch-German border every year and go to watch a Schalke game. Once I've easily cleared Passport Control at Dusseldorf, I can happily walk and cycle between Germany and the Netherlands without any checks. I love Europe and it's diverse cultures. That's why I can't wait for Everton to return next year.

The Dover queues. Didn't the French authorities play down the BBC hysteria and state it was a technical hitch? I've always had my Passport checked at Calais or Dunkirk when I make the trip to Iper (Ypres) to visit the battlefields that many of our citizens sacrificed their lives liberating Europe from real oppression. And not just once.

I said I'd leave it. I will. Saturday is coming.

Steve - yes. Let's get back to the football!

Anyway, back onto footy! I'm on the fence about Gueye still as i'd always prefer longer term plans but I can see the sense in it. The big move now will be which forward we bring in. Dennis looks handy to me and ideally we need someone who could be our first choice CF as DCL is seemingly not to be relied upon. If he's out for a long time I really worry where are goals will come from.

That is correct. Here's an extract:

Case study: the EU referendum

39. There have been widespread public allegations that Russia sought to influence the 2016 referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. The impact of any such attempts would be difficult – if not impossible – to assess, and we have not sought to do so. However, it is important to establish whether a hostile state took deliberate action with the aim of influencing a UK democratic process, irrespective of whether it was successful or not.

40. Open source studies have pointed to the preponderance of pro-Brexit or anti-EU stories on RT and Sputnik, and the use of ‘bots' and ‘trolls', as evidence of Russian attempts to influence the process. We have sought to establish whether there is secret intelligence which supported or built on these studies. In response to our request for written evidence at the outset of the Inquiry, MI5 initially provided just six lines of text. It stated that ***, before referring to academic studies. This was noteworthy in terms of the way it was couched (***) and the reference to open source studies ***. The brevity was also, to us, again, indicative of the extreme caution amongst the intelligence and security Agencies at the thought that they might have any role in relation to the UK's democratic processes, and particularly one as contentious as the EU referendum. We repeat that this attitude is illogical; this is about the protection of the process and mechanism from hostile state interference, which should fall to our intelligence and security Agencies.

The Committee believes that it is important that Parliament and the public should be able to see where information had to be redacted: redactions are clearly indicated in the report by ***. This means that the published report is the same as the classified version sent to the Prime Minister (albeit with redactions).

I was surprised to wake up to the news of the result when I was in the US in 2016. I think the percentage of the vote demonstrates how the country was split literally down the middle.

I guess I just don't buy into the hysteria that the end is nigh. I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s and the UK was in a much worse position then than it is now.

I genuinely believe that, once the dust settles, Paris, Brussels and most importantly Berlin get over it, we'll all be friends again and get on fine. A bit like being binned by your girlfriend, they're still licking their wounds. I doubt very much there would have been this reaction had it been Portugal or Greece.

Despite the rhetoric, France and the UK has a very strong intelligence and military bilateral alliance. Germany has great affection for us for what we stood for during the Cold War and faced the Soviets in the face on their behalf when we had up to 60,000 troops stationed in their country as a deterrent. I genuinely think they love our Royal Family more than we do.

But yes, to the football. I'd be pleased to see Gueye back, but he's definitely a short-term stop-gap for a long-term problem. And that striker? It's been emerging as an issue for years now that we've let go under the radar because we've focussed on defending deep, keep it tight and nick one.

I was surprised to wake up to the news of the Rexit referendum result when I was in the US in 2016. I think the percentage of the vote demonstrates how the country was split literally down the middle.

I guess I just don't buy into the hysteria that the end is nigh. I grew up in the 1970s and 80s and the UK was in a much worse position then than it is now. I genuinely believe that, once the dust settles, Paris, Brussels and most importantly Berlin get over it we'll all be friends again and get on fine. A bit like being binned by your girlfriend, they're still licking their wounds. I doubt very much there would have been this reaction had it been Portugal or Greece.

Despite the overt rhetoric, France and the UK has a very strong intelligence and military bilateral alliance. Germany has great affection for us for what we stood for during the Cold War and faced the Soviets in the face on their behalf we up to 60,000 troops stationed in their country as a deterrence. I genuinely think they love our Royal Family more than we do.

But yes, to the football. I'd be pleased to see Gueye back, but he's definitely a short-term stop gap for a long-term problem that I trust the DoF is all over, both from getting an established player in and pinning our hopes on the likes of Lewis Warrington.

And that striker? It's been emerging as an issue for years now that we've let go under the radar because we've focussed on defending deep. Keep it tight and nick one.

I'll probably miss a few here, but a disappointing Duncan Ferguson, who was the legend before the player, as Joe Royle stated – now he knew something about being a centre-forward. The corner-flag chasing Marcus Bent. The unfit dud that was James Beattie. The enigma that was Radzinski. The all-too-quick hope that was Jelavic until we somehow managed to turn him into Marcus Bent rather than leave him where he was effective; dropping off the shoulder in the 6-yard box to sweep one home. The fact we viewed Stracqualursi as a cult figure shows how starved we've been. Niasse… I don't really have any words.

The 1970s was the decade when, for the first time, ordinary people could aspire to buying their own homes, a car, and were able to afford foreign holidays.

The Establishment was appalled and fought back to maintain the status quo. It started with the election of Thatcher and, apart from the early years of Blair, the post war gains have gradually been clawed back.

We now live in a zero-hour contract, high-rent insecure world where, for the first time in living memory, the children are worse off than their parents.

The NHS is crippled, the ports and airports are paralysed, the fishing industry is broken and the Good Friday Agreement has been ripped up. Our trade with the world's biggest trading block has fallen off a cliff etc etc and the next PM is likely to be the Thatcher wannabe, Liz Truss.

This country is broken.

Back to the football, I think as others have suggested, we should've sold Calvert-Lewin by now for £50M and invested it in Cornet and Dennis, then at least we might have a chance of avoiding the dreaded relegation zone. Calvert-Lewin is now out for 3 months by the way.

As things stand, we will struggle to score enough goals and therefore gain enough points. Why this issue has not already been sorted out by now is anyone's guess, but Everton are a badly run club. Lampard will be getting slowly disillusioned and frustrated with this inertia and could possibly bail out, if a better offer came along, who knows?

Mine of the 70s is one of a depressing period, strikes and then riots as we hit the 80s. I think the country was more broken then than now.

I've flown 3 times in the past 2 months. The airports seemed normal to me.

Munich, Amsterdam, they are all busy and always were.

Dusseldorf can be, but at least there is a bar right next to the gate, so you can watch and dip for the line.

Talking about governments. When not in power as the official opposition, they go on about it being unfair and if they get in they will change it, but they never do.

My example and the wife's are, we both worked for just over 20 years in the UK that gave us a small pension, that we started receiving, the only change we get is the difference between the pound and the Canadian dollar. There is no change in the amount from the UK. when we first started receiving it in 2006

So we loaned Gueye to PSG for 3 years at just under £10m a year.

Not a bad bit of business when you look at it that way. Sadly we did not spend this loan fee wisely.

And the thing is so out of date. More than 2½ years in the review, editing and redacting phase... and the redactions make it ridiculous to read.

And Ukraine was nowhere on the agenda back then. Not a single mention.

Ignoring your comment on airports and therefore Brexit, as it has nothing to do with Everton.

The remainder of your post is however very relevant. I don't know, and can't fathom out, why we have done nothing to bring in a centre-forward who can score goals particularly as we have sold Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin has been injured virtually throughout last season, so we are left without anyone capable of scoring the amount of goals we all know are necessary. This has been the case since Lukaku left and we pocketed the substantial fee we obtained for him.

Cockeyed spending on less-than-useful midfielders and wingers seems to have been the order of the day for some reason. Now that we are days from starting a new season, we will probably end up doing what we have done for the past few years and that is gambling on an unproven goal 'scorer' and hope that he comes good. Probably fat chance of that happening.

Or we might end up making the excuse that a set of circumstances beyond our control have conspired to the fact that we are without a player who can score the goals we need to maintain our Premier League status. Whatever happens, we are going to be in the mire again this season and somebody is to blame and it isn't Lampard.

We are going to need Gana as he should provide some strength in a defensive midfield we will need to rely on more than ever this season.

I agree with your observations.

I will say that the general direction of society and the various measures and markers are planned over a longer period than is commonly realized; the actual effects and actions of the sitting government on proceedings are not so random and attributable to individuals, such as, "Maggie did this, Blair did that...".

"We now live in a zero-hour contract, high-rent insecure world where, for the first time in living memory, the children are worse off than their parents."

Yep - and not by accident... and it will continue to degrade, it's meant to. Home ownership near impossible, renting tough, student debt, car ownership untenable, saving near impossible, it goes on.

If one looks at the openly stated aims and goals of the global bodies pulling the strings, lo and behold, the younger generation are being steered exactly onto that path.

"You will own nothing and be happy".

For anyone interested that's unfamiliar with that phrase, go find it and do some reading. There's a big plan at work. What's written above is just a part of it. Left, Right, Red, Blue, is minor detail at this point.

There was full employment and the North Sea and, by the end of the decade, I was working abroad and had bought a 3-bed detached bungalow for £16k. We were in really steep decline though, the pound was diving, and we needed rescuing by the IMF?

At the start of the decade Everton were simply the best, our decline matched that of the country. It wasn't Bill Kenwright... honest.

A question? What exactly is wrong with all that? Last time I looked it wasn't illegal to be Conservative. I'm Conservative and I am proud of it. What influence do they have compared with the lefties that make up the WEF/G7 and meet every year in Davos to decide how the world will be run and how you will be made destitute. What is their influence compared to the truly mega rich like Gates?

Do us a favour, EFC, go back to your strategic review. Navel gazing is what you do best.

Now I like Gueye and would welcome him back. However, Check Kouyate is free at present, That means no transfer fee and certainly not a £100k a week in wages as is being reported.

Check Kouyate is 32, just like Gueye, and has spent the last 8 years in the Premier League with West Ham Utd and Crystal Palace, so he knows the score. Apart from defensive midfield which he plays, he can also play at centre-back too. Just saying.

I love asking these socialist Liverpudlians who love singing "Fuck the Tories" – have they ever read the articles about how their club ran the area around Anfield into the ground just so they could buy the houses from the local residents on the cheap?

The most ignorant reply I've received was, “That was years ago”, proving that sometimes, time really can be a great healer!

The only issue we had (apart from the shite football played, lol) was a 2-hour delay from Reykjavik to Manchester caused by a technical issue which I assume can happen any time.

The printing of “money”

Here in Australia:

Cost of food and other essential items going through the roof
Mortgage rates increasing rapidly
House prices (values) dropping
Electricity and Gas prices increasing
Super savings getting hammered
Etc, etc

To cap it all off, Optus sport have put my Premier League subscription up from $14.99 a month to $24.99 a month. War in the Ukraine???

There is a far bigger picture here.

I don't deny anyone the chance to better themselves. But don't try to be something you're not. Maybe it's because I live amongst the plastics but they make my blood boil and I hate them more than when I lived in the city.

Says me. London resident!!

I remember when they were building the now Centenary Stand to replace the Kemlyn Road. They had bought up all the houses but were delayed for about a decade at least because 3 ladies – Evertonians apparently – refused to sell. Their house and the boarded-up ones either side, stood there alone for years.

I don't know if it's a myth. My step-grandmother was a Kopite, but that's the story she often told me and reminded me of as we walked past to go to the butchers on Walton Breck Road.

I always remember that place as, when you paid the man, you threw the money in his bucket. Then I got to go to the programme shop on the corner near the Kop. I was a bit of a programme collector in those days. Small memories in life!!!

I worked on the Echo publicity at that time and often chatted to one of the sisters (I think there were two). They weren't blues but just objected to what the RS were doing and the derisory amount of compensation which was being offered.

Interestingly, the Gwladys Street stand was held up in a similar way. A row of terraced houses needed to be demolished and one guy refused to go, holding up the project for a few years.

Either way, move on... focus on two strikers and use his wage for someone who wants to come here.

He's the same age as Gueye and like him plays for Senegal - 82 caps. He will want to go to the World Cup so he needs to find a team asap. He's on a free, so only his wages to pay.

He's had 8 seasons in the Premier League: 4 each with West Ham and Palace, so he knows the score. He's primarily a defensive midfielder and can play centre- back if needed. It's a no-brainer for me.

Hope it's not so – not a good scenario, moreso in contrast to the signings made so far.

Word is, it will all be done and dusted before midday Friday and he will be available for selection on Saturday.

It sounds like we are still after Broja which if true and he comes, would make this a fantastic window.

Lots more to look forward to all of a sudden.

UTFT

One of the persistent rumours is that he is negotiating a pay-off from PSG because they effectively showed him the door. That seems standard these days and if true it shouldn’t be held against Gana if he wants to get the best deal he can.

Presumably the more he gets from PSG the less he will actually need from us, so that would be a win-win.