Reports claim Gordon wants to go as Chelsea prepare £60m offer

Easy right?!

Ditch the 5 at the back and play:

Pickford
Patterson Holgate Tarkowski Mykolenko
Kudus (or Onana) Gueye Iwobi (or Doucouré)
Gakpo Broja (or Calvert-Lewin) Gray (or McNeil)

Looks like he is Chelsea-bound today. I hope we can make some improvements with the incoming funds.

If Gordon wasn't interested in going, it wouldn't have got to this point. Time to get it done. Pity.

Let's pray we are allowed to spend the money and it's spent wisely... but that's a matter of infinite hope.

Providing we allow Lampard and his DoF to reinvest that, it will be good business. And that is key.

Sad to see him go, but as they say, sometimes there is an offer you can't refuse.

I know Michael might shout at me, but dare I say, follow our cousins' example Everton. Regularly sold their best assets but reinvested wisely to gradually and steadily improve the team to the point of challenging and achieving success.

Messaging with a few this morning, the important thing here is that Frank and DoF make the call. To lose another manager will be far more disruptive that losing a player with potential.

I like Anthony Gordon but I think a valuation of that kind would turn out to be the peak valuation. I can see him being another Jeffers, Barkley or Rodwell who moves for better things and it doesn't pan out: he certainly isn't Rooney where everyone could see he would become a great player.

Which is better, keeping Gordon or getting two or three attacking players in who will contribute more in terms of goals and chances? If we cannot afford to keep him and get in options then I think we should sell and do it quickly.

Out of the saleable assets we had, I'd have been in favour of losing Calvert Lewin and keeping Richarlison and Gordon but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I was upset when we sold Lineker, Beardsley, Rooney and Big Dunc. It's just business now. We need to recruit attacking players to stay in this division. Sentiment counts for nothing.

So if he goes, the fee surely has to be on a par to that of Cucurella - £60 million, anything less would be another failure from the board.

I think that unless Lampard is allowed to spend it on the strikers he will want and need to give us any chance of avoiding relegation then I think we might lose our manager before the window closes.

With Richarlison leaving and now Gordon, then I can't see Pickford signing a new contract, so we could lose him before next season, unless some quality players are bought before the window closes.

So Moshiri said "judge me at the end of the window"… well you have 8 days left and at present the judgement is a total failure.

I wouldn't trust this club with 60p yet alone £60M in the transfer market. We need Gordon if we want to stay up, we need his energy, his commitment, his running, his skill at turning a defender and leaving them for dead. He's irreplaceable right now in my opinion.

What we need to do is keep Gordon, and give him a fucking striker to play alongside. Brereton Diaz would cost about £15M and wants to leave Blackburn. Just sign him, and play him with Gordon and Gray.

I don't know who is advising him about moving to Chelsea but we have seen this all before with the likes of Rodwell, Barkley who then became non-entities in the Premier League. The only one who went away with great success was Rooney but he had done so much anyway by Euro 2004.

As much as I want all our homegrown players with massive potential to stay it is more important to get players in who will keep us up.

At the rate we are going if we don't get someone to put it in the net we will be in bigger trouble this season as we were last

The fact that Gordon is an academy player means that this money would be all profit which actually means we'd have the room to spend twice as much due to the way FFP works. His sale would give us huge flexibilty in this and the January market, which could be crucial. I understand your point about not trusting the club to spend it right but by that remit, we'd never sell anyone. We have to have faith that Thelwell would invest it more wisely than his predecessors.

Even if Gordon did deliver on his potential then £60m would be a decent price and as we know many players never quite get there. No-one wants to see talented young players leave but there are other good young players out there.

For years people on here have asked to see Everton run like a smart business, like other smart clubs (Dortmund, Brighton, Leipzig etc); being a well-run club includes selling your good players for premium prices when the opportunity arises. That is exactly what we have here. A premium offer for a player that currently is not providing consistent goals and assists. I really feel it would be crazy to decline.

And if he does good luck to the lad because he won't be winning anything with us.

I'd be over the moon if we got anything more than £30 million. Up to £60 million is insane.

And he may or may not have been a red but what is clear is that he puts 100% effort on the pitch and could never be accused of going through the motions. So there's no reason why anyone should have a go at him. The reality is players come and go and kiss the badge and then leave and kiss other badges! There's no point demonising players, particularly kids like Gordon.

It looks like he's going to Chelsea for big bucks - let's accept it and move on. I'm disappointed and think it's wrong move but if its happening lets hope the club allow Frank to buy some decent forwards with the dosh,

Easily replaced? If that was the case, Chelsea would be targetting that £20m player rather than spending three times as much on our player.

The money is worth nothing to us unless you trust our club to identify and buy the £20m player that Chelsea seem unable to find, despite them being a much more attractive proposition for any footballer. Oh, and we have a week to do it.

Alternatively, we lose our best player to Chelsea, and then get fleeced for another Dwight McNeil, or Gbamin, or Moise Keane because we're desperate and stupid.

Chelsea are paying that much money for his potential, for what he could be in 3 or 4 years time (a newish approach for them as they’ve spent big money on young lads from Villa and Italy too).

Whereas we need money to buy players who can deliver end product now. Gordon is probably a 6/10 player now who could be a 9/10 which is why Chelsea want him; whereas we could do with a player whose 7.5/10 now, even if they’ll never be more than an 8.

I agree that the argument on selling him depends upon the club making sensible replacements; something we have not done in recent years. But I’m an optimist and for us to ever progress we will have to start recruiting better so hopefully Thelwell etc have appropriate targets lined up. I like Gueye, Broja and Kudus as options.

The lad is wholly committed and talented but he’s no Rooney.

If he does go to Chelsea, I see him going the way of Rodwell, Jeffers when they joined a “bigger” club. At best, a John Stones – a big pay packet, some nice medals but just a bit part squad player.

I honestly don’t see a £60M player in him – so I’d accept such an offer provided we have alternatives lined up. Absolutely no use selling him on deadline day and just banking the money.

If Gordon doesn't fit that description – who does?

£60Mill? – Snatch their arm off!!!

Can we not persuade them to take Rondon & Kean too for a round £100 million? That would be £39.75 million for Kean and a few bob for Rondon plus a large bag of Everton Mints.

We need a decent goal scorer or two from somewhere, I think that's why there will be a deal.

If Gordon wasn't to be sold, Frank could have said Gordon is going nowhere, end of.

I wouldn't blame Lampard, I've no doubt he would like to keep Gordon and buy half of Man City's team but…

All about the fee.

They will want to loan only Broja we will want that plus a fixed fee option to buy, or a permanent deal. Maybe another player in the mix too as part of the deal?

Sell, as we need players here that are committed to our cause.

Of course, Everton fan wants to play for Chelsea.

Out to fuck with ya. The money will be payback for the Barkley deal. Another true blue.

I wonder what the real story is?

But as we're picking from an ever-diminishing pool of available players, I'm not sure what we can do this window that won't reek of Dusty Bin options.

Chelsea agreed a deal with West Ham some 4 weeks ago for £30 million for Broja but Broja couldn't agree personal terms with West Ham. So Everton should play hardball and say we want Broja on a permanent deal and will pay exactly the same fee they agreed with West Ham.

A loan deal doesn't do us any good, if he turns out to be the player Lampard and West Ham believe he can be and scores 15 + goals then at the end of the season Chelsea recall a player who has proved his worth. So then his price is in excess of £70 million if you want him or Chelsea keep him now, how does that benefit Everton?

I think the reason Lampard hasn't gone for any of the rumoured strikers we have been after is because all along he has wanted Broja. Let's not forget, Lampard gave him his debut for Chelsea. He has worked with the lad so knows exactly how good he is.

Broja is young enough to learn an improve and Gallagher is a ready-made replacement for Gordon? Win-win.

If we do get £50 or £60 million, I suggest we make an offer to Leicester for Iheanacho, not Broja.

You can still squeeze even more money from them! Hold on for £80mil.

You probably said the same thing in 2004 when Rooney was sold…

This just sets the trend for young players to think that they can just simply make big money in future transfers but in reality they lose their focus on what they should be doing.

I’m also saddened that there will be thousands of very young Everton fans who watched him last year and probably had their mums and dads running around the sports shops looking for a top with Gordon on it because he was their hero and favorite player.

Similar story with Richarlison I suppose with regards to being a hero of many a youngster although losing a local lad hurts a lot more. We now only have Davies and Coady as local lads in the first team which is piss-poor for a club of our size in a football mad city.

Of course it is understandable for a working-class family to have sat down and realized that this is a life-changing moment for them all with mum and dad instantly retired and they could go and watch their boy play football wherever it is.

Hopefully they are not watching him sat on the bench which is where I see him for this season at least. That’s a difficult team to break into but good luck to him.

As a Blue I can’t imagine anything better than my boy playing for Everton. I mean, how much money do people need?

So the cycle continues with us selling our best players whilst holding on to numerous other players who have failed us year in and year out. Players who are happy to be sat on the bench picking up absurd wages and other players who can’t play because of the slightest injury but who know that their contracts have them covered for years.

So much for football being a working-class game.

As you say, Richarlison and Gordon are more than just our best players – they were the club's heroes of the season. Without them, we completely lack personality.

So we don't know whether he does or doesn't as media outlets are contradicting themselves. No point blaming the player. We need someone positioned in Calderstones Park to ask him when he walks his dog this afternoon!

If Gordon truly wanted to stay for the love of the club, then he can stay as he has a contract.

Young players coming through know if they’re good enough they’ll make the first team and then it’s up to them if they want to chase money/“glory” with a richer, currently more successful club.

Take up watching your local amateur team or some other amateur sport. I know I do and it’s much more fulfilling.

At least they could talk about the times they played regularly on Merseyside instead of sitting on the bench.

We should make a move for Joao Pedro and try to sign some of Watford’s scouting team.

It just shows, the Brazilian international was worth a lot more than what Spurs and Levy did us for.

So … accordingly, we sell our best player and current most attacking threat for £60M, again, and we still haven't replaced the first one (nor the last one) and his goals….and we buy some Sky 6 cast-off for half the value, which is inflated anyway because of the selling club, who if he was that good they wouldn't be selling. And this is good business? Hahaha LOL.

Chelsea know exactly what they're doing and this is how they operate, ie, putting young players that won't make it in the window to “trade”. It's called the greater fool theory in the market for a reason.

To add to that, even if we do sell, we have one week to bring in this striker – we probably need two – whose value has just inflated by at least 50%. It's not Anthony Gordon's fault …. nor is it Chlesea's.

Caveat emptor!

I was happy to sell him at £40 million, so this is fantastic news! Can't assist, can't beat the first man, can't score. £60 million for someone with 'potential'? Yes, please!!!

Great to be on the other end of a transfer instead of the usual overpaying for average players.

Then call into Southampton with 20 million for Che Adams.

That's a shocking assessment of John Stones since he left.

He's slightly more than a bit part player. As for a few shiny medals…. 4 prems? He's also played a World Cup semi and European Championship Final.

He's been proven right to have left. To put him only slightly above Rodwell and Jeffers is laughable

I get that the Everton 'project' is looking pretty wobbly right now, but I think he's better suited helping his home team right now, knowing that a future away from Goodison is only just a matter of time.

We have to be the jammiest club on the planet considering how amateurish the club is.

The new guys at Chelsea are utter lunatics.

Rescued us by the skin of our teeth, with Dele coming alive for 45 mins to then go back into hibernation once the season started.

Sells our best player who can't get off the subs bench for his new club.

Our only decent striker gets injured trying on women's tights ( I made that up but you never know!)

We buy the phenomenal Onana which translates as baby giraffe and now our new Number 10 and future of the club wants out.

It's like 'Carry on Football' – Frank is Jim Dale. Dele is Kenneth Williams, Calvert-Lewin is Charles Haughtry, Moshiri is Sid James, Kenwright is Hatty Jacques, Gordon is Barbara Windsor and Michael Kean is Bernard Breslaw.

Infamy Infamy, they all have it in for me.

The whole thing is a farce, how can we expect to stay in the division or even achieve mid-table mediocrity with the current goings on.

All players want to win trophies and if Gordon asks to leave that means he believes that staying at Everton he will not have that opportunity.

What chance do we have of signing ambitious young professionals who want to win things, when players are leaving because they believe they can't do it at Everton?

You cant build a successful squad selling your best players, unless you are able to improve the squad by doing it, and once Everton have financial backing they are at the mercy of selling clubs who because of Everton's position, prices are inflated and with no guarantee that incoming players will fill the void left by the outgoing player. You can't change quality with quantity.

This is a no-win situation for Everton, they are damned if they do or they are damned if they don't. We all have our own opinions and I think he will go, but my preference is that he stays.

For those wanting to sell I agree £60M is very tempting but what could we do with it.

Take a chance on a few £20M plus players. No top quality player wants to come to Everton. They all want Champions League clubs or at least a chance of Europe. We currently offer neither.

The Top 6 clubs will swallow all the talent to reduce competition even if they don't intend to play them. I believe Chelsea had about 40 players ourt on loan a couple of seasons ago. That should not be allowed IMO.

But if we get 60 for Gordon, that really tells me how cheap the bastards at Tottingham got Ricky for.

However, selling Gordon for that price is good business and not indicative of how badly run we are. We would be selling because it would enable us to put a squad of players together to play how they want to. It means sacrificing Gordon for the greater good.

Also, your assessment of Onana is typical of some of the knee-jerk, negative, anti-young talent nonsense I expect from some others. He's played about 30 mins in the PL!!!! Give him a chance.

As for Gordon, I believe he’ll come to regret the decision. It feels like he could easily be another Pulisic, who went to the same big club 2-3 years too early for big money and doesn’t get the game time he deserves if only he were with a team like ours. Without an end product, he’ll be back playing for a mid-table team for half the price in a few years. I’m actually more concerned with his inconsistent deliveries than his lack of goals preventing him from being a top top player.

All of which is to say I think Sam #1 gets it spot on. He may or may not become a 9/10 and we sure could use him this season, but as we all know, every player has a price. I don’t begrudge management for letting him go at the stated price; I begrudge Gordon for walking a couple years too soon — especially to go to Chelsea. And of course will thank him for always playing his heart out.

Cornering the market in non goal scoring, non goal creating shite.

You are talking about tapping up. There is a law against it, but it has been explained on here before by supporters, that with today's ability to communicate privately without the club knowing about it, that has gone out the window.

But if he really wants to go and £60M is the real number, it would be the most spectacular piece of business this club has done for years.

In Tuchel he will find a manager who clearly sees him as integral to the kind of style he wants to play. And, obviously, he gets to earn a fortune and the chance to live in a world-class city with plenty of money to enjoy the lifestyle.

He knows he won't play every game, but he'll be working day in day out with some top players from around the world. His only risk is that Tuchel might be sacked, and then he could find himself loaned out by the new manager.

We're the losers if this deal happens, not Anthony. I wish him the best of luck, and I'm just sad he has to leave when we need him most.

But I also don't believe for one minute that these young players have a full say in matters.

Agents, selling club, receiving club. All whispering and influencing young players for their own respective benefit. Left to his own devices, I'm pretty sure Anthony Gordon would rather remain and play for Everton. Just as Alan Ball would have liked to by all accounts.

Unfortunately, they only get so much of a say.

Take Rob Halligan with you – Calderstones Park is one of his hangouts – and hit Anthony with a Good Cop / Bad Cop routine.

Also ask him if any of the current squad know what happened to the Arteta money.

I hope we hang on to the lad and improve his terms.

If he goes, it might be good business but not if we tumble out of the Premier League.

So depressing to see how the Moshiri project has unbuttoned like my keks after Sunday dinner.

We can only hope we have a good forward lined up to balance EFC.

I think we did that Jay, and the 4 or 5 years later gave them free contracts Mina, Gomes, Tosun, Walcott etc al.

The chance to go to a club to win trophies, play in the Champions League and possibly push his claims for a place in England's World Cup squad.

Or stay with what is a mess at the moment and we may never challenge at the top again.

It's a business, for fuck's sake! That return on investment is through the roof.

Sorry to see him go, but there's absolutely no choice now.

They've made a real mess of the priorities this summer. We could survive without a winger but not without a centre-forward. The first job had to be to replace Richarlison.

We will probably now get the money for both but not have time to replace Richarlison or Gordon. If last season was tough with them, imagine what it's going to be like without them!

I hate being so negative but we've had months to replace Richarlison and to not do so is just bad management at all levels.

While teams may have come to an agreement on the financial aspects of a transfer, only the player himself can decide to move or not.

A player is legally permitted to deny any transfer moves if they are still under contract with their parent club and wish to remain there for the contract's entirity or remaining duration.

Not to say that there are whispering in his ear by certain people who will gain financially if he moves.

We or most have seen Chelsea relegated along with Spurs and Man Utd... but of course football never really existed pre-Sky.

Liverpool and Arsenal.

And Everton.

Right now, to the modern footballer, we're an average club playing in an old stadium with no silverware for a quarter of a century. Even our own want to leave.

I'm hoping Lampard is some sort of miracle worker who can fabricate a team worthy of the new stadium and we can reclaim past glories.

Only 2 teams haven't been relegated in my lifetime ...

I think the keys are in the hands of the agents and clubs.

Older players, maybe, but like in any walk of life, when you're young, you are more easily influenced.

I just find the whole situation to be one drama after the next. Lampard is conducting the band on the Titanic. Someone likened us to the Black Night in the Monty Python film. It's gallows humour.

Our freshly honoured Number 10 wants out after a half-decent season and 4 goals. £60M is madness and shouldn't be rejected.

On the football front, I think Lampard has made us harder to play against this season. We need multiple players that have a goal in them.

Having seen Onana for 30 minutes, I don't think he is ready to play central-midfield but I do think he can be played down the middle, similar to what Fellaini did for us. The lad has bags of potential. I only likened him to a baby giraffe for a cheap laugh.

I want Gordon to stay, not just because he’s one of us and one of our best players, but also because my six year old is called Gordon (after my late dad) and I was toying with idea of getting him a shirt with Gordon 10 on the back. As someone who got Speed 10 on a shirt as a teenager, I learned my lesson and glad I waited…

Then of course there's Barkley. Didn't City offer around £50m at one point? we hold on because 'he's one of our own' and end up with £15m.

We need players, we need finance. If Chelsea want to give us £60m for a player with potential who'll probably get to play a few CL minutes, warm the bench on a Saturday and be the star of the show for Chelsea as they beat someone like Southend in a cold & rainy 3rd round FA cup tie, I say let them... get it done.

By my reckoning, FFP means we'll have about £35-40m of it to re-invest. I think buying Onana for the sum we paid meant this was always inevitable. That money didn't exist without a further major sale, now or right at the end of the season. It may have been Pickford, DCL or as now, Gordon. Can we re-invest that £40m widely? I understand those who say not but if they are correct, we are finished as a football club anyway. With our current financial position, we have to trade to survive.

Broja - loan seems nailed on but we need another forward to compete with him. DCL must be considered a liability for now, until he proves he can stay fit. I've noticed the Senegal CF - Keide Balde is on free transfer, after being released by Caligari, after they were relegated last season. Don't know much more, than what's on Transfer market but he was once bought for £27m by Monaco. He's 27.
Gueye - should arrive !!!! but so should another CM. Onana looks very raw right now.
Januzaj - on a free looks likely.

Move out Gomes and Gbamin, even if its only on loan to get some money off the wage bill, though we will no doubt need to contribute some of it.

It does not matter about his age. A.Gordon signed a 5 yr contract with Everton on the 1st September 2020 and as he is under contract he is legally permitted to deny any transfer moves.

... 60-million is insane. Insane. This would go down as one of the most batshit deals in Premier League history. People bemoan the FFP situation forcing our hand, but even if we were the best run club in the league, it would be crazy to turn that offer down.

I, probably like you am under contract, but I can hand in my notice whenever I want.

I'm just suggesting that young top flight footballers are probably under more pressure from external influences than you and I will ever be.

I wouldn't underestimate Everton's role in this if it's going to happen. If they want to sell, they will.

I revert back to Alan Ball. When the club get's offered good money and doesn't want you anymore, you're gone.

Anthony looked dejected as he headed over to the Gwladys Street on Saturday.

Don't mistake me agreeing with it. I just think that agents and club are at play here more than a young player.

Moshiri wants to be judged on transfer business at the end of the window, by that time we may be rock bottom with one point because of board mismanagement.

Kenwright needs to get on the phone quick before they bow to fan pressure and change their mind.

Newcastle and Spurs were sniffing around at forty million. That's because Gordon is already a very good player with a lot more to come.

I despise Chelsea. A dirty club built on dirty money. They are jumped up arrogant pricks with an over developed sense of entitlement.

I loved it when Brighton charged them top dollar for a bang average full back. I am really enjoying watching Leicester use Chelsea's arrogant don't-take-no-for-an-answer attitude to make them pay through the nose for Fofana -Three knock backs so far.

I don't get the attitude of some of our fans. I even saw one poster claim we would take ten million if he wasn't a scouser. What does that even mean ? It's a bit like watching the haggling scene from Month Python " Ten ? fuck off. I won't take a penny more than five".

If the going rate is forty. Then it has to be fifty for Chelsea. if Anthony has had his head turned and wants to go. We have to make sure we squeeze every last penny out of these classless bastards

This has to be a contender for deal of the decade if it happens. We cannot turn this down and risk him being finished by a bad injury. Sometimes in life you just have to be realistic, appreciate our current financial position and see that £60m for a home grown player will completely change the landscape and banish our FFP fears.

Yes, Frank and Co will have to spend the money on the right players but we must conclude the first part of selling Gordon. He is good but not great and has a lot to do before becoming a great player. We can't afford to risk that not happening.

I'll wager there are irate Chelsea fans embroidering several sets of silk bedsheets with anti-Gordon slogans as we speak.

Pedro, Broja, and a midfielder, would make us a much stronger team. Keeping Gordon, and trying to scrape a loan deal for another Rondon, would be another season trying to survive.

By the way, in my opinion, I thought we were sold short getting £60M for Richarlison, but this would more than make up for it.

The only contract I have was the one I signed in St Swithins Church in Croxteth. in 1961.

(Little of myself. Born 87 Scarisbrick Road. Norris Green. Littlewoods one end Broadway the other end on 6 October 1940

Support of Everton 1952-53 season played on Goodison Park changed in the home team dressing room. After that, the normal progression: Boys Pen, standing under the Gwladys Street Stand end and then a season ticket holder in the Paddock before emigrating to Canada in 1976

I can't begin to imagine what the cost has been since with trips back home, telephone calls, having papers sent out and more of the usual expenses supporting Everton.

Good player, blameless in the Everton shambles by the way, but if true, grab it and run. This is no Rooney.

As Chairman, he is solely responsible for the lack of duty of care in ensuring FFP wasn't breached the way it was. Because of that singular dereliction of responsibility, Gordon will be sold.

The club's survival in the Premier League was and still is under threat as a direct result of the almost comical, if it weren't so tragic, management of the owner with more money than footballing sense, having trusted Kenwright to run (or was that ruin?) this club.

Plaudits to the negotiation team? My backside. That we are where we are is an absolute disgrace. James gone, Digne gone, Richarlison gone, Gordon now...

In their place we have loans, freebies, players bought on the never-never, blame the player, blame the manager, blame the DoF... but no, we all know the broken record everyone is sick of hearing.

It truly is shameful mismanagement of Moshiri but most of all Kenwright, that has led us to where we are. It would not surprise me if Lampard walked. I hope to God he doesn't because, if he does, I think we are done. I think we are at a Tipping Point.

Maybe the 5 or 10 Evertonians who want to keep him despite a possible £60 million offer will help them with the cross stitching then eh.

He's no Ball, Rooney or even Richarlison loss,
more in the category of Jeffers, Rodwell and Barkley...
sell while his stock is high.

Kenwright out!!!

As soon as I see posts like that it puts us back another 2 years and creates divisions which he thrives on. Crafty bastard that he is.

The valuations may be off, the players offered may not be who we want etc.. Payment may be over the contract years, etc etc..

Furthermore, the Kenwright regime appears about to reach a new low with two key players sold in one transfer window for the first time.

Our whole season could rest on this, what did you say, Moshiri? Judge you are the end of the window?

Will be interesting to see if either Everton or Leicester blink first or will they stick to their guns and hold on to their players?

Whatever we do we must somehow get a striker or 2 in before the window closes.

£60 million for a player who neither scores or creates goals would be insane, no doubt we don't have the money to sign any strikers, just more crap midfielders.

It's going to be a long slog this season, entertainment will be zero.

I think we are probably seeing peak Anthony Gordon, let him go and be a squad player at Chelsea if that’s what he wants.

Secretay - Mr Kenwright there's a call for you.

CFC DOF here Bill we're pulling out of the Gordon talks.

Secretary - Mr Kenwright there's another call for you.

D Levy - Hi Bill hope you don't mind but were pulling out of the Gordon talks.

BK shitting himself rings the Toon Army.

Hi Toon Army - Gordons Alive and still for sale do you want him.

TA - Yeh Bill We'll take him. How much ?

BK - £60m.

TA - no way Bill.

BK - How much are you offering then ?

TA - £25m,

BK - Shit !

TA - What was that Bill ?

BK - Er nothing. I've promised Frank £60m, so he can buy Broja, Gueye and A N Other,

TA - Well thats nothing to do with us. Tell you what. We'll make it £15m plus Almiron. Total £30m.

BK - Thtat's Fantastic. We can get Che Adams with £15m ! We have have a deal. I can't wait to tell Frank.

BK rings Franks mobile - Frank, Frank, Where are you Frank. Frank please answer. Frank, Frank. FRANK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, we move on after another one of the better players leave us and now have very little time to set the team up for the next game. Who is now going to play up front with our super striker Rondon ? Who is going to fill that void in getting the ball into the box and give the opposition something to think about? We are undoubtedly weaker going into the next critical 3 pointer and my head is spinning at how badly this club is run.
Many of us are split on how good Frank Lampard is with some thinking that he’s out of his depth. My thoughts are that in a similar way to Martinez and Silva he is still learning his trade and will make mistakes but we need to stick with him. He is our only hope of building for the future. Let’s hope he gets the striker we need so badly and soon.
This mess is not his fault but that of poor leadership at the helm of the club. Who else is out there with the magic wand to turn this mess of a club around should he leave or be sacked because no matter who comes in will always be hamstrung by the jokers at the top.

But —- regardless of whether the lad wants to go or not, I personally put Broja in the same category. I would like to have them both in the team but that is not going to happen so I am hoping Broja + comes the other way. The + being maybe enough to sign Diaz from Blackburn.

Career Stats ( Transfer market) :

Played as... games / goals / assists.
Left Winger 95 30 18
Centre-Forward 69 20 7
Right Winger 30 4 6
Second Striker 24 7 4
Attacking Midfield 2 1 0

“…has reportedly…”

Let’s wait and see.

If the figures quoted are true, then it makes me think one of two things are going on:

A) Frank is being bloody-minded and bitter towards Chelsea. Or;

B) We are all naive thinking £60 million equates to a transfer kitty. Could it be that some or all the money will go to the bank, the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock etc, and that Frank won't have those funds to replenish the squad?

I remember in the Moyes era one summer we tried to get someone in June, probably Riquelme. It didn't work but come August, Moyes said something to the effect “We had money then but now we don't” – ie, a loan got called in or something? >Moshiri has said he's seeking new investment. Costs are rising. His rich friend can't bail him out any more. Could it be we need the Gordon money to stay solvent?

Could it be in Moshir's Vegas or bust worldview that he won't sanction a deal after our poor start as the unlikely riches of the Champion League seem even more improbable than a month ago?

I just smell a rat, fellows and I don't think it's Frank.

That is a valid question regarding the stadium financing. £60 million is almost 12.5% of the agreed build cost of £500 million. We will find out soon enough.

When and if Calvert-Lewin ever gets fit, I'd move him on to some mug of a tea… if anyone would take him!

Figures of up to £60 million are being floated, but 'up to' is a range from zero to the figure stated. The 'add-ons' will likely include targets like captaining the first manned mission to Pluto. As for whether any of the money ever sees the light of day in terms of incoming transfers, I have my doubts. Arteta Money 2 is the long awaited sequel in the Kenwright franchise.

The whole rotten situation perfectly encapsulates what we've become under new improved pragmatic Blue Bill's stewardship; a small club and getting smaller every day. We will soon become the new Coventry City.

I don't know enough about Broja to rate him or not. Some seem to dismiss him and some look at him as a top class prospect. I think if Frank and the DoF want him then that's their call and fine by me. They seem to have done okay so far.

Moshiri said to wait until the end of the window before judging, so there's a week to go to bring players in and (hopefully) get some players out but that's going to be hard to do. So I'll see what's happened during this window, in seven days. It's been a good window so far.

I think this period is the first step towards us attaining Premier League safety, I don't see any further goals than that, this season. Anything more will be a bonus.

I've had to sign up to a contract or agreement for every job I've had. There are terms for release on both sides. I can serve notice, the company or organisation can terminate.

Don't get me wrong, I would like nothing more than for Anthony Gordon to stay at Everton. For once, I agree with Stanley Mills's dad who recently said it would be better for him to stay at Everton and play regularly rather than get splinters at Chelsea.

There are many who chose that path down the years. Scott Parker's move from Charlton to Chelsea always springs to mind and there were a few who chased the dream to early moving to the likes of City only not to play very much. Can't remember the names, but I'm sure we could all provide examples.

Yes, it's always the player who is ultimately forced to come out and say they want to go. My point is there are many behind-the-scenes factors such as agents and clubs that influence that decision. Especially with young players when those agents and clubs know they are going to get their cut or profit off any transfer as well.

I've stopped blaming players for moving long ago. Some handle it better than others admittedly. Richarlison versus Lescott for example.

The absolute dogshit of a mess this club is in has to be laid firmly at the feet of the owner and the board.
They are the ones responsible for running the club and it has been run very badly for too many years now.

Here we go again selling the crown jewels. Don't get me wrong Gordon ain't worth that amount of money but teams out there challenging for honours seem to think he is. Frank wants to keep him.

The player would like to go because he knows there is zero chance of Everton challenging in the next 3 to 5 years, if at all.

So we need the money, okay, but remember why we need it. Thanks, Bill and Co.

The sad thing is even with this money we wont move forward as it will be a loan of a very average striker and most of the money going to pay off whatever debts etc this useless board have caused.

Sack the Board – Kenwright Out!

The rumours that we turned the £60M down because we want either Broja or Gallagher ‘on loan' as part of the deal. Not to buy, but a loan only. Feeds in to what you are saying.

Alternatively making a £25M rising to £42M offer for Gibbs-White last week says we have money to invest. But that offer at one minute to midnight may have been a nonsense to try to appease Frank that they are trying for him.

I think the same as Jim @153, and many others, unless those two players, class forward, class midfielder, arrive in the next few days, we are going to be in a season-long Bottom 6 fight.

It's so important to the future of the club, can we really afford to let this run until deadline day? We will get held to ransom if we do that and if we think that other clubs will be benevolent, keep loose promises, or help us out, then our DoF and board are deluded on a grand scale.

The time for action and concrete decisions is now.

Frank, if I was you, I'd take your wife and kids away from here while you still have some standing in the game as it's not going to end well for you.

Next window or next summer, they'll do the same thing with Calvert-Lewin until the new ground is paid up. All the while hoping we somehow magically stay in the Premier League.

He went on to say that he makes the footballing decisions but he also said that the board have to consider the financial aspect as well.

The players we desire have to want to come here for starters, plus all the contracts, values etc have to be agreed, no easy task.

We are not exactly a glittering attraction either are we at the moment, we will still be in a probable dog fight whoever we might sign.

If Gordon has said he wants to leave and become an International, he's a better chance of becoming one staying here, rather than sitting on his backside at Chelsea, I can tip him that.

It's now the site of an Asda Superstore.

I digress too. I don't think Anthony will ever forget his roots.

That's an interesting point Brian @158. On one hand, is Frank just talking common sense and reality? On the other has he be tainted by the blue Bill narrative?

I would sell Gordon as the lad obviously has potential and wants to better himself, so why stay at Everton??

Issue is that any monies reinvested on new players will be wasted. Gordon knows this as well.

Wonder if we could get a team together of lads born in Sefton General. Would probably beat the current Everton team, lol.

Gordon has talent but is not the answer to what we need so being caught between a rock and a hard place has to be resolved before the deadline.

The lad could be a World beater but like Barklay could become a bechwarmer at Chelski.

If the lad insists on a move why keep him here unhappy.

Gallagher and/or Broja in part exchange may be tempting especially Broja being mainly a striker.

If nothing happens then we are in for a miserable season yet again. The writing is on the wall for management to see.

Once incomings are sealed sell Gordon to Chelsea for £60M plus £2.5M each of the next 5 seasons they qualify for Europe. Discounted for Gallagher £30M.

So not £40M plus additions or £60M including add-ons. It's £60M plus..

or like Leicester, no thanks!

Given the results so far this year (last night doesn't count), it is perfectly clear that the current side cannot win with Gordon, whatever he brings isn't enough to give us the required number / quality of chances to win matches even against dross like Villa and Chelsea. That said, I suspect that the current team could not win with Alan Ball, Kanchelskis, Duncan McKenzie or Peter Reid. On the other hand, if Gordon played with a Duncan Ferguson, Bob Latchford or Alex Young, he'd probably be very successful.

This team is currently heading for relegation because no matter how much improved the defence is (and it is, enormously), how good the wingers (or those doing the role) are, or how effective the midfield is (and I've seen no-one better than Iwobi in any match, anywhere this season), drawing half your matches 0-0 or 1-1 and losing the rest 0-1 is going to get you relegated.

Gordon does not score goals and neither do any of the other resprayed midfielders like Iwobi or Gray (though he does get the odd one).

If he stays and Everton don't get a proper goalscorer, Gordon will be a member of a team that looks terrible and gets relegated. If he goes, and Everton buy someone who can benefit from the Patterson / Mykolenko / Iwobi etc delivery machine, he will look like someone who left a side which succeeded.

I did a postgraduate course in counterfactual conditional logic once, and our conclusion was that "what ifs" are loads of fun, but a very poor method of reaching reliable conclusions.

Otherwise very difficult to predict the look of the First XI after the window closes.

Perhaps Onana and Garner as the central 2 and Gray and McNeil either side of Broja or DCL.

That has, at least, a nice balance to it and scope to develop / improve as a unit.

Who do you mean with your "gobshites of goodison" comment?

I think if PSG relent and we can get Gana without a fee he will come in too.

So my question is why, considering they are buying just about every available player on the market, aren't Nottingham Forest trying to buy him?

If that £80m figure was accurate surely there would be far more talk about it in the light of recent rumours. I'm taking that with a serious pinch.

I think if Garner comes in then Allan will be sold if we are getting Gana I can’t see us having both. Gomes will probably go out on a heavily subsidised loan in the hope he does well and then someone will take his wages off our books for his final year.

Can we hope for an Iwobi-style rebirth for Rondon? (that is another joke by the way)

I thought we did so on Saturday. Someone reckoned we made 8 goal chances, which isn't bad, if we could learn to put more away. If we do get a goalscorer, I hope he doesn't depend mainly on crosses to is head, which DCL seems to concentrate on. I hope we can find someone who can make more ways of scoring, and also provide chances for team mates. Young was adept at scoring with his head and feet, and also making chances for his oppo roy Vernon. They're not a bad example of what I mean.

It is obvious that unless Gordon is sold, there are no funds to buy... anyone. Chelsea know that and are not in hurry so £40M must do. We are not in a position to negotiate and, with the current squad attacking options, we are as good as relegated.

Money can buy but our club being so incompetent means we are too late already. I wish we could get real and already prepare for the worst: championship, new stadium with humongous debt and clueless owners.

I do believe Lampard and Thelwell are doing their best, but our club is facing an existential threat – and it has nothing to do with 3-4-3 or 3-5-2.

Bloody hell John mate, that's a bit harsh. Last time I saw that much venom it was directed at Putin.

I think many on here are falling for West End Bill's three card trick. The one were it's always the departing players fault.

We yearn for players to come through our system into the first team. Anthony Gordon has done that with bells on. His skill and desire to run through brick walls was one of the major factors in us staying up. He won the hearts of the Goodison faithful and they showed their appreciation. The song "Oh Anthony Gordon" rang around not just the old lady but everywhere we played.

I understand why some think the offer is too good to refuse, but why stick the boot in ? He can't shoot and doesn't score goals ? Anybody who thinks this boy can't shoot either doesn't watch the games or has memory issues. He forced two very good saves from a very good keeper four days ago. One on the turn from just inside the box and the other, an absolute screamer from twenty five yards.

As for scoring goals. Dave Thomas didn't score goals. He just served them up because he played with proper strikers (a luxury AG is yet to experience). He is a wide man who does more than his fair share of defensive duty's. so much more so than the prolific and much vaunted striker Broja with his epic haul of 6 EPL goals

some of the names being put forward as replacements make my blood road in cold. If we buy enough bench warmers and Championship players we will surely end up there.

We had all this "Get rid " nonsense with DCL but without his goals we'd have been drowning even with Carlo in charge. Now he's had a sustained period of injury. He's shite again.

The other mans grass isn't always greener, If a player isn't proven in the premier league he is unlikely to improve our situation.

Let's at least aim high. We have something Chelsea want and they have a supremely talented Yank who desperately needs first team football this year. We can virtually guarantee it. Unlikely ? Maybe, but that avenue is screaming out to be explored. So is Stevie Me's unhappy striker.

If Gordon has to go let's at least test the waters and try to trade up. Years of paying through the nose to trade down hasn't worked

Are you at Arsenal away? Catch up for a drink?

But Everton lashing out £110M and going backwards is no longer a surprise to me.

Forest have made an enquiry for him. Personally, I think he's a better footballer than Conor Gallagher but I would like Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek accompanied by Ollie Watkins. Then we would have a team to compete.

Get him sold and get a couple of strikers brought in asap. Let this weekend's game be the last with nobody up front.

I didn't realise they'd made an enquiry. He's certainly rated by the Forest fans.

If it's a choice between Notts Forest and us, it will take some persuading for him to come to Everton, especially as he and his family are all RS!

All talk is just talk until the deal is done, but surely the Gana transfer wasn’t dependent on Gordon going considering how long ago it’s been.

And the gauson from Ajax is only a loan, so again not likely on hold until the cash comes in.

Strange that they have cancelled Anders Herras
s contract and he has 24 months left on his contract whereas Gana has a few months.

I will be glad when the window shuts. As someone said yesterday, since the window opened, according to the press and other outlets, Everton have been linked with 116 players.

I can just imagine Sky on the last day of the window they will have us trying to sign about 6 players, hope they have hired extra doctors that will be needed to complete the medicals.

Why risk our survival waiting for them cockney no-marks until they are good and ready if they feel like it? A crucial few days for us...

Picking up well-trained young professionals at struggling big clubs who are reassessing their career paths and may not wish to leave England is something we could benefit from with considerably less risk than picking up some stars in weaker leagues.

We do have to contend with the sharks on the other side of the table but, if we make a stand on a good offer, some of these will work out. Resist being a loaner club and there is a market there.

Important that we spend the cash wisely and not throw it away on more defenders and useless wingers who are no better than those we have.

Striker please!

Yes, we need a striker but most of what is quoted are either not for sale or have an inflated price we cannot afford. And another thing that keeps getting asked: What is our recruiting department doing as there are lots for sale out there?

West Ham, playing in Europe, home ground in fashionable London with a reputable manager.

David Moyes quotes: "I have lost count of the number of bids West Ham have made for new players this summer. We have bid for a lot of players, maybe we are trying to go way above our station, maybe I have tried to go even higher than we are ready for, but generally the club tried to get really top players."

There are 19 other clubs in the Premier League looking for players, and I do not believe that Everton's recruiting team is not trying – I just put Moyes's quotes in to show the difficulty we have.

Do not sell Gordon – it is not that easy to replace him with money, and we don't have another winger in the club as good as him.

Get the best possible deal for Everton FC as soon as possible and move on.

If these players are media trained, perhaps they should make these players aware that fawning all over a club and then wanting to leave the minute another club shows interest is not a good look.

James Garner is a bit of a cowboy, a maverick. He does lay his cards on the table and sometimes comes up with a winning hand.😀

When you were his age and another employer offered to pay you a much larger salary with better working conditions, what would you have done?

I'm not sure. Haven't seen the files on him.

"For the good of the club, could you kindly leave the premises."

How's that for you?

I'd replace him with Ryan Kent from Rangers... could form a decent partnership with his old mate Patterson.

That was just a tongue-in-cheek comment in that I thought the Fuck Off was to me!

Isn't he an ex-Red?

However, this is a forum full of Blues. Gordon is a Blue and so we think he should feel how we would feel in his position.

In fact, I'd love it if Lyndon or Michael would set up a poll to ask what contributors to this site think they would do in Gordon's shoes, regardless of the reasons.

Danny, I'm another one born in Sefton General, lived in Portman Road right opposite until I left home in 1971. Happy days getting the 46 bus to the sheds on Carisbrooke Road and walk up to Goodison.

I would go but then I am not and never will be in a job where I have thousands of adoring fans that hang on my every word.

I am not actually getting at Gordon and don't blame him for wanting to go, more the media training that these young lads receive. I don't doubt his love for the club but the training should include wording things in such a way that they don't come back to bite you on the ass in the future.

How many club badges did Robbie Keane kiss while announcing ''This is the bestest club in the world and I've always supported them''?

Quite a common thing for a young soccer fan in Dublin.

I was born at Sefton General too, so we are up to 5 now I think. My knees aren't good either do may need to turns in goal with Ray.

For about 2 seconds… and go for it.

One thing is for sure: the Lampard and Thelwell duo are not much of an improvement in the market on those they replaced.

I would love the club to just stand their ground just once and say "Stick your money!"

Without fail, their replacements have been dross as we've sunk nearer to the brink. Pickford to Man Utd in the next window is a good bet!

What would worry me is if the money will be reinvested in the squad and if so, on whom?

It's going to be an interesting few days and the club have to get it right with no scrambling for bargain bin replacements at midnight next Monday!!

Surely he is too old?

As you allude, if they can so much as tie their laces, we'll sell them.

Later last season, many here speculated that if we were relegated, Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison, Gordon and Pickford would be gone. Well. we weren't relegated and now look...

I think they've calmed it a little now, but Watford aside, who else at any level has done this transfer dance, with almost half a billion spent and still needing to balance the books? It's pathetic, you couldn't do a better job of it on purpose.

We had accepted the loss of Richarlison, mostly as a result of him wanting to go, it was said. We apparently had "No money" due to FFP etc. No real mention of many players, save for needing a forward – and perhaps some of the money from the sale could facilitate this.

Still to this point, the club have not mentioned at any time, having to sell Gordon or anyone else to fund a forward. Now, it's being accepted and discussed like it's some sort of inevitability that was there all along. People seem so used to the spin, they do it for the club now.

Meanwhile, we finally actually have saved some salary costs with players leaving. So we go get that forward we desperately need then? Nope, still no sign. Just endless speculation of a string of frequently no-mark players in every position but forward.

2016 Part II – with enhancements.

It makes me wonder in our dealings are we deliberately trying to get Frank the sack, so we can go for an emotional return for Duncan Ferguson, this one tongue firmly in cheek.

I don't allude to Thelwell in what I said. I'm saying that there has been no statement, no "Insider" reveals, no rumours or anything else to indicate that selling assets was a requirement of the club's squad plans for this season – and yet it's now being widely discussed as almost a given for us to acquire a forward (and God knows who else from the now twice-daily mootings of a string of players in positions for which we already have cover. This said accepting the role of speculation).

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Regarding Ronaldo, egotistical prima donna, no team player. But would I have him on loan? In a heartbeat, yes!!!

I wouldn't be surprised that, instead of getting sacked, if Gordon goes and no one of note comes in, that he'll walk away saying "Fuck this for a game of soldiers," because at the moment Everton are a joke. No ambition and no direction at all.

It's not a problem for Chelsea, they've got a big enough squad not to have to play Gordon til he's ready. We, on the other hand, don't have that luxury.

Even if we signed someone tomorrow, it'd be too late for them to be in contention for our next game, so the forward line would literally pick itself. No Gordon, no Dele, which leaves Rondon, Gray and McNeil up top. There are no alternatives, and no attacking option on the bench. Not even a youngster like Simms or Dobbin.

If we pick up an injury between now and then, we'll have to put Keane in as centre-forward.

What a shambles of a club.

Who else can be to blame but those who direct the Club? They are a continuing disgrace and they are taking us all for fools. At least Moshiri has put big money down. Kenwright and the Professor are stealing it. They have no shame.

"Life in the Top League" season 2022-23, final episode – "Shock and controversy as one of the originals falls!"

I wonder, meantime, what has happened to the Professor's job search? She was exploring pastures new when things were looking dodgy last season, wasn't she?

Perhaps, as with other significant employees we have had (and continue to have) on our books, no-one else is prepared to pay her so much for delivering fuck-all.

Whether Frank Lampard has accepted his fate at Everton that he is under total control by the owner and his sidekick, I don't know... but, with very little time left to bring in a much-needed goalscorer, we are as a club, once again showing the football world how not to do things.

Last season was a near disaster with some of the worst results against poor opposition... and yet here we are facing a long season ahead in a far weaker position, with Rondon (he's older than Roger Millar) leading the line instead of the departed Richarlison, and now we are caught up in a transfer saga with our next best player about to leave.

I can't believe Frank actually plays Rondon but he has been left to deal with the mess by a board that has no ambition and no idea how to run a club properly.

I can only imagine that Kenwright is linked up to Frank's phone with regards to transfers and it's more business talk than football talk going on. No wonder Ancelotti left us.

So where are our goals going to come from this season? Rondon may get a two or three! Gray is already showing that he can possibly get into double figures! There will be a few others who will maybe get one or two and, by the time Calvert-Lewinis up and running, he may get a few but unlikely to be lethal enough to stop us falling into the Championship.

It is going to take a truly great striker coming in and staying fit plus a monumental shift in tactics to get us out of this mess. That's what Lampard has on his shoulders right now to go with the never-ending voice of Kenwright in his ear.

Up the Toffees. Sack the Board.

The paranoia and sense of panic on here is understandably palpable but not really helpful to your own health! I'm pretty sure he'll be sold and the money will be assumed into the coffers of the FFP saga and stadium shenanigans. Then we'll get a couple of last-minute loans and stagger onwards hoping to stay up.

The Internet (papers) are still rife with speculation on over 100 players so I take it all with a huge pinch of salt. Everyone is sucked into the hysteria of the online world and again, it's not good for you to be so involved in such hearsay.

One thing I've noticed this season is that the gaps in teams appear to be smaller – everyone is already beating everyone else, a scenario that helps the shitter teams like us. We definitely look more toothless than anyone else though but I'm not going to get too freaked out unless deadline day passes without at least one decent striker through the doors.

Judge us at the end of the window, wasn't it...

Who are the assets? Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Gordon and Pickford.

Calvert-Lewin ruled himself out, which left the other three. Richarlison is gone, and right at the start of the window, lots of clubs were linked with Gordon. Out of nowhere. And him and Pickford, despite being our best players, not having had their contracts improved during the last 6 months. So Gordon's on buttons, and Pickford is ticking down to the last 2 years.

As things stand, Moshiri's taking out £110M worth of value out of the side we all watched last season (and the replacements not getting into our first eleven), and Pickford's new contract still remains unsigned. If we'd been told this just after the Palace game, would anyone have thought we would be anywhere but bottom this season?

We may as well go out with a bang and throw Michael Keane up front. He scored a goal against Palace that any striker would be happy... with or maybe we should try to get the other Kean back and give him a second chance!

Laurel and Hardy springs to mind with these two running our club. “That's another fine mess you've gotten me into, Bill!”

The almost allowed VAR refused goal. He was hugely offside and struggled to get on, which he failed at. The 1 on 1 with the keeper, move the ball to the left and toe poke it into an empty net.

3 deflections in 4 goals, £60 million. It's a good deal. Lamenting the departure of an academy product, for sure.

Give Frank the £60 million. But then again he signed Dele Alli. Really???

It's going to be a long season. IGTBALS. Seems apt.

As for the months of clinging onto this hope of Broja that also is reckless, especially with no Plan B. Even with a Plan B, it's so desperate and amateurish.

Only one thing seems obvious, though, and that is that we haven't signed a centre-forward, and this leads to the conclusion (to me at least) that Everton need to sell before they buy, or can only operate with clubs who are prepared to really stagger out payment.

I want to be staggering out the boozer celebrating something (a derby win?) before I'm priced out of the Tories' 9-pounds-a-pint threat.

Staggered payments, as you say, is our only hope unless Gordon actually goes in time, not last minute.

Checking the transfer news so often hoping that there will be some certainty. But my mind told me to get the best deal out is probably wait. The one who blinks first loses.

If Chelsea is desperate, they might throw in Gallagher or Broja plus a loan and a large sum. It looks more likely to happen in the last 24 hours. Such a long painful wait for the fans.

Got to admit, though, if this goes to Deadline Day and we have no striker, that's 6 games wasted – not to mention getting said striker up to match fitness and hoping they fit our system.

It's worrying seeing teams strengthen around us. I actually rate our defence and midfield with Onana, Iwobi, Doucouré and hopefully Gana.

Our attack is bad though. With Gordon and Dele gone, our only fit options are Gray, McNeil and Rondon. We need two strikers and a goalscoring winger and that's without injuries that we always get.

We're playing a risky game.

I should know better!

I hope Moshiri and the others will be happy with relegation then. And there was us wanting 60k capacity for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

When Moshiri's naivety let managers and advisers sign players like buying fruit drops, we moaned.

Now Old Uncle Bill is back in the negotiation seat, we accuse him of parsimony!

Who'd be an Everton Chairman? ... Cough!

Chelsea have said they are pursuing their interest and are now 'negotiating at a high level'. The very thought of Blue Bill negotiating any deal fills me with dread. Bet Chelsea are now revising their offer with less cash up front and even more impossible to achieve add-ons, like the ones Leicester have just rejected. Their greatest difficulty will be trying to keep a straight face as Bill works his magic.

We'll now be lucky to come out of all this with £20 million and Ross Barkley as a sweetener, but I'm sure Blue Bill will be delighted with the results of his efforts. Oh and there won't be any time left for signing any decent players before the deadline either. Blue 'What would Everton do' Bill will make sure of that proving to himself what an ace negotiator he is.

Remember, staying up is an achievement! Those with higher expectations will be disappointed!

We need points. A relegation battle has started, even at this stage!

7th is Arsenal away, write that off as it will be how many we can keep the score down to and Moyes will come to Goodison and do his usual number on us like the last two seasons.

This club is embarrassing, why are we putting up with this shit every season? Isn't it time to behave like kopites.

If it's relegation that finally leads to his departure, then we may not have long to wait.

Next home game should be a full-on show of dislike for Kenwright with his "good times" quote rammed down his neck. No more light-hearted approach as we are in a perilous state right now and need a change of board.

Moshiri should not be exempt from criticism but he has put a lot of money in even without having a genuine love for the club. His biggest mistake was allowing a so-called great Evertonian to stay on at the club and it's difficult to fathom why he has stuck by Kenwright.

Letting another one of our promising local lads go is sickening to me, regardless of the size of the fee, because he gave us an identity. This doesn't seem to matter to our owners.

As was the other month at the protest don't get the message mixed and even mention the owner because the malaise is because of one man and all he employs and all he believes in from the 20th Century. It's not, repeat not, the owner.

He entrusted his empire to a supposed football man with a business acumen who would make sure this club kept well away from FFP restrictions plus getting a savvy CEO whose remit is to have a vision and earn the club money with decent sponsorship and marketing. Same as any top or even mid-team club. The opposite of all that is happening.

Maybe this may be a decent weekend after all. Not counting on the pitch though unless we can sneak a draw.

Now or never, surely, over Broja.

I imagine Robert, Sam and Paul the Esk would all have to do mushrooms and some dark arts ritual to come up with a flow chart that would make sense of all our options and contingent deals.

If we sell him, I sincerely hope it's not tonight or tomorrow right before the Brentford game as, when you look at our lack of goals so far, we'd be sans two more attackers against a team that tend to have old-fashioned highest-scoring shoot-outs.

Unless of course Tommy Cannon and Isaac Price have suddenly made a quantum leap forward this week in their development.

I was thinking similar. Our front three would be Gray, McNeil and Rondon I think. No problem with Gray but McNeil needs time to settle and Rondon, jeez……

I just saw the original report said Sky would have an update at 7pm. Well, that was 40 minutes ago.

Wouldn't Bill be settled in for the night by now watching Corrie anyway?

I'd much rather us take a risk (albeit a huge one) than just revert to the same old toothless crap we have seen so far.

To your point, we've rolled the dice out of desperation in the past and done okay with Cadamarteri, and Chadwick neither of whom, like Jeffers or Rooney, were really seen as long-term solutions.

Granted, they didn't make it long-term but they both popped up with some important goals while driven by the exuberance of youth.

Tom Cannon is full of confidence at the moment and we are creating chances. If he comes in and scores only a couple of goals it may just be enough to make a difference. The chances are that it will be too soon for him but as I stated above we need to do something different.

Having said all that, Sky Sports News reporting that we are not yet willing to sell Gordon and are pursuing a striker through a separate deal (Brereton Diaz?)

Cannon can finish and, as has been said, Rondon is like playing with 10 men, he's that bad.

Our defence is better but I just can't see us causing Brentford any problems and Gordon will presumably not be in the squad. Forecast a narrow defeat 1-0 or 2-1 (own goal for us). Plucky Everton, lot of huff and puff but toothless at the end of the day.

I predict one point from 4 games, doesn't not make pretty reading, especially when only 1 of those games has been against a top 6 side. Early days but we're going to need a really good run of results at some point before Xmas otherwise the anxiety of relegation will start to hang like a thick fog.

Really didn't see us being where we are now, even a month ago – I never learn.

I just want frank to see beyond Rondon and don't fall into Benitez's mindset.

I'm just shaking my head here but sharing a city with a trophy hunting club just rubs it all in.

Exactly. Have a cut-off for the Gordon saga this weekend instead of letting them dictate the speed of it.

Or even try a Levy and ask for £70M, lol. Is Kenwright that savvy? Okay, stupid question.

I have never been overly impressed by Maupay but I know next to nothing about Brereton Diaz. So, don't know whether to start getting excited or not!

On another note, he gave the impression that Lewis Warrington will go out on loan again which I think is a shame. I know he needs the minutes, but he looks a lovely footballer.

Also, Frank seems certain that we will be bringing a striker in.

Sick to death of this now, time to tell Chelsea to do one and keep him if they don’t like our terms.

Speaking to the press. Frank said he had worked with top-class youngsters at Derby and Chelsea. Players with a current value of around £100m. His verdict? "Anthony is in that bracket".

It's difficult to understand why we have fans so ready to trade a young thoroughbred for one or more of the carthorses being spouted.

Frank sees him every day and is desperate to keep him. As are the Goodison Park faithful. that encourages me. Get a decent striker, (not another journeyman) and keep our best player.

All of this seems to be dragging out in eternity. I was impatient a week ago. Now I'm just complacent. Whatever happens, happens. All I know is we need 3 points on the weekend.

Re Gordon, still our player and they haven't bid £60M... sounds as if it's a case of some cash and players as makeweights. By the sound of it, we probably don't want who is offered or don't agree with the valuation... could be Gordon isn't going anywhere.

If so, get rid, no sentiment here, cannot stand the double standard of acting like the big clubman, big blue etc etc, but in reality looking out. Most of us would play for buttons to have the opportunity of pulling on that blue shirt.

Everton made Gordon, not the other way round, so I would like to know the facts here as it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Gordon, Everton... sort it out, please.

Anthony Gordon to Chelsea: the extreme concept that captures grotesque industry — Barney Ronay

As Barney says in his piece:

"Even if Gordon stays, Everton will have had five league matches with this noise buzzing around their best young player. And in the end the real question Gordon to Chelsea raises is the most basic one: what is the point these days of Everton Football Club? Is it to compete, to strive through smart moves and homegrown talent to match the top tier? Or simply to service those entities, to exist as a backdrop?"