Speculation over Dele Alli future as Besiktas loan stalls

16/03/2023 140comments  |  Jump to last

Dele Alli's loan deal at Besiktas has effectively stalled with his manager Senol Gunes telling him to watch the remainder of the season from the stands as the former English international will not be selected again this season. 

The Everton player agreed on a season-long loan move to Besiktas last August but he has failed to impress amid further concerns over his ability to ever get his once-stellar career back on track. He has made 13 appearances for the Turkish club in the Super Lig but completed only one, and has been dropped from the squad for the last two games.

Besiktas will not be taking up an option to sign Dele for £8m at the end of this season, leaving him in limbo once more when he returns to England in the summer with a year still remaining on his contract at Goodison Park.

The 26-year-old joined Everton from Tottenham on transfer deadline day last January in a deal where the Blues acquired him for free and would only pay their first £10m instalment for him once he made 20 appearances for the Blues.

Article continues below video content


It was hoped that his move to Turkey and away from the media spotlight in England would allow him to refocus on his career but it appears that his form has continued its downward slide from the pinnacle of a World Cup semi-final with England and a Champions League final with Spurs.

Dele is one of Everton's highest paid players, reportedly on over £100k per week, with Besiktas said to be covering only £35k of that wage bill. The possibility of Everton securing a transfer for the player in the summer now seems increasingly remote.  

His former manager at MK Dons, Karl Robinson, revealed he had spoken with the player last month. 

“I spoke to him about a month ago just to see if he was alright when the earthquake happened in Turkey and he seems a bit different, he seems to be him again.”

And commenting on the reports that Everton could have to pay Spurs up to £40m for Alli, Robinson added: “Whether that’s right or wrong, it was just over a phone call, but he seemed excited about the summer, where he goes? It will be his decision.” 

 

Reader Comments (140)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()


Brian Harrison
1 Posted 14/03/2023 at 11:20:38
I see the Echo are saying that Dele Alli who has only started 10 games for Besiktas since moving there on loan in the summer, that Besiktas will not be extending his loan or wanting to buy him.

The Echo are suggesting that Everton will offer him as a free transfer in the summer. I would ask a couple of questions to that idea:

Firstly what happens to our deal with Spurs, are we allowed to cancel that agreement if we can off-load Alli.

Also, who in the right mind would take Alli on a free given that he is on £100,000+ a week?

Will Mabon
2 Posted 14/03/2023 at 12:20:21
Brian, that's three clubs on the run now.

Dele must be one lazy, uninterested or incapable flop in training. What a waste. The guy seems to have problems for which he can't be blamed.

Thing is, it's not the clubs' fault and he shouldn't be taking sizeable sums of money this way on a promise of which he can't deliver. He should be stepping out and getting sorted, if he wants to be sorted. Doubt his agent would suggest that.

I wonder at what point could the club potentially claim he is unfit for purpose as a player?

I don't know if we can cancel; If not, we're stuck paying him to not play 'til the deal ends (another year), less what we could offset with another loan deal out: unlikely.

Another expensive mess.

Garry Martin
3 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:20:13
Another player with issues.
Christine Foster
4 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:34:50
I think my last post was lost in the ether on this, it was on another thread but either got canned or I got lost! However, as I said before, if he is fit, is it possible that he is returned to us for the rest of the season or is that not an option?

Point being, is he better than what we have creatively (Iwobi)? Could he contribute without triggering the Spurs pay-out clause? I think he had another 10 appearances before that would be triggered?

What have we got to lose? An ex-England international playing for his survival in English football? Could Dyche get something out of him? I would rather have him as the option on the bench than... er... er...

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:37:16
This deal showed how Daniel Levy looked after Spurs' finances very well while Kenwright doesn't care about Everton's because it's not his money and he doesn't mind who spends Moshiri's & Usmanov's.
Christine Foster
6 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:38:14
Very good point, Dave. Even now, I don't think we know the real deal with Alli.
Michael Lynch
7 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:43:18
If we have to cover his wages for the rest of his contract, this has to be the most expensive gamble in the history of the club.

When the book is written about the decline and fall of Everton, the Dele deal will get its own chapter.

Absolute kudos to Daniel Levy for rinsing us. It's not his fault that we are run by the kind of morons who would buy London Bridge off a stranger in a pub.

Mark Ryan
8 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:44:42
Interesting to hear that he will be a free agent in the Summer. I thought he was our player beyond that, seems not. We'll never see him in the blue of Everton.

My understanding is that he's their player until that loan ends, which unless we recall him, is the end of the current season. Is that correct?

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:46:03
Christine (6) that was a quick response! I think you're reading my mind quicker than my posts!!

The point was that Levy was more interested in getting Alli's wages off the Spurs pay list and saving Spurs cash rather than wasting it, while Kenwright was adding to Everton's wage bill without thinking the deal through or the consequences of it. Dele Alli hasn't been the same player he once was for about 2
years.

Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:53:03
Mark (8),

I'm almost sure we are stuck with Dele Alli for another season after this one, £5M or £6M for the privilege and little hope of getting anything back in return.

Send him on a pilgrimage to Lourdes – just might get a miraculous turn in his nature and form. I'll go with him if Everton pay for the two of us!!

John Raftery
11 Posted 16/03/2023 at 10:55:17
Based on what we saw of him last season, Alli is nowhere near worth a regular first-team place. He produced a good 45 minutes in the Palace match for which we were very grateful but that was all he delivered in 4 months.

We simply cannot afford triggering the transfer fee clause. It is bad enough having to pay his wages. In any event, Dyche has enough on his hands without having to rehabilitate a lost talent.

Barry Rathbone
12 Posted 16/03/2023 at 11:23:52
His lifeless eyes and emotionless face have featured on every pic since Spurs. His blood test screening needs massive expansion.
Dennis Stevens
13 Posted 16/03/2023 at 11:43:10
Maybe Dyche will sort him out in the summer — he'll be like a new signing!
Mick Roberts
14 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:02:56
It was useless Lampard who wanted Alli, to quote what he said. Yes, we've got him when it's Levy who's had us. Thanks again, Lampard… fucking imbecile.
Paul Washington
15 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:08:04
The Amazon Prime documentary about Spurs a couple of years ago showed what he was. How on earth did we take him – and on such lucrative terms?

Jose was telling his training team how lazy he was, indeed, he was asking if it was Dele's brother!

Total incompetence from all concerned at EFC.

Brian Harrison
16 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:08:44
Dave @5

There are many things that we can castigate Kenwright for, but this is solely down to Lampard and his Uncle Harry. They were the ones who were the movers in this deal.

Yes, after Lampard identified Alli as his main target, then Kenwright being the Chairman would have completed the deal.

Mourhino knew Alli was finished, as did Conte, as does the manager at Besiktas. Only the idiot Lampard thought he could get a tune out of him and that has failed spectacularly for Everton.

I think you're right that Alli still has 12 months left on his contract come the summer, so we either keep him and carry on paying his £100,000 per week or try and offload him for nothing plus make a payment to the buying club towards his salary.

But who would be mad enough to take on someone who has no interest in getting back to the player he was? He is probably set up for life financially so he can see out the last 12 months of his contract and retire.

Dale Self
17 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:17:01
Uh, not ready to bet body limbs but that dude isn't playing for Dyche.

Bring that dude into the locker room just as we're turning it around, yeah.

Dave Abrahams
18 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:24:39
Brian (16),

I beg to differ that Harry Redknapp was the prime mover of this deal. He has said though, to be honest, that he suggested to Frank that Alli might be a solution if he could get him motivated.

Kenwright was praised on here for the great deal he had negotiated with Levy to bring Alli to Everton. I won't mention who praised Kenwright over this deal. He was praised by the Glasgow Rangers Chairman about the way he negotiated the deal for Patterson. If he did, I think he did a great job as well as getting £60M for Richarlison and possibly he did the deal for Gordon.

As for Kenwright signing deals off, he has been spoken of for refusing to sign off some deals, so can't take the praise but not the criticism for other deals.

It was common knowledge that Alli's best days were long gone by those in the game and certainly by the majority of Spurs fans, who had idolised him previously. How come the man who is supposed to know these things, didn't?

Ernie Baywood
19 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:39:06
Still seems incredible that he's only 26 yet his career has been in the toilet for years.

We're not talking about just anyone. He was brilliant. And he was nasty with it. I wouldn't have said he lacked bottle. It's only a few years ago that he was playing for England in a World Cup semi-final.

It can't just be form. There's got to be more going on with this lad.

Allan Corken
20 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:52:03
He never was any good. He is the sort of guy who got a reputation for being a good footballer without ever doing anything to deserve it.

We have had and still do have players like him at Everton. It is a difficult phenomenon to explain, but it seems to arise when someone 'authoritative' asserts that someone is good then it is accepted as such, despite all evidence to the contrary.

There is probably a name for it, but if not, might I suggest it be called 'The Undertones' syndrome?

Alan McGuffog
21 Posted 16/03/2023 at 12:56:16
He was, is (?) a very good footballer.
Paul Hewitt
22 Posted 16/03/2023 at 13:26:30
Wonder if Dyche can get a tune out of him?
Jack Convery
23 Posted 16/03/2023 at 13:48:35
Send him to see Glenn Hoddle's miracle worker Eileen. She can lay hands on him or whatever it is she does.

When he comes back and, if no one wants him, send him on loan to Southport FC.

Dale Self
24 Posted 16/03/2023 at 13:51:24
I did support the deal when it happened. I thought he was looking for an honest opportunity to revive his career.
Brian Acheson
25 Posted 16/03/2023 at 13:53:19
Paul at 22. He has a reputation for being a lazy trainer. I can't see Sean Dyche accepting that. Not in a million years.
Nick Page
26 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:16:16
“What would Everton do in this situation, they always get it right”, was in actual fact a hypothetical question posed to Bill by Daniel Levy in regards to selling him “world class international footballer” Dele Alli at a knockdown price, and then swapping him Richarlison for the balance.

Because it wasn't Stan Kroenke, nor Shiekh Mansour. Certainly wasn't John Henry. Highly doubt it was Joel Glazer and it can't have been Abramovic.

James Flynn
27 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:21:55
He's the same lazy player he's been for several years now. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if even Schneiderlin is clucking his tongue in disapproval.

He will be interesting to see in the Summer, when he comes back to us with only one more year's free money due him.

You never know. Even our years-long, laziest of pay-check collectors, Luke Garbutt, buckled down, tried hard and played to his potential when he realized his annual scratch ticket winner was about to run out.

I wouldn't bet on it, though. Alli is 27 next month. All he was ever going to be happened several years ago.

I'd add in some little defense of Dele: his manager in Turkey is a fucking dick and pretend tough guy. This is the second time he put Dele down to the press.

It's not like Alli is walking around the pitch checking his cell phone. He's still, and clearly, the most talented attacking player at Besiktas.

Garry Martin
28 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:28:30
Never forgot his first matchday appearance at Goodison, dressed like a tramp with a very untidy uncut hairstyle. It spoke volumes about his character and commitment to Everton FC.
Ajay Gopal
29 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:28:47
Those who believe that Alli should come back to Everton and be given an opportunity to revive his career are living in cloud cuckoo land.

Dyche will certainly not want any slackers during this crucial run-in period and spoil the atmosphere in the dressing room.

Sadly, Dele Alli's career is over as a professional footballer – honestly, I do not want his career to end this way, because what he had as a footballer was fantastic; to see it all shrivel away is very sad to see. Hope he recovers from whatever he is afflicted with and has a good life ahead.

Tony Everan
30 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:41:09
Are we subsidising his wages at Beskitas or are they paying the full £100k pw? We won't be recalling him and paying those wages when Besiktas are on the hook for them until June.

I thought he was contracted for another season after this, so he won't be a free agent. He will be allowed to leave for free but will likely want a payoff to go.

If another club wanted him and they would only be prepared to pay £30k pw, he could decide to sit his contract out at Everton and earn the full £100k. He'd likely want agreed compensation for the disparity.

I agree with the posters above: Levy has taken Kenwright to the cleaners. Very poor decision from Frank and his Uncle 'Arry too.

Derek Knox
31 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:42:33
Dave @ 10, the pilgrimage to Lourdes is about the only thing left, what a waste as he was a very talented footballer in his hey-day.

Reminds me of the old story, talking of Lourdes. This lady, a very devout and religious person, was very badly disabled and confined to a wheelchair, but she never gave up and tried almost everything but to no avail. It was then suggested that she and a companion should go to Lourdes.

The day of the visit, they couldn't figure out the best way to get her into the water. So it was decided that four ropes would be attached to the wheelchair, two at the front and two at the back. They said a few prayers before, then put the plan into motion.

When she appeared on the other side, she was still severely disabled but the wheelchair had a respray and two new tyres! Miraculous.

Christy Ring
32 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:43:49
Shocking that, at 26, his career is finished; no interest or drive… USA in the summer is his only hope.

You may blame Lampard but it was Kenwright yet again who was fooled by Levy, the same as the Patterson deal – £16M for a player who had hardly kicked a ball for Rangers.

John Chambers
33 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:44:43
So far, as I understand his transfer, we haven't paid Spurs a penny as he had to get 20 appearances before we had to make the first payment. He is under contract to Everton until Summer 2024 with, reportedly, a salary of £5.2m per annum.

If he were to come back, in 3 or 4 games we would be liable to pay Spurs the first instalment of, I think £10M. Given our current finances and what he has shown in his time with us and Besiktas on the pitch, I can't see any justification or financial reason why he should play for us again.

Come the summer, I would either pack him off to another club or, in the worst case, offer him a deal, eg, £2.5M of his remaining salary, and rip up his contract.

Dave Abrahams
34 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:51:55
Derek (31), you don't have to go to Lourdes really.

I witnessed a miracle myself one day along with quite a few other people, this fella went into a church not far from town, he went into the church with his wooden leg and came out with a bundle of firewood.

I won't name the church or there will be hundreds of people flocking to it for a cure!!

Tony Graham
35 Posted 16/03/2023 at 14:58:13
Waste of space, he will cost us a lot of money if we don't somehow get him off the books. We have some people with no commitment of conscience.
Tony Abrahams
36 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:02:37
I'm surprised this doesn't happen to more players because, if money makes you lazy, it must also take away a lot of the hunger for many individuals.

I used to love watching the Clones Cyclone but, once he beat Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus-Cheek Rd, then I don't think he ever had the same drive after this.

Tony Waring
37 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:09:03
Doesn't the Trade Descriptions Act apply to footballers?
Bobby Mallon
38 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:09:34
Just sack him and tell Spurs to fuck off!
Will Mabon
39 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:21:06
"Are we subsidising his wages at Beskitas or are they paying the full 100k pw?"

Tony,

from what I found, Besiktas paid a £2.2M sum for the loan, plus 8 grand-odd of his weekly £100k wage. Another source said they were paying £35k per week, so somewhere in there.

It's about halved what it would have cost us if he'd stayed here in the loan period. Still another £5M to go for next season...

Dale Self
40 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:26:15
Tony, good point and I think this shows his passion for the game itself is gone. Because of the big money, there are probably more good players than we would like to know about who simply don't enjoy the art.

Spurs had a fullback, Ekotto or something – had a fro, who outright told the press he really didn't like the game – it was a job. Andre Agassi was another athlete of that sort.

Duncan McDine
41 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:34:13
I second Bobby Mallon! If only it was possible, some of these fellas would actually have to put in a shift to get paid.
John Pickles
43 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:56:29
If he really is that useless, can we not find him a place for him on the Board?
Tony Everan
44 Posted 16/03/2023 at 16:58:47
Thanks Will, so roughly we paid him £2.5M for his first six-month stint, then another £2.5M subsidising his move to Besiktas.

Then, from June, we are on the hook for another £5M for the final year's wages, unless we can move him on.

Whoever takes him would surely not pay more than £50k pw even on a free transfer. So we would have to pay him off… yes, you guessed it: £2.5M, or more for his final year.

All-in-all this ridiculously ill-judged episode sounds like it will cost us £7.5M at best, possibly more.

I bet Levy didn't at all mind paying for that Michelin-starred meal he had with Kenwright last year.

Derek Knox
46 Posted 16/03/2023 at 17:22:06
Tony A, Duncan and Bobby M, spot on there, it has become ridiculous the immoral amounts of money they pick up - for what exactly? How often are we entertained?

They should fuck agents off for a start, put them (players) all on a basic wage plus a win bonus – you would start to see the hunger come back and the wanting to win.

You get teenagers picking up a damn sight more than a time-served qualified married man with a family, doing about 50 hours a week just to survive.

Kieran @45, go on, mate, give us a clue? No names, no pack drill, but point us in the right direction. :-)

Pete Neilson
48 Posted 16/03/2023 at 17:33:45
He appears to have retired from the game but hasn't notified anyone. Novel approach, but he appears to have gotten away with it.

Yet another bizarre signing joining our embarrassingly long line of has-beens and never-weres. We sure know how to pick ‘em.

Clayton Harding
49 Posted 16/03/2023 at 17:51:56
Hardly going to be part of Dyche-ball, is he?
Danny O’Neill
50 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:06:36
We are all in agreement. For reasons unknown to most of us, he has lost his way and I don't think he can come back. Not just to Everton, but to football in general. A real shame given the promise he showed in his early years.

I guess the only thing I will remember him for was that second half against Palace. His shot that came off the defender and fell to Richarlison and sent us into delirium and almost lifted the roofs of the four stands and even had many of the Palace fans smiling.

I have to admit to not really taking too much notice of player contracts. Are we stuck with him? Can we terminate? But then I guess there would be a payoff?

At 26, I can see him following the path of the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Michael Owen, and retiring early.

Only I don't think he has their confidence to make a career in television and not sure of his jockey credentials.

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
51 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:20:33
Tony #44 says it will have cost us £7.5M.

We got an amazing 45 minutes from him at home to Palace. Without that, we would have 36 points... and still not been relegated.

But just think. If that 45 minutes kept us up... that was worth a lot more than £7.5M.

Seems like another Norman Whiteside. Done it all before 25 – why bother? Never have to think about where money is coming from ever again – unless he drinks it, smokes it or gambles it away.

Wonder what odd you could get a stake for him being bankrupt before he is 50?

Eddie Dunn
52 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:24:16
Phil, Whiteside was ruined by injuries, not just lifestyle.
Billy Roberts
53 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:26:23
Phil @51,

That's a bit unfair on big Norman...

He was knackered physically; I couldn't think of two more different players.

Andy Peers
54 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:35:40
John Pickles #43.

Brilliant comment, LOL

Danny O’Neill
55 Posted 16/03/2023 at 18:46:31
My best friend (RiP Dave) adored Norman Whiteside.

He thought Sheedy was lazy, I idolised him.

I couldn't look beyond my childish resentment of that FA Cup Final goal that stopped us doing the treble, so never really accepted him as an Everton player. Not his fault, I know, but a young Danny was a bit less rational than older Danny is… although I don't think the wife and family see it that way.

Apparently I'm still 7 years old at the grand old age of 51 when it comes to all things Everton.

Nick Armitage
56 Posted 16/03/2023 at 19:06:13
Norman Whiteside was a top player and a top gent.

Dele Alli was a top player.

Lots of players peak early, some are able to sustain their careers on a lower performance level but it's clear that Dele can't. The most important factor in the success of Alli's career was Christian Eriksen: when he left Spurs is when the rot set in.

The great dilemma here is that the tactics that Dyche is using now are ideal for a young Dele Alli – he'd get 10-15 goals in this set-up easily.

Problem is, his performance levels have dropped and if he isn't training at the right level, then there's no point flogging a dead horse. I've seen footage from Turkey and, regardless of the tactics, he just looks out of sorts.

For me, it's really sad. Nobody apart from Dele knows the real reasons, it's easy to judge. But if he was anywhere near the player he should have been, he wouldn't be anywhere near Everton.

Rob Dolby
57 Posted 16/03/2023 at 19:12:24
I thought at the time it was worth a gamble bringing him here. Obviously it hasn't worked out and he will move on. We will always have the Palace game.

He was a top-class Premier League player. Just a shame his head isn't in the game anymore.

A good sports psychologist might be able to turn him around. The Mourihno clip of him trying to get him to understand his ability should have been enough to switch him back on.

Give it a few years and he will be writing a book about his missed opportunity.

We have wasted a lot more money over the years on a lot worse players. Tosun and Walcott spring to mind; no doubt there will be countless others… Maupay!

The Whiteside analogy is well off the mark. He had a tremendous appetite for the game – just a shame he picked up so many injuries.

Robert Tressell
58 Posted 16/03/2023 at 19:12:45
Very sadly, we might be in really good shape with our loanees of Alli, Kean, Gomes and Gbamin all fit and raring to go.

However, Alli looks finished. Enner Valencia's goalscoring in Turkey says a lot about the standard and bits of footage of Alli suggest he's well off the pace even there. Looks completely unfit and his touch has deserted him, probably as a consequence.

With Dyche at the helm and money tight, I can't see us wasting our time on faded, downward-trajectory types anymore. Which is a very good thing.

Alan McGuffog
59 Posted 16/03/2023 at 19:19:49
Contrast:

Alli could live out three lives in comfort on what he's made from the game.

Whiteside's career was ended by injury... he then had to forge a new career to put beer on the table — did he become a podiatrist (?) and then a sports physio?

Lee Courtliff
60 Posted 16/03/2023 at 19:52:46
As someone said earlier, the biggest shame (for us) is that our current set-up would probably suit him perfectly. He'd be far more of a goal threat in that No 10 position than Doucouré is.

For what it's worth, I thought it was worth a gamble given the structure of the deal and his previous form.

If he'd just been a 6-10 goal a season midfielder then that would be a massive increase on what we've had lately.

Nick Page
61 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:18:42
The whole Dele Alli saga is Kenwright's Everton regime summed up in one pitiful transfer. Fucking clueless!
Ernie Baywood
62 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:23:03
It seemed a worthwhile gamble, but I can't see anyone willing to take the same gamble this time. Del Boy couldn't recoup his losses on this one. We're lumbered with him now unless we pay him off.

I don't agree with those saying he was never that good. He was that good. He seemingly had a real killer instinct / nasty streak to go with it. I remember people talking about wishing Barkley had the cockiness that Alli had. Ironically they both fizzled out at a similar rate.

Nick Page
63 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:35:37
It wasn't a worthwhile gamble, Ernie, sorry. And he wasn't ever that good but that's beside the point. Dele Alli was perhaps the biggest caveat emptor seen in the Premier League.

I would never do business with the Sky 6, and least of all a ruthless twat like Levy. But Kenwright never learned cos he always thought he was being smart and keeping his mates happy at the same time.

Brendan McLaughlin
64 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:39:58
This was a very poor transfer.

It highlighted from the off that Lampard wasn't cut out for this level of football.

Christine Foster
65 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:49:49
At the back of my brain somewhere was an itch — if memory recalls correctly, wasn't Levy a director of a loans company based in the BVI that Kenwright got a loan through?

I am sure these two have history together in the days of Green and Earl and like.

A couple of besties – what's the betting Pickford gets sold to Spurs with Richarlison coming the other way?

"Have I got a deal for you, my son..."

Christine Foster
66 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:52:27
I remember when Barkley and Alli were in contention for the England shirt, I always thought Barkley was better than him…frankly, still is – and that's saying something.

Not sure what though…

Nick Page
67 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:55:37
Come on, Christine. Don’t be so naive
Billy Roberts
68 Posted 16/03/2023 at 20:58:38
Anyone who couldn't see how good Dele Alli was is watching a different sport than me.

He obviously fluked his way to a World Cup semifinal and a Champions League Final.

Brendan McLaughlin
69 Posted 16/03/2023 at 21:02:32
Billy #68

Nobody's arguing he wasn't a fantastic footballer... just why he no longer is?

Chris Leyland
70 Posted 16/03/2023 at 21:07:53
Christine,

I've thought for a while that Pickford to Spurs with Richarlison coming back the other way is this summer's transfer saga.

I suspect they it will be a permanent move for Pickford and a loan for Richarlison with an option or commitment to buy for an undisclosed fee.

One thing is for sure: we know who out of Levy or Kenwright will strike the better deal for their club in any negotiation.

Andrew James
71 Posted 16/03/2023 at 21:17:33
I will put my hands up, I initially thought he was overrated at Spurs and lucky not to get more cards. But then they found a system for him off Kane and, with his physicality and flicks and tricks, he looked like one of the best English players of his generation.

I never quite understood the comparisons to Bryan Robson but nonetheless...

Then the rise of Son at Spurs seemed to squeeze him out of his best position and meanwhile for England he was distinctly average. He just hadn't developed into a ball carrying forward driving into the area on his own.

When we got him, I had been advocating it for ages and was delighted although a little surprised as (it now becomes clear) it seemed surreal someone once linked with Real Madrid was coming to us in a relegation battle. I should have known...

I'd hoped Frank would get more out of him but he's been absent for the most part and he needs to severely change his mindset if he wants to feature under Dyche.

Such a shame but is another English player who the media and pundits overhyped.

Derek Thomas
72 Posted 16/03/2023 at 21:18:00
Never mind Dyche, Glenn Miller couldn't get a tune out of Alli, if, as it appears, he doesn't want to even hum along.
Sadly, for all the suspected reasons and rumours, move on, stick a fork in him, He's done.

He's just another in a long line going back to Henry Newton – and probably beyond – we bought either 5 years too late, after a good loan, playing for the contract, or on the strength of a good performance against us.

Peter Mills
73 Posted 16/03/2023 at 21:42:25
Derek, I’ll see your Henry Newton and raise you an Ernie Hunt.
Alan McGuffog
74 Posted 16/03/2023 at 22:12:17
Peter... did Keith Newton ever bring much to the party?

I seem to recall Sandy Brown deputising for him in 1969-70.

Mike Gaynes
75 Posted 16/03/2023 at 22:54:12
I thought we took a brilliant gamble on Dele. It was a flip of a coin for a near-zero financial risk.

Heads he'd rediscover his love for the game and we'd have a mainstay midfielder. Tails he was mentally finished and we'd strike out.

It came up tails. He's Bjorn Borg, not Roger Federer. So be it.

But I still say it was an excellent move.

Robert Tressell
76 Posted 16/03/2023 at 23:40:57
Mike, the transfer fee arrangement mitigated our risk but we've still got his wages. That might have been the difference between getting Kudus in summer or Ouattara in January.

I'm struggling to think of any examples of anyone rediscovering their love for the game once lost.

Other clubs have done much better about gambling on players on upward trajectories, rather than players who are on the slide.

Paul Kernot
77 Posted 17/03/2023 at 00:30:20
Paul #22. There can't be two more contrasting personalities as Dyche & Alli. If you were Deli Alli, would you want to return to EFC & go into a training session with Sean Dyche? I'd say that would scare the shit out of him. Never gonna happen.
Paul Birmingham
78 Posted 17/03/2023 at 00:41:20
Mike, a good call, and in the Palace game, in the 2nd half, last season at Goodison Park when he came on, it turned the game, and effectively sealed the fortune of of André Gomes for his Everton season and career.

That was one of the best nights at Goodison, if not the best, since beating Bayern Munich in 1985.

UTFTs!

Kevin Prytherch
79 Posted 17/03/2023 at 00:41:28
Mike 76 - I'm with you there.

Dele Alli did more for the club in 1 game vs Palace than £15M Neil Maupay has ever done for the club. It was a gamble worth taking for minimal financial outlay. It didn't work out, but I'd rather a free transfer not work out than a £15M player.

Mike Gaynes
80 Posted 17/03/2023 at 00:42:22
Robert #77, let me help you with that struggle.

Michael Jordan.

George Foreman.

And among footballers, Zico and Scholes to name two.

It's rare, but it does happen.

Don Alexander
81 Posted 17/03/2023 at 01:02:58
Dele Alli was a completely busted flush as a "pro" (ha-ha) footballer, way before we signed him. Why people imagine otherwise is beyond me. He'd already had various managers try to re-focus him and he massively failed all of them, whilst ripping off his clubs and their supporters no end, us now included.

Just how many basket case players has Kenwright sanctioned in his time? Kroldrup, Nyarko and Shandy Andy being just three of a list of dozens.

Put another way, just how many players has he sold for good money who DIDN'T go on to significant achievement, to mirror Dele Alli instead? Hardly any.

We mostly all now know that his self-proclaimed absurd bombast as a football genius has found its true home in the bottom of a derelict canal. The wider football world realised that decades ago and played us accordingly, to their gain and our further cost.

Shame it took thirty barren years for the penny to drop for way too many of us.

George Stuart
82 Posted 17/03/2023 at 01:08:06
Hummm… I don't think fearsome Dyche could turn Alli around.

I think Dyche would have a go but he's got way too much on his mind ATM. Maybe if he got him in August.

He might be worth 45 minutes against weak opposition if fit and in the right frame of mind.But then that might trigger the full £40M transfer.

Up front we have Simms or Maupay. Which really, means we have nothing. Someone you have to mark but really you don't have to worry about too much.

Too hard basket for me. I was calling for a youth player or a repurposed centre back last week. So how is this more preposterous than that?

Mike Gaynes
83 Posted 17/03/2023 at 02:17:26
Paul #79, yes, and that 45 minutes makes the experiment worthwhile for me.

Kevin #80, just imagine Maupay's brain transplanted into Dele. What a player he'd be. (Of course, we couldn't afford him.)

Bob Parrington
85 Posted 17/03/2023 at 05:10:10
I wonder what Sean Dyche's thoughts are on this issue????
Ian Jones
86 Posted 17/03/2023 at 06:53:04
Sad for Alli as a person, wonder what demons are going on his head.

Hope he can make sense of it all one day and get back to a reasonable level that he is comfortable playing at.

On paper, it was a good deal for us. Worth a go.

Derek Thomas
87 Posted 17/03/2023 at 06:53:37
Peter Mills@ 74; I did toy with putting Ernie in the mix, but kept it to the 70s and later to save readers from excessive punishment.

It's all fuel to the theory that Catterick never made a decent signing after Kendall in March 1967 – Ernie coming in September and Tommy Jackson being the exception that proves the rule.

Gary Brown
88 Posted 17/03/2023 at 07:06:00
Whilst all us hopeless romantics are always looking for the best comeback since Tyson Fury got up off that canvas in Las Vegas, the options are simply:

1) We find another loan for him and at least avoid part of the last year of wages

2) We negotiate a settlement of his wages.

3) He floats through a year of watching us from the stand whilst pocketing £5M more from us.

With a £10M payment hanging over our heads after a few more games for us, there are no other options.

Bobby Mallon
89 Posted 17/03/2023 at 07:16:49
Don Alexander @82. When those players you mentioned joined Everton, they were not busted flushes. They and they alone chose to go down the the drink and drug route. It is all on them and no one else.

they were not impressionable youngsters – they were already good professional footballers who, as I said, chose their lifestyles when they got here.

We can't always blame the club for buying bad players. The players themselves are to blame. If they were not good players, they would not have played in professional leagues.

Derek Thomas
90 Posted 17/03/2023 at 07:42:10
Alan McGuffog @75; Otherway round mate, Keith Newton 'covered' for Sandy.

He played 12 league games and 1 cup game.

Although 'covered' in this case covered a multitude of sins.

Round about late October / early November, the mid week programme 'Sports Night with Coleman' did an in depth piece on Everton the rampant League Leaders, part of this was a extremely, nay unique, interview with the ever reticent Harry Catterick...it was not in his nature, he left all that malarky to Shankly, who was a natural.

Anyway Coleman got Harry talking, he show a clip and then say - talk us through this, explain it to viewers at home etc. He couldn't come up with an instant quote on almost anything like Shankly - but he certainly could talk about what he knew - football and Everton and thus gave them chapter and verse, the good and the bad...

I don't know if they used the old trick of...keeping the tape running and saying...now we're off camera Mr Catterick...anyway, key point here - He inadvertently ended up severely 'Damning Sandy with faint Praise'

This lead to him being targeted, struggling, with the 'icing on the lack of confidence cake' being their famous O.G.

The very next game Tommy Wright took a knock and was subbed off (Darcy being the replacement, it was only minor and Tommy was back next week)

Newton was quickly signed and the struggling Sandy was pulled out of the firing line.

He came back 13 games later when Newton took a knock and stayed in for the last 7 of the run in.

Ernie Baywood
91 Posted 17/03/2023 at 07:45:35
Nick #63, do you mean it wasn't a worthwhile gamble because it didn't work?

That's not what gambling is.

We couldn't afford anyone and took a punt on a mid-twenties, free transfer who, if he could recover anywhere near his previous form, would be worth tens of millions.

That's a worthwhile gamble. And sorry but I don't buy that you didn't think he was ever any good. You either didn't watch him, or you're on the wind-up. His talent and performance level were obvious to anyone who watched him play.

John Bourne
92 Posted 17/03/2023 at 08:17:21
There are numerous rumours suggesting that his issues have nothing to do with his footballing prowess.

Probably best to leave it there.

Dyche didn't seem too interested in him in the press conference.

Steve Cotton
93 Posted 17/03/2023 at 08:31:36
Training, summer 2023…

Dyche: "Dele, we are monitoring fitness levels so start by running to the cones on the right before the first beep, then turn and run over to the cones on the left before the next beep! And keep going to see if you can beat the record of 16."

Dele: "Fuck that!"

Nick Page
94 Posted 17/03/2023 at 10:22:32
Ernie – no, I meant it was a poor gamble. Odds stacked against the buyer, for a ridiculous price if he was forced to play.

Horrible horrible deal for Everton. Pants well and truly pulled down by Mr Levy. But that's what you get when the club is run by half-wits and sycophants.

And IMHO, he was average anyway. One season wonder – usual media hype over some Spurs player who'll never win anything. I don't think Tony Bloom would have taken that bet.

Tony Everan
95 Posted 17/03/2023 at 10:26:16
Robert 76,

Of the missed opportunities, Ouatarra looks near the top of the list. He's looking like a very good buy, and investment, for Bournemouth. Disappointing that our financial situation means we couldn't compete with them for this level of young talent.

Dave Abrahams
96 Posted 17/03/2023 at 10:57:56
Mike (75),

You are saying the gamble on Alli was even money on being a success or failure. When you gamble, you weigh everything up – especially when the outlay is millions of pounds.

Looking at Alli's output over the preceding two or three seasons, the betting was a lot less than the even money you quote. 1/20 were more appropriate odds considering the cost up to now with another season to come – not to mention a possible signing-on fee when he first arrived.

I'd never bet on a horse at those odds, never mind on a footballer going through such a bad spell that experienced managers had tried to remedy but failed completely.

Christy Ring
97 Posted 17/03/2023 at 11:07:36
Mike #75 I agree, I thought he was a great coup also.

Apart from his cameo against Palace, didn't he knock the Leicester defender off the ball and set up the equaliser for Richarlison in the last few minutes, in the 1-1 draw, a vital point?

James Newcombe
98 Posted 17/03/2023 at 11:15:14
#95

Yes, he looks a player, that Ouattara. If we stay up and Bournemouth go down, maybe we could try again... Or, he'll rattle in a hat-trick on the final day and doom us!

That Alcaraz midfielder at Southampton looks decent too.

Brian Harrison
99 Posted 17/03/2023 at 12:01:03
How anyone ever thought this was a gamble worth taking amazes me.

This wasn't a player who was coming back from a bad injury or a player who had fallen out with his manager. This was a player who for 3 seasons has had little or no desire to try and turn his form around

He played under a couple of managers who knew and understand the game and had won leagues here and elsewhere, and neither could get a tune out of Alli.

He came here on a £100,000 per week and an agreement to pay Spurs £10 million for every 20 games he played; also, if we sell him, Spurs get a percentage of the sale.

The idiot who signed him for Everton had completely ignored all the evidence that was out there, including Mourhino telling him when he was manager at Spurs that, when he gets older, he will regret how he is destroying what could have been a brilliant career.

But Lampard decided that, despite that, he could turn him around, but within weeks realised what a dreadful mistake he had made, and we were told he wasn't playing as we needed to get him match fit. But after 4 weeks at the club he still wasn't fit enough to start a game, and that continued for most of the season.

Even the clueless Lampard realized what a mistake he made and sent him on loan to Besiktas, with us still paying the lion’s share of his salary. Now the Besiktas manager has told him he will play no further part in matches for them and instead he will sit in the stands and watch the games.

Does he care? I doubt it, he still has 12 months of his Everton contract to go so whether some other club take him on loan or not, he is guaranteed to earn £100,000 plus a week for another 12 months.

Tony Abrahams
100 Posted 17/03/2023 at 12:12:46
Dele Alli was a very symbolic signing and summed up how Everton Football Club have mainly operated since the man who kept on giving arrived at our club.
Frank Crewe
101 Posted 17/03/2023 at 12:43:20
Alli is right up there with Schneiderlin, Walcott, Gomes, James, Delph, Sigurdsson. Overhyped, overpriced, overpaid and underperforming midfielders Everton have been buying since Moshiri arrived.

I think we signed them just to try to show we were still a "big club" that could attract the supposedly top players. We found out through bitter experience exactly why the clubs they were with let them go. Lazy, injury-prone prima donnas.

Now, they're all gone, although Alli and Gomes could be making a comeback in the summer. But not to worry – Tom Davies is still here. He's not a lazy, injury-prone prima donna. He's just not very good.

Martin Reppion
102 Posted 17/03/2023 at 12:58:01
For those discussing players who arrived and then bombed, why has nobody mentioned Danny Williamson?

Swap deal for Unsworth, as I remember, who we then bought back for £3M. A mate who is a West Ham fan raised an eyebrow when we took Williamson. He knew we'd been shafted.

Martin Mason
103 Posted 17/03/2023 at 12:59:20
Frank, but they were the only players who would come to Everton at any price. That they were failures is easy to see with the benefit of hindsight.

Many of these buys were lauded by the fans when they were made. All buys are a risk and our risk management is awful.

James Flynn
104 Posted 17/03/2023 at 15:02:47
"Sigurdsson. Overhyped, overpriced, overpaid"

Sigurdsson was overpriced because Swansea saw they had a fish on the hook, negotiating with Kenwright. Not Siggy's fault.

He was not overhyped or overpaid. He was a fine attacking midfielder. We could have used him last season.

Mike Gaynes
106 Posted 17/03/2023 at 16:56:27
Dave #96 and Brian #99, sure, it looks that way in retrospect.

But I'll stand by my assessment that getting one of the world's most talented midfielders at age 25 -- young enough to mature and refocus if he wanted to -- was a gamble well worth taking.

Whether it was a flip of the coin or 1/20 that he would get straight, the potential payoff was mind-blowing. A club in our position has to go for that longshot. Has to.

Frank #101, James and Sigurdsson didn't underperform. If we'd had either of them last season or this, we wouldn't have been stressing as much over relegation.

Mick O'Malley
107 Posted 17/03/2023 at 17:19:37
James underperformed??? I'd love to see him when he was on top form then!

Say what you like about him but he was responsible for a lot of our goals that season and he was flying until Van Dijk crocked him. He was brilliant for us.

As for Gylfi, we would not be near the bottom if he was available. He was a guaranteed double figures for goals and assists and I've noticed what a cracking player he really is since he went missing.

I wish we had those two now… we definitely wouldn't be fighting relegation.

Nick Page
108 Posted 17/03/2023 at 17:43:27
We desperately missed Sigurdsson and the club fucking shafted him and hung him out to dry without so much as an explanation and then they let the rumour mill go into overdrive (which pissed other players off).

Absolutely fucking clueless bunch of amateurs and yet another enormous fuck up by the diabolical Kenwright mafia.

Andy Crooks
109 Posted 17/03/2023 at 18:30:26
Nick, @108 agree with that post.

However, on Dele, I'm with Mike Gaynes. He was a fine player and, in my view, Frank was the arm round the shoulder sort of guy who might have revived him.

Our finances required, and still do, that we strike lucky with such a gamble. Not this time... yet, but to me it was worth ago.

Who knows, Dyche and Dele, the dream team? Not many stranger things have happened but sometimes great things come from hopelessness.

Dave Abrahams
110 Posted 17/03/2023 at 19:24:10
Mike (106),

Unfortunately, your assessment at the time was well out of date. He had been a very good midfielder two or three years before that time.

When Everton signed him, he was a footballer not only hopelessly out of form, not fully fit and hadn't made the effort to try and shape up for experienced managers who were trying very hard to help him on and off the field.

Only Dele could have helped himself at that time and since but hasn't remotely even tried to.

Mike Connolly
111 Posted 17/03/2023 at 20:02:16
After all the money pissed up the wall on players deffo Sig and James don't fit in that bracket They actually new where the net was
Bill Gienapp
113 Posted 17/03/2023 at 23:09:25
I can't believe people are now trying to retcon Dele as overrated at his peak with Spurs.

In fact, I know he was that good, because I remember everyone on here wailing about how he was everything we wished Ross Barkley could be, LOL.

Brian Wilkinson
114 Posted 18/03/2023 at 00:07:18
Not sure if it was hooking Gomes off at half-time against Palace last season, or the impact Dele Alli made coming on at half-time.

Either way, we lashed three goals in after the interval that ensured our safety for another season.

Dupont Koo
115 Posted 18/03/2023 at 00:42:47
He is nothing but a sunk cost now. The "Pick Your Poison" Math is simple:

£5 Million-plus Base Salary from July 1st this year till June 30th next year

vs

£10 Million Payment to Spurs (if he plays 7 more games) + the salary above

If Thelwell can't find a club who's willing to pay a portion of his £5 Million-plus Salary for next season, (no matter how small that amount will be, any penny saved will be a good one!) the remaining plan for Dyche & Thelwell will likely be:

1) Evaluate him through Pre-Season & Training Camp and see whether there might be any changes in his attitude (Not likely, IMHO)

2) Test him through the 6 games (likely 5 League Games & 1 Carabao Cup Game) and see if there is anything worth salvaging (Not likely, IMHO)

3) Bid Adieu to him with a parting gift/golden handshake that is the rest of his £5 Million-plus Salary

Out of all the head-shaking, depressing chapters of his tenure, we finally reach the Final Chapter that will at least provide us with nothing but Cost Certainty!

Mike Gaynes
116 Posted 18/03/2023 at 04:35:02
Brian #114, it was both, I'm sure.

If anybody's interested, Gomes has a goal and two assists in 20 appearances for Lille, mostly as a starter. He must not be a complete disaster, however, because they're having a really good season in 6th.

Phil Lewis
117 Posted 18/03/2023 at 07:42:53
Mike #116,

I for one am extremely interested in the recent form of Andre Gomes for Lille. He has been getting glowing reports from his manager and fans alike. After sterling performances against the top sides in France, it seems he has regained the form which made him a first class midfielder and automatic choice for us at one point in his career.

I never completely lost faith in Gomes, although I had to concede that his displays were dreadful towards the end of his time with us.

I believe that he never fully recovered from that awful injury sustained against Spurs. Even if physically healed, there were evidently the legacy of mental scars apparent and it was obvious that he was half a yard slower, that which makes the difference between success and failure in the Premier League.

Gomes is still only 29. If he is back to anywhere near his best, that would make him far superior to our current crop of central midfielders.

I would be delighted to see him return in the summer, when his loan period expires, and rekindle the dynamic partnership with Idrissa Gueye, which blossomed to such good effect several years ago.

Dele Alli is a mystery, but an entirely different proposition to Gomes. I simply cannot see him finding the form of his youth ever again. Sadl,y his career I believe is over.

Similarly Gbamin is unlikely to ever fulfil his early promise. His injuries have taken their toll. Another who falls into that category is Townsend.

Garner is an unknown quantity. He should be given his opportunity to shine.

As for our current midfield underachievers? I would listen to any offers for Doucouré, Davies, Iwobi. Onana for me is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He is young and may improve, but personally I'd accept any realistic offer for him.

We have players in other areas of the team that I would happily see leave, but fees secured from the midfield players alone that I've mentioned could be used to strengthen us significantly, for whatever awaits us next season.

Ben King
118 Posted 18/03/2023 at 08:01:14
Feels like there's a lot of revisionism going on here.

When we signed Dele Alli, most declared it a great low-risk deal for us. A former world class player (who Frank wanted) on a free transfer: only wages to pay.

We took a chance and it didn't work out. I think we've all seen far more expensive risks taken by this administration that's worked out worse.

I'm no Bill supporter but let's not rewrite history either.

Ian Bennett
119 Posted 18/03/2023 at 08:34:25
I was a big fan of Gomes.

The injury has however certainly robbed him of any pace, and leaves a player unable to get away from an opponent and susceptible to be dribbled past.

The horrific tackle by Son was pure petulance and retaliation for feeling aggrieved Gomes had fouled him 30 seconds earlier.

That's cost us a £25m player and about the same in wages.

Sam Hoare
120 Posted 18/03/2023 at 08:41:21
Dele Alli will not play significantly for us again because he has lost what talent and application he had and is worth nowhere near what he's being paid. If you can't get minutes in Turkey, then you're not up to the Premier League. He needs to drop down a level and rebuild (if he wants to).

Gomes will not play significantly again for us because he is not suited to the physicality of the Premier League. He's a decent player in France with time on the ball and will stay there or similar, hopefully we can get a little fee for him.

Gylfi will not play for us again.

Doucouré will have his contract extended if we stay up and not if we go down.

Gueye is fine but will need replacing.

Iwobi is fine.

Onana will be fine but will be sold in next few years.

Davies is a squad player at best. And Garner is untested at this level so far.

Buying effective midfield players has long been an issue and it's probably not since Barry, McCarthy and Barkley that we've been strong in the middle.

It will be interesting to see who we target this summer and how big a priority it is for Dyche given the lack of forward options.

Don Wright
121 Posted 18/03/2023 at 08:58:36
Sam (120),

It is said that Iwobi has been offered a new contract but is waiting to see how the season pans out before signing. It is probably the same for anyone else whose contract is due for renewal loyalty only goes so far in football as in life.

Tony Everan
122 Posted 18/03/2023 at 09:00:13
Sam, that's a fair take on things, it looked like we were serious about Ouatarra, Sulemana, Beto, obviously Danjuma, and solid backups like Ings, Che? So it's definitely going to be two or three forwards coming in.

The midfield is very interesting as it will depend on what Garner can bring to the table between now and the end of the season, and whether Chelsea or Arsenal etc make a premium offer for Onana and he wants to go for Champions League football.

I'm still disappointed we didn't get Ouatarra, he looks like he will make an impact in the Premier League. We may go back for Beto as the target man option. Dyche will want one as one of his priorities in the summer.

I haven't seen enough of him to take an educated guess on whether he would be a success. As you say everything will depend upon staying in the league.

Tony Everan
123 Posted 18/03/2023 at 09:17:20
*Serious to an extent that is, Thelwell was in a financial straitjacket. There will more room to operate when our status is confirmed.
Robert Tressell
124 Posted 18/03/2023 at 09:30:22
Sam / Tony, my view is that we'll be after two forwards and possibly a right midfielder in summer.

There are areas to strengthen all over the pitch but these are the priorities.

Whether the budget will stretch to Beto (£25M?) I'm not sure. Might be hunting for lower cost and free and loan options – which need not be too bad a thing. Especially if we keep Branthwaite who could be real star (like Onana who just needs more time to settle).

The key is, of course, staying up – which allows us to build longer term around a core of Pickford, Patterson, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Godfrey, Garner, Onana, McNeil and maybe Calvert-Lewin.

Pete Neilson
125 Posted 18/03/2023 at 10:07:36
Ian (119),

Quite right to remember that Son challenge and the impact it had. I'm in the Main Stand and clearly saw Son was pumped up and looking for trouble. Yet the media absolved him of all blame, this clearing of his good name had already started on the radio as we headed home.

Compare that with the treatment of Pickford and St Virgil.

Jason Li
126 Posted 18/03/2023 at 10:07:41
If Dyche gets the team to fnish around 12th, it might be the hardest summer transfer window in terms of where to improve and what are the priorities?

For example if Patterson is the long-term right back, then having someone like Iwobi is suited as he can play in the overlapping right back and a bombing forward midfielder. Basically Pienaar on the right, not someone who puts in the crosses and goes past people. Is that what Dyche wants?

The forwards situation is a difficult one. Hopefully Dyche is clear by the summer exactly the type of forward he needs and who to keep - if any, and who he wants. If we are after new forwards as soon as the summer transfer window opens, that says a lot in terms of clarity for a while that Dyche knows what will be better and targets identified. The current forwards still have lots of time and the team are at least scoring in games, so it's less of a problem as well now. Still a problem but less magnified.

Danny O’Neill
127 Posted 18/03/2023 at 10:27:45
Your last paragraph @124 is very interesting Robert.

Pickford is 29. Young-ish for a keeper and approaching his prime, having recently signed a new contract.

Patterson aged 21.

Mykolenko aged 23.

Godfrey aged 25. Still young for a centre-back.

Onana aged 21. Still raw. Frustrates some, but young and has plenty of potential as well as desire.

McNeil aged 23. Took time to settle but growing in confidence. He is no Kevin Sheedy, no-one ever can be. Liam Brady maybe came close. But McNeil has a sweet left foot.

Calvert-Lewin. Still only 26. If we can just sort out what ever is wrong, he can still be our point man.

Blend that with the experience and leadership of Tarkowski and Coleman as well as the seemingly timeless energy of Gueye and there is a nice balance of experience and potential to that list.

But we still need strength in depth and as you mention the glaringly obvious lack of options up front.

Having a blend of experience and young players is key in my opinion.

Interestingly, when I was looking up the players' ages, I noticed that Jordan's original surname was Logan. Not my business and I guess it was a family thing.

Tom Bowers
128 Posted 18/03/2023 at 12:00:10
Hard to believe how Dele Alli has faded from the apparent great heights alongside Kane. Obviously he has personal demons affecting his attitude and is not the first top player to do so and certainly not at Everton. We have had our share of these.

Everton have been scalped many times with other teams' cast-offs and we have hoped they could do something positive but many have just been duds.

Alex Iwobi has been an exception and we all hope he continues to help the Blues in this struggle.

Robert Tressell
129 Posted 18/03/2023 at 12:31:55
Danny #127,

A blend of youth and experience is good. Pickford, Coleman, Gueye, Tarkowski, Coady and to some extent Calvert-Lewin and Iwobi now have that. The younger players just need games in a consistent system.

The key for me really is having players who can occupy their positions for 3 to 5 years, become the experienced core in the process, and form partnerships around the pitch.

That's how Dyche ran Burnley and I'm sure he'll do it with us.

Damian Halligan
130 Posted 18/03/2023 at 21:38:08
Norman Whiteside trained as a Podiatrist. He trained at Salford Uni and has a successful practice also in Salford. Interestingly, the Uni used him as a poster boy to help recruit students.

There came a point maybe after about 2000 when his name was mentioned to local kids at open days and none of them knew who he was. Fame is fleeting even for Old Trafford Legends.

Andy Meighan
131 Posted 19/03/2023 at 12:53:08
Kevin @79.

Maupay scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over West Ham earlier in the season, therefore ensuring us 3 very valuable points.

There's your argument between him and Alli blown completely out the water. Only a clown like bloated Bill could sanction a deal like that. A complete waste of space, and let's get this notion of he was brilliant against Palace in the 2nd half out of everyone's heads, he wasn't. He did okay, end of.

Anyone saying this was a gamble worth taking is talking absolute nonsense.

Andrew McLean
132 Posted 22/03/2023 at 17:53:40
Rumours are now circulating on the web that Dele Alli has gone AWOL, refusing to turn up to training, and Besiktas can't make contact with him. His future looks very bleak if true. Hopefully he is okay.
Ajay Gopal
133 Posted 23/03/2023 at 03:42:48
Yes Andrew, looks like it is all going downhill for him very fast.

From SkySports:

“Delle Alli's time with Besiktas reached a new low when his manager questioned the England midfielder's commitment after he missed training on Wednesday and was reportedly not answering his phone.”

Yes one hopes that he is okay and somehow finds his purpose in life whether it be on the football pitch or off it. A real lesson for everyone that in life you can't take anything for granted.

Christine Foster
134 Posted 23/03/2023 at 04:48:25
Seems like his manager is a total. whatever.. after he missed training Gunes said: "Dele Alli could not come at this time. It's raining, I guess that's why he couldn't come," Gunes said. "We're trying to hear from him. We could not reach him by phone. Hopefully he didn't have an accident."

However Alli responded:.. And hours after the initial speculation emerged, Dele took to his Instagram stories to deny the story. He wrote:

"Hey guys just had loads of messages so wanted to clear something up. The club gave me permission to attend a doctor's appointment today. I'm due back in training tomorrow as normal."

Not gone AWOL, had permission to go to Doctors in London, due back at training tomorrow. Somebody from the club should have told the coach, or is it a case of just wanting to get rid of Alli? (sarcastic bar steward, "Its raining thats why he didn't attend training"..)

Steve Brown
135 Posted 23/03/2023 at 06:08:08
Gunes through his dim-witted sarcasm just showed that Beskitas are run just about as well as Everton.
Danny O’Neill
136 Posted 23/03/2023 at 08:04:43
I went through this one again given the recent development.

I've said all I can on this, but I did pick up on your post @26 Nick. To your quote: “What would Everton do in this situation, they always get it right”

Maybe it came from Mike Bassett, England Manager?

Alan McGuffog
137 Posted 23/03/2023 at 08:38:22
So Istanbul has no doctors then ?
Gary Brown
138 Posted 23/03/2023 at 17:10:38
Whoever looked at the Bosman ruling originally needs to look at Dele Alli's contract. Surely a loan should be cancellable mid-season if it's irreconcilable.

Levy and Kenwright thought they were both being clever, but all they've done is created a player who's unplayable and unsellable at his apparently permanent home.

It's another loan or sit on his arse in our stands for him from here. Not much of a way up for him after his Turkey failure, maybe his best hope is a promoted club takes a chance next season in the Premier League.

John Chambers
139 Posted 23/03/2023 at 18:17:20
Why would we want to cancel his loan? It would only mean we would have to pay his full wages for an extra 3 months whilst he isn't playing.
Ed Prytherch
140 Posted 23/03/2023 at 19:47:22
To paraphrase the Everly Brothers: So sad to see such talent go bad.

Four managers in a row have failed to motivate him and now Dyche will get his chance in pre-season. If Deli is able to pick himself up, a long shot, I know, then we could probably renegotiate the deal with Spurs. As things stand they will not get another penny for him.

Laurie Hartley
141 Posted 23/03/2023 at 21:14:14
It seems most of us agree that his 45 minutes against Palace was very good. That presents a few conundrums for me:-

1. He must have been match fit.

2. The talent is still in there somewhere.

3. What motivated him to put that effort in?

Maybe the answer to question 3 is that he thought we were worth fighting for.

I have seen plenty of people come good in their lives so, despite the fact that he looks like a lost cause, I haven’t written him off yet. He is only 26.

EDIT: Just spotted this in the Mirror. He looks very different from the lad who turned up at Goodison.

Laurie Hartley
142 Posted 23/03/2023 at 21:30:23
Missed the link :- Link

143 Posted 28/04/2023 at 13:13:34

144 Posted 28/04/2023 at 13:13:35
JYupWMLW

145 Posted 28/04/2023 at 13:13:35
JYupWMLW

146 Posted 28/04/2023 at 13:13:35
JYupWMLW

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


How to get rid of these ads and support TW

© ToffeeWeb