Big Spending January?

Would our monthly losses even allow us to add to the wage bill for free signings and loans to be added to the squad?

Stay away from the Chelsea players as I think they will be trying to get back some of the obscene monies they have spent recently. The players will be on big contracts as well.

As for the Man Utd players. Van de Beek will be another Klaassen and the Premier League is too much and too fast for him.

Sancho, whilst being a great talent, is widely reported as having very little discipline and regularly turns up late for everything. Dyche will not tolerate that at all.

I think we will not be worrying about transfer deadline day and if Requilme is spotted at the airport. TW may be a quiet day on transfer deadline day.

Unless we sell Branthwaite or Onana, there'll be nothing to keep us going.

What a good thread to start!

Firstly, here are the rules regards loans;

EPL Loan rules

The rules show we can loan (temporary transfer) two players from the English Football Pyramid (EFP), and a further two maximum, from outside the EFP. With a maximum of two at anyone time, with a maximum of four over the season.

So far as you state, we have Haz from the EFP, and Arnie from Spain. Thus, we can loan one more from the EFP, and one from abroad, or two more from abroad. Though, unless we release Haz or Arnie, that's your lot...

I think frees are the way we'll go, if we can shift Gomes (and as we briefly discussed elsewhere, Dele), and maybe we could off-load Godfrey (and/or Keane?)

From what I've heard, we have some leeway regards wages, and we may... just may have salted away approx £20M or so for another incoming, even if spent on the drip à la Beto. (I hear O'Brien at Lyon is a potential target.)

Obviously, everything, and I mean everything, depends on if a takeover is taking place in the New Year. Be that with 777 Partners or someone else.

Let's hope we get a little bit of business done to help strengthen the squad for the run-in.

Haz is Dyche-speak for Jack Harrison, and Arnie is Dyche-speak for Arnaut Danjuma.

Sorry to be a little obtuse.

Here is a list of all the names that Dyche uses for the players in his pressers and interviews.

From what I have gleaned so far;

Jordan

Seamus, Youngy, Patto

Tarky, Jarrad, Keano, and Ben Gibson, sorry, Godfrey (He actually said that)

Myko

Haz, Jimmy (-Garner) Gana, Doucs, Dwight, Arnie

Dom (Didn't he say Beto after the NUFC game? Someone please confirm.)

I hope that helps, Mark :/)

I'd like another midfielder, cover at left-back, and another wide player, but when you look at some of the players that Chelsea have sold for a lot less money than they have spent on players who will never get near their first team (if they want to stay at the top table), then I'm glad the absolutely pathetic Moshiri years are coming to an end.

UTFT

At the moment though nobody walks into the side. I think for strength in depth we have to be looking at a centre-midfielder in on loan as the priority, especially with Gana going to Afcon.

No harm in asking about Kalvin Philips. I think if two of our current CBs get moved on Dyche will have us eye on reinforcements for that area specifically left-sided to stand in for Branthwaite.

Really like Madueke, don't know why Chelsea aren't using him more, unplayable at times but I suppose still raw and inconsistent. Can't see them giving up on him just yet, but would love us to poach him.

Earlier in the season Robert the need for a tenacious creative No 10 was talked about, our own Odegaard. But Doucoure is on fire and one of the first names on the team sheet so the need for that has receded. Still a niggliing thought though about what happens to the system if Doucoure is out and whether we need an option there.

You're very welcome mon ami, and happy to hopefully help.

What the rules basically mean, is that with Harrison and Danjuma, we do not have space for another loan (2 max at any one time).

So, unless we release Harrison and/or Danjuma, we can't take another loan on. Which I can't see really.

Though maybe, Danjuma might not be the kind of player Dyche wants (I still think he was a Lampard signing), and maybe he'll go back to Villarreal to free up a player more suited to Dyche's and the team's needs?

We'll have to wait and see.

Mark [10],

You're very welcome, though it's not a scouse thing, it's a footy thing really, I suppose?

Tony A [9],

I think you're right, the players are getting slightly better; but there is still a tendency for the players to hoof the ball, rather than put a foot on it when they do really have a second or two to look.

Though I have to say our counter-attacking play is looking much more joined up nowadays. Which of course means it is becoming much more potent, as we've seen.

If we do have the chance to do some business in January. I'd be happy if we did bring Jake O'Brien in, he's 197cm or 6'-4½", and an Irish U21 (only 22), centre-back (Unfortuanetly right-footed and right-sided) but someone Thelwell has been watching since his move to Lyon.

Then, just for the end of season, we could do with finding a genuine right-midfielder (preferably two-footed as well!) to take the load of Harrison (who has much better stats when playing on the left – which some posters need to remember he is not a natural right winger!)

Other than that, I know the squad is thin, but other than a backup left-back (which Young has been brought in to cover) I can't think of any immediate needs other than above, ie, a decent centre-back, a right-midfielder and maybe another left-back?

Rob (or anybody), which wing is Dobbin best on? I ask as I don't actually know!

I keep reading they want it wrapped up in December, which smacks of the need to do so in order to make moves in January – otherwise I'd suggest the only movement we'll see is outgoings, and possibly Holgate coming back in.

If the 777 deal goes south, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us forced to accept offers for players like Onana and Branthwaite in January in order to help balance the books.

Very fast and good attitude by the looks of things. Could be a useful player but probably not polished enough to be a regular starter.

I was quite outspoken in recommending we buy Miles Robinson before he blew out his Achilles and missed the World Cup. He has shown he is fully recovered, and since his return to the national team the US has kept a clean sheet in six of seven games he started.

In MLS he played in a totally attacking side and was often left exposed, but did pretty well. Absolutely impossible to beat off the dribble.

All the rest – who knows?

Isn't the rule of a maximum of 2 loanees at a time only for players from other English or Welsh clubs and doesn't apply to overseas loans?

Yes, Robert, give your head a wobble, and a few more wobbles with the other bums you mentioned:

Chalobah – cart horse,
Van de Beek – seriously,
Sancho – blimey, we are scraping the barrel now.
Pineapple Philips is bad enough (midfield general… lol).

football is full of bums who are totally one-footed reasonably fit men with zero skill factor. We are the off-loader for cast-offs, it's about time we went and found young players who want to prove themselves. not over-priced over-paid no-goods. Yes, Robert, give your head a wobble. 😀

But right now, I can't look beyond what is in front of us. And usually I'm a strategic thinker who likes to plan ahead. Right now with Everton, I'm currently living week by week!!

I can't go into individual players in the detail you do, but I'd like to see us bring in a central midfielder.

And a centre-back. Keane scares me, that is well documented by my historical comments. Godfrey has lost his way and Branthwaite is that good that I fear what is coming.

Great post as always, Robert. It does highlight how much Chelsea have spent. I know they've had the benefit of Champions League revenue, but if the Premier League persists, surely they are next in the firing line?

Forget Phillips and Sancho, there's no chance – we can't afford their wages. If we get any of the Chelsea players identified in Robert's piece, I'll be very surprised. They won't want to do anything to help us.

Maybe someone from MLS but I'm not that familiar with the players to comment on who would be the best fit for our needs.

Anyway, our Number 1 need in the New Year is not players, but securing enough cash flow to pay wages and other outgoings to avoid us going into administration.

If we are forced to sell any of our players, which I think is a distinct possibility, the money received will just go to keep the club afloat – not to contribute to any transfers.

Serious times indeed!

I think this highlights how strapped we are for cash, never mind the FFP/P&S balance sheet.

I can see Danjuma going back, clearly he is behind Dobbin in Dyche's eyes, which could give us the scope to bring in 1 loan.

Kalvin Phillips makes £150,000/week.

Malang Sarr makes £120,000/week.

Van de Beek (who I actually really liked) makes £120,000/week.

Reiss Nelson makes £100,000/week.

Chukwuemeka makes £100,000/week.

I think we can safely cross all those off the loan list unless the parent club would be willing to chip in, which doesn't seem likely.

Before adding anyone, I am still more concerned with the overpaid salaries that are still on the book: Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Gomes, Dele (some would even include Gana Gueye as soon as they know we are also paying him 6 figures every week), given our horrendous financials.

I would love to see some of those names you mentioned to be added, only after:

1) Either Keane's or Godfrey's entire salary (both are on reportedly £70-80k/week) is off our books in January (someone please ring Daniel Levy at Spurs?)

2) We can find someone to take up Gomes's expiring contract (£2.6M of outstanding salary from Christmas to the end of June).

3) Thelwell can find a team who can contribute more towards Holgate's £70k/week salary and afford him with more playing time (a mountain to climb, indeed… but Thelwell has pulled a lot of rabbits out of the hat already, so I remain a member of the #ThelwellBrigade).

(Dele's 6 figures per week expiring contract is a lost cause and sunk cost not even Santa Clause can do anything about it, so I'm leaving it out of the above.)

I don't know what he would cost but he came through all the Belgian international sides from Under-15s and has a few full international games under his belt and definitely looks to have great potential.

1. Because they can;
2. They are fiddling the rules of FFP with 8-year contracts;
3. They stop rival clubs signing them;
4. They are arrogant beyond belief;
5. Too many moronic young men who see pound signs in front of their eyes instead of using football intelligence.

[Please feel free to add to this list…]

It will be a good January if we hang on to Branthwaite and the other current “first choices” and don't have to sell any of them to balance the books or just to survive month to month.

I hope Thelwell continues to buy young up-coming players who want to play for the shirt and are not already earning mouth-watering salaries that are unsustainable.

The Chelsea list above shows they are going to have 8 years of future problems. It's okay spreading the transfer fees over 8 years but, if you buy turkeys, you have their £5M-a-year wages to pay for the full period and, as we know, no other teams will take them on these inflated salaries.

We have tried that approach and it has brought us to our knees. Thelwell is doing a great job in difficult circumstances so let's trust that, with Dyche's help, we can find more players who fit the team, irrespective of their perceived star quality.

I can see him signing players like Brownhill from Burnley or Wharton from Blackburn because they will fit Dyche's set-up much better than the “stars” detailed above.

I don't think there will be anyone coming in on the January window. Hopefully Gomes will be fit enough to be loaned out.

I'm very grateful for showing me what is out there. We do need back-up players in the positions you have identified but, as Tony says, Dyche has managed to improve the performance of quite a few players. I do think in the Premier League you do have to mix and match, since opposition clubs will quickly adjust to Everton's play and will work out the weaknesses and expose them.

Simon #12,

I think you are right that Dunjama was a carry over from Lampard. Patterson was a carryover from Brands and it has taken a long time to work him in. I did not know that Harrison was not been played in his favoured position; explains why he now looks different than when he was a Leeds player.

I can't see Chelsea or Man City being in Everton's situation. Moshiri really was the goose with the golden eggs, all of which he lost. Actually, most of the Premier League benefited from the golden eggs in transfers and we had a stream of mercenary players and managers who had to work with overpaid buffoons in Everton tracksuits and blue balloon wielding Chief Executive Officer. The incompetence was breathtaking.

The giveaway is this sentence;

With the exception of Welsh clubs competing in the competitions listed under Rule V.6.2, loans from a club in membership of another National Association do not count towards the above quotas.

After your discerning post, it means we're free to sign 'unlimited' foreign loans (wishful thinking on my behalf – unlimited!!); but, only one more English Football Pyramid loanee.

Thanks for spotting my intentional error; come to the front of class to collect your prize, Chris. ;/)

Rob [15], Thanks for clarifying where Dobbin's best position is. Left-wing-forward, just where we are weakest.

I mean we only have McNeil, Harrison, Danjuma, Chermiti, and I suppose Young to a degree to cover there, whilst we have who as genuine right-wingers!

It's a bit like the full-back positions, we have three right-backs and one (+Young) left-backs...

However, the squad shape was totally unbalanced, whereas at least now, we're getting a much more balanced squad.

I think if we lose Keane, and bring in O'Brien, try and convert Godfrey into his sometimes Norwich position of defensive midfielder, and make use of his athleticism there; and finally bring in a proper right-sided midfielder or winger, we'd be looking good. Oh, and a decent backup to Mykolenko too. (He is too valuable to lose now!)

Wasn't the last genuine right-winger we had Walcott, with another left-wing conversion in Townsend, which funnily enough is where he is doing really well at Luton? Maybe we could have… should have kept Andros?

Here's the link;

Premier League clubs vote to close amortisation loophole

As for Sancho, if he can't motivate himself to play for Man Utd, who are/were in the Champions League, then what chance is there that he fancies running himself into the ground in a Dyche team??

None whatsoever.

Do you really think Nelson of Arsenal is available?

It would be a brave move for an Elephant and Castle lad to move North from the Arsenal. Definitely if he was prepared to do so.

Knowing PSV, he wouldn't come cheap. I had already watched enough of Branthwaite to believe he was talented enough to play at the highest level but it was when PSV were allegedly prepared to make the kid their highest-ever purchase that I realised he must be a really top player already.

The vast majority will be looking for a move with a contract as long as possible. The better the player, the more likely this is.

We looked at Bakayoko in the summer. Unfortunately, he didn't want the move at that time, plus we couldn't match what PSV wanted (not to mention they wanted Jarrad as a make-weight) All transfer gossip of course, but it was widely reported at the time.

I wonder if he'd being willing to come now we're doing better? Maybe even on a 6-month loan to get a taste of the club?

I think he'd be a good fit for us.

What's his name now... erm.... erm . ?

For a lot of gifted footballers, finding consistency to go with their undoubted ability is definitely the hardest thing to do. Hopefully for Barkley, he's learned before it's too late; he definitely belongs in the unfulfilled talent bracket, imo.

When he was available in August ,the noises on here weren't pleasant. But I have always thought he is an Everton player that went astray. I'd love him back while he is still young enough to perform.

He plays in the position we have least depth. Recently he has shown good awareness and no little skill. What's more, he usually provides a goal threat too.

I can't see him moving until their relegation is done and dusted though.

Always strange how people remember our ex-players being better than they actually were for us.

I won't bother making a list! 😳

It's just there's a fair number of players we've moved on and the TW whinge brigade has called the club for everything and then those same players have nose-dived at the club they moved to before moving to worse and worse teams.

So Barkley having a couple of decent games for Luton doesn't convince me, mate. 😁

If no significant progress is made in terms of new owners, then January might just end up being about finding the £100 million through player sales just so we can survive the season.

It's damage limitation time.

That's why I personally think he has continued to sink lower, since he got his move to one of the best teams in the country when he left Everton all those years ago, when he seemingly had the world at his feet.

I still think Phillips is worth the pursuit if we can get an acceptable fee negotiated. I also believe Ugochukwu is worth a look.

I can't see us affording Harrison next season so a younger Albrighton type would do me.

Danjuma will be sent back to Spain so again we need to build the squad or maybe give Stan Mills a squad role.

Go to the lower divisions and look for hungry players, don't touch any of the big boys' rejects.

Thelwell will no doubt be planning for January.

But, after between a few weeks and few months in each case, he soon became useless again, running into dead ends, misplacing passes and giving away stupid fouls.

The speed of MLS is naturally slower than the Premier League but I believe he'd be a solid back-up to Tarkowski and Branthwaite. I wouldn't think wages would be a huge issue.

January is always a strange window, and not a good one for longer-term squad building. A player like Miles Robinson in a free might be a rare opportunity – but otherwise, the loan options are probably just temporary reinforcements. I don't think we could afford any of them on a permanent deal.

That said, one of our best signings in recent years was a January acquisition. The £1M (?) spent on Jarrad Branthwaite is proving an absolute bargain (and also proving the sort of quality we can get hold of if we're just prepared to be patient and develop players).

Everton at risk of administration as buyers 777 Partners are told there is no chance of takeover being approved soon – and are set to stop funding them – raising fears of new points deduction

Everything you need to know about FIFA's new loan rules

Enjoyed your post. Please forgive my indifference. I am here to basically disagree if I can with anything anyone says… except myself. 😀

Robert called him a midfield general – the only time he would be that if he's in charge of mopping the floors in the Midfield General Hospital.

No apparent skill set, bang average and a waste of money we don't have. I've told you all this before, why don't you listen? 😀

ps: Why is listen spelt with a t?

Simply put, I think you are attributing a mismatch of player and system solely to Phillps's skillset I would be willing to try him if we have to let Onana go.

Try and offload Gomes, Alli, Holgate. Lower the wage bill.

I have every confidence in Dyche's ability to steer this team clear of relegation. Let's re-evaluate in the summer, when odds are, we're going to be forced to sell either Branthwaite or Onana (personally, I'd prefer we sold Onana, even though I do rate him).

Right now, the squad is small, unified, and I don't see any point in adding to it.

That being said, if Spurs are willing to drop a few quid for Godfrey, let's stick that money down on O'Brien, who could be a useful long-term replacement for Tarkowski. Imagine two agile monsters at centre-back, alongside Mykolenko, and a hopefully developing Patterson.

"Cheers Simon – so it's a scouse thing? Like John, Paul, Haz and Ringo…???
UTFT"

They have renamed themselves The Bootles! :-)

Thelwell's been tracking him for a while so this one could have some mileage. He'd offer something different to our attack, could be a useful addition.

My only concern is that Sulemana, is again primarily a Left-sided player with a right-foot who likes to cut in. Looking at his stats, he's not performing as well as Haz, despite playing 3 league games more.

I was in discussion with Dave Abrahams on another thread and posted this; after thinking about it, it is probably better here. Sorry to repeat myself

*** SPAM Alert ***

I guess it's like the old adage 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. Every manager really needs time to put their stamp on a team, unless of course you have access to 'unlimited' funds and resources.

I think I'm with you on Danjuma. I've trawled a couple of Spurs sites, and nobody seemed keen on Spurs signing him after his 6 (5?) months there last season. Apparently, he had some rare good moments, but usually flattered to deceive.

As you say, maybe Kevin and Sean will try and get shut, and bring someone more 'robust with more footballing nous' as you say. Not to mention more hard working. Which really seems to be his Achilles heel.

Like I've said elsewhere by inference, he seems a luxury that Everton don't need just now.

I'd like a few changes this window, even if they are sticking plasters.

Out: Loan or Sale: Gomes (L/S), Holgate (L/S) (he's coming back from Saints allegedly), Keane (L/S), Danjuma (End of Loan)

In: CB (Primary need). RW/F (Nice to have!), LB (as an extra)

Then do a John Stones, or TAA with Ben Godfrey and convert him to a proper DM (he played there at Norwich on occasion), and fully utilise his tackling, pace and athleticism. He could still be called on as an emergency CB and or FB cover.

ps: I've no idea what to do with Dele Alli in truth, stick, twist or fold? I just don't know? I guess that is in Kevin's and then Sean's hands.

Tony, we should definitely look for Sulemana interest in a transfer. Dude can ball.

That young lad Micah Hamilton at Man City would be worth a look though - did well in the dead rubber v Red Star Belgrade but probably won't feature much at all otherwise.

Shame Emilio Lawrence left because at 18 he might now be getting some first team minutes for us.

There is an article on Goodison News (Which I won't post as Michael and Lyndon would probably delete the Koppite Propaganda) that Dele's rehab is not going to plan. Which has become obvious since he came back to training 'on the grass' (No, not poppers!)

The doctor writing the article, suggests that Dele will now need further surgery to speed up his recovery.

Hence, the thigh injury story...

By the way Stephen, apologies for doubting you yesterday. My bad!