Jack Harrison: Yes or No?

Limited player and when playing on the right he always has to get the ball on to his left foot, slowing things down, but given our circumstances I'm not sure there is a better alternative we can afford.

Despite his physical limitations, he has flashed moments of great attacking skill -- the volley against Bournemouth and that outside-of-the-foot pass in the derby were magic.

But it's his defense that is critical. He works relentlessly, holds good positions, tracks runners superbly. Without Harrison, our weak right backs would look like traffic cones at Le Mans.

If Thelwell can find a better option in the loan market, great, but I doubt it.

His added value is away from home when we have our backs against the wall and he does the essential hard yards and covers the weakness at right back so he is useful in that way but I am pretty confident that Patterson could also do that so I would spend what money we have elsewhere.

Robert, there is no way Thelwell is going to stump up £15M for Harrison.

I suspect that he has a clause in his contract that allows him to go out on loan if Leeds are not playing in the Premier League. So we will likely sign him another season long loan at relatively high wages of £105k/week.

By next season, he will be towards the end of his contract and at that time, we can sign Harrison for a lowish fee of £8-10M, if he has a good season.

As you say, Robert, if Harrison has a solid right-back behind him in the Mykolenko mold, he will be able to play with more freedom and we might see his true attacking abilities.

If we could get Summerville or Gnonto for £15M, I would snap their hands off.

Harrison for me is a £10M max valuation.

No, at anything over £12M.

I agree with Jay.

Harrison is not worth £100k/week to play out of position at Everton.

I would take him back for another season as we should be addressing other areas first.

Gnonto wouldn't know what his own penalty area looks like if you showed him a photo. We need players who can fit into Dyche's defensive scheme. Gnonto would make our right side look like an airport runway. No thanks.

And Summerville is a dynamic attacker with multiple suitors, so your £15M offer is dreamland. He will cost at least double that.

Ed #12, Dobbin is right-footed. Also we've seen him only as an attacking winger, never with any defensive responsibility. No idea if he can do that.

If Leeds are determined to sell rather than loan, then I think we should look elsewhere.

There is no doubt he gives 100% every game, but his main attribute is helping out defensively. I am looking for more than 3 goals from one of my front 3 players.

Terms: Harrison's contract runs to 2028. Leeds will definitely want to sell to get his wages off the books – but may accept a loan where we continue to subsidise his wages.

Fee: I can't see it being less than £10M. Starting around £12M I would have thought.

Ajay #8, I don't think it's a defensive right-back that Harrison needs – it's a fast attacking one who will go outside him on the overlap.

There are plenty around – such as Norton-Cuffey the Arsenal youngster and England U21 player who will be looking for a Premier League loan this summer. Or a long list of players from abroad.

Barry #7, we have plenty of options even though we are skint.

This will be proven over summer by teams right across the top 5 major European leagues (including the Premier League) where right wingers / midfielders will be bought for no more than £15m and offered lower wages than Harrison.

As an example, Jonathan Rowe of Norwich (21) scored 21 in 32 games this season and would comfortably slot into Harrison's position. Since he only has one year left on his contract and Norwich failed to get promoted, he may be available for around £20M. Reiss Nelson of Arsenal (24) is unlikely to cost much more than about £15M.

And that's just a couple of more obvious English-based players.

I'd rather have the Welsh lad Brooks on a season-long loan, if possible.

He had a few good games but not enough impact in many others which can be said of quite a few squad members. If Everton need to save wages, he should be one of a bunch of underachievers to be shelved.

Although I appreciate the work he does defending. And the fact that Dyche will want him means he is more than likely to come back here.

I was going to say the exact same thing, lol!

Beggars can't be choosers.

He's got goals in him but has been restricted to working hard defensively. If we ever are able to shake off the shackles, I think it's entirely feasible he'll chip in with 10 goals a season.

I like him.

Harrison didn't get 10 goals in a very attacking Leeds side in the Championship. He's never going to score 10 in the Premier League.

There have been some hard-working, committed performances and he doesn't shirk. As to attacking and general ability, I never once saw him look the player he looked at Leeds several seasons back.

Right back isn't fully resolved yet, and a big if. If Branthwaite goes, then a defensive right winger like Harrison will be really useful to the team.

However, the year after, when the finances get better, a flying winger and front-foot football has to be on the menu in a stadium purpose-built to entertain that many people on a regular basis.

Not reckless football, but football with much more entertainment in the not-too-distant future after one more season of endurance.

If that's right, then you're looking at an outlay of not far off £20m plus a transfer fee of what £8-12m.

£30m plus and we will get nothing for him at the end of the contract, for 3 goals a season.

Yes, you need experienced players, and a loan signing might be fine. But signing him is pure madness.

Keep it a loan. Leeds get him off their wages, we get experience, and he doesn't take a Championship wage cut.

Apparently his contract has a relegation clause meaning Leeds have to loan him so let's get him again and, if we want to buy him, he'll be even cheaper next summer!

I wouldn't want to spend more than £5-8M on any player in their late 20s unless they were a real game changer.

1) His wage is £90,000 per week.
2) He cannot cross the ball on his right foot.
3) He cannot beat a full-back for pace.
4) He cannot beat a full-back with skill.
5) His goals and assists record was poor.

If the main quality that is cited about a winger is that he tracks back, then it is time to move on.

I get the off-the-ball work but our right side was completely impotent (not all on him) and we need to score more goals (2nd lowest in the Premier League last season). And as the right-sided attacker, he was a big part of both issues.

He runs a lot but is totally ineffectual.

He tries hard but attacking wise offers little end product. We also paid him £90k pw, which was a lot for little end product.

If the club sale goes through I'd hope to sign better. If the sale doesn't we shouldn't be spending this much money on Harrison.

Extend his loan 1 year then bin.

A bit harsh? — well, it's a harsh world.

Certainly not worth half the wages he's getting and typically that's the only reason he would want to stay.

He tries hard and you cannot knock his effort but, even if he was a fullback, we would still be disappointed with his attacking skills.

I did say if we could get him for £15M I would bite their hands off and that was based on Robert's post that there were other options around £15M.

Personally speaking, I agree with you that Summerville will fetch around £25 - 30M but as for Gnonto, do we really want all our forwards chasing back?

He is the type of player who you could leave up front and make the most of breakaways or turnovers as it is now called. He can also take a man on and beat him, something Calvert-Lewin has needed for years.

We have two left-sided wingers, McNeil and Dobbin, and we don't need to pay Harrison's wages for a third one who will be played out of position.

I think Jack would fit well in a footballing team. That of which we are not.

I am not saying he is the answer. We need to buy a right mid and right back before letting him go back to Leeds.

For the reasons stated by Steve #34.

I'd prefer to let Dobbin have a go and save the money for strengthening the squad elsewhere.

Probably do the same with Dele Alli!!!

The team is crying out for pace. That in my opinion is the priority so I think those wages and any spending money we have should be spent on a right winger with pace and strength.

Fans want to see professional footballer's do things with the ball they cant do themselves. They don't just want to win, they want to be entertained too.

I think it is a bit simplistic to dismiss him as a winger who merely tracks back. He is very tactically aware. He doesn't just know his own job. he gets the role of others around him.

We cant afford players who are great with the ball. We are (and will be next season) still in survival mode. Unfortunately the focus will once again be on those who are very good when we don't have it.
Dyche and his staff will be delighted with the efforts of Harrison. If they cant get him on favorable terms he WILL be back next season.

But it is not correct that we cannot afford (fee and wages) players of real ability. This is proved year in year out by the transfer activity of clubs in the major 5 European leagues. It will be proved again this summer.

His positives in terms of work rate, covering, awareness, ball control, outweigh his weaknesses. While there may be players with more ability available, they may not have the same attitude or personality, and I suspect Sean Dyche will be wanting players he knows he can rely on next season.

Jack Harrison is no world-beater but boy is he committed to the cause. On the derby Tunnel Access video, watch how he is congratulated by Seamus at the final whistle.

We need committed players who are like Richarlison and Gordon. He knows the club, get him either on loan or any way unless there is someone tons better going for a song!

Answer: Maybe, or sometimes.

There.

If so then I'd take him back on loan all day long but I don't think we can or will pay lots for him.

We aren't exactly blessed in that area, Danjuma was a massive flop and it makes you think, would Gnonto have been the same but a miles more expensive flop, I just couldn't see him working under Dyche.

McNeil works really hard, great left foot when he does catch it well but his lack of pace is the let down.

Dobbin doesn't look ready and from a few different angles I've heard from people who know more than I do, they don't think he'll be a regular yet at this level anyway.

So unless there's better than Harrison available on cheap or loan then I'm thinking we will go after this.

I think some of you are being over-critical.

I would keep him and encourage him to him cross and shoot more when he does play. If we could buy a decent outright right-footed right-winger, I would choose that option, and not loan him.

If Harrison isn't signed, I do hope Evertonians will remember him as a player who put a shift in for us, and who was able to buy into the manager's game plan.

I also agree with your comments regarding the option of bringing McNeil into the Doucoure position, which might allow for more threat from the left wing if we can bring in someone with pace and crossing ability. I think McNeil offers much more of a threat in the No 10 position, not only in terms of his ability on the ball, but his accuracy of shooting from outside the box.

A bit like the ownership saga, we can't dictate who will or won't be playing for Everton next season.

Personally, I think Harrison has done well for the team. His work rate off the ball and attitude can't be denied.

I'll just wait and see who owns Everton and who walks on the pitch come August.

It's pointless me venting, as I can't influence. The last time I did that, we appointed Benitiez!!

So it's a No from me.

If we can work another loan deal, I would sign him right now.

I think we lack pace as a team both in attack and midfield. Also, we aren't blessed with many goals from midfield; Gueye scored the most with 4. I don't think Garner scored any and Onana didn't weigh in with many.

Many of our goals came from set-pieces and it will be hard to replicate that this season. We are yet to hear whether Calvert-Lewin will sign a new contract, and Godfrey is now in the last year of his contract.

I really don't understand why we let players run down their contracts, which allows them to get the best deal for themselves and the club gets nothing. We have done that with Gomes, Mina, Godfrey and I'm not sure how long is left on Calvert-Lewin's contract. Surely it makes sense to sell them before letting them get into the last year of their contracts.

A far as I'm concerned, he can go and run around a lot and be a good lad off the pitch for someone else.

We never look in more danger than when he has the ball and gets robbed, which happens a lot.

The only thing I like about him is that razor-sharp parting.
And if Colin G calls him "a poor man's Iwobi", well, that's about as condemning as you can get.

However, I can't remember an Everton player who gave the ball away so often, which leaves us open to being counter-attacked.

He also has deceptive pace, being slower than he looks. There must be better options.

I really like Jack but his hard work should not be needed if we have a decent full back (we don't).

His lack of end result is a wasted slot. We are still the 12th best team in England and must find younger, quicker, hungrier and more productive players.

So, NO (but thanks for everything).

However as per an earlier comment - clubs in the top 5 major European league will all buy players of talent and good physical attributes this summer who are within our budget. Harrison is a safe buy (or loan) but we absolutely can afford players with more ability.

And then focus on the pre-seasons.

I can't be doing with debating who will or will not be playing for Everton next season. What will be will be.

All that matters are those players who take to the pitch.

I have just been sent a clip regarding the 86-87 season. Decimated by injuries to key players and recruiting Paul Power that raised an eyebrow or two.

Despite the greatness of the 84-85 team, arguably Kendall's greatest achievement against the odds? Often overlooked.

I attended every single home game that season and quite a few away matches, including Norwich when we clinched the title. A long but enjoyable journey home. We didn't get back to Speke until the early hours, but smiles on our faces. Champions of England.

Again!

Whoever plays for Everton next season, they get my support.

Robert #68, you've expressed that thought several times in this thread.

I love your certainty.

I do not share it.

I am sure the likes of Seville, Rennes, Bologna and Hoffenheim would be very confident of finding more ability than Harrison offers for the sum of, say, £12m to £15m (and lower wages to boot).

Clearly there is plenty of uncertainty but if we have a zero transfer kitty then we can't buy or loan Harrison either...

He has his attributes, but not what we need in a winger who can have a nice touch, works hard but cannot deliver a cross when needed.

The sort of player a centre-forward makes half-hearted runs when they get the ball because he knows it's a waste of time expecting a cross.

File under not good enough.

There will usually be sizeable loan fees or signing-on fees and then considerably higher wages than if we sought out young up-and-coming players instead.

I think, as many have suggested, there must be out-of-contract players more suited to a left-midfield or left-wing role at a fraction of his projected cost, whether on loan or not.

The right sider we truly need is the lad Dolan from Blackburn... quick, tricky player who takes players on and chips in with a few goals too and could provide a decent out-ball player for us when under the cosh. He's a lot younger as well!

+£95,000 a week (!!!) = defo No!

With all due respect, I'd rather see a list 1 year from today of wingers who moved for less than Harrison and actually had an impact.

I can recall multiple nominations from multiple posters this time last year concerning strikers we should sign. Broja, for example, was prominent among them. We missed out on his two goals last season.

And I remember the vivid agony expressed here 2 years ago, when we didn't sign Bellotti on a free. Still only 28 then, 100 Serie A goals, etc, etc, etc. He signed with Roma and has scored five goals in 60 league games since then.

Very often the players we miss out on... aren't really misses after all.

What about a list of wingers who are paid £90k per week and had only 3 assists last season?

He would be a big improvement on Harrison.

Slide Dwight into the middle and Doughty would be a fine addition. Not sure why you'd want to try him on the right though.

As the Gallagher Brothers would say: 'Definitely Maybe'!

I wouldn't have him back, he doesn't have enough pace to go past the full-back, his crossing has been hit and miss, and he hasn't chipped in with many goals.

I know he's spent most of his time standing on the full-back's toes defending and staying in shape but, when we do break forward, he can't be relied upon to not cough up possession or to whip in a decent cross.

Surely we can do better for the wage involved?

Well, splitting hairs a bit here but I am talking about talent rather than actual output with the benefit of hindsight.

But here's a few who could occupy the right-wing position and were on loan last season:

Guedes – 31 games, 9 goals and6 assists
Greenwood – 33 games, 8 goals and 6 assists
Dinkci – 33 games, 10 goals and 5 assists
Tillman – 28 games, 9 goals and 11 assists

All good output along with considerably more talent than Harrison. None of these deals were out of reach financially, albeit a variety of reasons why some may not have happened.

Tillman in particular was nailed on after an impressive loan at Glasgow Rangers the previous season. I am sure you know him well as a US international.

Full wages?? Gotta be worth it now Alli and Gomes are off the wage bill.

Our scouting team, if we've got any, should look harder!

I see potential there. Everybody seems to fixate on signings and finances like it is their own money but I say he's used to the club, Dyche and his teammates, so it is a low-risk acquisition.

Unless Leeds or he gets greedy, it seems like a reasonable move.

". slower than he looks".

Love it and absolutely spot on.

At the moment he helps add stability but he's never gonna hit the heights other widemen are capable of.

Players like Hudson Odoi for instance had a good season at Forest and may have been available. Harrison may not have there skill level but I suspect he's a much better team player.

I suspect it was all of the things you say. Given he was part of the Bielsa team and then comes to us playing in a different position and style.

I still think there is potential in him especially if Pep and Bielsa have seen something in him.

We can all look forward to some top quality tracking back.

In Harrison's defence last season he came in late with a minor back injury. I think he will improve as he will complete a full pre-season at Everton