Time for my annual look at the Everton squad and what we might need in order to stay safe and hopefully more next season. I’m going to look at the whole squad by position and will assume that we will play primarily in the sort of 4-5-1 or  4-4-1-1 formation that we saw Dyche using for the majority of last season. 

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford
Joao Virginia
Billy Crellin
Harry Tyrer

We look decently stocked here. Jordan Pickford (who I have been critical of in previous seasons) was excellent last season and carried that form into the Euros. He seems settled and happy here.

Virginia looks a decent number 2 and was good when needed last season; he may want more minutes but will hopefully stay.

Crellin and Tyrer are good young players and Tyrer had an excellent loan at Chesterfield last year.

Incomings

Article continues below video content


No real need. We’ve lost Lonergan and might want to add a senior backup but Virginia is capable if he wants to stay.

Left-Back

Vitalii Mykolenko|
Ashley Young
Elijah Campbell

Mykolenko was a good performer last season and will hopefully be back to full fitness, but the depth here is shallow. Campbell played at left-back back I believe against Sligo Rovers but is more of a centre-back usually. Young is a decent backup but we wouldn’t want him playing too many games. Perhaps McNeil or Coleman could fill in at a pinch.

Incomings

Some depth here would be useful but probably not a priority. Finding a new defender who is versatile and could fill a few positions (like Godfrey did) would make sense.

Right-Back

Nathan Patterson
Seamus Coleman
Ashley Young
Mason Holgate

There is better depth here but a lack of quality. It will be interesting to see how much faith Sean Dyche puts int Patterson but he has not offered the defensive solidity that the manager craves so far, in fact, the best thing for him might be a loan to a Championship team where he’ll start every game. 

Coleman and Young will always do their best but neither are ideal starters for long periods, so for me this is a priority area to improve in. Roman Dixon could be an option from the Under-21s but, as rapid as the youngster is, it would be a big step up. 

Incomings

Tete from Fulham would have seemed a good choice on a free but has signed an option agreement. Wan-Bissaka at £10-15M would seem a no-brainer.

Other options I like of varying plausibility include Marvin Seneya, Tiago Santos, Marc Pubill, Commencia, Lorenz Assignon, Valentin Gendrey, Bafode Diakite, Angelo Preciado, Lutshurel Geertruida, Issa Kabore.

Not sure I’ve seen any truly exciting options here so my pick is going to be Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce, who is a good all-round right-back who works hard and crucially is comfortable at left- or right-back, so would offer us flexibility.

Centre-Back

James Tarkowski
Jarrad Branthwaite
Michael Keane
Mason Holgate
Reece Welch

Tarkowski and Branthwaite have proved a very effective pair and the best news of the summer may yet be the likely stay of the latter. But again the depth is poor.

Keane is a decent deputy but not many want to see Holgate given minutes and I’d imagine Thelwell will be looking for another loan for him if possible. Welch is a decent young talent but not ready for the Premier League; Tyler Onyango could also feature here but is likewise not at Premier League level yet.

Incomings

A tricky one here as no incoming centre-back is likely to displace the preferred two. It may be that we get someone like Nathan Chalobah from Chelsea or Becir Omeragic who are mobile and good enough on the ball to play as a defensive right back instead.

Other options might be: Jorthy Mokio, Martin Vitik, Jayden Oosterwolde, Diego Coppola, Rav van den Berg, Jean Belocian, Ousmane Diomande, Jaka Bijol.

My top pick would be Jake O’Brien from Lyon. This guy is a monster at 6ft-6in but surprisingly agile and fast (he was able to keep up with Mbappe at times). He is good on the ball with a good right foot and decent left and crucially wins a lot of his duels, like Branthwaite. He would be a good replacement for Branthwaite when the time comes for him to move on… but could be a good first backup or defensive full-back until then.

Centre-Midfield

Idrissa Gana Gueye
Abdoulaye Doucouré
James Garner
Tim Iroegbunam
Dele Alli

Amadou Onana has gone for decent money without being a first pick for Sean Dyche, which leaves four senior midfielders (five if Dele Alli stays) for two spots, with Doucouré expected to play deeper this season.

Iroegbunam looks a talent and Garner proved dependable if not spectacular last season, so there is decent depth. My biggest issue is that none of these players is an obvious sitting defensive midfielder, they all like to roam around; but then having one of the strongest defences in the Premier League last season suggests this may not be too much of an issue.

If Gana can maintain his levels, he will be first pick alongside one of Garner or Doucouré or possibly Iroegbunam.

Incomings

A more disciplined defensive centre-midfielder might be useful but this does not look a priority right now despite some of the transfer links. If we did have to get someone, I'm surprised there's not been more buzz around Gabriel Sara, who was excellent for Norwich City last season.

Left-Wing and Right-Wing

Dwight McNeil
James Harrison
Iliman Ndiaye
Youssef Chermiti

McNeil we know well now and has proved mostly dependable. Harrison is a hard worker who I expect to offer more end product this season after a good pre-season.

Ndiaye I’d prefer to see behind the striker and Chermiti is also better centrally which means we need at least one more option here. Pace is something we lack out wide, which is why I especially wanted us to get Minteh but there are still plenty of good wingers out there.

Incomings

Some options may be: Jonathan Rowe, Loum Tchaona, Amad Diallo, Mathis Labourde, Johan Bakayoko, Mathias Soule, Luca Koleosho, Geny Catamo, Dilane Bakwa, Yaser Asprilla.

I know many are unconvinced but I still have a softspot for Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds. Perhaps it feels like unfinished business but I think he looks a very tricky customer when he’s in the mood and has that capacity to make something happen with a burst of speed and decent shooting off either foot. He managed 10 goals and 3 assists in under 2000 minutes last season, which is pretty decent for a 20-year-old who was in a grump and mostly not starting.

I also like the idea of loaning Jesper Lindstrøm, who also has a good burst of speed and can play across the front. It would be good to have more options as last year we relied so heavily on McNeill and Harrison (still not sure why Danjuma played so little).

Attacking-Midfield

Iliman Ndiaye
Abdoulaye Doucouré
Neal Maupay
Dele Alli
Youssef Chermitti

I’m hoping that this is where Ndiaye will play and I think he will be excellent there. He has sharp feet and good vision plus a strong work ethic, and should be exactly what Dyche needs in this spot.

Doucoure had his moments there last season but tailed off somewhat and will probably be used in the No 8 position he prefers.

Many have written off Neal Maupay who will probably be sold but he could be a wildcard here, he managed 8 goals and 4 assists (more than our forwards) in 1400 minutes last season, which is impressive; he can be a real nuisance in this spot rather than as a lone striker. 

And talking of wildcards will we see Alli feature?

Incomings

We're pretty well covered here. Not a priority, with Harrison and McNeil also options potentially.

Centre-Forward

Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Beto
Yousseff Chermiti
Neal Maupay
Iliman Ndiaye

Perhaps the big question that remains is the future of Calvert-Lewin. He’s our best centre-forward but I’m not sure we can allow him to run his contract down and leave for free. If he won’t sign, then I think any offer over £20M will have to be seriously considered.

Most people on here have very low opinions of Beto but his underlying statistics paint a slightly brighter picture and, if he were first choice, then I think he’d surprise some.

I’m also excited to see Chermitti progress, who may well end up being the best of all three but would benefit from getting more minutes this season somewhere.

Incomings

If Calvert-Lewin does leave I’d be happy enough with Beto and Chermitti but many would not so here are some options: Kelechi Iheanacho, Max Beier, Tammy Abraham, Tasos Douvikas, Jhon Dhuran, Armando Broja, Elijah Adebayo, Ben Brereton Diaz, Terem Moffi, Haji Wright.

If I had to pick one, I’d be curious for David Datro Fofana on loan but I’m not sure that he’s a significant upgrade on Beto or Chermiti. Ideally, I’d like Calvert-Lewin to sign a new contract and stay another year at least.

Transfer Business

Out:–

Amadou Onana – £55M
Ben Godfrey – £12M
Lewis Dobbin – £11M
Neal Maupay – £10M
Mason Holgate – on loan
Nathan Patterson – on loan

Total = £83M

In:–

Iliman Ndiaye – £17M
Tim Iroegbunam – £10M
Wilfried Gnonto – £20M
Ferdi Kadioglu – £18M
Jake O’Brien – £18M
Jesper Lindstrøm – on loan
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – new contract

Total = £83M

I think it’s highly unlikely that we will spend as much as we sell but given how unclear the financial situation is why not have fun! This would leave us a first team and bench something like:

Pickford
Kadioglu Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Gana Doucouré
Gnonto Ndiaye McNeil
Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Virginia, Young, O’Brien, Garner, Iroegbunam, Alli, Harrison, Lindstrøm, Chermiti, Beto.

I think that looks a pretty balanced team and crucially it’s a really strong bench with lots of options available to influence and change the game. The likes of Ndiaye, Gnonto and Lindstrøm should mean more goals and better, quicker transitions whereas Kadioglu and O’Brien will help keep us solid at the back.

I'm broadly speaking quite optimistic this season. The competition will be tougher as Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town look stronger than Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United but we have a pragmatic manager who should make us hard to beat.

Our finishing let us down so badly last season and, if we could be just a bit more clinical, then I'm hoping we might finish around 12th or 13th. In reality, given the lack of recent financial investment into the team, anything above the relegation zone would be the basic goal but I'm hopeful for more.  

Reader Comments (13)

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 ()


James Lawton
1 Posted 23/07/2024 at 14:11:53
Really enjoy and appreciate your posts, Sam.

Thanks!

Jonathan Tasker
2 Posted 23/07/2024 at 14:17:25
Decent summary but I think too much rose-tinted spectacles.

Desperately thin squad and I still expect Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin to be flogged for “undisclosed fees”.

Everton have been circling that drain for years. Dyche will need to perform another miracle to keep us up again.

Ndiaye is a good signing.

Eric Myles
3 Posted 23/07/2024 at 14:19:20
"Crucially it's a really strong bench with lots of options available to influence and change the game."

But is that really a priority / advantage if the manager is not going to use them?

Robert Tressell
4 Posted 23/07/2024 at 14:44:56
Bravo Sam 👏 enjoyable read albeit with a few mystery names in there for me to have a look at.

Eric, mad as this sounds - if the options from the bench are good players, then it is more likely they will be used.


Jay Harris
5 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:00:56
Sam,Its always enjoyable to discuss players and the squad as opposed to takeover failues and your knowledge of the wider football world is much appreciated.

I note two absentees from the players discussed that the media have consistently said we are pushing for that is Tchatchou and KAlvin Phillips. Do you know something we don't or have you just discounted them.

Phillips is an enigma for me. He may well turn out to be the steal of the season or just another short term flop. Tchatchou I don't know a lot about but he seems highly rated.

Like you I feel Beto will have a much better season and while he doesnt contribute as much as DCL in terms of holding play and leading the line to me he is a better chance taker and with more support from the flanks and Ndiaye I would expect him to be in double figures this season.

Denis Richardson
6 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:11:21
Thanks Sam - enjoyable read but I think we’ll be a underwhelmed by the eventual transfer activity.

As you note, RB is the obvious current weak spot. Dyche doesn’t rate Patterson and Coleman shouldn’t be playing more than 5-10 games imo. Wan Bissaka would be a decent shout but think he’s already talking to West Ham. If we had a decent pacy RB we may also see a better attacking version of Harrison. Not a Harrison fan myself but he’s here now.

I also think Beto is much maligned and we’ll see a better striker this season after he’s had a year to adjust. He can be a real handful on his day. DCL I can see being sold as we’re simply not in a position to let him run his contract down. I’d be happy giving Beto the mantle and reinvest the cash into a really good RB or pacy right winger. Chermiti looks like he’ll be good too.

We have a decent first XI, RB aside, but painfully thin bench. We’ll get injuries and suspensions so need a few more in. Coleman and Young playing just gives me the shivers. Both great servants but best years long gone. If either plays it just puts the wing under more pressure defensively. Would be ideal to find a RB who could also cover LB or CB (neither Keane nor Holgate should be playing).

At least there’s a few weeks until the window closes and we’ve already done some early business. I’m confident we’ll stay up this season, without the drama of last year. Predict Southampton, Ipswich and Palace struggling and Leicester look like they’ll be getting a points deduction. We should have finished mid table last season and I think we’ll have a better squad this season. Whatever people’s feelings about Dyche, he has brought some stability on the pitch.

Now if we could just get the off pitch shit show sorted….

Steve Shave
7 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:13:43
Good fun Sam, I took it with a pinch of salt and an understanding some of us more obsessive transfer nuts need to spend time daydreaming this stuff. I'm sure Robert and a few others relate too.

Lot's of possibilities can still play out as the window counts down. I hope we give Dom the new contract (or should I say I hope he accepts it) as I think he won't risk going into his last year with that injury record. I don't see us getting both Gnonto and Lindestrom, it will be one or the other and will rely on Ndaiye to occasionally play out wide.

Would love O'Brien too but can't see that unless Jarrad is sold. If we loan Lindestrom there may be some money left for a CM, my choice would be O'Reilly from Celtic.

Barry Rathbone
8 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:39:53
Be honest we have a keeper and 2 centre backs of requisite standard after that its all a bit iffy
James Marshall
9 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:40:35
Nice post, Sam - enjoyable read and food for thought.

There's an article appeared on the BBC from Beto you can read here Link where he talks about being motivated by hate, and claims he will shut peoples mouths.

A bold claim, one you appear to agree with to some degree. Time will tell!

Ian Bennett
10 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:54:16
The squad still looks a mess to me.

We will be a wash with players that want to play on the left, and fall into the same trap of no one natural on the right. Mcneil, Gnoto, ndiaye, Harrison all play best on the left.

Centre midfield looks light in terms of players who can play 6 or 8 strongly. Ndiaye, Lindstrom, Doucoure, Alli all play in the 10 spot.

Doucoure, Gana, Garner and Tim look an uninspiring engine room that is going to give up possession and control. Two long term injuries to Gana and Doucoure, and we are in shit street.

Sending Patterson on loan would be madness when the cover is Coleman and Young. You could easily see Coleman go into a back 2 or 3 as emergency cover, and we'd be left playing a 40 year old as right wing back.

Upfront an issue. Beto doesn't convince and Calvert Lewin has to be sold or given a free at the end of the season. Signing quality is going to be a challenge when there aren't good strikers about.

In
Left back - L Digne loan, Marcos Alonso free, Doughty Luton. Not sure if Alonso is fit after back problem.

Right back - I'd be all in for Wan Bissaka. He can play right back, and I think he could cover Centre back with his pace and man marking ability. If he's in, I'd sell Patterson.

Centre back - Trevor Chalobah on loan to buy would be sensible business. Chelsea didn't take him to the US, and Dyche could push him onto replace Tarkowski.

Right winger - I'd be on the phone to Villa for Philgene on loan. I am not convinced on Gnoto, and I think he'd be a better place holder for now. Asprilla Watford.

Center midfield - Ugochukwu Chelsea loan needs game minutes, Tessman, Perrone Man City. Not Philips, Melo, Rabiot or anyone else incapable of running. Mctominlay would provide size, goal threat and position cover. Matt Oriley gets the goal contribution as well. Amir Richardson.

Striker - Adebayo Luton. I'd buy him all day long. I think for £15-17m he'd be a no brainer.

Striker - Fofana, Broja, a recovering Bilal Toure,

Out
Keane
Holgate
Maupay
Beto
Calvert Lewin - no choice

Tom Bowers
11 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:57:10
All a matter of conjecture who is a starter and who isn't.

The new acquisitions and those pushing for a place from the bench etc. may have a big influence on the shape of the squad at the outset of the season.

I don't see much in the way of improvement from the existing players although a fully fit DCL would be a boost along with a better Beto and Chermitti.

Everton don't have the class or the speed that is needed to be a force on offense so I suspect it will be more of the same tactics by Dyche.

It's easy to list players who some would like to see acquired but many are just Summer rumors who don't excite me.

Julian Wait
12 Posted 23/07/2024 at 15:58:19
I saw Turkey play in person twice at Euro 2024 and I thought Ferdi Kadioglu was outstanding. He really caught the eye in a Philip Lahm / Leighton Baines kind of way.

I'd understood that Bayern were in for him but now United are being linked. We might have been able to pick him up 3 years ago, or even a year ago, but that ship has sailed, he'll be looking for Champions League football.

It would be a real coup if we could sign him but I just don't see it.

Martin Reppion
13 Posted 23/07/2024 at 16:06:20
Thanks for that Sam.
I get frustrated by the speculation, and remember fondly the days when players chose to come to Everton, even over our neighbours, as we were one of the big 5.
Not going for Wan-Bissaka amazes me. But what do we know? Thelwell could have approached his agent and been turned down.
I would also have taken a punt on bringing Ross Barkley back. He was outstanding last year in the number 6/8 role. (Tin hat at the ready).

Whatever happens, we know we have to bring in cover and maybe some first choices. If it means selling DCL, I would not be happy, but that's football.

I just hope that we get all the business done by the time the season starts and that deadline day is all about the final few unwanted players getting moved on.

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