Season › 2024-25 › News Everton bring Mangala back to Premier League on season-long loan Lyndon Lloyd 30/08/2024 57comments | Jump to last Everton have completed the acquisition of former Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala on loan from Olympique Lyonnais. The 26-year-old arrives at Goodison Park just weeks after signing for Lyon on a permanent basis having spent the second half of last season at the Ligue 1 club. on loan from the City Ground. Mangala spent two years at Nottingham Forest where he made 47 league appearances but spent the last few months on loan with Lyon before agreeing a £15m move at the beginning of July. “I feel really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," Mangala said on signing for the Toffees. "Everton is a big club. When I’ve played against Everton in the past, I’ve always felt there is a big fanbase here with a lot of passion for their club so it was an easy decision for me to come here. “I think I'm someone who is composed on the ball. I like to link up play in the midfield between the defensive players and the attack – hopefully a bit of a balance of everything. I’m feeling good and I’m ready to go. “I can’t wait to meet the fans at Goodison and to start my journey here. I want to help make it a special last season at Goodison and to help the Club reach our goals. Up the Toffees!” Mangala began his professional career in Germany with Stuttgart where he made over 100 appearances either side of a loan switch to Hamburg in 2018. He was picked up by Forest two years ago but was a victim of the East Midlands club's need to offload players for profit to satisfy PSR concerns earlier this summer. “We’re pleased to strengthen our midfield with the arrival of Orel," said Blues boss Sean Dyche. “We want competition for places throughout our squad and his loan signing gives us extra options and adds depth to our midfield. “Orel has Premier League experience, which is important to help him adjust as quickly as possible, and his performances for Belgium and in Europe underline the quality he can bring to us at Everton.” Reader Comments (57) 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 () Trevor Bailey 1 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:17:25 According to "Sports Witness", Mangala is done and dusted. Paul Ferry 2 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:22:47 Mangala is done and dusted.So, why the fuck are we getting him then? Everton that. Fucking typical. Liam Mogan 3 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:37:30 Mangala is a player who 'has felt it, smelt it and knows what it is about'Am I the only one disturbed by this creepy description by our manager? Paul Ferry 4 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:41:33 I wish that Dyche would do a fucking English language "O"-level. I mean "felt", "smelt"! I know that's he's a far-right skinhead, but can he be coached on appropriate and fitting words and language? Mike Gaynes 5 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:42:59 Liam, at least he will know not to step in it.But seriously, he's a decent player and we need the depth at that position. Gana is 35 and there's no way he can play every game. Brian Williams 6 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:45:16 Fuck all wrong with Dyche's English. Leave him alone or you'll be sleeping with the fishes. (Actually should be fish as fish covers singular or plural.)Anyway. If you don't wanna get felt or smelt, zip yer clack. Robert Williams 7 Posted 30/08/2024 at 17:53:57 I haven't felt it or smelt it for a long time and I often wonder what it was all about! Mike Gaynes 8 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:31:51 Team announcement re Mangala. Welcome, sir. You look good in the shirt.“I feel really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started. Everton is a big club. When Ive played against Everton in the past, Ive always felt there is a big fanbase here with a lot of passion for their club so it was an easy decision for me to come here.“I think I'm someone who is composed on the ball. I like to link up play in the midfield between the defensive players and the attack – hopefully a bit of a balance of everything. Im feeling good and Im ready to go.“I cant wait to meet the fans at Goodison and to start my journey here. I want to help make it a special last season at Goodison and to help the Club reach our goals. Up the Toffees!”The scouting reports and EPL stats I've seen from his time with Forest show him to be a tough tackler and ballwinner who knows how to pass the ball and not turn it over. Only time I can remember seeing him play was when we won 0-1 at Forest last December on Dwight's half-volley rocket. He played the full 90 at center mid. Ray Jacques 9 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:39:03 Welcome to the mad house son. Best of luck.COYB Paul Tran 10 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:43:33 We've got L'Orél. Will he be worth it? Christy Ring 11 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:44:06 Wish him a big welcome and hope he can shore up our midfield after being overrun in the first two games. Martin Berry 12 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:47:13 I think he will be a good signing for Everton due to what he is in midfield and a good fit.Reading his profile, he appears to break up the opposition's play and pass forward, a No 6 and maybe another Peter Reid type player. Danny O’Neill 13 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:50:45 Welcome to the Blues lad.He spoke very well in his interview on the official site.He will add to our midfield and sounds confident. Dave Cook 14 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:53:13 Is it just on loan or did we get the option to buy?Also, what is it with us and Belgian defensive mids? Fellani, then Onana and now this lad haha. Best of luck to him though. Justin Doone 15 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:54:39 I'm not sure why Forest sold him, he appeared to be a good defensive midfielder. Probably a little faster and stronger than Gana but I think he collects yellows cards for fun.Hope he does well and can sign him permanently at a reasonable price. Alternatively if he stinks, we leave him well alone. Probably Gana's final season so likely replacement. Mike Hayes 16 Posted 30/08/2024 at 18:56:34 Good luck and let's hope he settles in. 💙 Ben King 17 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:01:03 Really good to get some quality strength in depth in such an important position. Probably allows Garner to play emergency right back if required too.The midfield area ‘should' be more combative for sure and assuming we keep Branthwaite and he can get/stay fit then we're looking reasonably solid.Just need to figure out how we get goals is all…. Dave Cook 18 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:04:01 Justin @6, All down to PSR I believe. Christy Ring 19 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:08:49 Ben #8,A strong midfield will give us a more attacking option if Dyche plays 4-3-3 instead of isolating our striker, in my opinion. Denis Richardson 20 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:13:06 Orel Mangala – sounds like a Bond villain. Or am I thinking of Joseph Mengele? Eddie Smith 21 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:40:37 Who is thinking Dyche now has the excuse to drop Iroegbunam for the more experienced Belgian international Mangala? Yes, we can read him like a book. Unfortunately, so can the rest of the Premier League. Tom Bowers 22 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:45:11 OJ returns. Hope he can do a good job. Colin Glassar 23 Posted 30/08/2024 at 19:54:04 Welcome lad. Next time you're in Euston station be careful of the baldy dwarf. He's a bit if a nutter. Barry Rathbone 24 Posted 30/08/2024 at 20:01:28 Just watched the Mangala showreel and he looks a good 'un - physically strong, comfortable with the ball and tackles cleanly. Seems more composed than Onana so if he works out he really is a steal. Jack Convery 25 Posted 30/08/2024 at 20:33:35 Veel geluk, Orel Mangala. You have arrived at a club that will make an indelible mark on your soul. Give it your all and we will give you 100% support. I reckon this is a signing we will look back on as so important. I hope I am right but I've got real positive vibes about this lad. Jay Evans 26 Posted 30/08/2024 at 20:33:42 Signed from … wait for it … Lyon. 🤔 Ralph Basnett 27 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:05:39 Unfortunately, when you have Sean Dyche as your manager we cannot expect to see this lad until Young, Holgate, Keane, Coleman etal have had a runout. Brian Williams 28 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:08:32 Zzzzzzzzzz. Rob Dolby 29 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:20:27 Ralph and Eddie have you seen Waldorf and stadler?Dyche has signed the players to strengthen the very weak team. The usual Dyche won't play kids, give players a chance is very tiring. Look at what we have to play with.Ipswich are outspending us, wake up and smell the coffee.We are in deep shit again it's not Dyches fault. He is responsible for keeping us in this league for 2 years. Rob Halligan 30 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:21:50 Unfortunately Ralph, he was signed too late to play tomorrow, otherwise, according to what you say, he would have played seeing as Young, Keane, Holgate and Coleman have all had a run out already this season. Though why he was signed to play in the back four god knows, seeing as all the ones you mention are defenders. Brent Stephens 31 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:29:33 As Brian #17 says. Eddie Smith 32 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:40:24 Rob Dolby, I bet you still have pictures of Bill Kenwright on your bedroom wall. Dont yer! Tommy Carter 33 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:46:17 @12 Eddie. Well if one thing is for sure this season. Its that our manager values ‘experience Robert Tressell 34 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:46:39 Like Iroegbunam we have signed him purely because he was available. But like Iroegbunam I think he could also be a popular signing for us. The recruitment team have done okay on incomings and - with Branthwaite and DCL staying - played a blinder on outgoings. Brian Williams 35 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:50:26 Robert, that's rubbish, sorry. Kunal Desai 36 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:54:08 Again, we are short in numbers. Similar to last season it'll be less than 40 league goals we'll score. Where is the pace in the side and any ammunition for DCL to be supplied with? Robert Tressell 37 Posted 30/08/2024 at 21:54:52 Which bit is rubbish Brian? Rob Dolby 38 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:01:38 Eddie, who have you got on your wall? Mo Salah? Brian Williams 39 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:03:37 Robert. The bit "we've signed him purely because he was available."Just silly that mate. Tommy Carter 40 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:04:34 @20 RobThe feeling generally is that different players should be considered ahead of the players he selects when you knowThey arent good enough. Most evertonians recognise that Keane and Young are not good enough to perform at premier league level. And the idea is that a different player being included cannot possibly do any worse. These two players are a liability at this level. We know this. It is assured. So the hope is that a different player comes in and is some kind of an improvement. And that can only be tested by playing them. If they turn out to not be an improvement, or somehow even worse, then at least its been tested and we will know. However Dyche felt he knew best and has delivered and appalling start to the season. And its not in a bid to protect the new or young players. Its all self serving and he is implying that the players the club have signed are no better than Young and Keane. His selections at the start of last season implied that he felt that Michael Keane was better than Branthwaite and its no more complicated than that. Honestly I cant think of a worse player in the premier league currently than Young. A 39 year old makeshift full back. And Dyche will start both Young and Keane tomorrow. And when we dont get a result, hell arrogant enough to still think that hes right Brian Williams 42 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:19:31 Tommy. What are your thoughts on this post?Branthwaite isn't injured. He's not playing because he will be moving to Manchester United.Clearly he and Manchester United have agreed their terms and it is now just between Everton and Man Utd to settle the terms.............................. Robert Tressell 43 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:24:02 Maybe Brian - but 11th hour, only just signed for Lyon, didn't appear to be any interest whatsoever until Lyon commence a fire sale... so you can see what I'm getting at. Probably wasn't very high up the wish list (or even on it) before he very randomly became available. Maybe that is just a bit silly though. Whatever the case, like I say I think he'll be popular if he stays fit. Paul Birmingham 48 Posted 30/08/2024 at 22:38:02 Welcome to Everton Orel, and the best of good luck and success!UTFTs! Soren Moyer 49 Posted 30/08/2024 at 23:33:47 The man with 3 lungs, so they say! Jay Harris 50 Posted 30/08/2024 at 23:54:13 I just hope he is not another Gbamin and quickly gets up to the pace of the Prem. Bob Parrington 52 Posted 31/08/2024 at 01:11:29 As mentioned on a previous article, I've liked what I've seen of Mangala when he was playing for Forest. He's strong on the ball, tackles well, links well between defence and attack, doesn't give in and seldom tires.Jay, he's had enough experience in the EPL with Forest! Welcome to Everton, Orel. Frank Wolfe 53 Posted 31/08/2024 at 01:49:43 Overall, given the limitations of our budget I would say Everton have done a pretty good job in the transfer department. The only question mark in my mind is not sorting out the DCL situation (ie selling or extending the contract) but I guess the club was in a difficult position with the player having all the power. Regarding who plays this weekend, please remember a) it's a long season and b) the manager can play different systems and players depending on the opposition. We need cover but also flexibility. Si Cooper 54 Posted 31/08/2024 at 02:19:46 We all knew (well, should have known) that there wasnt going to be a flood of new recruits this summer and overall Id say weve come out of the transfer window with some improvements (players still to prove themselves) and not weakened.The biggest question mark is of course the future of DCL but with him still here all possible ones are still open. Just have to hope hes fully motivated no matter what may come.Right back and left back areas are thin but there are some options before Young has to play. Hopefully the manager has seen enough to convince him the player hasnt accepted / adapted to how big the gap between his actual reactions / pace and the player he still is in his own head has now grown.Id pretty much trust Iroegbunam, Ndiaye and Dixon to perform at the level required already. If Lindstrom, Mangala, Broja, Pattinson, Chermiti, Beto, Armstrong, Mills, OBrien can all adapt, recover from injury, step up to the next level, or whatever then we should have a decent enough squad. Derek Knox 55 Posted 31/08/2024 at 05:44:32 Does anyone know if O J (Orel Johnson) Mangala would be available to play against Bournemouth, or was the Transfer completed too late ? Mark Wynne 56 Posted 31/08/2024 at 05:59:38 Youll forever see other teams seemingly getting their players registered well in time and blooding them at the earliest opportunity Derek. This is however not the Everton way. Our deadline day signings seem to be registered by sticking the paperwork in the second class post during a postal strike. Even when they are finally registered, they will be inexplicably left on the bench during an Injury crisis while Sean Dyche experiments with Asmir Begovic on the wing, because he has proven premier league experience. Paul Ferry 57 Posted 31/08/2024 at 06:05:07 Erm Mark - 56 - relax, put your efforts into a win today, he wouldn't have played anyway. Sean Turtle 58 Posted 31/08/2024 at 06:28:17 Jay Harris (50), he made over 50 PL appearances for Forest, so he isn't an unknown in that respect. Ray Roche 59 Posted 31/08/2024 at 09:09:55 Del, I believe that Managala would have to have been signed by 12-00 noon to be eligible to play? Rob Halligan 60 Posted 31/08/2024 at 09:22:24 Mark # 56……..I can 100% guarantee you that you will not see Raheem Sterling in the Arsenal squad for todays game. Brian Williams 61 Posted 31/08/2024 at 10:13:25 Rob#60Rob I take it Branners will be in the squad today because remember he's not injured. ;-) Jay Evans 62 Posted 31/08/2024 at 10:30:55 This time next year Zaha will be a toffee, wait and see. If Mr Textor is successful with his takeover it could be as soon as January. Let the multi ownership play roster insider trading world of modern football roll.By the way, welcome to the greatest club in the world Orel and Armando. Scott Hamilton 63 Posted 31/08/2024 at 10:41:49 Jay, “welcome to the greatest club in the world Orel and Armando”……I thought theyd both signed for us?! LOL! 😜 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