29/01/2025 78comments  |  Jump to last

Fears that Orel Mangala damaged ligaments in his knee during Everton's game against Brighton last Saturday appear to have been confirmed by the Belgian press.

The midfielder remained prone on the turf at the Amex Community Stadium after a heavy challenge with an opponent late in the Blues' 1-0 win and hobbled off in visible pain.

Early indications suggested that he had suffered a serious knee injury and a report by Het Nieuws Blad in his native Belgium claims that scans on his knee have confirmed that he has ruptuered his anterior cruciate ligement.

That will involve surgery and at least six months on the sidelines, prematurely ending both his season and his increasingly productive loan spell at Everton.

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The news comes as a huge blow to both the player and the Club who will very likely to be forced into the transfer market for both a centre-forward and a central midfielder after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was forced off earlier in the same match with a torn hamstring.

Everton have an option to make Mangala's loan move from Lyon permanent this summer but both the nature of the injury and the lenghthy rehabilitation required will have thrown his future with the Blues into considerable doubt.

 

Reader Comments (78)

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Steve Brown
1 Posted 29/01/2025 at 06:30:15
Mangala is a very tidy midfielder who does the basics well.

He starts most of our patterns of play, is productive in his passing, and he is the outball for the keeper and defence. He also has a decent shot on him.

He is one of those players who you only really miss when they are unavailable. I think his absence will cause us issues unless Garner is ready, as I don’t see Gueye, Doucs, or Tim Iro filling that role with confidence.

Lee Courtliff
2 Posted 29/01/2025 at 06:46:35
Very bad news for both player and club, I just hope he makes a full recovery and regains his previous abilities. That'll probably be the last we see of him in a Blue shirt, I think he'll be remembered quite fondly by most of us.
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 29/01/2025 at 06:47:27
Fingers out, messrs Friedkin, Thelwell & Moyes. Time has almost ran out.
Ian Bennett
4 Posted 29/01/2025 at 06:51:21
He plays well with Gana. Tidy on the ball, it allows Gana to go hunting on the press.

He will be a miss for us this season. Not sure what the transfer fee would be to get him though. I assume this is a lengthy spell on the sideline, ruling out a perm summer moves?

James Hughes
5 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:02:26
I recall some genius saying on Saturday that Mangala should have stayed on the pitch and hung around half way line to keep defenders occupied.
Good job they are not looking after the players, Get well soon Orel
Phil Sammon
6 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:02:44
Been impressed with him and this is a big loss. The best of our midfield trio with the ball at his feet. Not afraid to have a shot either.

I think I’d sit Doucoure in Mangala’s spot and give the attacking mid role to someone who can control, pass or dribble a football.

Sam Hoare
7 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:10:56
A real shame as he and Gueye had formed our best looking midfield partnership in a long time with a mixture of solid defense and composure/accuracy on the ball. Garner will do well to match Mangala’s level and Iroegbunam is at least one level below currently I’m afraid.

To lose Broja and Mangala and possibly DCL all to long term injuries within a month is very unfortunate and gives Moyes and Thelwell a real January headache with pressure to replace at a time the market is at it’s trickiest.

Jack Convery
8 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:15:04
A big loss for the rest of the season. He's been very good and alongside Gueye, they've been really good together. It would be a real pity but I reckon we won't see him in blue again. The curse is back - get 2 fit and 3 are injured.

Being practical but as he's on loan can we now cancel the loan and get someone else in during this window or is it another Broja situation ?

Christy Ring
9 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:32:38
A big blow and loss, badly need a replacement in, Doucoure isn’t the answer. Still wondering why the club hasn’t given an update on both injuries?
Sam Hoare
10 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:48:28
Jack, it is up to the parent club whether they cancel the loan and they would negotiate with us to pay a chunk of the injured players wages. These are the conversations we are likely having right now with Chelsea and Lyon over Broja and Mangala. The Chelsea conversation is more pertinent as we’re only allowed two domestic loans whereas I think there is no limit on loans from foreign clubs.
Niall McIlhone
11 Posted 29/01/2025 at 07:48:41
Mangala is a big loss, but as other posters have said, we do have central midfielders such as Garner, Iregobunham, Armstrong as well as those more often played wide- Harrison and Lindstrøm,who are versatile enough to fill in should injuries occur? This does not mean any would adequately replace Mangala, who had developed a very effective partnership with Gana, but I feel our manager will know best as to how to keep the defensive midfield unit functional.
I have suggested previously on TW that Everton should consider making a moderate bid for Harrison Reid at Fulham; yes, he is 30 years old, and has lost his place in the first team this season, but he is a very effective defensive midfield player with PL experience at a good level.
I say this in the knowledge that many T’ webbers might scoff at his age, but we are shedding a large number of players at the end of the season, and we really ought to be pairing Gana with another experienced head like Reid, having Jimmy, Tim and young Armstrong available to come in when needed.

Finally, give Gana another year. He is so important to us, and he still has the legs. That performance at Brighton was absolutely top drawer, as demonstrated by the appreciation shown to him by fans and team mates alike straight after the game.

Si Pulford
12 Posted 29/01/2025 at 08:00:50
Huge loss. Another poster mentioned that you don’t know how good a player is until they’re not there. Well we will see just how good this guy is in the next few weeks. Because from my seat he had become indispensable. This is a huge loss.
Jerome Shields
13 Posted 29/01/2025 at 08:30:10
Hopefully he will recover soon.Everton has other midfielders approaching fitness, but Managla will be a loss.The not able to pass Doucoure is not the answer.
Ian Wilkins
14 Posted 29/01/2025 at 08:45:55
Sad news for player and team.
He has been one of if not the stand out player in recent times. Does exactly what is required from centre midfield, we’re going to miss him.
Returning Garner/ Tim are not natural replacements to my mind, and with lengthy periods out will take a while to get up to speed.
Doucoure will have to drop back and he’s having a poor time.
With limited funds, and limited player availability, what short term fixes can we muster in the key positions of centre midfield and forward line…,
For me this is not a fingers crossed, muddle through situation, we must find solutions.
This squad is now woefully under strength.
Over to you Thelwell/ Moyes.
Sam Hoare
15 Posted 29/01/2025 at 08:50:33
Jerome, whoscored has Doucoure with a pass accuracy of 84% which is 4th in our squad and very respectable. Mangala is top with 90%, we will miss his security in possession.

Iroegbunam and Garner, though with less minutes are around 72% with Young and Harrison. Doucoure may not be the most incisive but he gets some undeserved flack on here as one of the current whipping boys.

Dave Abrahams
16 Posted 29/01/2025 at 09:50:57
James (5), It’s a good job Moyes and his coaching staff didn’t understand the substitutes rule because they were trying to get him back on the pitch!
James Hughes
17 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:04:11
Dave, what really ? I was only listening to the live feed and they didn't mention that. Not for the first time that I am lost for words
Alan J Thompson
18 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:12:08
James(#5&17); I don't remember making the suggestion to send him back out on any live feed but I'll accept your apology that I mentioned that, like the Everton medical staff on the day, would have asked him to go back out and stand on the halfway line. Try thinking for yourself rather than jumping on somebody else's bandwagon.
Paul Hewitt
19 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:18:47
Good luck in your recovery. And hopefully one day we will see you back in a blue shirt.🤞
John Keating
20 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:30:55
Before we had subs anyone who had an injury which should have resulted in him being taken off was just put on the halfway line.
I seem to remember Derek Temple - or Jimmy Ring???? - around 1960ish getting a normal tackle around the neck and somehow getting their leg and arm done in.
After the trainer run on with a wet cloth for about 10 seconds to clean the blood, the player was just told to stand on the byline at the half way line for the remainder of the match.
Unless a player had at least a compound fracture of both legs then he wasn't taken off.
Mind you those days even with a compound fracture, they still played the next Saturday!
Brian Harrison
21 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:37:15
Reports last night suggested it was an ACL which is an awful injury and means he will be out for many months, a real shame because his partnership with Gana was getting better week by week.
Alan J Thompson
22 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:44:02
John(#20); Tommy Ring? They were things of legend, players being sent back out as you were only substituted in the next game, i.e. dropped, due to injury. My first memory was Roy Dwight for Notts Forest in the 1957(?) Cup Final v.Luton staying on with, I think, a broken arm or shoulder injury. Nor do I remember anyone taking over from Bert Trautman with a broken neck. Different days.
Kim Vivian
23 Posted 29/01/2025 at 10:45:34
Much along the lines of what Si Pulford says - He is, without doubt, going to be a big miss bug I suspect this might be a player who gets better every week until the end of the season.
Colin Crooks
24 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:03:47
Dave 16

There was no way of knowing the extent of the injury during those brief seconds. Mangala actually wanted to see if he could run it off. It soon became apparent that he couldnt.

The suggestion that we should put a player known to be injured, back on the pitch to stand on the half way line to occupy a defender is so undeniably Zingari.

"Fuck your broken leg. Get back on here you fucken fanny. I've got a fiver riding on this"

Derek Knox
25 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:09:59
I concur with comments that Mangala had developed a steady partnership with Gana, and that was looking a good prospect to make his loan a permanent move. Of course most of that dashed now. Just when we seemed to be putting a run together. He will be missed.

Also very concerned, apart from the rumours, that we seem unlikely, at this point, to get any new faces through the door before the deadline on Monday 3rd February. Mind you, all transfer windows, seem to be dangerously strung out to the last hour.

Some deals obviously missing it because of the lateness to achieve agreements, medicals, etc.

Joe McMahon
26 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:14:49
This is a kick in the teeth for Orel and us. The midfield is so much better with him in.
Edward Rogers
27 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:16:58
Niall@11

Good shout on Harrison Reed, always looked a tidy player when I've watched him. As long as they don't throw a 6 year contract his way!!! By the way, he only turned 30 this week.

Alan J Thompson
28 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:18:15
Wow, Colin(#24), are you part of the medical staff, just a lip reader or have little opinion of Everton's touchline medical staff and did you really have a fiver on him going back out?
Dave Abrahams
29 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:18:19
Colin (24), I’m not suggesting any of the staff would intentionally want an injured player to go back on the field but there was a lot more than those brief seconds—- he was looked at for much longer than that after the initial injury while lying on the field, he then got up and walked off the field, I thought he was waiting to come back on before it was decided he couldn’t carry on, at that stage I think a lot of fans, including me, didn’t realise it was too late to use a substitute, did the bench know that?
Dave Abrahams
30 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:18:19
Colin (24), I’m not suggesting any of the staff would intentionally want an injured player to go back on the field but there was a lot more than those brief seconds—- he was looked at for much longer than that after the initial injury while lying on the field, he then got up and walked off the field, I thought he was waiting to come back on before it was decided he couldn’t carry on, at that stage I think a lot of fans, including me, didn’t realise it was too late to use a substitute, did the bench know that?
Martin Berry
31 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:23:09
Orel is a quality player. I am sure we all hope that his injury is not as bad as the speculation.
He will be a great loss in the engine room and if we were also to lose Gueye then I don't know what would happen, reinforcements needed for an enforcer type player.
Get well soon Orel and thanks for your commitment and effort, would love to sign you on a permanent deal when all is well.
Colin Crooks
32 Posted 29/01/2025 at 11:31:28
I knew what you meant Dave.

The player was down getting treatment for quite a while - Personally I thought he was milking it at first.. but once he was off and trying to shake it off the idea of him coming back on only lasted a couple of seconds.

He was the first to know that wasnt happening.

Moyes and his staff didnt quite know what to do. To be fair, it was an unusual incident and would have caught most people out

Graham Mockford
33 Posted 29/01/2025 at 12:13:24
Alan J Thompson

You accused me on the match day thread of being Mystic Meg when I called out your ridiculous suggestion that ‘ I'd have sent Mangala out just to stand on the halfway line to keep one defender and their keeper back with him.’

I pointed out the fact he tried to get back out there but lasted 30 seconds suggested a serious injury and would probably make it worse.

If I was in a hole I’d stop digging

James Hughes
34 Posted 29/01/2025 at 12:13:38
Alan #18 please could you tell me where I mentioned you? until you replied I would not have a scooby-doo it was you, and I think others, may have said the same.

Also where did I apologise and who's bandwagon have I jumped on?

Your post makes no sense.

Rob Jones
35 Posted 29/01/2025 at 12:45:57
Nobody knew how injured he was, so it's hard to place blame on either the coaching team or the player, who clearly didn't want to come off, and thought he could run it off.

As it is, we're without a very good player. Let's hope Lyon are willing to be accommodating.

Eddie Dunn
36 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:21:58
Very sad for player and club. He was our most productive midfielder.
As for the nonesense, dumping guilt on Alan J Thompson. behave yourselves! -it was in the heat of battle and we were hanging on to our lead. Hindsight is a marvellous thing.
Eddie Dunn
37 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:27:09
Incidentally, I somehow missed that John Hollingsworth has left as head medic.
He left in November and was best known for his prompt action on the Gomes horror injury.
Good luck John.
Brian Wilkinson
38 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:34:19
Been a great addition in our midfield, however it could now open all doors in the transfer window.

Send him back with a view of getting back in the summer window, frees up a loan spot.

Send Broja back to Chelsea in exchange for Chukwuemeka, that sorts the midfield exchange out.

With still a loan spot remaining, try to get Ferguson in, with a loan to buy option.

Bring Igamane in from Rangers as replacement for Beto.

What you have then is two injured players off the book and three young players coming in, all under the age of 23.

Another player I would look at as an option is James McAtee from City.

May sound a bit harsh and brutal, but we have to think of our club before the window shuts.

Christy Ring
39 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:40:45
John#20 It was my dad's first cousin Tommy Ring, it was against Chelsea, he broke his leg, the keeper came running out, if I remember rightly. When he recovered Catterick had replaced Carey, didn't fancy him, and sold him on.
Tony Abrahams
40 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:46:28
I’m aware professional football, is a very hard game, and midfielders have got to be able to do a little bit of everything, but when I think about our current midfield players then I think Everton, are gonna really miss Mangala, because he’s the only midfield player who is really comfortable on the ball.

He’s not the quickest though, so hopefully James Garner, comes back into the team and helps take Everton, to a higher level🤞

Brian Wilkinson
41 Posted 29/01/2025 at 13:54:07
We need to learn from Ali, Barkley, Delph, and to an extent Calvert -Lewin, three of the players we nursed on the sidelines, Calvert-Lewin still not signed a contract but we will get him fit for his next club in the summer.

Be brutal for a change, get two of the loan signings off our books, to allow two to come in as replacements.

We may even get Mangala at a lower price in the summer and by all accounts could be out for the remainder of the season.

Sentiment needs to go out of the window, we simply cannot have 2 players onloan out for most of the season stopping two loan signings from coming in, they need to be sent back to their parent clubs, harsh on Mangala I know but the best option available.

Mick O'Malley
42 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:11:53
Eddie spot on, getting sick of the pile ons, as you said it was in the heat of battle, I was thinking the same thing as Alan when I realised we were down to 10 men, we all post stuff that not everyone agrees with, but we're all entitled to our views,
Dave Abrahams
43 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:14:59
Christy (39), Yes Tommy broke his leg v Chelsea in a 3-3 draw, I think Reg Mathews was the Chelsea goalkeeper, not sure that Catterick didn’t fancy him, if he didn’t need had a bleedin cheek, Tommy was only here for a short time but left a lasting impression not just with me but most fans who saw him.

I think it might have been the case that a broken leg and Tommy’s age took it’s toll on him, I think he went to Barnsley after Everton, like another Everton left winger Eddie O’Hara, and then he possibly went back to Scotland but he made many admirers in his short time here, a Scottish international with Clyde who kept the famous Billy Liddell out of many international games.

Alan J Thompson
44 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:21:06
Graham(#33); You either stated or came across as knowing the full extent of Mangala's injury which Everton's medical team didn't seem to know until he'd had scans taken, which hole are you in?

James(#34); Sorry, perhaps you could tell us who you were talking about or merely commenting on something somebody else wrote about somebody and something about which you had absolutely no knowledge of at all, is that your defence? And you think I'm making no sense?

Try putting it into timing and context.

On match day about 30 minutes before kick off I look at team selection and make comment, sometimes not.

Then at half time I submit my thoughts on the first half and when the game has finished comment on the second half and my thoughts on the game overall.

I don't remember you, James, commenting at that time and as you have said you only have "live action", wasit.

Ben King
45 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:21:47
Brian #41

If there’s a contract in place (which there most certainly is) how do you legally send them back if the parent club doesn’t agree to void the contract?

How exactly does that work mate?

Nigel Scowen
46 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:27:50
Ben@45

I guess we would pay the entirety of the loan fee/wages up front Ben on the proviso they take the player back and terminate the loan.

Kevin Molloy
47 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:32:27
reckon Dom's injury's probably cost him up to ten million quid. Was probably expecting to be able to negotiate a four year contract, I reckon he'll get two now, with option for a third. And at reduced wages.
Minik Hansen
48 Posted 29/01/2025 at 14:56:20
Ironic 2018 how the then loanee Eliquim Mangala from Manchester City, also suffered a setback due to a knee injury, though he only played twice for us.
Steve Boardman
49 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:02:20
Christy (39) and Dave (43) I have distant memories of watching Tommy Ring and Micky Fell (on the other wing?) in the very first games my dad took me to. It was around 1960 and I think I saw one of them get a hat-trick but please correct me if I am wrong!
Christy Ring
50 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:06:51
Dave#43 Dave that’s right, he went to Barnsley, Aberdeen, and a few smaller clubs. I know his age didn’t help, but I believe Harry Catterick thought he was gone past it. Myself my brother and my Scottish first cousin were invited over to Clyde FC a good few years back, when he was inducted into the hall of fame, we had one of his Scottish jerseys and one of his caps, brought it over for their museum. The only drawback, we were introduced to their manager at the time, Barry Ferguson, wasn’t very nice, probably didn’t help we’re big Celtic fans.
James Marshall
51 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:11:51
Just as Garner comes back, we lose Mangala, and probably for good. Unless we buy him he'll likely never play for us again.

What a disaster.

Ed Prytherch
52 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:14:12
Steve, Micky Lill was the other winger.
Christy Ring
53 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:24:17
Steve, Tommy scored 2 against Chelsea, don’t think he scored a hat-trick. I don’t know if any of ye knew, Tommy scored the winner for Clyde in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic, but he was a big hoops fan, so when he signed for Everton, the fee was around £12, 000, Clyde told him Celtic only offered £8,000, he found out years later they offered
£14,000? Clyde wouldn’t sell him to Celtic!
Steve Boardman
54 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:32:59
Christy, thanks for the very quick update and Ed (52), you're absolutely right. My mistake, I meant Micky Lill. Imagine have two wingers who could both cross the ball those were the days!
Mark Taylor
55 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:40:21
It seems injury strikes our lesser players, which is our bad luck. Mangala was becoming one of the first names on the team sheet. If there is one small ray of hope, it is that a bad rupture would surely not see him even try to get back on the pitch, but even so, can't see him playing again this year.

I tend to agree about DCL. He made a very high risk choice, to hope he could get a long, well paid contract elsewhere and ignore our offer. I had my doubts that would be from a top 6 side, because I don't think he is good enough to be a first choice for any of them, and others might be reluctant to pay top dollar for a guy with a bad injury record as their first choice striker. Even more so now. He may even end up having to settle for our offer, that is assuming we don't reduce it.

Peter Mills
56 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:52:38
In years gone by, if a goalie was injured and an outfield player replaced him in the net, it was not uncommon for the keeper to return to the field to fulfil a “nuisance” role on the left wing.

I seem to to remember Andy Rankin doing it with his arm in a sling.

Graham Mockford
58 Posted 29/01/2025 at 15:56:53
Alan 44

Nope I never claimed to know the extent of injuries I merely surmised that as the lad tried to return to the game, lasted no time at all and went off leaving the team down to 10 men he was likely to have picked up an injury which playing on would likely lead to more damage.

You still sticking to your he should of stayed on nonsense?

Robert Williams
59 Posted 29/01/2025 at 16:02:34
Really gutted with this news, for me Mangala has been one of the stand out performers for us since we had him in. What a pity, really feel sorry for the lad.
Les Callan
60 Posted 29/01/2025 at 16:08:35
Steve @ 54. We did also have a winger called Jimmy Fell.
John Hall
61 Posted 29/01/2025 at 16:09:28
Let's hope that Moyes and his team will learn the 3 substitution time slots rule (as well as any h/t subs) and use them wisely in future. Granted, he messed it up in the last game because of using one sub for DCL early on. Let's hope he does better next time and uses the extra option of a h/t sub so all subs can be used when needed and not have us being with 10 men for 20 mins!
Jay Harris
62 Posted 29/01/2025 at 16:59:51
Its a great shame about Mangala, Acl is a bad injury and what finished my career in the late 60s but medical treatment has moved on significantly so it is not career ending but will put him out till the end of the season I believe.

He was just beginning to settle nicely and I am sure would have wanted a permanent transfer in the Summer.

However Tim Ironbraugham is a very similar player, and we have Jimmy Garner back now too. The big question is what we can do with our loan players to facilitate some incoming and what is the budget for acquisitions. Hopefully the club have learned from these "loan injuries and will apply clauses to loan agreements in the future.

Mike Gaynes
63 Posted 29/01/2025 at 17:16:03
Mangala was playing so well. Sad for him and the team.

Neither Timmy nor Jimmy can fully replace Orel this weekend. The former isn't even back in the side and the latter will certainly not be game fit after his long absence. He got 12 minutes in at BHA.

If Moyes persists with the 4-2-3-1 alignment, we may see Doucoure starting next to Gana.

David West
64 Posted 29/01/2025 at 17:25:37
Will probably mean Harrison coming in and dacoure dropping back.
Play Harrison left if he's in team. Ndiaye behind Beto, Lindstrom right side.

Tony Waring
65 Posted 29/01/2025 at 17:39:00
Good to hear a mention of Tommy Ring. I was working in London at the time and went to the game against Chelsea with some mates. The following day we went to visit Tommy in Fulham hospital and wish him well. He was in a general ward ! Contrast with today when players get the best of medical treatment in plush surroundings though I'm sure the staff in Fulham were very attentive. The NHS seemed to work efficiently then !
Dennis Ng
66 Posted 29/01/2025 at 18:00:09
So unfortunate, thought he would do great things for us over the long term but disrupted now. Hope he has a speedy recovery.
Mike Gaynes
67 Posted 29/01/2025 at 18:08:29
David, yep, seems like a reasonable scenario.
Tony Heron
68 Posted 29/01/2025 at 18:45:58
Peter @ 56 Yes I remember that. I think it was against Hull in an FA Cup replay at Goodison.
James Hughes
69 Posted 29/01/2025 at 18:54:34
Alan J, peace and love be with you. I am really unsure what I have posted to upset you so much.

I have not mentioned anyone's name at all, I do not need defence as it was a general comment.
No idea what you posted before the game or at half time either, Maybe you are thinking of somebody else

seriously look after yourself, as I have no idea why you are upset. As Ringo says ' Peace and Love to all'

Matt Byrne
70 Posted 29/01/2025 at 19:14:43
Awful news about Mangala if and when the worst fears are confirmed by the club. I think he has been a consistent stand out perfomer. Imagine Doucoure alongside Gana, constantly miscontrolling and giving it away. Unlike Mangala, with his assured first touch and ability to pass very accurately and keep the ball moving. If he can recover, I hope we go back in for him. Maybe we could eventually get him at a much reduced price. The reality is he's probably played his last game for us. Such a shame. Kind of typical bad luck though.
Christy Ring
71 Posted 29/01/2025 at 19:28:34
Isn't it unreal that all the talk about how serious Mangala's knee injury is, and still speculating how long Calvert-Lewin will be out, EFC official website still has no updates whatsoever?
Dave Abrahams
72 Posted 29/01/2025 at 19:51:06
Steve (49), Everton had two big wins when Tommy first came 6-1 one versus Chelsea and I think that was the first half score as well, the other was against Notts Forest but not sure, Mickey Lill definitely scored a few goals but was unlucky with injuries, we signed from Wolves, not sure if he scored a hat trick though, Tommy scored two in a 3-1 win v Leicester (?) in the Stanley Park end with both goals curled in with the inside of his foot, he really was special to watch especially his dribbling ability better than the renowned Stanley Mathews in my eyes.
Peter Mills
73 Posted 29/01/2025 at 20:37:17
Dave, an interesting comment regarding Mathews, who never impressed my Dad. On the other hand, he always said Tom Finney was the best player he ever saw.

Thoughts?

Brendan Fox
74 Posted 29/01/2025 at 20:44:39
Shame for both the team and for Mangala who has looked like a very useful player for us. Hopefully for the lad he recovers back to full fitness although like others have said it's probably the last time we'll see him in the Royal Blue shirt.

Who gets the nod to pair up with Gana in CM we'll soon find out, hopefully this does not impact the recent momentum too much.

Christy Ring
75 Posted 29/01/2025 at 21:17:58
Can we not cover Broja's wages for the season, send him back, or bring in one of the Chelsea midfielders instead, with Mangala out, and send back Harrison, and bring in a forward who will improve the team, and buy a striker?
Ian Bennett
76 Posted 29/01/2025 at 21:25:34
I am fairly certain I read that we didn't pay for broja till he was originally fit. So it's practically half a season where we've paid nothing.

Get him sent back, and get someone in.

Anthony Dwyer
77 Posted 29/01/2025 at 23:53:58
Time to do some juggling me thinks, Mangala and Broja sent back even if we have to pay as we have to replace them, Harrison sent back also just because he's simply not good enough.
Mangala a big big miss but time wise Garner and Timmy back so not as big a problem.
DCL and Mcneal still out will mean we have to play Dyche ball as we don't have another option without signings.
Best bet is to send 3 of them back and juggle them around so we have 3 new bodies.
Bob Parrington
78 Posted 30/01/2025 at 02:16:31
Things can be shit but this is now turning in to diarrhoea, with three players badly injured within a week or two. The football gods certainly seem to have it in for Everton. Let's hope Moyes and Thelwell can do some magic and sign some good replacements. Garner and Ironman can help in midfield but do we have a good enough replacement striker. If we don't sign for these positions we might be far too thin a squad to survive the 2nd half of the season.
Brendan McLaughlin
79 Posted 30/01/2025 at 06:23:57
Lots of suggestions about sending loan players back early.

Perhaps I'm wrong but my understanding is that the Premier League, perhaps only recently, changed the rules so that loans could only be cut short in the event that a player suffered a season ending injury.


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