We, as Evertonians all realise that the current squad needs strengthening. Moyes is expected to have a budget of anywhere between £20-£40 million, given to him by our chairman Bill Kenwright this summer.
I would like to look at a few players who would be well within our reach to sign.
Steve Sidwell - The Chelsea midfielder has struggled since his move from Reading, and after Avram Grant’s new management tactic, he is expected to leave in the summer. The central midfielder, who is still relatively young, was a star performer last season for Reading, which lead to his Bosman move to Stamford Bridge. Although no world better, I believe Sidwell would add some of the grit into midfield, that we will lose if Lee Carsley finally realises he is too old to play for Everton. Sidwell is only expected to cost £3 million.
Michael Owen - Yes, the kopite, the very same. A well known Evertonian throughout his Anfield career, he rejected a move to Everton just three years ago, even though Everton were in the Champions League. Owen is known to want to move back to Merseyside, and with Liverpool not interested, it would put Everton in the driving seat. One problem may be that Owen is demanding £120,000 a week from his current employers Newcastle. Although, there is no confirmation that Owen would demand those kind of wages if he moved clubs. We know Owen is injury prone, but is he more injury prone than our very own Andrew Johnson? I believe Owen would be allowed to move for around £10 million, but, the stumbling block may be the £60-£100k a week in wages.
Manuel Fernandes - The Portuguese midfielder is still only 21 years old, but is really starting to prove his £12 million price tag. After man of the match performances in the past few weeks, Moyes is expected to make a more for Fernandes; either on loan or trying to haggle the price down. But at £12 million, I still think he should be snapped up.
This would (hopefully) give us the following side next season, plus any other positions Moyes would wish to strengthen.
Howard
Baines - Lescott - Jags - Neville
Sidwell
Pienaar - Fernandes - Arteta
Owen/Cahill - Yakubu
This is a team that I believe can challenge the top four. Moyes could keep strengthening by buying a proper defensive midfielder, rather than just playing Sidwell there, or replace Phil Neville. All I know is, we have a very exciting summer ahead…
May 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am
You’ve only totted up 25m here.Ditch Sidwell and Owen(who is past it) and replace with Joaquin and M’bami.Alongside acquiring Manny,who I agree is well worth 12m in the current climate and must be purchased outright rather than a loan deal and I think we have a midfield to challenge,if not be better than anything the premiership has to offer.Our back 4 is solid.Without injuries we have strength in depth up front.I feel that with those 3 permanent signings plus a couple of the gaffers loan specials we could comfortably be competing for the champions league and win the UEFA cup….at least.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Well said GG, but Sidwell would be a more than adequate backup for £3 million….
May 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
wouldnt want sidwell or owen, we can do much better
May 14th, 2008 at 11:40 am
We need Arshavin he looks class. Also not Owen i’d rather have Santa Cruz from Blackburn
May 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I think Sidwell is worth a place in the squad as is Fernandez. However, I dont think I would buy Owen as it is too risky an investment however good he is due to his injury record. Our current squad isnt strong enough. I agree joaquin is the type of player we need and we need a top class defensive midfielder with pace, strength, height and great technique to release cahill in a 4-4-2. To top it off we need a top class striker to partner Yakubu. Put the Yak in the box and let a foraging striker get the ball to him - and he will score! Johnson for all I love his wholehearted style, has not done it this year. He can come off the bench and offer something. Also we need a top class right back with pace and skill. These players to supplement what we already have will make a difference, but let none of the regulars we have now go as they will maintain continuity. In addition I do hope that Vaughan makes it back as I do think he is potentially top class.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Wouldnt mind seeing sidwell come in to be honest but i would prefer someone who could do a bit more on the ball, someone who is big and imposing in the midfield along the lines of papa bouba diop but of far more quality if you get me! as for fernandes, the lad is a out n out footballer who in the last few weeks as shown what he can do when fit and given the ball in places where he can play, instead of his back to goal infront of the back four with 4 leppers breathing down his neck! Owen, cant even believe ur considering it to be honest, would rather play with 10 men! and finally, ur back 4 is fine except one player! YOBO, who when he doesnt play is missed more than other other player in the back 4! gets the armband for me 2!
May 14th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
baines right back?
neville left back?
mong?
yes.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Sorry Mong, I got the positions the wrong way round, but the same is with Midfield!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
whats it called when you try to steal someone else business?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
wheres yobo in the back four, him and jags have been like rocks
May 15th, 2008 at 1:06 am
I get fed up of everyone making comments like “if Lee Carsley finally realises he is too old to play for Everton”. How about everyone just shuts the f### up about Lee Carsley’s age. He’s just had a brilliant season, probably his best ever and I for one would be gutted if he listened to all the negative hype from people too ignorant or blind to appreciate the job he does for us and subsequently left the club. How about we wait until Lee shows us an ounce of evidence that he is too old to play for the club before we start berating him.
Too many people think of 35 being the magic number, like thats when a switch is suddenly pressed an the player becomes too old! Let his footballing abilities decide whether he’s too old for the club or not (no evidence shown thus far), not his birth date.
I hate to mention it but you only have to look at Gary Greed to see how long Carsley COULD have left. My view is keep Carsley and get a younger (one for the future = not too expensive) defensive midfielder in to deputise for him and learn from him then when the times right Carsley can bow out.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:20 am
so NO Yobo?
May 15th, 2008 at 3:39 am
Good…formation..I would preffer Arshavin,Jauquin,manny,and arteta…we sell ossie (osman) and aj to westham for 30 million…where’s YOBO?…baines right?Neville Left…you got that so wrong man…
Erik,From Singapore
May 15th, 2008 at 3:50 am
i aggre with u erik…manny,Jauqin or whatever his real name is,arteta sidwelll will be a good midfield combination…thomas….YOBO is a F###ed up bit##…please dont include him…
Michall from the UK
May 15th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Sidwell left Reading cos he thought he was better than that, and also he thought he was good enough to get into the Chelsea team regularly. I think he is a money grabber, with an over inflated opinion of himself, and would cause trouble the first time he gets left on the bench.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:21 am
the strongest everton team consists of a strong squad. we failed to get in the champions league because of our strenght in depth. as simple as that. everything else at the club is spot on. from the board room to the ground staff. we in my opinion need a world class winger hail jauquin. he is world class. then bring in either sidwell or mbia one of two quality holding midfield players. extent manny’s loan spell to see if he does really bed in. then welcome the sighing of the century. arshavin. this kid will set the premiership alight. and will slot straight into the everton family. if you look at all the top 4 teams, then all excel in midfield more than anywhere else on the pitch. and thats were we are lacking.
so my team reads as follows.
HOWARD,
NEVILLE(GOSLING) YOBO(JAGS) LESCOTT BAINES
ARTETA ARSHAVIN MBIA(SIDWELL) JUAQUIN
CAHILL
YAKUBU
AND THE BENCH READS : PIENAAR, VAUGHN, (KEEPER), FERNANDES, JAGS.
BRING ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Joby - well said. Carsley has been our most important player for the past 3 seasons. Reminds me of Reidy in the 80s only even more underestimated. Obviously he can’t go on for ever but why lose him now while he is at the top of his game. Yes we need a replacement, and now to give time to bed in but we must keep Carsley until we have a better player to replace him with - and that is easier said than done unless Essian fancies a move.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
If there is one signing Moyesey must make this summer it is Arshavin.
the guy is absolute class, he not only scores great goals he sets them up as well, he set up both goals in the UEFA cup final with insightful through balls.
If you ever watch any footage of him, he also genuinely has two feet (no pun intended) just watched some YouTube clips and he scores more with his left than his right so will fill that left hand berth perfectly.
The defence picks itself, with the possible addition of a right back. On top of this sign Fernandes again on loan, Arteta on the right, Peinaar on his darting runs the Yak up front supported by Cahill. With Osman, Anichebe, Vaughan, Johnson ready to come on and we have a set up that will scare most teams in the Prem and certainly put us in our rigtful position ahead of The Sh***
Caveman
May 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
cool man
May 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I think we’ll sing Giles Bsrnes fromn Derby
May 15th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
You can have shola from us if you want?
Steven Carr is available too cos we’ve released him. Im joking
How are you going to attract or afford all these players?
I think you are living in more of a dream land than us geordies
Joaquín? are you serious? why would he leave spain? hes at valencia, who frankly will have a far greater chance of getting into champions league next season.
Lets be honest our top 4 is a closed show most seasons and spain is much more open, excluding barca and real.
You should look to reading, take lita off them or nicky shorey
This is not a rant at your teams status it is just reality and I have learnt to ignore transfer speculation, especially with my team. The best players don’t want to play outside the top four if they are foreign and you do not have the finances to attract them
Fernandes and Vaughn are both good players and your defence needs one new player probably.
Paper talk is 90% bullshit, if it wasnt we would have kaka, ronaldinho and henry coming in summer
Keep the faith
best of luck nxt season
May 15th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
You can have shola from us if you want?
Steven Carr is available too cos we’ve released him. Im joking
How are you going to attract or afford all these players?
I think you are living in more of a dream land than us geordies
Joaquín? are you serious? why would he leave spain? hes at valencia, who frankly will have a far greater chance of getting into champions league next season.
Lets be honest our top 4 is a closed show most seasons and spain is much more open, excluding barca and real.
You should look to reading, take lita off them or nicky shorey
This is not a rant at your teams status it is just reality and I have learnt to ignore transfer speculation, especially with my team. The best players don’t want to play outside the top four if they are foreign and you do not have the finances to attract them
Fernandes and Vaughn are both good players and your defence needs one new player probably.
Paper talk is 90% bullshit, if it wasnt we would have kaka, ronaldinho and henry coming in summer
Keep the faith
best of luck nxt season
May 15th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Liam - how do we need a new defender, Neville, Yobo, Jags, Lescott and Baines is one of the best defences in the league, would even go as far as to say it is the 3rd best in the league behind Man utd and Chelsea.
We are better than players like Shorey and Lita; a lot better. I personally haven’t linked us with Joaquin, Valenica themselves have. Valencia only just managed to avoid relegation this season and are in termoil, and Joaquin is personally looking to move on.
Moyes has a budget of at least £20 million, so why not spend it on two good players rather than do a Newcastle and buy 12 average players.
In Moyes we trust….
May 15th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Can’t see KK bringing in 12 players like
Joaquin will hav a release clause of at least 20mill I reckon, 12th is not relagation dodging!
You know as i do how reluctant spanish players are at moving away, and when they do… i don’t want to have to play the luque argument card in.
He’ll move on in spain- atletico or real probs
Who are we buying anyway do you know?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Nope mate, but I know Joaquin wants a shot at the Prem, and has been off-form recently. I am sure Valencia only missed relegation by a few points didn’t they?
I think KK will only get about £40 million, and Ashley will want a top 8 finish. Can’t see KK there at the end of next season.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I think u should look in the prem for players especially the ones not in europe, get Abonglahor from villa hes gna be amazing.
Latest reports say our budget is £60-80million
And KK says he will aim to buy 4-5 players
Why do u think hes gna be out of a job?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Gabby is awful, pace and no end product; trust me, I know enough Villa fans!
Players in the Premier League our too expensive. We would have to look at players who are starting for the top four teams, and they don’t need to sell, hence we need to look abroad.
IMO, if anyone is going to challenge the top four, it will be us…
May 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Whys KK getting sacked again?
May 15th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
He is not tactically astute enough to last…
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
players to bring in- Arshavin, Need a carsley replacement. Mbami, Dudu. i think maybe jag could play DM Put Lescott CB with Yobo, we’ll see. my team to play would be;
Howard
Neville
Yobo
Lescott
Baines
Arteta
Cahill
Jag
Ossie
Pienaar
Yak
thats without any signings ofcourse, shouldnt speculate, i doubt moyesey will spenad all his money on 1/2 players, he’s bringing in a few good players, maybe 1 world class, but he knows what he doing, we’ve seen that the oast 5+ years!! COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!! TAKE 4th!!!!!!!!!! would love to see jo, dudu, arshavin, mensah, joaquin! LONG LIVE THE MOYES ERA!!!!! LEGEND!!!!! COYB, Liam M-Chester
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
ive read alot of the comments above, the geordie dont know much bout footy. we are better than lita and shorey, but i think me di need a defender, cb/rb, but as a backup! i think people shoudnt say that the top4 is closed, it aint, and valencia, more chance of playing in champs league 2 years from now, and they aint good, the spanish league is so inconsitent its shocking, 1 good team, 19 average, that includes barca! villareal are our equilavents, they were runners up! english football is so far ahead of the world its mad, but they cant do it at interantional level, crazy. but seriously, 3/4 really good squad forst team players we’ll push the kopites all the way, trust me! you’ll see, also look out for a cup final next season!