07 Feb 2018 14:56:54
Despite significant progress at the top of the club - new owner, new stadium on the way, money to spend - Everton are destined to be a 7th to 11th club for the forseeable future if they make good decisions, and a 14th to 17th if they do not.
There is one way out of this, and it isn't spending more than the top 6.
The youngsters.
In the last 2 years England's young national teams, U21,U20,U19,U17 have carried all before them, not only in Europe but also in the world. The best young players in the world ages 16 to 21 are in England, not Spain or Germany or Italy. Two teams dominated the number of players in those teams - Chelsea and Everton. The rest of Europe is scouting these players (see Lookman deal) . Everton should build its team around these players, in every way, they have done a great job in recruiting and coaching them. If carried through correctly why couldn't they become the best team in Europe, when they are 24 to 27 years old. Its too early to blood last year's whole U23 team (which won the league going away from City, Chelsea and Man U) , but point the whole club in that direction.
Pickford; Kenny and Robinson; Holgate and Keane (yes, he was dominant at England U23) ; Davies, Baningime, Connolly and Dowell; Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Vlasic. That is where it should end up, take steps to get there. Supplement those players with experienced teachers with great attitudes - Rooney, Baines, even Jagielka as a back-up, Bolassie, maybe Gueye. But tell everyone where you are going directionally. Some players we have to keep for the time being - Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson, probably a left sided centre half. But those would be interim solutions, then nurture your talent, supplement your talent with similar aged players, to add chemistry and a dynamic to the team - so don't sign 26 year old Turkish centre forwards or French/ Congolese center halves - sign a Dembele from Celtic, or a Tierney if you have a gap in the team.
That means a lot of clear-out to create space in training and in games for these players. Robles, Stekelnberg, Cuca Martina, Williams, Garbutt, McCarthy, Besic, Schneiderlin, Klaassen, Niasse, plus Sandro, Mirallas, all have to go. That way Lookman will be dying to come back. and the players will progress - because Everton had 5 players in the England U20 World Cup winning team. if we had 5 players in 2022 World Cup winning team, we would be a top 4 club. This is our 1992. Not an opportunity to be missed.


1.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 15:33:01
GB58 great post mate agree with nearly all I would keep Sandro though he has great potential. How brave would the club have to be to try your suggestion though.


2.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 15:34:11
I think it’s a good point GB but to me the bigger issue is leadership, the structures in place at the club and how the club is looking to progress and, in doing so, getting the best out of these players.

It’s all well and good having a good core of young players but if there is no clear plan within the club hierarchy (board, DoF, manager) about what they are trying to achieve in the long term, how best to achieve that and everyone working towards those aims then we will unfortunately see most of these players stagnate at Everton and eventually move on to other clubs.

It seems there is a chronic whiff of short term thinking at the club at the moment which only does more harm in the long run (and in the here and now if this season is anything to go by) .


3.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 17:37:36
Very constructive post mate. You maybe need to consider your league predictions though. Nothing in this world is guaranteed.


4.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 21:22:47
They need 9 points. I could put my Grand Sons back line into this side and get the 9 points. What we lack is a decent DM to partner Gueye. I do wonder if Sam is aware that Jagielka was a DM and pretty good too. Having said that, with 9 points needed from 12 games why not give the U23's etc a chance.


5.) 08 Feb 2018
08 Feb 2018 08:37:14
I tend to agree ducksflysouth. but being an Evertonian. how old are your Grand Sons team? May be worth a look.