Annual top 10 finishers, what would it take to turn Everton into next season’s “Newcastle” and push for European football?
Firstly they have a chance in the FA Cup should they reach the final – winning the Cup could be just what the club needs ti drive them on. Secondly whatever success they achieve next season will depend on them keeping hold of David Moyes as manager, Phil Jagielka as centre back and Jack Rodwell at the club. Although Everton could get around £20m to £25m for the pair, I’m sure Moyes would rather keep them.
In Tim Howard they have one of the Premier League’s most consistent goalkeepers. A foundation to build from. Leighton Baines, Distin and Jagielka provide 3 decent defenders but the problem position is right back. Tony Hibbert isn’t a top 10 team defender and Seamus Coleman hasn’t enjoyed the heights of last season. Phil Neville can fill in there but it is doubtful he can play 38 games. A player I have always liked is Steven Reid. He played with Tim Cahill at Millwall and could be a Moyes’ player.
In midfield Steven Piennar has looked rejuvenated since coming back to Goodison Park on loan and maybe that switch with Louis Saha going to Tottenham will become a permanent deal. With Tim Cahill, Fellaini, Darron Gibson and Ross Barkley, Everton don’t lack creativity or goals but do lack a player with bite. I wonder if Mathieu Flamini or Emmanuel Frimpong could be players that would fit Everton? They also need a wide player and I wonder if Shaun Wright-Phillips would consider one final move.
In attack Everton suddenly have one or two striking options neither of which I can spell unfortunately. If they can capture Landon Donovan on a full time contract they will have a half decent squad. There are also the likes of Kevin Doyle, Yakubu and Hugo Rodellega who will be looking for Premier League football next season if there clubs get relegated.
What are your thoughts on Everton – what changes would you make? Comment below.
Written by Wesley Hillier @armchairstato.blogspot.com.
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Wesley, Are you mad? Steven Reid, Frimpong, Flamini, SWP & The Yak will get us Top 6 finish. You should take a long look at yourself in the mirror before writing these awful non-sensical article.
I like your point here, you have thrown up some good suggestions. However, before considering players to buy, Everton desperately need investment. As loyal as Bill Kenwright is (ignore the Blue Union) it’s a well known fact that he doesn’t have the money. With money to spend and a strong, consistent season (we always start poorly then pick up around January, giving us the top 10 finish) all round, we would be back in Europe every year, no doubt. The last time we had a strong season throughout, we ended up 4th.
Player wise, We need a 20 goal a season striker, no doubt: Yakubu was a one-season player, and we have not replaced him upfront since his debut season; Tim Cahill is a legend at Goodison Park, but past it, Louis Saha performed well in spells but was injured too often and was genuinely awful towards the end of his time at Everton, Apostlos Vellios is still young and more of an impact player than a starter at the moment and as much as Denis Straqualursi gets us going in the stands due to his work rate and commitment, he’s too clumsy and is far from a ‘polished’ striker to be our main goalscorer. Oh, and Victor Anichebe was good 4 years ago, forget all these ‘super-sub’ headlines of late. Hopefully Nikica Jelavic will be our saviour up-front-he has a fair bit of expectation on his shoulders from Evertonians, who all want the best for their club and have been crying out for a consistent striker for too long.
There’s no doubt we need Peinaar in midfield; he creates something other players cannot and every Blue wants him back at Goodison permanently.Donovan would also be a brilliant player for us, he loves Everton but we will have to wait until his contract runs out without investment. Peinaar is similar to Royston Drenthe, a player who brings a ‘spark’ to a team often completely lacking creativity when we hit poor form. We desperately need to sign on a permanent deal in the summer when his contract expires at Real Madrid, who clearly don’t want him. As for Jack Rodwell, he is decent, but not worth huge amounts of money and not the player everyone thought he would become. A player we have great expectations for is Ross Barkley; it frustrates us all that Moyes doesn’t give him much playing time-he has enthusiasm and promise. Darron Gibson was a decent purchase and has settled in well, soon becoming a hero after his winner against City. As for Fellaini, many feel he is our best player in midfield (when the team hits form-other times he can be as dire as the rest) with great ability to set up attacks and contribute the odd goal himself. And Phil Neville-committed, but often poor unfortunately.
Now onto the defence, where I’m afraid I really have to disagree with one point, and that is Tony Hibbert, the world’s most underrated player. Yes, he hasn’t scored a goal, but if you actually spend time watching him, the man hardly puts a pass wrong and looks solid defensively, and would not look out of place if we were to gain a European place again. He played Centre-back against Manchester City and was unbelievable. Leighton Baines is brilliant no doubt, he’s miles better than Ashley Cole and I don’t care what anyone says. Phil Jagielka; also great, but we’ve made do without him as he is injured, and it’s given Heitinga time to play as Centre-back (his REAL position, not CDM). Shane Duffy is also a real talent. Distin, despite his age, is also a rock at the back.
Finally, if Moyes goes, we would slide down the table, fact. No manager could work miracles on such a tight budget like he has done. COYB!