Background
Recent years of austerity have conditioned us Everton fans to expect little and still be grateful when we received even less than that. With that background, this summer’s worth of endlessly-linked names and significant transfer spending certainly came as a shock to most of us.
After all, with a squad decimated by over a dozen contracts coming to an end and loan deals terminating, there was the expectation
that we would be seeing a lot of new faces coming in through the doors at Finch Farm and gracing the newly-laid pitch at Everton’s new home at Hill Dickinson Stadium on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.
That expectation was not only met but wildly exceeded in many ways as the Toffees brought in nine signings over the summer, two of them on loan.
The Players
Carlos Alcaraz (Flamengo – Brazil) was the first confirmed transfer of the summer as David Moyes (seemingly reluctantly) made the Argentine’s loan deal permanent. His energy and vision in the attacking half looked good last season and has continued in that vein this year. [Confirmed]
Before bringing in anyone else, there was some housekeeping work to do – veterans Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane all got new contracts to secure their short-term futures, while key defender Jarrad Branthwaite was given a new, long-term contract.
Next through the doors was up-and-coming France youth international striker Thierno Barry (Villarreal – La Liga) who might not have had the scoring start many would have hoped, but has definitely given the Blues a different dimension at the centre-forward position. [Confirmed]
Everton and England #1 Jordan Pickford lost both of his back-ups at the end of last season, so the next signing was for a capable pair of hands that could step in if needed. In came Mark Travers from AFC Bournemouth. [Confirmed]
Then came a signing from left field, and appropriately enough, left back. Adam Aznou, a Barcelona Academy product from La Masia who was finding it difficult getting playing time at Bayern Munich, was the next signing through the door. Noted as one for the future, the 19-year-old has shown in limited minutes played that some work is still required there. [Confirmed]
While in the background the pursuit for a certain starlet from Southampton continued, Everton pulled off a smart piece of business snagging Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fresh off winning the Club World Cup this summer with Chelsea. The former Fox has taken a game or two to settle in but looked masterful in the weekend win over Wolves. [Confirmed]
Just a week later Everton pulled off what is looking like the heist of the summer, rescuing an unhappy and miserable Jack Grealish on loan from the clutches of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Immediately his demeanour has changed and it shows in his play, with the veteran wide man already picking up four assists in two Premier League starts. [Confirmed, Shirt #]
Soon after came in a third shot stopper, with the popular Tom King coming from Wolves to round out the goalkeeping trio. [Confirmed]
Finally, the splurge of the summer, and for a highly-touted player that is widely expected to become a star sooner than later – Tyler Dibling. Once the Saints were done playing hardball with the Blues walking away from negotiations, the two sides were able to come to a middle ground and hash out a deal. [Confirmed, Shirt #]
On deadline day, there was just the one move that took pretty much all day to get sorted, with Freiburg and Germany youth international midfielder Merlin Röhl coming in to beef up the midfield ranks. His aggressive playing style and demeanour means he will become a popular crowd-favourite. [Confirmed, Shirt #]
Quick Thoughts
Everton were never going to be able to revamp the entire squad and contend for Europe in just one summer, but we might have come pretty close, haven’t we?
We’ve splurged on young talent too without overspending on contracts for ageing players, a common problem in the past. Right up until the deadline the Toffees did not budge from this principle this time around.
Alcaraz (22), Aznou (19), Barry (22), Dibling (19), and Röhl (23) are all very young and to some extent have the luxury of growing into their roles.
This writer has been quite skeptical about the Grealish move, questioning the player’s motivation and more. However, his attitude so far and how he’s embraced the team and the fans have me convinced. Here’s a heaping serving of humble pie for me.
Granted parts of the squad still look thin [ahem.. right back, anyone?!], but let’s give the people responsible for running the club a chance to do their jobs. The group looked at what was available out there, and decided that what they already had in Coleman, Patterson, O’Brien and possibly Garner was better than that.
The Friedkin Group and club leadership have been pretty impressive navigating Everton through a transformative time in the club’s history, leaving Goodison Park and going into our new home at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the right frame of mind.
A number of business actions had to take place before the Toffees could spend like royalty during the summer transfer window, and that they did, including busting open the wage structure for superstar Grealish.
For me this was a solid 8/10 transfer window. Marks lost for not addressing key areas at right back and defensive midfield, and some style points dinged for stretching out so many of the signings until after the season began.
CONFIRMED EVERTON TRANSFERS
Outgoing
Transferred – Neal Maupay (Olympique Marseille – Ligue 1), Youssef Chermiti (Glasgow Rangers – Scottish Premiership)
Loaned – Harrison Armstrong (Preston North End – Championship), Tyler Onyango (Stockport County – League One)
Released – Asmir Begovic (Leicester City – Championship), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United – Premier League), Abdoulaye Doucoure (NEOM SC – Saudi Pro League), Mason Holgate (Al-Gharafa – Qatar Stars League), Joao Virginia (Sporting CP – Portuguese Liga NOS), Ashley Young (Ipswich Town – Championship)
Incoming
Transferred – Carlos Alcaraz (Flamengo – Brazil), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich – Bundesliga), Thierno Barry (Villarreal – La Liga), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea – Premier League), Tyler Dibling (Southampton – Championship), Tom King (Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth – Premier League)
Loaned – Jack Grealish (Manchester City – Premier League), Merlin Röhl (SC Freiburg – Bundesliga)
