Whatever your view of the Prime Minister, there are moments when he captures the mood of an entire room. Asked what he would want for his beloved Everton, his answer was as blunt as it was relatable: “Please. Sign a right back,” he said. “And if we can, get Jack Grealish for at least one more year.”
Everton fans will be hoping Andy Burnham’s public nudge carries some influence with the club’s owners, the Friedkin Group. With only two weeks remaining in the transfer window, the clock is already ticking on those two very clear wishes.
By the end of last season, a worrying note of doubt had started to creep into parts of the Everton support. Was David Moyes truly still the “Moyes-iah”, the manager capable of lifting the club back to where it believes it belongs? For a while, the signs were hugely encouraging. Everton had moved ahead of schedule, shifting from regular relegation strugglers into a side with genuine European ambitions. They sat seventh after Christmas. Then came the slide: no wins in their final seven matches, a 13th-place finish and, inevitably, the return of the pessimists.
The Friedkins, for their part, have not taken an especially hands-on approach. They did invest last summer, though not every move brought the desired return, and their only February addition was Tyrique George on loan, arriving just days before Grealish was ruled out for the rest of the season.
For Everton, that transfer window needed to be another step forward in the rebuild.
Despite the progress made under David Moyes, the Everton manager may still need to convince some supporters after the Toffees’ poor finish to last season
Moyes could be forced to press on without Jack Grealish (centre), while Charly Alcaraz (left) and Tim Iroegbunam (right) are both drawing interest
To Moyes’ credit, he did not lash out. There were no public tantrums, no attempts to single out struggling players or push them under the proverbial bus. He understood that many in his squad had simply run out of energy. Still, some Everton supporters wanted to see more fire from him, more visible frustration at the tame way their season drifted to a close.
That’s not the Moyes of today. Age and experience have honed a more rounded, philosophical coach but any disgruntled fans should not be fooled: this is a man firing on the inside, desperate to mark his second coming with a trophy and more.
But he needs help.
This time out the Friedkins have added Championship Player of the Year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for £16.5million. Younger legs compensate for the loss of veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye. The older head now is 32-year-old Christian Norgaard, an astute £7million addition from Arsenal, keen to make up for a lack of playing time.
Yet they still need greater physical and athletic presence and, with Tim Iroegbunam attracting interest, Moyes would like another for his engine room to support his go-to men James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Even though versatile Merlin Rohl has joined on a permanent basis and Harrison Armstrong continues to stake a claim, one bad injury could leave them short.
Iroegbunam’s hamstring issue, sustained in a friendly with Stuttgart, has cast his £18million move to Hull City into doubt but is not thought to be serious, and the Tigers are not the only club interested. Fellow midfielder Charly Alcaraz could also return to South America.
Up top, Tyrique George has joined from Chelsea permanently. Everton negotiated a £6million discount on the original option to buy that was agreed with Chelsea. Last week, they got even more creative with a good old-fashioned swap deal, exchanging Dwight McNeil, valued at £20million and with one year left on contract, for Brennan Johnson, valued at £35million and with four years on contract.
On the face of it, Everton have the bargain end of the deal, but Moyes knows that is only if Johnson can find the form of his old Nottingham Forest days and those first season run-outs at Spurs.
Winger Tyrique George has impressed in pre-season after his move from Chelsea
Everton secured a bargain in swapping Dwight McNeil for Crystal Palace’s Brennan Johnson (pictured) – but Moyes will know he has to help him rediscover his best form
His pace at least will be welcomed. For all Grealish’s qualities, he arguably became too predictable: checking, cutting inside, and rarely going outside his full back to cross or shoot.
Similarly, Iliman Ndiaye, another undoubted talent, dropped off in levels after his exertions at the Africa Cup of Nations. Fresh impetus was needed.
Ndiaye has rejected new contract offers but also rebuffed a recent proposal to join Al Hilal. Though no official offer arrived, Everton knew the Saudi Pro League side were capable of hitting the £80million mark that may be enough to buy him.
The 26-year-old wants to stay in the Premier League but he also knows he has admirers at Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City. For one reason or another he is not top of their respective lists but that could change if other deals falter.
Everton need workhorse wingers to suit Moyes’s style.
They continue to create chances, it’s just that in Beto and Thierno Barry they have strikers who too often lack the finish.
Nottingham Forest admire the always willing Beto though and RB Leipzig like Barry. Indeed, when Leipzig’s interest in Barry was mentioned early this summer, it was almost celebrated in some quarters.
The ungainly 23-year-old, with three pre-season goals to his name, has vowed to make amends for his debut campaign. He has been studying videos of Didier Drogba, working on his mindset. He wants to change the narrative.
After scoring against Newcastle in Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly win, he said: ‘I know I can play, now I just need to show it.’
There’s no doubt though Moyes would like a more effective striker.
Everton do not have the budget to buy Chelsea’s Liam Delap at £55million – but he could yet come into play if no other suitors pounce and a late loan is allowed
A deal for Man United youngster Ethan Wheatley (centre) is more advanced, though Wheatley is one for the future
Talks are coming to a close with Manchester United for Ethan Wheatley but he is one for the future. For the now, the budget is not there to buy Chelsea’s Liam Delap at £55million – but he could yet come into play if no other suitors pounce and a late loan is allowed.
Not prolific, Delap is at least disruptive enough to ruffle opposition defences. He is another Forest are keen on and they have the financial clout to buy.
Prior to Chelsea signing Delap from Ipswich, Moyes made a strong impression on the 23-year-old in his pitch to sign him himself.
Everton had only just begun their reformation. But Delap’s agents said Moyes was so super-charged in his tub-thumping spiel about why No 9s were revered at his club that they half expected him to rip off his tracksuit and reveal a Marvel Everton superhero suit underneath. Such is his passion to make this work.
The stardust last season of course came from the twinkling toes of Grealish. Many romantics would like to see him return and finish what he started at Hill Dickinson Stadium after injury cut his spell short. Fit and training again after fracturing his foot, Manchester City would be open to a compromise deal with Everton.
A return may suit the marketing department and the owners. There is also little doubt Grealish is a popular figure with all the staff, but in truth, it’s a deal that currently has no guarantees of happening.
There’s an underlying belief that Grealish’s lifestyle away from the training ground, and the circus that sometimes follows, would need to change for everyone to be convinced it was the right thing to do.
In light of that, Everton may give an extended chance for Tyler Dibling to prove himself. There were such high hopes for the former Southampton wing sensation when he joined last summer but the challenge remains for him to convince on the Premier League stage.
Once again, Leipzig are among his admirers and could push to take him before the window closes but Moyes has thrown down the gauntlet for him. Should Everton change tack, then Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy is admired.
Tyler Dibling (right) might get the chance to impress after his move from Southampton last year, though Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy (left) is admired
Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz (left) is also of interest, though seen as a right wing-back
Then back to the Prime Minister’s wish. A right back.
The list is almost a who’s who and Everton may end up by making do.
Budget means they can’t afford Newcastle target Amar Dedic at Benfica or Strasbourg’s Guela Doue. Kyle Walker is a no, as is Aaron Wan-Bissaka. So is Brooke Norton-Cuffy. Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz is admired but is viewed as a wing-back, not the orthodox defender the manager requires, so if bought would need them to change style of play. Celtic’s Alistair Johnston was on then off but could yet be on again depending on his injuries. The list is being reviewed.
‘The profile,’ as one agent said… ‘is a tall, athletic right back who knows how to defend but can get forward and falls into Everton’s budget. But guess what? They’re like rocking horse sh**!’
A rarity indeed. But Everton need to find one quick. Then at least the Prime Minister will be happy.
