The transfer window opened on 10 June (Friday) and rumours are already flying around moves Everton may make. Manager Frank Lampard knows he needs to make changes for the club to improve.
Everton avoided the threat of relegation in the next-to-last fixture of last season and Lampard understands a 16th place finish is not acceptable for a club which has a motto meaning “Nothing But The Best is Good Enough.
James Tarkowski has had a physical and agreed to terms with Everton and the only thing lacking is the official announcement. So let’s look at some of the rumours, guess and yes, even advice about who Everton should add to the squad. In this article, I’ll look and attackers and midfielders. Sunday, I’ll look at the defenders as well as youngsters, who could make a breakthrough as well as rumoured leavings.
With the constant speculation that Richarlison could leave the club, a number of wingers and forwards are linked with the Blues. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also rumoured to be on the move, but considering the length of his current deal, the club could and would demand a very high price and who wants to play in Newcastle, really?
New director of football Kevin Thewell has strong ties to Wolves and it’s no surprise Everton are linked with Adama Traore. The Wolves’ forward can play all across the front and possesses pace and good dribbling skills and is hard to knock of the ball. The question is about his production. He doesn’t match Richarlison’s output for the Blues. Traore has scored 8 goals with 16 assits in 160 games. Richarlison had 10 goals and five assists in 30 games last season.
With Lampard’s tie to Chelsea, it’s no surprise a number of Chelsea players are linked with Everton. Among those is forward Armando Broja, who Lampard gave his debut. Broja was on loan at Southampton and was impressive in spells as he scored more goals. Lampard likes him as he was quoted in the Liverpool Echo,
"He’s a good lad, a very talented young boy... Fast, strong. Has a real eye for goal. A very, very good player. I’m very aware of his strength.”
Other Chelsea youngsters linked are Connor Gallagher, who had a fantastic season on loan at Crystal Palace. He scored eight goals from midfield, including two against Everton, but Gallagher may be offered a chance to fight for his place at Chelsea. He wouldn’t be cheap, but perhaps he could be tempted to play for Lampard, especially since he would be one of the first names on the team sheet. Billy Gilmour, another highly-touted midfielder and central defenders Levi Colwell and Ethan Ampadu. Both Gallagher and Gilmour have EPL experience. It’s probable that Lampard will be able to sign at least one or two of the Chelsea gang, but who knows.
Lampard is part of a footballing family and of course, family will give advice. Uncle Harry Redknapp has suggested Everton look to Gareth Bale, who is available on a free after ending his contract at Real Madrid at 32, he could still contribute and would bring the kind of creativity Everton need. Plus Royal Lytham is about an hour from Liverpool and given Bale’s love of golf….
Manchester City’s Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked with Everton, where he would more likely play in midfield instead of fullback for City, given the presence of fellow countryman Vitaliy Mykolenko and the support and affection shown by Everton supporters could play a role.
Everton have been strongly linked with Spurs’ Harry Winks, who isn’t in Antonio Conte’s plans. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Winks would available for £20 million, but Lampard and Everton would prefer a loan.
Finally, a very interesting link is Christian Eriksen, who would be available on a free, according to a report in The Mirror. Eriksen is also quoted in the same paper as saying,
I have different offers and options, which we are considering, and then we make a decision. I would love to play Champions League football again. I know how much fun it is, but it isn’t essential for me.”
Eriksen who at 30, doesn’t fit the approach the Blues want, but he still has something to prove. If Champions League Football isn’t essential, perhaps his creativity could help Everton closer to European football.
Well, that’s some of the rumours floating around Everton, more to follow.