Everton are on the brink of change. Real change. Not just the elation of David Moyes returning to the dugout after so many years away; not just the change of ownership, the lift that that brings; not just an upswing in results after the shackles of Sean Dyche's final failure were taken off.
Real change. These varying parts look like they might all come together and advance Everton forward, away from the bogs of recent seasons and into a new era, into Bramley-Moore Dock.
The Friedkin Group will have a grand vision of a future in European competition, but to achieve this, the Toffees must ensure they hit the mark in the summer transfer market.
Everton manager David Moyes before the match
Moyes has the skills to reach TFG's vision of apotheosis, but he will need to be backed, with Everton already looking to make their move on a sought-after England international.
Everton chasing swift signing
Too long have Everton been hesitant in the transfer market, then jump-started in moving for an easy solution in a panic. Moyes' decision to hold off on all but the astute signing of Charly Alcaraz in January already points toward a shift on that front.
But he and new Director of Football, Angus Kinnear, will be swift when they need to be, and GIVEMESPORT believe that sharpness will be directed toward Angel Gomes, whose deal with LOSC Lille expires next month.
angel-gomes-lille-ligue-1
GMS claim that Everton are gearing up to make an official offer for the 24-year-old, though there is an awareness of rival interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
What Angel Gomes would bring to Everton
Gomes, who currently earns just £12k per week, would pounce on the chance to move back to his homeland, and while Everton would have lagged behind in such a transfer battle in years past, things are different with Moyes at the helm.
Gomes will consider the Scotsman's ability to nurture talented midfielders into superstars. Look at Declan Rice, who emerged from West Ham's academy under Moyes' wing and went on to dominate in east London, win European gold and then transfer to Arsenal in a £105m deal, where he is now thriving.
declan-rice-arsenal-celebrates
Rice's technical distinction has always been on a different level to his positional peers, with his range of passing something that elevated Moyes' Hammers system. Now, Gomes can play the same role on Merseyside.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 19% for passes attempted and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90. So then, you can see he's got a gift for the technical side of the game.
Injuries have sadly limited Gomes to a bit-part role at Lille this season, and he's only started ten times in Ligue 1. Still, he's shown off his balance nonetheless, winning 54% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
Deeper analysis from Gomes' metrics this term, when compared against Rice's, wouldn't present the full picture, so let's peer back at the Lille man's league data from last year against Rice's across the current Premier League campaign.
League Stats - Declan Rice vs Angel Gomes
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribble success
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Ground duels (won)*
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see, both players thrive in creative capacities but like to keep it crisp. Basically, they know exactly when to make an ambitious pass but usually retain possession in the most beneficial and fluent manner.
They are also active in recovering possession, denoting athleticism which Moyes' Everton will need to maintain the expected hard-working standard.
England's Angel Gomes in action
Bring him in. Everton can't promise European football (yet), but they can promise a breeding ground for talented players who want to progress their careers and reach a higher level.
Praised for his "incredible" performances by French football writer Robin Bairner, Gomes would be wise to pick blue this summer.
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