Everton manager David Moyes will be without his star winger Jack Grealishplaceholder image
Everton manager David Moyes will be without his star winger Jack Grealish | AFP via Getty Images
Everton could be in for a busy summer again, but where do they need to spend?
David Moyes had a busy summer last year when he was tasked with overhauling Everton’s squad.
It was a stressful time for the Toffees boss who faced an uphill battle persuading players to sign for a club that has been consistently battling against relegation in recent seasons. He should find the upcoming window considerably easier if European football is on the table and a top seven finish in the Premier League is secured against the odds.
Everton in for another busy summer
It won’t be as traumatic as last season, however, there could be a lot of work for Moyes again with one position in particular guaranteed to be addressed. Right-back has been a problem all season with Seamus Coleman’s body failing and Nathan Patterson clearly not trusted by Moyes. With Jake O’Brien a natural centre-half, there could be as many as two arrive.
If Vitaliy Mykolenko and Michael Keane don’t extend their contracts the defence could see another couple of additions but the midfield is well set, especially if the evergreen Idrissa Gana Gueye is at the Hill Dickinson Stadium again next season. According to Chris Beesley and Paul Wheelock of the Liverpool Echo, Tyrique George is unlikely to be kept on and there is a desire to negotiate a deal for Jack Grealish to come back as well as to recruit another winger.
Everton priority a new striker?
Speaking about the striker position in particular, Beesley said: “Then there is the striker situation. Neither Beto, who there is a big decision to make over this summer as he approaches the final 12 months of his current contract, or Thierno Barry have been entirely convincing. All in all, depending on how many potential outgoings there might be, I reckon there might have to be at least six new faces.”
An opinion that was backed up by Wheelock: “Last summer Everton had to spread their funds across the squad given the huge rebuilding job Moyes faced. But this summer I would spend the bulk of the money made available by The Friedkin Group to sign a striker.
“Thierno Barry has shown moments of promise, and if he can add two or three more goals to his tally before the end of the campaign, then that would represent a very decent return in his first season in English football.”
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