Jack Grealish is being linked with a return to Everton
Jack Grealish is being linked with a return to Everton
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The new season is upon us and we are about to start learning the answers to so many questions that have burned through the summer.
Will Everton be able to build on the positives of last season - the big away wins at Manchester United, Aston Villa and the move, in parts, to a more positive style of play, at least when Jack Grealish was available?
Or will the hangover from the miserable end to last season seep into the new one - will the disappointment at failing to grasp a European opportunity that felt so close prove too much to move on from?
The first glimpse will come against Crystal Palace on Saturday and, ahead of that game - and with just under a fortnight to go before the transfer window closes - Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas deals with your questions on the Blues.
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Do you think we could make a shock signing in the next couple of weeks? Neil P
Yes. I do think there is the potential for this. If you look at the Friedkin Group’s summer transfer strategy since they became involved in football, they do appear to see the value of the PR brought about by a signing that has boosted morale among supporters.
At Roma, they did it through Tammy Abraham back in 2021, who was a big signing from Chelsea at the time, and followed it up over the summers that followed with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk before, as they have moved closer and then struck the Champions League, focusing on genuine squad enhancements.
They followed suit last summer, their first in charge of Everton, with the loan deal for Jack Grealish.
I think there is an awareness that supporters are carrying some of the frustration of last season into the approach to this one and that, as well as their track record, says to me it would be foolish to rule out a late, marquee signing - be that the return for Grealish, a genuinely exciting addition at right back, or someone else.
How serious is the injury Christian Norgaard has got? David 1878
I don’t think Christian Norgaard’s knock is particularly serious, though I don’t blame anyone for looking at the situation with trepidation.
He had to pass a medical to join Everton after all, so for the move to have gone through the fitness staff must have been satisfied he was not carrying anything serious.
I think it is the combination of a limited pre-season alongside an injury that might delay him getting up to speed but, providing there are no setbacks, should not see him ruled out for too long. David Moyes will hopefully provide more details on this at his press conference on Friday.
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Are we confident of getting Jack Grealish back? RFD
We’re still in a situation where Everton do not control the outcome of this situation. Everton, as Angus Kinnear told the BBC, have tracked the potential for his return all summer and there is plenty of reason to believe the club and player would be open to a reunion.
First, however, new City boss Enzo Maresca must decide he is surplus to requirements - a decision that appears still to be made given he was brought off the bench in the Community Shield. With Tottenham Hotspur in talks with City over Omar Marmoush and Savinho, there may be a willingness to keep hold of Grealish - at least until new options are bought in.
Should Grealish get the green light to move, City’s priority will be to get some cash for him and only after that effort has been exhausted might they look at the loan market.
I think Everton would like Grealish to return but they may need to be patient, and hope no big spenders attempt to lure him elsewhere, in order for a deal to come off. The good thing is that he looks fit.
I’m just wondering what players out of the Under-21s are likely to be heading out on development loans before the deadline? They played very well on Tuesday night against Stockport County. Adam
Thanks Adam, this will be an interesting one to follow and I am surprised there have been no moves before the start of the EFL season - though most of the older academy players who would have been the first to head out - Tyler Onyango, Frankie Okoronkwo, Roman Dixon and Reece Welch - left the club in the summer (and have all found homes in the Football League).
I would expect defenders Eli Campbell and Will Tamen to head out - both have already tasted loan spells. George Pickford had a short but good spell at Southport and should look to build on that this season, which would allow Doug Lukjanciks to get more U21s experience. George Finney, who was at Ayr United last season, also needs senior football (I think he played well for the first team in the early weeks of the summer).
The other big one, for me, is Braiden Graham. I can understand why David Moyes may believe the first team is a step too far right now but he desperately needs a bigger challenge. He has decimated defences at U18s and U21s already and should not be allowed to do so again despite his youth. He played senior football at Linfield aged 15 and I would love to see him get an imaginative loan this season.
I'm fed up of us being linked with so many right-backs and not signing one. Who do you think is the one we want? Shaun
You, me and everyone else too, Shaun! I think Guela Doue would be the first choice of most, including some within the club, though also the most expensive. Kinnear accepted the search has taken longer than he would have liked but in his interviews this week said the target was the right player, not the one who could be signed quickest. For all the talk about which part of the club may want which player, the outcome of this will see everyone judged. Given it has taken so long, I think there will be a lot of frustration if the solution ends up being a stop-gap one.