The latest edition of our readers' Q&A
Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye
Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye
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With the transfer window set to close next week, this latest Q&A unsurprisingly focuses on recruitment.
Everton have made five signings so far this summer but David Moyes is adamant more work needs to be done - particularly if he is being challenged to get the Blues back into Europe.
Here, Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas responds to the latest questions from readers.
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Do you think we'll get Jack Grealish back? David
I think Everton will get Jack Grealish back if they decide they want him - and if they can make that decision quick enough to maintain their headstart on him.
Everton have remained in contact with the player and his camp all summer as a move in the final moments of the window has always looked likely. Why wait this long? Well, Manchester City want to ensure they are happy to lose him - he has played twice already under Enzo Maresca and the club has just sold attacking players Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur. City would also like money if they can get it. Everton, meanwhile, have needed to ensure his recovery from the injury that ended last season prematurely has been recovered from. It looks good on that front.
Moyes loved having him at the club, the Friedkins understood the morale boost he provided and there is no doubt Grealish became attached to the club - just look at his continued interaction with the Blues’ Instagram posts.
So I think there is enough there for Everton to be in pole position should they want to do a deal. I suggest there is a question not just because Moyes said, on Friday, that no decision had been made on the playmaker yet but also because Grealish’s arrival could impede the growth of Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George, who have both had good summers.
If Iliman Ndiaye does end up at City, I would expect Grealish to come to Everton - partly to help grease the wheels of the Ndiaye sale but also because he is the most talented wide player readily available should they lose the Senegal international.
I really don't want to lose Iliman Ndiaye. But do you think he'd want to go to Man City? Would Everton stand in his way? Harry
I think Ndiaye would like to go to Manchester City, provided the circumstances are right. He is ambitious, wants to test himself on the highest stage, win trophies and play in the Champions League. It is that personal ambition that helped stymie Al-Hilal’s pursuit earlier in the summer and his rejection of fresh terms by Everton earlier this year was largely around his desire for it to be straightforward if a major power came in for him.
Moyes does not want to lose him and Everton hold plenty of cards, so Man City would have to work hard for a deal. But it is clearly possible given what the club can offer Everton and the player. I would just stress that I have no reason to believe Ndiaye has any negativity towards Everton - he likes the club and is grateful for the opportunity provided by the Blues after a tough stint in Marseille.
So who do you think is coming and going? Les
Very excited about this season with the players that have come in but I think we are four players away from being a top-eight team. We need a left-back in, a centre-back, a striker and Jack Grealish back and it will be a very good season. But do you think we will get the players in by Tuesday? Lee
I think the coming days will be busy, but whether bids and offers and conversations turn into deals will be interesting. The Ndiaye situation is significant, he would be a major loss and should Grealish come the other way, his arrival would only partly fill the gap. I agree with you, Lee, in that the team is around four signings away from being a team that ‘should’ challenge for Europe. The starting point HAS to be a right-back. I struggle to see a scenario where a new right-back is not signed (though I have been saying that all summer).
I suspect the rest depends on whether outgoings are also secured. Movement up front would likely depend on a suitor being found for Beto, while Nathan Patterson, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam could all yet depart. One to watch will be Jake O’Brien. Everton have not received a bid at the time of writing. I think keeping him is essential to the development of this side but there appears to be a willingness to discuss his future that surprises me. He would need replacing, should he be sold.
Hello guys hope you're both doing well. Just wondering regarding the U21s, what players are likely to be heading out on loan before the deadline? I hope Harvey Foster and Braiden Graham go out. Adam
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the U21s head out on loan, but time is running out and the Football League season is now well underway. I spoke to David Hughes about this - about Graham specifically and the loan situation more generally. He essentially said decisions would be taken on a case-by-case basis in terms of what is best for each player’s development.
I think several of the players are open to loans but the market is moving quite slowly at the minute. I also think there is a desire at Finch Farm to have a strong U21s this season, and given how small the first team squad currently is, there may be an argument to keep some to help their development through training with the first team. For me, Will Tamen, George Pickford, Eli Campbell, Braiden, Joel Catesby, Jack Patterson, George Finney and Omari Benjamin would be good players to go out. Harvey Foster is ready for a step-up, too.
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