The decision to send Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom back to their parent clubs mean Everton will start July without a recognised right wing option
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Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom celebrate after combining to score against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom celebrate after combining to score against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Everton’s transfer priority for the summer was made clear by the latest swathe of contract decisions. The club announced loanees Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala and Armando Broja would each return to their parent clubs once their Blues deals expire at the end of the month.
None of those decisions were unexpected - Lindstrom and Mangala both ended the season injured while Broja was unable to cast off the doubts of his fitness problems after another campaign blighted by setbacks.
But ahead of a summer of major transition, the decision for Everton not to pursue a deal for either Harrison or Lindstrom, who like Broja had an option within his loan agreement for the Blues to make the deal permanent, means manager David Moyes will enter the transfer window without a senior recognised option on the right wing.
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Moyes arrived at Everton having previously expressed an interest in Harrison and Lindstrom. While he was well aware of Harrison’s ability through his spells at Leeds United and then Everton, where he has been on loan for the previous two campaigns, the Blues boss had been impressed by Lindstrom when his Eintracht Frankfurt side overcame Moyes’ West Ham United in the Europa League.
Yet the players were low on confidence after tough starts to the season under Sean Dyche. Moyes challenged them to add goals and assists to their game and both were given opportunities. Lindstrom grew into his role before a hernia injury ended his season prematurely. Harrison started the final day win over Newcastle United.
Neither was able to put together a strong case for their retention though and both are now set to leave the club - though Moyes could return for them later in the summer, with Napoli and Leeds likely to listen to offers for Lindstrom and Harrison respectively.
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For now, Moyes would only have the option of playing attack-minded players such as Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye out of position should he wish to fill the gap on the right with his current squad. Alternatively, he could exploit James Garner’s versatility and move him wide.
In reality, Moyes will start this summer looking for at least one new face to boost the right of his attack. It is a position outgoing director of football Kevin Thelwell sought to resolve over recent summers, with moves for Leeds’ Wilfried Gnonto and Hull City’s Jaden Philogene, now of Ipswich Town, failing to end in a deal.
Moyes will look to inject pace in that area as part of efforts to overhaul an attack that has struggled over recent campaigns and prizes a track record of goals and assists. Tom Fellows of West Bromwich Albion and Ernest Nuameh of Lyon have both been tracked at various points. Whether they will be taken forward by the new-look recruitment wing of the club remains to be seen, however, with Thelwell's exit set to combine with that of head of recruitment Dan Purdy. Moyes opted not to sign Nuameh in January over concerns about his lack of goal contributions at a time he could ill-afford to gamble with signings.
The search to bolster the right of the midfield will have the added complication of Everton needing to find a long term solution at right back. Moyes wants Seamus Coleman to remain in the playing squad but accepts his minutes will be limited. The decision to start departing Ashley Young ahead of Nathan Patterson at Newcastle was a blow to the Scotland international's hopes of securing that spot next season.
Of the 15 players on expiring deals heading into the summer, the fate of nine is now known. As well as the four loanees leaving the club, Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia, Young and Abdoulaye Doucoure will all move on. Neal Maupay’s loan deal with Marseille contained an obligation for that deal to be made permanent.
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Moyes will look at the central midfield, forward line and full-backs with urgency and he now needs to bolster the team around Jordan Pickford with back-up keepers Virginia and Begovic, who were both on the bench at St James’ Park, leaving. The right wing was always going to be a key area but Monday’s decisions showcase the extent of the task awaiting Moyes over the coming months.