In test cricket, the third day is often referred to as ‘the moving day’, and with that analogy in mind it could very well be ‘a moving week’ at Everton after they held their final ‘test event’ at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It would be fair to describe each of the remaining last three weeks of the transfer window as very important weeks for the club, with the 1st September deadline fast approaching.
As Everton celebrated their first capacity crowd at the new 53,000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for a pre-season friendly game against AS Roma, the other club owned by The Friedkin Group, it was again evident that David Moyes needs reinforcements ahead of next week’s Premier League opener at Leeds United in front of the Sky cameras.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has joined Everton and showed what he can bring to the party with a positive display against Roma. The £28m signing constantly demanded the ball throughout, and created a couple of chances for both himself and his teammates as a result.
Jack Grealish transfer gathering momentum and Everton eyeing new full-back
However, while Dewsbury-Hall impressed, the talk among fans as they left their new home on the banks of the river Mersey was of more new signings – particularly wingers, right-backs and Jack Grealish. And there is a need for all of those if Everton are to head into the new season stronger than last year.
A move for Jack Grealish is gathering momentum. Everton are pushing hard to make it a reality and, by all accounts, the player himself would welcome the move too. A loan deal worth £15m is edging closer, and while a permanent move is hard to see at this moment, there is a desire from both sides to get a deal over the line. There is even a possibility that Grealish makes his debut in Everton’s Premier League opener against Leeds United.
Manchester City FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
There is also interest in a number of wingers. Southampton’s Tyler Dibling is still on the agenda despite a trio of rejections. For now, it appears there is no movement on the £45m-£50m fee that Everton are reluctant to pay the Championship side for their prized 19-year-old asset.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Omari Hutchison of Ipswich is another name that could tempt David Moyes, along with Norwich right-back Keller Fisher – who has also been linked with a move to Merseyside.
It is expected that things will heat up in the transfer window this week, and they must, as if there’s one thing that Saturday’s game confirmed, it’s that reinforcements are needed.
An injury to defender Vitaliy Mykolenko was cause for concern as his replacement, Adam Aznou, looked like he will need time to establish himself in the Premier League, just as David Moyes suggested when signing him.
The uncertainty over incomings is also making it difficult for the management to make decisions over a number of younger players such as Harrison Armstrong and Youssef Chermiti, who may have already gone out on loan had numbers not been short.
Roma friendly at Hill Dickinson Stadium marks the start of new era for Everton
The talk of transfers, however, couldn’t dampen the excitement and sheer joy on the faces of fans as they poured into the Hill Dickinson Stadium, many for the first time.
The fan plaza, which can hold up to 12,000 people, took on a look of Lowry’s famous ‘Going to the Match’ masterpiece, as fans searched for their family names in the ‘Everton Way’ floor blocks display.
There was a look of amazement as what many felt was a dream too far became reality. It’s a truly wonderful arena which will no doubt impress home and away fans alike.
After a number of seasons fighting relegation battles, financial difficulties, points deductions, boardroom turmoil and a general fear for the club’s future, the game on Saturday was a landmark moment.
Over the last few years there have been serious doubts as to whether the club would move into the iconic waterfront ground as a Premier League club, but a lot of hard work, dedication and a tenacious fanbase which dragged the club through what felt like a long dark tunnel at times, have prevailed. The feeling of a bright new era was palpable as the gates opened and those diehard supporters rushed through to explore their promised land
Of course there were a few teething problems which were only to be expected, after all it was a ‘test’ event ahead of the new season. These minor details will of course be ironed out given time, the big question, though, is will the more important issues on the pitch be sorted soon enough?
Buckle up, it will be a busy few weeks ahead.