Season shape-up - Everton

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campaign

Last updated: 5th July 2008

Season shape-up - Everton

Moyes: Looking to strengthen

EVERTON TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Ins: None
Outs: Lee Carsley (Birmingham), Stefan Wessels (released), Anthony Gardner (loan expired), Bjarni Vidarsson (released), Thomas Gravesen (loan expired), Patrick Boyle (released), Manuel Fernandes (loan expired)

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Everton have been pretty quiet so far this summer as David Moyes plots how the Toffees can mount a serious challenge for a place in the Premier League top four. In the latest part of our Shaping up for the Season series, James Pearson breaks down Everton's chances of earning a UEFA Champions League place.

Overview

Everton, unlike some of England's elite, have been distinctly quiet this summer. The Toffees are keen to mount a serious challenge to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, but David Moyes is yet to splash the cash.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all added to their squad, while Manchester United's main focus has been keeping hold of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Moyes has had a battle of his own with numerous clubs keen on landing Everton's England international striker Andy Johnson.

The former Crystal Palace ace has been linked with the likes of Sunderland, West Ham, Wigan and Manchester City, but Moyes is not willing to part with his fleet-footed striker.

Over the past five seasons Everton are the only club outside the 'big four' to have finished amongst the Premier League's top quartet

With Everton's main aim to secure Champions League football for the 2009/10 season they will need to invest in their squad if they are to have the strength and depth this coming campaign.

What's happened so far

The Toffees, who have secured Uefa Cup football for a second successive season, have been fairly quiet this summer.

One of the summer's major plus points for the club is the backing they received from the local council for their proposed new 50,000-seater stadium.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee has recommended that the £400million development be passed by Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears and the Government Office North West, which will undoubtedly pave the way for generating additional revenue for the club upon completion for years to come.

Another summer plus for Moyes is the impending return of injury-hit midfielder Tim Cahill.

The influential Australian schemer, who chips in with more than his fair share of goals, missed the end of last season after picking up yet another metatarsal injury.

The former Millwall man insists he has overcome his injury troubles and is ready to hit the ground running in August.

What they need

High on Everton's shopping list this summer is a new creative midfielder and a back-up keeper to first-choice shot-stopper Tim Howard.

With the likes of Lee Carsley, Manuel Fernandes and Thomas Gravesen all departing Goodison Park this summer, Moyes is on the lookout for midfield reinforcements.

The former Preston boss could well bring Fernandes back to Merseyside from Valencia on another loan spell or thrash out a permanent deal for the Portuguese.

The club did agree a fee with Cardiff City for Aaron Ramsey, but he ultimately opted to join Arsenal.

Following the release of German keeper Stefan Wessels, Moyes is definitely looking to strengthen his goal-keeping options. They have been linked with Wolves' Wales international Wayne Hennessey, but as yet no move has been forthcoming.

The club are also keen on defensive reinforcements following Anthony Gardner's return to Spurs and they have been linked with Slavia Prague's Marek Suchy, although SPL giants Rangers have also been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old.

What they'll get

Everton often like to leave their summer transfer business to the back end of the close-season and this time around is looking like being no different.

Although they agreed a deal for Bluebirds youngster Ramsey in June they have yet to publicly confirm bids for any other players.

One arrival they are keen on is Newcastle's Steve Round who they hope will become Moyes' new assistant manager as successor to Alan Irvine. A compensation wrangle is currently holding up the deal for Round.

Fans' views

I think David Moyes should keep hold of AJ and Yakubu for next season and play with two strikers in every match, but now we need to strengthen up our left wing options - Serdar Kallqvist.

I think if Everton get a quality replacement for Carsley and with a better right back they could hold onto fourth this year. It will be close call with Liverpool but with some shrewd buys which Moyes does every year they might just get in the Champions League in 2010 - Mike Glover

Everton should have a great season once more provided they can build on last season's success. Some of their potential quality players (Vaughan, Baines, Cahill) were injured much of last season and still they finished fifth. If those three can stay fit and display their full promise, we should make it into the top four. With the Uefa Cup football this season though, we should be careful about fatigue and bring in some more players for rotational purposes. Sign Nedum Onuoha to add steel to the defence, Steve Sidwell to bolster the midfield and Shaun Wright-Phillips to inject pace into the wings. Everton have matured well under Moyes and now it's time to rise to our full potential - Peter Douthit.

What do you think to Everton's pre-season transfer activity? Let us have your thoughts using the form below.

Comments (28)

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Dan Platt (Everton fan) says...

Its been a slow start to the summer but Moyes has always been patient with his summer signings and we have complete faith in his ability to find players, signings such as Lescott/ Jags/ Arteta/ Cahill just to name a few which goes to show you dont need to waste millions of pounds like are merseyside friends. Be patient blue boys Moyes hasnt let us down yet (excluding Kronkamp)

Posted 11:10 9th July 2008

Jon Darwen (Everton fan) says...

We need a couple of "sexy" buys to make people sit up and take us seriously. I think top 5 again would be a good achievement considering how the likes of Spurs are spending to compete. I have total faith in Moyes and know he will have a couple of aces up his sleeve. But we need to get Manny Fernandes back - he was just showing glimpses in the last couple of games of the talent he has. COYB.

Posted 16:10 8th July 2008

Steve Hopkins (Everton fan) says...

David Moyes has proved in the time he's been at the helm that he's the manager that could bring a trophy to the club, despite the limited resources he's worked with since taking over. I don't mean the Premiership or the Champions League but either domestic cup or the UEFA cup are certainly possible. The problem is that those resources continue to be limited despite the club's hierarchy telling fans of "financial stability" being close. They also say that the new stadium won't effect the transfer budget but I don't buy that - maybe I'm just too suspicious of people who are in charge of money. David Moyes has made some great signings since taking over, players who paid their fees back and then some. He's also had some expensive failures but then what manager hasn't? I trust Moyes' judgment implicitly but as a fan I can't help looking at the squad and seeing gaps that need to be filled if that trophy is to become a reality. Those gaps must be filled with quality. I think we're fine in goal but if Moyes is looking for experience to backup Tim Howard then who am I to argue? A quality right back like Chimbonda or Miguel would be useful as would another left sided centre back but, defensively, we're ok. I would certainly spend limited funds elsewhere before the defense, particularly, midfield. We now have only one central midfielder and that's Tim Cahill. Phil Neville is a right back not a midfielder. Other than that we have 3 attacking midfielders. We need a pacy winger and both steel and guile in the middle. First thing - get Van Der Meyde off the wage bill. James Milner, SWP, Aiden McGeady are players I like but money is obviously a factor. Manuel Fernandes could be an option but he needs a pre-season. Huddlestone, Appiah, Harper fall into the same category as those wingers. Up front, we're ok, but I would always bow to Mr Moyes better judgement. I would be happy with a UEFA cup spot again but a cup should be the aim.

Posted 14:45 7th July 2008

Glenn Sullivan (Everton fan) says...

We desperately need a defensive midfielder to replace Carsley, a pacy creative midfielder, and back up for Howard. I'm worried about how much cash Moyes has to spend but he's come up trumps in previous seasons with some very shrewd buys, so we'll await in anticipation. Fernandes back on loan would be ideal but I've heard Valencia want to keep hold of him as they're skint themselves. Otherwise, Bentley, Podolski, Alou Diarra, Moutinho and Carlo Cudicini would all be good signings, although Bentley and Moutinho would probably be out of our price range. The jury's out for me on Darren Bent. I'd sooner we give James Vaughan a run if he can get fit. Baines to realise his potential this year which would allow Lescott to operate in his preferred centre-half role. Providing we make a couple of quality signings and aren't too beset by injuries we can definately challenge for 4th, but results against the main players will be key.

Posted 17:47 6th July 2008

Simon Corion (Liverpool fan) says...

Everton have no chance of breaking into the top four this season. They just don't possess enough quality to challenge the top four. In previous seasons they have been lucky to achieve 5th position. I tip Tottenham and Aston Villa to be the next teams to challenge and break into the top four. A good season for Everton this year would be finishing 6th or 7th....

Posted 08:02 5th July 2008

Karl Hancox (Everton fan) says...

I think it is unrealistic to expect Everton to compete with the 'big 4' this season. It's very difficult as the big 4 are improving their squads further. Moyes has done a great job, slowly building a squad which is young, and has the quality to improve over the next couple of seasons. I expect Moyes to add 3 quality players to the team this year with central midfield his priority. A replacement for Carsley is key, and a player who can make or things happen in the middle of the park to link with the likes of Arteta, Osman & Pienaar is key. Another top 5 finish this year would a great season, and if we can get a further 3 players in the following season we may be closer. The good thing is that the squad is a good age, and therefore has the time to grow into an excellent team. Can good management has excellent team spirit conquer crazy transfer fees and wages?

Posted 22:36 4th July 2008

Joe Grant (Everton fan) says...

Same as every close season, as Evertonians we are subjected to a waiting game on the transfer front, while our nearest rivals are busying themselves spending. However, it has been mentioned several times that David Moyes makes late and very shrewd signings. I am sure that these signings will come, but Bill Kenwright needs to sign Moyes first.

Posted 16:49 4th July 2008

Andy Jones (Everton fan) says...

I think in order for Everton to progress into the top four, I think that we need a pacey winger, solid defensive midfielder and a striker with some stature and height. Wright-Phillips or Arshavin for the winger and I'd say get Manuel Fernandes back for midfield. Also I like the looks of Nikola Zigic for our target man striker.

Posted 16:27 4th July 2008

Tim Keen (Everton fan) says...

There are a huge number of Everton fans who regard the potential stadium move as anything but a major boost. It will be an utter disaster for the club and I think people are underestimating how much anger there is in our fan base about how we were mislead in the vote. With the latest figures from the club even if we sold every seat for every game we would barely break even on the borrowing. The transport plan is a complete mess too with no parking for fans within a 30-45 minute walk of the stadium and a transport plan that will leave fans waiting for a bus back to town for over 90 minutes after the final whistle. We also now have only 15 first team players and hardly any money to replace them. It is so frustrating as in Moyes we have the best manager in the country. It is time he was backed.

Posted 16:23 4th July 2008

David Crozier (Everton fan) says...

The trouble is that, as happened last season, an injury to a key player such as Cahill or Arteta (or both...) and Everton drop points - something you simply cannot do if you're to get and keep a place in the Top Four. We need quality back up, particularly in midfield, or a Top Four place is, sadly, unrealistic. Until we can afford to pay decent players a fortune for sitting on the bench, the Uefa Cup's as good as it's going to get. So let's enjoy (and win) that.

Posted 16:01 4th July 2008

Martin Fell (Everton fan) says...

I think if Everton are to progress from last season we need to make sure we have more depth in the squad. Last season once we picked up a couple of injuries to key players, the personnel who came into the fray didnt have the same match impact. The sale of McFadden when we were down the the bones for forwards also cost us. If we can get a couple of high quality signings (names mentioned, Kallstrom and Aimar amongst others) and a competent right back then i think we'll be pushing Liverpool again this season. Steve Round will also be a plus point once the compo is sorted with the Geordies!

Posted 15:55 4th July 2008

Ian Sutton (Everton fan) says...

I think people are worrying too much especially regarding the value of Moyes transfer Kitty, it doesnt matter if its 5 Million or 50 Million providing its spent on quality additions to the squad. As the boys have returned to pre-season training now it would be great to see some new faces in asap to give them as much time as possible to adjust to the Everton Way. I think bring back Manny is a must! i would also like to see Andy Van Der Mayde make some impact this season, this guy was a dutch international, and hopefully can regain that sort of form, and hopefully show his massive wages arent for nothing. I would also like to see Wright-Phillips brought to the club, someone whose hungry, and would like to return to the england scene, where better than helping us cement a top 6th finish again, and hopefully challenging the top 4.

Posted 15:43 4th July 2008

Matt Stuart (Everton fan) says...

A quality new right back to replace Tony Hibbert and a big spend on a top defensive midfielder to replace Lee Carsley are absolutely essential if we are to be in top 6 next season. PLus maybe a squad player or two. That will keep us where we are I feel, which considering last 15 years, is very good. However, if Everton are to push on and seriously challenge the top 4, we would need another two top quality players over what I have mentioned above. Personally I don't think we are capable, financially, of pushing on the top 3, which is a real shame as David Moyes is an absolute legend and deserves Everton having a little more financial might.

Posted 15:19 4th July 2008

Billy Mckelvie (Everton fan) says...

What position in the Premier League table did Aston Villa finish last season? Sixth I'm not worried by the lack, only because Moyes always has some deals up his sleeves that seem to sneak past the press (Howard, Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar, Lescott...). We definitely need to spend money on midfielders. Defensive and creative. I think the creative midfielder should be a winger though. Also another loan for Fernandes. Other than that, a decent striker and centre back. COYB - In Moyes we Trust

Posted 14:40 4th July 2008

Nick Jones (Everton fan) says...

We definitely need at least 4 outfield players, of which at least 2 are considered 1st team. Main needs are right back, centre midfield, a left winger and a goal getting striker. Moutinho, Michael Johnson would be good signings along with maybe Darren Bent. We need players who can actually keep possession instead of sending long balls for Yakubu and Johnson to chase.

Posted 13:45 4th July 2008

Debbie Wright (Everton fan) says...

I believe Everton are struggling to raise funds to attract players this summer. If selling Andy Johnson is going to give the club in the region of 10 million then I think we should sell him. I cant see what he offers the team apart from good work rate but we bought him to score goals and thats what we need. I personally think he is very much over-rated. I think Peter Crouch and Bentley would be excellent additions to the squad

Posted 13:25 4th July 2008

Robert O'sullivan (Everton fan) says...

Don't agree that we need to spend 25million+ rather buy quality for lesser prices - Arteta was 2.5m, Lescott 5m Cahill 2m. There's 3 of our best for under 10million. Moyes will know we haven't got a budget comparable to City, Spurs and Villa but we finished above them all last season and with Moyes at the hem we'll finish above them again. Don't think we should be talking about breaking into the big four just yet, but we could give the neighbours a battle in the race for fourth spot. Would seriously look at Annan Ghana midfielder to replace Carsley. He comes highly recommended. Apart from that I like Moyes' buying British policy, It's working well so far!

Posted 13:09 4th July 2008

Billy Jensen (Everton fan) says...

I think we need a right back and a quality holding midfielder. Hamit Altintop for Turkey looked like a good player, and he played in about five different positions during that competition. I'm not sure how much he'd cost though. Maybe we could just do a raid on the Turkish national team. Hamit, Mehmet Aurelio and Arda Turan.

Posted 11:17 4th July 2008

Phil Bembridge (Aston Villa fan) says...

as a villa fan, i feel everton need to keep the squad they have. it's very strong. i don't rate AJ but more competition in his position would spur him on and get the desire he had a crystal palace. as for the rest of the team its great, it's mainly back up players that is needed more than anything else. but the problem is getting players willing to challenge other players for a place as a lot of them moan about not getting first team football nowadays.

Posted 10:57 4th July 2008

Brian Farrell (Everton fan) says...

I think Everton should be concentrating on retaining a UEFA cup place rather than trying to bridge the impossible gap to 4th. A couple of years of squad building is needed before we can really push on

Posted 10:54 4th July 2008
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