Skysports.com ponders what is required from David Moyes to keep Everton heading in the right direction.
Toffees looking to close the gap on the top four
While stopping short of turning water into wine and tap-dancing across the Mersey, David Moyes continues to work minor miracles at Everton. A fifth place finish at the end of the 2008/09 campaign saw the Toffees once again cement their standing as the side most capable of breaking the Premier League's top-four monopoly. The fact that they are now regarded as UEFA Champions League possibilities, rather than hopefuls, is all the more commendable given that they work on a budget considerably smaller than a number of their rivals. Their progress is testament to the hard work and tactical nous of Moyes, who has unearthed countless hidden gems in recent times and has proven adept at getting the best out of his unfashionable squad. The wily Scot will be aware, though, that further additions and minor tweaks here and there will be required over the summer if Everton are to fend off the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City next term, so here
Chris Burton takes a look at how the Toffees might go about their business.
What's happened so far
History dictates that Moyes has never been one to dive headfirst into the transfer market as soon as any given season comes to a close, and once again the Toffees chief appears prepared to bide his time.
Having left much of his business to deadline day last summer, Toffees supporters are likely to be able to head off on their summer holidays without fear of missing out on flurry of transfer activity back home.
Without a limitless pot of gold to dip into, Everton know targets must be identified with due care and diligence, as opposed to throwing money around willy-nilly.
That is a philosophy which has served them well in the past so, as the old saying goes, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.
Not that Moyes has given any indication that he is about to break from tradition, with the former Preston boss revelling in his role as wheeler dealer extraordinaire.
Taking that into account, expect Everton scouts to be deployed at both the Confederations Cup and U21 European Championship this summer as they once again attempt to lay their hands upon rough diamonds in need of a little polishing.
Should they stumble across a bargain or two then Goodison Park is likely to welcome a new recruit of two, but do not expect there to be a glut of comings and goings on the blue half of Merseyside.
A few Europeans, of varying profiles could be brought in, while Moyes will also take an annual trawl through the best the Football League has to offer, but if the Toffees were to bring in more than a handful of fresh faces it would come as a surprise to many.
What they need
In truth, not a lot. Securing European qualification through their league placing in three consecutive seasons, and reaching the 2009 FA Cup final, suggests solid foundations have already been laid at Goodison.
With no need to part with their top talent in order to balance the books, and with a squad already relatively short on numbers when compared to those around them, it would be foolish to imagine that Moyes will implement a summer overhaul of his playing staff.
Bodies are undoubtedly needed if the club have any intention of pushing for a place in the top-four and competing on the continental stage, but it is cosmetic work that is required rather than a full face-lift.
Everton will be all too aware that an untimely injury to Spanish schemer Mikel Arteta left them short on creativity at a crucial stage last season and a recognised playmaker will be weighing on Moyes' mind.
To help complement the artistic talents of Arteta and co a midfielder enforcer could also be required, with Lee Carsley never really replaced following his decision to move to Birmingham.
Goals also remain a problem for the Toffees, with Tim Cahill all too often relied upon to help carry an attacking threat from a deep-lying role.
The Australia international has never let Moyes down, but he could prove to be even more prolific were the weight of expectation lifted from his shoulders.
A fully-fit Louis Saha next season would certainly help that cause, with the Frenchman displaying his undoubted ability during his forays off the treatment table last season.
Much will also be expected of youngsters such as James Vaughan, Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell, but to ask for too much too soon from ones so young could prove costly.
Having agreed that there is little cause for concern at Everton heading into the summer regarding new additions, perhaps the greater fear for Toffees supporters will come from the club's ability to retain the services of key men.
Arteta has the guile to grace any side, and has been linked with a move back home in the past, while Joleon Lescott's credentials continue to rise year on year and he will have aspirations of one day strutting his stuff in the Champions League.
It appears unlikely that either will be heading for the exits in the coming months, but the Toffees may have to fend off a sizeable approach or two along the way - especially as North West neighbours Manchester City have money to burn and have already been linked with most of the Premier League's top talents.
What they'll get
Added bite in midfield appears to be Moyes' first port of call this summer, with rumours abound regarding an imminent arrival of Rennes' Cameroon international Stephane Mbia.
A fee is already reported to have been agreed for the African ace with his French employers, and at 23-years-old he would represent a sound investment for the future.
Leeds' teenage starlet Fabian Delph is also known to be interesting a host of top flight sides, with Everton among that posse.
The Whites are reluctant to part with their prized asset at present, but a big-money approach would be difficult for them to turn down.
While Mbia and Delph would help to plug the gaps in front of the back four, Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho would offer more adventure in the attacking third.
The Portugal international has been on the Toffees' shopping list for some time and 2009 could be the year which sees the diminutive playmaker heading to Merseyside.
While securing Moutinho's services would likely cost top dollar, a raid on Reading's Stephen Hunt would offer a more credit crunch-friendly alternative.
With the Royals having failed to secure promotion out of the Championship last term, the vultures have already begun circulating over the Madejski Stadium.
Republic of Ireland international Hunt has expressed a desire to be plying his trade among England's elite next term, with life in the second tier not to his liking, and he has been strongly associated with a switch to Everton in the past.
Staying in the Championship and Cardiff's highly-rated midfielder Joe Ledley is another who will not be relishing the prospect of trips to Barnsley and Plymouth again next term.
The Wales international does appear content at Ninian Park for now, but he could be tempted should a formal approach be lodged.
Moving onto the front line and the sudden availability of Michael Owen is unlikely to have gone unnoticed by Moyes.
The England international may have endured a difficult time at Newcastle, but he remains one of the most clinical finishers in the business and, as a self-confessed Toffees fan, is likely to jump at the chance to try his luck at Goodison.
On the departure front, the arrival of Hunt, Ledley or Moutinho could see South African ace Steven Pienaar offloaded.
He has hinted that he would like to play in Spain one day and Atletico Madrid are reported to have expressed an interest, while a more leftfield switch could see him take the riches on offer at Russian outfit Rubin Kazan.
Lescott remains tight-lipped regarding the destination of his long-term future, amid continuing talk of a move to Manchester City, but Moyes is unlikely to sanction the sale of the England man.
His fellow centre-half Joseph Yobo was said to be attracting interest from Arsenal, and could have been deemed surplus to requirements with Rodwell seen as a long-term option at the heart of the defence, but the Nigerian appears to have laid those rumours to rest by signing a new deal.
Lars Jacobsen does appear destined to be on his way, though, with the Danish full-back struggling to get a look-in during the 2008/09 campaign.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have made tentative noises suggesting they could be keen, but either way the Scandinavian star is unlikely to start next season at Everton.
Fan's view - Craig Thompson
I think Everton should bring in young British talent this season so most of the squad can be used if the 6+5 rule comes in - which I think will happen. I'd like to see: Alex Smithies (compensation on a free), Kyle Naughton £5m (upfront), Joe Ledley £3.5m, Chris Eagles £3m, Fabien Delph £4m, Michael Kightly £4m, Owen (free transfer). Also I'd like to see: Carlo Nash, Lars Jacobsen, Nuno Valente, Andy Van Der Meyde, Castillo, James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe leave the club as they aren't good enough.
Who will be the men to arrive at Everton? Who will leave Goodison Park? Let us have your thoughts using the feedback form below.
