Interest in Bernard from Middle East

Interesting rumour to pass the time until we play again. I can't imagine he'd be interested in playing in Dubai just yet. And for only £10mil, I wouldn't expect us to sell him to them either.

I like Bernard and would personally prefer him to stay. When played to his strengths, which we have seen in flashes when he plays through the middle, à la David Silva, there is a class player there.

Unfortunately though, his wages of £120k/week do not justify a backup / squad player, and I suspect we will sell. Probably to Roma for Olsen plus cash.

Is this putting a marker down to Roma with regards market value? I would imagine he would prefer them and to work for his old boss Fonseca.

Bernard has got all he skill in the world, grace and balance. The problem is the physicality of the Premier League. James Rodriguez in his interview alluded to the friction and physical nature of the league, it sets it apart. Bernard’s game is too disrupted by it. In a less frantic league he could be a much more effective and that why Fonseca wants him back.

If we could do a deal with Olsen coming to us and a cash adjustment in our favour I think that is good business for the club.

He is an increasingly peripheral player at the moment and getting his wages off the books will allow us to strengthen with a player who will have more impact and improve us.

Tony, I think that is exactly what it is. Purely a negotiating tactic.

I could see this happening. And £10m seems a good fee in the circumstances. He can be a lovely player but he just doesn't contribute enough to merit the £120k pw wages.

Sad that he didn't become our David Silva but you can't be too sentimental. He's not worked out so you shift him on and try again.

Vijay @2,

I think we all like Bernard, but let's face it – how often do we see what he is capable of? Not only down to limited appearances, but when he has been given a run-out, he spends an inordinate amount of time on his arse!

You would think a small player would have a low centre of gravity and increased stability, but it seems the opposite in his case. Plus the extortionate wages he is on (not his fault btw) is not proportionate.

Where does Olsen fit in with all this? Do we need him? Is he willing to play second fiddle to Pickford? He has definitely put pressure on Pickford. More than Lössl or Virginia would have.

The big stumbling block will be Bernard's wages. I can't see Roma matching or getting close to the reported deal he's on here. This is where we have made major errors with Bolasie, Tosun, Sandro and a few others.

I'm always sceptical when we sign a player on anything longer than a 3-year deal. I get the idea. The practicality of it is the player will force a move regardless if he wants. On a 3-year deal, we can evaluate a player inside the first 12 months and extend their contract.

Bernard is 28. It is stick or twist time for him and Everton. His agent will want him to get a final payday with his next move. Agents fees etc. Al Nasr might be the easier deal. Probably offer better wages. Longer contract and similar transfer fee.

The downside is Olsen stays on loan and we might lose him come the summer. Shows how tricky our transfer dilemmas are.

Gonna be an interesting few weeks to see if any one comes in and departs EFC.

My son just found a good sea shanty song about Michael Keane, catchy and stirring tune, Ill try and dig out the link, as it's on TikTok.

Worth a mooch, it's by The Keggerman.

He's got to go because he doesn't look to be part of the manager's plans and he's on an unbelievably high wage.

Little weeds like Bernard can still flourish in this league, David Silva is an example, but the only way to succeed is to use that skill to draw fouls or be able to improve your strength like Sterling.

Bernard has done neither.

Perhaps if he played for the Sky darlings, he might get more freekicks/protection from the refs, but too often he is left on the deck without the ball. He would be better suited to European footy.

I like Bernard as he seems to be thinking two moves ahead but if Messrs Ancelotti & Brands are of the opinion that the 23 man squad is too big then I suppose Bernard maybe on the least required list and £10M for a free transfer in seems a reasonable break-even fee.

Given the number of players we have in that squad (23?) and on loan having been a recent part of the squad, it might be interesting to number who we have in various positions: 4 keepers, 5 central defenders, 9 or 10 midfielders and 2 strikers?

If ever there was a player who flatters to deceive, Bernard Anício Caldeira Duarte is him.

Yes, he shows some nice ball skills on rare occasions... but to what end product? A couple of goals and a couple of assists each season, if you're lucky. He is basically a total failure as an attacking threat, a complete waste of space on the team.

Simply and absolutely not good enough. How anyone can compare his pathetic contributions to David Silva just defies comprehension. I will be overjoyed if he leaves in this window but the lack of anything real happening despite the daily stream of clickbait nonsense, the deflating words from our great Blue leaders, and the history of many previous transfer windows anticipated with such rampant enthusiasm and unbridled optimism by our resident fantasy football fanatics, suggest we should not expect too much to actually happen by 1 February.

If a game gets physical, he takes a back seat.

For once, we have a pretty good level of agreement on here. Even Michael's view is just a hard-nosed version of what everyone else is saying with a touch of sugar.

£6M a year off the wage bill and an incoming fee would be a result given that we have so many other options who are all equally ineffective, but a lot cheaper.

Bernie will remain a good player when he is allowed to play by less physical opposition. I think he has always tried so will be remembered, on the whole, fondly but with little regret at his departure when it happens.

Jason - we're very strongly linked with Portuguese keeper Rui Silva of Granada who will be free in summer. So Olsen may not fit in with all of this.

I am surprised that some still see some benefit in keeping hold of Bernard, and I think Michael was spot on with his views on Bernard. A complete and utter waste of time and money.

Although some say well we got him for nothing, well, we may not have paid his previous club a fee but you can be pretty certain that he and his agent will have pocketed a tidy sum for him signing on. Then, to add insult to injury, we paid him a reported £120,000 per week complete madness. Just to put that into context – that was more than most of Liverpool's team earned when they won the Champions League a couple of years back.

Hopefully we will have learned the lesson and with Ancelotti now in charge lets only pay big money to players who have shown they are worth that sort of money. As I keep saying with us being close to our FFP limit we have to be far more circumspect when spending money in future.

You could not start a game against decent opposition with James and Bernard both in the starting line-up.

Take the money.

Vijay: David Silva used in the same sentence to describe Bernard? You got to be having a laugh. Apart from maybe their height, there is nothing similar.

David Silva is one of the best midfielders to have graced the Premier League, a perception of space, incredible passing, amazing control and ability to collect the ball and move it on at rapid speed. Also had a wicked shot and could really get power behind the ball. A really quality player who had everything you want from a creative midfielder.

Bernard, on the other hand, fails to impose himself on games, loses possession easily, doesn't pass with any particular quality, falls over all the time..he occasionally moves quite well and beats a couple of players, occasionally. But generally he's been very poor. £10 million would be a smashing deal, especially if it gets his £120k wages off out payroll.

Bernard needs to play in the No10.
I like the player he can pick a pass and has quick feet, however if he does not feature in Carlos plans and only has 12 months left on his contract ? A move to the middle east for £10m pharaoh enough.

Even in his home country Bernard was likened to Juninho of Middlesborough fame - the latter a World Cup winner, of course - but he hasn't come close to emulating him.

He didn't make the grade with the national team. He had the misfortune to replace the injured Neymar in 'that' 7-1 semi-final v Germany and hasn't been near the Brazilian team since.

In his first season there was a bromance going on with him and Digne which promised much along the lines of the Baines-Pienaar partnership, but IMO he has been largely poor since.

He is actually a lot more resilient then some give him credit for and he is capable of the sublime and great skill. But in equal measure he also displays at times woeful control and jaw-droppingly bad passing.

As for playing in the Middle East, plenty of Brazilians play there. The biggest surprise in recent years was Everton Ribeiro. In 2013-14, aged 24-25, he was the star in Cruzeiro's back-to-back title wins and named the league's best player in both seasons.

I would have LOVED to have seen him at Everton. Very Joao Moutinho-like in his prime, but with more goals. United and Real Madrid were sniffing around. And to the surprise of all, he took the shekels and moved to a club in UAE for 3 seasons.

He returned to Brazil and Flamengo, once again showing all his skills, climaxing in winning the league and the Libertadores under Jorge Jesus. He is playing so well he was recalled to the national team last year after being overlooked for 5 years.

Now 31, little chance of seeing him play in Europe now. But a really lovely player. Ribeiro is a game-changer. A conductor of the orchestra. Bernard isn't and never will be.

Lovely fellah, though.

Michael @12, haha! If you read what I wrote, I didn't say he was anywhere near as good as David Silva, I was illustrating that a srawny little bloke can still compete.

Eddie,
Scrawny little blokes like David Silva can succeed in the premiership but as the whole league is moving towards more physical athletic species like Pogba it is becoming even more difficult for "smaller" players.

They have to be exceptionally quick in their thinking and their feet and have to be aware of defensive duties too.

Unfortunately Bernard is not good enough in these respects and at 120k per week is an extravagance we can ill afford.

So Bernard has a year of his contract left, salary of around £120k, and a club is willing to pay between £7-£10 Million, then a no brainer for me, we have to take the money and look to use it possibly for the Zirkee transfer, now that Simms has gone out on loan.

If not Zirkee then at least some other striker and a right back.

Outs for a transfer fee, Bernard, Tosun, possibly Moise Kean.

Incomings, a right back and striker for now, strong midfielder in the summer, if and only if needed, after our injury front has cleared up.

If we can get a couple more out through the door, surplus to requirements in a positive way, rather than deadwood, then will have been a very good transfer window for me.

Is see Martin Odegaard wants out of Madrid - he would be the type of player we should be targeting. Him, Richy and James behind DCL with Doucoure and Allan acting as the engine behind them.

That would be corking.

Jay, I'm in agreement, most mortals need to hold their own unless specially blessed. It's a shame really all those greats from the 70's would be useless. Tony Curry, Stan Bowles, Duncan McKenzie. Jesus, they would be smoking betting, gambling and jumping minis.

Michael @12. Spot on.

He'll do two or three good things a season. One of the most irritating sights is seeing him pushed off the ball and then him berating the ref, arms wide whilst sitting on the turf. It's up there with Sigurdsson finding the keeper's arms at a corner. Infuriating. Would much rather see Gordon given a chance. Bernard isn't good enough for an Everton team aspiring to be in the top 6. I'd snatch any team's hands off for anywhere near £10 million and get him off our wage bill. Comparisons with David Silva begin and end with his height.

Jay 22

Silva shows more strength on a football pitch than Pogba

Fran, if Odegaard wants out he should be our top summer target. Superb player. Would love him at Everton.

Agreed Robert. If we got him on loan with an option to buy...he'd probably cost 30-40 million, but he is quality. He could be the creative midfield option we need in the centre of the park and what we had hoped Sigurdsson was going to be.

He'd also be a huge statement signing to signal our ambition of truly challenging top-4.

Totally agree MK - i'd rather the £22m (wages and potential fee) paid to someone who provides regular goals and assists.

Bernie flatters to deceive, and needs to be moved on whilst he still has a value.

I havent seen Odegaard, not sure of his style of play.

What players would you liken his style to lads

Bernard is just a latter day Preki, only the Serb cost what? a bag of balls and a few kits, and he wasn't paid six figures per week.

Odegaard would play at the tip of a midfield trio with Allan & Bernard behind. He also plays RW. Very technical, intelligent player. Like Modric, Iniesta - and even James.

I agree that Bernard has not reached the expected heights and fell back badly after initial promise, imo the player that seemed to buy in most, at the begining of Ancelottis tenure. I do think he recently has improved and has a part to play under Ancelotti and can't seem him being transfered out in this window.

I agree that Bernard has not reached the expected heights and fell back badly after initial promise, imo the player that seemed to buy in most, at the begining of Ancelottis tenure. I do think he recently has improved and has a part to play under Ancelotti and can't seem him being transfered out in this window.

Robert,

Some names you liken him to there!
Will look at some of his performances later online

Thanks

Robert #15, I hadn't seen reports linking us to Rui Silva, but I'd be absolutely delighted to snap him up. Some months back I nominated him on my list of potential keepers to replace Pickford if/when he goes.

I strongly doubt he would come as a backup, however -- not with the likes of Roma, Inter and Sevilla able to offer him the #1 shirt and Champions League football. He'd only come in to replace a sold-off Jordan.

PS... NBC Sports and Sky both reporting that Odegaard is likely headed to Arsenal on loan.

He's a good player but he's on a par with our best 5 players in terms of salary, skills and reputation.

I understand he was a free agent and it's not my money so I try not to get into that but, for all his skills, he gives the ball up cheaply far too often. As someone else said, for a small lad, it's like he never learnt to shield the ball and win free-kicks; rather, he is easily dispossessed.

A forward attacking player is about end product, decision-making, being good on a consistent basis. He isn't any of these things.

Again he's not a winger and I'd like to see him play centrally behind a striker. But I compare him to Mata at Man Utd, Eriksen formerly at Spurs, our own Osman and Pienaar. All 4 of them often played out of position but produced, ie key passes and goals, crosses, high work rate, link-up play.

Sorry to say but Bernard just isn't pulling his slim weight. We need better. I'll ask for £15M but would accept £10M.

We won't get that sort of money, Justin, he is on too much money. We will probably have to take something like £6-7M due to the ludicrous wages we offered. Sigurdsson is a similar problem.

Yes Steve he is still due to earn £7M wages over the next 18 months. He won't be giving that up, and Roma won't be paying him £125k pw.

I think it is more likely that Roma will pay us €5M and Bernard will be given that to pay off his contract and only then will accept a €50k pw 3-year deal with Roma. In effect, no fee for the player but we are relieved of his eye-watering wages.

Mike, I can't see us selling Pickford because I can't see anyone who would buy. Not convinced Olsen is the answer although he is good competition.

I've never seen Rui Silva but, if he's really good, then he might well be given the goalkeeper spot ahead of Pickford.

Robert,

I total agree, who would take Pickford at £30M plus? I can't see us accepting less than that either. So, I guess we have to continue to develop him and build him up.

I've given him stick but we must as Toffees give credit where it's due, he has upped his shit and is seemingly (touch wood) in better form, we should be encouraging this.

I'd love us to sign a goalie that provided real opposition; Olsen seems like a safe purchase, however, and seems at least to be keeping him on his toes.

I read an interview with Pickford where he was saying he is seeing a sports Psychologist which is helping, fair play to him. Maybe also he finally got his ADHD diagnosis and is on Ritalin also! :)

I can't believe anyone would pay €10M for him, even a club from Dubai. He has cost us a fortune in salary for little return. Getting him off the books alone, regardless of a fee, would be good business. Surely any other club can see that.

I've read comparisons to David Silva and Juninho. I've got a better one for you — he reminds me of Preki!!

Skilful, small but ultimately not effective enough!! And I bet he's brilliant at 5-a-side!

When all weighed up, if we can get a good fee and a replacement, he's probably worth selling but I'd wish him good luck!

The trouble with trying to sell a player to other clubs is the clubs may negotiate a transfer fee for the player, but the player is on such a good contract at Everton he may not want to leave, and his contract demands may not be able to be met by the other club.
This may be the problem with some players who the club want to sell but the players don't want to loose the finances they are on at Everton, and the buying club cant afford the players contract demands.

As a player in the home World Cup 7-1 humiliation by Germany, is it possible that the raft of players from that match have never really got over it?

Balls, Monaco have signed Krepin Diatta for £20m. Very good price for a big talent. Might be one that got away. Mr Hoare will be disappointed.

We took a punt on a players who had come to the end of his contract it did not work out. Given his alleged salary then to let him move on would seem to be sensible.

I think Bernard is a quality player, however, not necessarily the right player for us. Too lightweight perhaps for our league, especially given his stature. I think he's a great deal smaller than Silva.

Difficult to compare him with David Silva. For most of the time at Man City, Silva had outstanding players around him giving him seemingly endless opportunities to pass to etc and whose overall movement would often allow Silva his own goalscoring opportunities.

Would have been interesting to see how Silva would have performed in Everton's team, likewise Bernard at City.

He has had spells where he looked great, but too few.

Doesn't score or assist enough.

If we can take €10 million on a free transfer then put it towards a player with more end product, then get a deal done, innit?

Robert, A shame we have to strike him off the transfer possibilities list. I thought he may have been under consideration to reinforce our forward line. Maybe the player really fancied that move though.

A very shrewd buy for Monaco, they will make money on that one. It will be interesting to see if he kicks on.

After tonight I have officially given up on Bernard. I bet he’s not even Brazilian the way he plays, or doesn’t.

Silva and Mata may be similar in stature to Bernard but are far bigger players.

Another comparison is our former Russian, 'Bily'. I can't spell his name but a Moyes buy who never adapted. He was another Number 10 but often deployed left wing.

Can't we just find a Kanchelskis? Pacey winger who can score goals. Forget the technique. Keep it simple, run fast, pass, shoot or cross. None of this backwards to go forwards nonsense. It’s not Rugby.

Bernard to me resembles Pat Nevin. Classy player on those very rare occasions the opposition backed off, but as much use as a concrete parachute when the muck-and-bullets of the Premier League always engulfs him, like it did Pat.

We have long had a habit of signing wimpy players, either in stature or character, on mega contracts and, surprise, surprise, have had zero success in moving them out on terms remotely useful to us, for decades.

I wonder who the self-appointed "transfer genius" in the boardroom has been over said decades? Anybody know?

At the other end of the stature spectrum, I see the BBC website mentions a link with Dzeko. One of several strikers over 30 who seem to be looking for a new home. Not sure how he's done at Roma recently, but guessing it's media nonsense anyway.

Stuart - Dzeko has been excellent at Roma, might be worth a punt on an 18-month contract. He has turned us down before, however; I recall reading an understandably disparaging quote from him when asked about weighing up a move between us or staying in beautiful Rome.

Not very mobile but boy does he know where the back of the net is, an excellent finisher in the air and on the deck. I'm feeling frustrated with the lack of outgoings so far, would love to see Besic, Bolasie, Bernard, Kenny and Tosun all leave this window.

Steve, Hard to believe we are spending £350k pw on those 5 who are not part of the present or future at all. I think the Covid situation hasn't helped; players just don't want to uproot their families at this time.

Dzeko is top class, just the type of striker I had in mid for back up and to take the strain from Calvert-Lewin when needed. Also to rescue and win games from the bench. A terrific striker. He's the same age as Vardy and like him is a natural, born to do it. I think he would be a great back up signing if Ancelotti could convince him to come here for 18 months.

Great shout to whomever compared Bernard to Preki. Michael Kenrick’s forthright views I largely found myself agreeing with as well.

There's a lad in the live forum, goes off his head every time Bernards out there calling him a "useless fucking hobbit" and worse. It's safe to say Bernard is considered a poor signing by a majority of Evertonians.

If we can get rid, then we should definitely do so. I'm very doubtful though. Is there any more news on Brands and his future?

Interesting comments about Dzeko guys, thanks. Wasn't sure if he was still prolific. Of course, it may just be media guesswork. I mean, now that West Ham have sold Haller, they are being linked with any striker who has a pulse.

CSKA Moscow rumoured to be in talks to sign our Turkish goal machine for £6.3M.

It's leaving it late for us to get a player in, but hopefully we're lining someone up.

Dzeko. good call. Could be our our Cavani?!

Tony, I've just filled the Moskovich at Tesco's and am on my way to Finch Farm to pick Tosun up – I know it's a long journey but I should get there by Friday.

I hope he hasn't got more than two suitcases though as I'm hoping to take Besic and Bolasie with me –if only to share the driving as nobody wants them as footballers.

“I should get there by Friday.”

In a Moskvitch? Good luck with that.😁👍🏻

James (62),

I'd have to think about that, I believe Tosun is a brass hinge when it comes to tipping.

Will have to be a club with plenty of money if Bernard is to leave. European clubs wouldn't match his wages, so hopefully something in the rumours.

Only way he signs for a permanent transfer to a European club is to give him some of the transfer fee.

The rumours are still rumbling on about Bernard going to Dubai. The latest is on a loan deal with them having a £4M option (Dubai him outright). Sorry, coat...

lol Tony

Tony #66, couldn't we Sharjah higher fee than that?

...and Al Ain in the contract increasing the fee dependent on goals scored?

£4m is a tragically low fee for Bernard but, greater tragedy, it's probably worth it.

Such a shame Arsenal have got Odegaard.

Yes Rob, we are good at paying over the odds at times but really not good at selling players for their worth, usually to do with the ridiculous contracts. I think £7M for Bernard is a fair price given his wages, £4M for Kenny, sad to say at this stage I'd bite CSKA's hand off at £6m plus for Cenk. Sigh.

Best news I’ve seen today is Watford are keen to take Delph

Delph, Tosun,Bolasie, Bernard, Kenny off the books?
Kean and Walcott previously with Branwaite and possibly Gordon out on loan.

Good for finance but it does leave us short I’d suggest!

Need 2 in! A striker and a Pacey right winger.