Season 2021-22 Opinion Talking Points
Signing 2 Centre Midfielders This Week Is A Must!

Everyone should be focused on signing two centre-midfield players this week.
Big Dunc is the manager and he needs to have the tools to do the job.
Of course, other areas of the team could be strengthened but the midfield is the critical area.
We are just too weak in this department. Either the players are crocked or just not good enough and only Allan seems up for the job, and he needs help.
We need players who are mobile and who will relish the battle. Get the best available to us, maybe only on loan, young or old, but a couple of fighters who can hopefully galvanise the whole team to perform better.
Moshiri and Kenwright are now obsessed with finding a new manager and strengthening the team has been forgotten about. People around them need to tell them what the priority is right now. We need a team strong enough for the relegation fight we have in front of us.
All this interviewing of managers is ridiculous anyway. They should know who they want. The interviewing process was an absolute disaster when they hired the last manager.
Big Dunc is in charge; strengthen the midfield this week and get a settled team in place and, with a bit of luck, we will get the 7 league wins we need. And do not sell anyone!
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Reader Comments (48)
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2 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:36:10
3 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:36:29
4 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:38:23
5 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:39:57
6 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:43:28
7 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:43:53
8 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:46:00
9 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:02:39
Whos in charge of this?, Brands has gone, were managerless, the caretaker said ‘other people do it. It seems that the person in charge of transfers is Kia Joorabchian, he has his own interests at heart, Everton is not his priority. Maybe he will deliver us a diamond.
The clubs structure is all over the place at a time when the team needs urgent attention in a critical area at the most worrying time for the club in years.
Its decision time for Mr Moshiri tomorrow, no later, because times running out to strengthen. That doesnt happen overnight, and its best to do that with the new managers appraisal and approval as there will be various options on the table.
I am not even contemplating us not signing at least one of these central midfielders. As you say Jim, we need two for security.
10 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:20:49
11 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:34:15
Totally agree mate. Love him or hate him Barkley could do a good job for us. There must be someone else we can at least get on loan too.
Moshiri should have said the Dunc is our manager for the time being and he will get our full help and support and that includes signings.
12 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:37:03
13 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:48:43
14 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:51:26
Worst case converting Holgate or Godfrey into a DCM that drops into back 3 when fullbacks get up aint a bad idea, but its Russian roulette with out top flight status at this stage.
15 Posted 24/01/2022 at 22:58:13
16 Posted 24/01/2022 at 23:44:04
How can we get the message out to Moshiri and Kenwright?
As Anthony Murphy said it's Just as important as sorting the manager out.
17 Posted 25/01/2022 at 03:50:22
18 Posted 25/01/2022 at 04:12:19
I wonder if as each manager is interviewed they will offer up players names who they think will fit the system they are envisioning playing?
If we sign no-one, then I think we will be heading into the second (vital) part of the season bereft of midfield recruits. I'm not even sure if the lad from Villa is even going to get a game either, total waste for both sides.
19 Posted 25/01/2022 at 05:04:39
"
Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time.
- The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.
- Premier League clubs cannot loan to another Premier League club a player they have acquired in the same transfer window.
- A Premier League club may loan not more than one of its goalkeepers to another Premier League club."
Since we already signed El Ghazi on loan from Villa, we can sign only 1 more player on loan. If we need 2 more mid-fielders in before the window closes (which I totally agree as absolutely critical for our survival), we can get only 1 on loan and the other needs to be purchased outright.
I would say, based on what is achievable - both in terms of availability and affordability - I have seen these 2 names recently:
Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace)
Ross Barkley (Chelsea)
I think these 2 would do the job for us - the 1st one is a real snarly, 'take no prisoners' kind of player. Whereas Barkley would unlock defences if he can rediscover his skill and athleticism. The crucial thing is that both are experienced in the PL and can hit the ground running.
20 Posted 25/01/2022 at 05:06:34
What a club we are. We ask a guy to plug the numerous holes created by previous managers, but we don't give him the support to bring in his own players. He has to do it with the ones the others failed so badly with.
If Ferguson had any sense he would tell Moshiri to fuck right off. He wont of course. He loves the club too much.
Earning a fraction of what previous managers have earned.The only tools Ferguson has been armed with, is the desire of the players to play for him and the universal support he is receiving from the fan base - with the possible exceptions of grim handful living in an extended virtual phone box, Who wish him nothing but ill..
I suspect Ferguson will be kept on until the window closes and then it will be too late for the next mercenary.The ship appears rudderless, but some fucker is steering us into these dangerous waters.
I'm half expecting BK to dive into a life boat sometime soon. Especially if we get knocked out of the cup and the next couple of results go the wrong way He doesnt strike me as the going-down-with-the-ship sort
21 Posted 25/01/2022 at 05:41:22
Allan looked like he was running in diving boots when he came on against Villa. Some here seem to forget that to play three in the middle, you actually need a minimum of three midfielders capable of lasting 90 minutes.
At a club famed for it's transfer failings, Gbamin is first among equals.
It's a mess alright.
22 Posted 25/01/2022 at 06:13:35
I do agree with you about Tom Davies – just a very unfortunate time for him to get injured. He is a gritty player who would have helped in our fight against relegation.
23 Posted 25/01/2022 at 06:21:57
24 Posted 25/01/2022 at 06:27:15
Ajay, I sort of agree with your sentiment but with one loan already gone we are walking the line. Without a No 10, we have had no service or ability to unlock a defence. (How much would you pay for Jamess goals and assists now, eh?) Grit and Guile a new midfield pairing. The Evertonian no one wants, Barkley on loan and fresh legs to hunt beside him, a bit of steel.
25 Posted 25/01/2022 at 06:28:27
Sadly though, with our transitory managerial situation, I doubt we'll bring any others in this window, and he'll end up at Newcastle who've already made an approach while we stuff around.
26 Posted 25/01/2022 at 06:32:18
The purchase of Gbamin and other crocks like him (through dodgy agents who know Everton will take injury prone players) are the reason we're being relegated.
An absolutely inspirational player who can score 10 plus goals between now and the end of May needs to come in before February or we're down.
We should loan Camavinga from Real Madrid (he's not getting a game but he's a sensational player) for 6 months through our Carlo connection.
He's be a perfect partner for Doucouré.
27 Posted 25/01/2022 at 07:09:52
And yes, by all means, we should borrow a $60 million teenager from Real Madrid. After turning down the RS last summer, I'm sure he'll just jump right on the plane to come to Everton.
Folks, there are 7 days left in this window, and there's nobody to arrange a loan, let alone another purchase. Unless we name a manager today who has a shitload of connections on his cell phone, no other reinforcements are coming.
28 Posted 25/01/2022 at 07:39:06
A week is a long time in politics, as they say… well, on and off the pitch, this is our time – or the end of time if this window goes wrong again. Kenwright Out!
29 Posted 25/01/2022 at 08:21:16
30 Posted 25/01/2022 at 08:22:56
31 Posted 25/01/2022 at 08:34:58
We have no full time manager, no lead scouts, no DoF and no head of recruitment. Do you honestly trust that Moshiri and BK should be in charge of signings?!? Because they know exactly the capabilities we need and the style of football that should be implemented yeah?
No new manager this side of January then no signings. Plus which players would sign for a club not knowing who the manager is?!?
32 Posted 25/01/2022 at 09:06:48
33 Posted 25/01/2022 at 09:08:26
While it looks like we have lost out to Watford for the services of Roy Hodgson, it would be wrong to say there is nobody at the helm.
Relax in the knowledge that Farhad and our Director of Football / Head of Recruitment (Kia) are in situ and making the key decisions - while Denise is organising another critically important EitC initiative (presumably?).
34 Posted 25/01/2022 at 09:55:30
Don't take things that are pointless arguing about so literally. Gbamin is an Everton crock, and he's not going to be our saviour, that's all I was really getting at. His career is over, and it's desperately unlucky for him, to be so fully fit his whole life and then to come here and have your career ended prematurely.
It's more about the people who still think he's going to come back and play consistently and be good, that's what I marvel at.
You also get the odd comment about how someone reckons ‘Tosun might be able to do a job for us, you know.'
Relegation is going to hit these dreamers the hardest because if you still believe in the prospect of these two players coming good, then wow.
35 Posted 25/01/2022 at 10:50:15
Luka Milivojevic is a good player but very slow, a midfield of him Allan and Gomes would be glacial.
We need someone to provide a bit of pace, lots of energy and effort but ideally be good one the ball too. Few options:
John Buckley- The Blackburn midfielder has been very impressing in the championship. Super busy, makes lots of tackles, covers ground quickly but also good with the ball and has 6 assists this season.
Sangare- Been pushing him for years and we could have got him for £7m. has been excellent for PSV and at AFCON. Dynamic, physical, gets about and has a good eye for a pass.
Bentacur- A decent talent who's fallen out of favour at Juventus but was highly rated.
Van de Beek - Is he available? Could be a decent loan if so. Busy and energetic player.
Zakaria- Apparently available for on £7m as his contract is about to expire. Will have better teams to go to though.
Boubacar Kamara- Another good player out of contract soon. He'll have suitors but perhaps could be persuaded by a good offer?
Ebimbe- Bit leftfield but a young player at PSG not getting much time; probably more one for the future.
36 Posted 25/01/2022 at 11:11:58
“We need someone to provide a bit of pace, lots of energy and effort but ideally be good one the ball too”
In a nutshell. The club has to move heaven and earth to address it, even temporarily until June.
Theres got to be a couple of loan options, and I agree Barkley and Alli are not the answer. The engine room is the priority, theres going to be a lot of hard fought battles ahead and we have to get those Central Midfielders in to meet the challenges head on. Right now we have only Allan who comes into that category. Hes 31 and wont play every game. Doucoure needs more freedom to attack, its a crime not to use him this way, but the space left behind him needs to be covered.
Gbamin cant be factored into the equation. Gomes neither , but he can be more effective from the bench when the game has slowed a bit in the second half . This way of using him needs to be explored more as some of his appearances from the bench have been pretty good.
So to my mind we need two players. A couple from your list could well fit the bill and are possibly gettable on loan to buys or end of contract reduced transfer fees.
Moshiri and the board have to act now. Far too risky to let this go to deadline day. The future of the club is at stake.
37 Posted 25/01/2022 at 11:21:10
Injuries haven't helped but we just don't compete at a high intensity level and only the rare occasional spurts from Gray and Townsend have proved troublesome to opposing defences.
It may be too late to sign quality for that area but surely something can be done to get a tighter knit across the middle.
38 Posted 25/01/2022 at 11:29:09
But we live in hope. I guess it may depend on them getting a manager sorted in the next 48 hours or so. Watford sacked their manager and had him replaced within a day. They had a plan. Imagine that.
I wonder if it might be worth giving Warrington from the U23s some game time? He plays the screening role very well and for me has been better than Onyango when i've watched them.
39 Posted 25/01/2022 at 11:32:17
At least Ferguson has got a chance because hes one of us, with rumours hes already told Moshiri, that Patterson isnt quite ready and Mykolenko isnt an Everton player.
So who exactly is signing the players “for now” because Ive also heard that Benitez didnt want any of the new signings, although I dont know how true this is?
I think relegation beckons sooner rather than later, unless we can get a clever manager in, because our wage bill is horrific, and is probably why Digne was allowed to leave without a fight, because alls it would have took to keep him, was a quiet word in his ear, telling him to hang fire because Benitez didnt have long left at the club.
40 Posted 25/01/2022 at 11:46:41
I think hes very talented but not ready yet. More development, more core strength needed for the rigours of the Premier League. That will come.
Conor Gallaghers one of the best young midfielders Ive seen this year. Very jealous hes not in our midfield. He had about four loans leading up to his current form. Learning his trade, becoming resilient and gaining an appreciation of operating under big pressure against tough experienced players. Maybe one or two of our lads will break straight into the first team and take their chance. Others, most, will have to prove themselves the hard way, like Conor Gallagher.
41 Posted 25/01/2022 at 12:08:46
42 Posted 25/01/2022 at 12:40:30
Surely the likes of Sharp and Prentice should be on it.
43 Posted 26/01/2022 at 10:50:09
This comes after Sky Sports reported last night that Newcastle Utd had “given up hope” of signing Lingard on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
44 Posted 26/01/2022 at 11:13:08
45 Posted 26/01/2022 at 11:50:12
46 Posted 26/01/2022 at 12:57:06
Im hoping we have a couple of players lined up, theres been rumours weve asked about Ndombele and also Lingard, Ndombele is waiting for a better offer, Man U will want an over the top fee. Anyway, it shows we are aware we need to move to improve the midfield situation.
I would imagine a player would like to know who they are playing for, before committing. The club are leaving it all very late.
47 Posted 26/01/2022 at 13:08:10
48 Posted 26/01/2022 at 17:43:41
Why do you think Benitez went so easily?
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1 Posted 24/01/2022 at 21:29:41
With Moshiri back on his Yacht and the chairman looking after Blood Brothers in London who does that leave, Denise whose got to do the shopping and get the washing in, that leaves Graeme Sharp who once tried to convince me that Paul Gerard was a good goalkeeper, fuck him for a lark!!