The season might be over but the hard work is only just beginning for Everton.
The closing stages of the 2018/19 term were promising for Blues supporters who watched their side put in strong performances against some of the biggest sides in the Premier League.
However, the inconsistency shown by Marco Silva’s side for large portions of the campaign showed that there is still a lot of improvement to be made.
And that’s where this transfer window comes into play.
Marcel Brands and the manager have been planning for months ahead of what will be a crucial summer for the club – but what could this overhaul look like?
We’ve assessed the squad, position by position, to see what could be about to change at Goodison Park.
Goalkeepers
Silva hinted at a potential shake-up of his goalkeeping options earlier this month, and we’ve already started to see that come into effect in some capacity.
Everton have confirmed Jonas Lossl will join the club this summer on a free transfer once his contract with relegated side Huddersfield Town expires at the end of June.
The Danish international will be back up to Jordan Pickford, which does call into question the future of Maarten Stekelenburg who still has one year left to run on his current deal with the Blues.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Joao Virginia is also an interesting option having had a strong season with David Unsworth’s U23s, and could well find himself in and around the first team picture this term.
Failing that, the Portuguese youngster could potentially be a candidate for a loan move to continue his rise through the ranks.
Defence
Clearly the first point of call here needs to be addressing the central defensive options.
Kurt Zouma’s loan spell was crucial to Everton’s 2018/19, and either getting him in on a permanent basis or finding a suitable replacement for him will be extremely important again as the club look to progress.
Phil Jagielka’s future is still up in the air, but there is a strong possibility the veteran captain could leave the Blues this summer, which would then be another gap that needs replacing.
The ECHO broke the news in March that the returning Mason Holgate will not be sold this summer, and the versatile youngster could theoretically be used to fill that space.
Meanwhile a number of clubs have already shown their interest in Matthew Pennington, who no doubt will be on the hunt for first-team football next term after another impressive loan in 2018/19 – this time with Ipswich.
Aside from the centre-back scenario – Everton’s right-hand side also will need strengthening in this transfer window.
All the latest Everton transfer rumours are right HERE
It is believed Jonjoe Kenny could be allowed to leave the club on loan next term with Seamus Coleman set to remain first choice.
The Blues are already looking to add another young right-back over the next few months, with Reece James being scouted after an impressive run on loan at Wigan Athletic from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, on the opposite flank, again it could well be a summer of change for the Blues.
(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Leighton Baines is also at the end of his Everton contract, although it is believed Silva is keen to keep the experienced full back as part of his squad for next term.
Lucas Digne has cemented that starting place, but even if the 34-year-old decided to leave the Blues have the impressive youngster Antonee Robinson to step in and potentially provide back-up to the French international.
Midfield
The big question on everyone’s mind will be concerning Andre Gomes.
Similarly to fellow loanee Zouma, the midfielder’s spell at Goodison Park was crucial to the better periods Everton had throughout the season.
The Blues opened talks with Barcelona a while ago, and were recently handed a boost in the race for the 25-year-old as Spurs withdrew their interest.
There is still a lot of hope this deal can get done, with Everton believed to be the front-runners for a player Barcelona would be willing to sell for the right price.
Elsewhere, there will almost certainly be more interest in Idrissa Gueye this transfer window after the midfielder made no secret of his desire to leave the club in January.
Everton held off the advances of PSG then, and the Senegal international only improved his performances from that point on. The club will again stand firm on any asking price for the 29-year-old.
Morgan Schneiderlin seems to be one of Silva’s preferred options in the middle and looks likely to stay – but there are a few in that area who could be looking for pastures new.
(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
James McCarthy, Nikola Vlasic and Kieran Dowell have already been linked with potential moves, either permanently or on loan, while Muhamed Besic could also leave the club on a permanent basis.
The Blues would need replacements for those gaps if they were all to leave – with new signings needed or potentially some youngsters being given the chance to step up.
Silva will be keen to look at Joe Williams once more after his loan spell with Bolton Wanderers, while a host of midfield options are already being linked with moves to Goodison Park – on top of the potential arrival of Gomes.
Attack
As we already know, Everton are on the hunt for a new forward this term.
Richarlison and Bernard added quality to that area last summer which was desperately needed – but Silva has been clear over the last few weeks of bringing a left-footed player into that part of the pitch.
Links with Ryan Fraser and Rafael Leao have been understandable and it is understood they are on the Blues’ radar, but other targets are being pursued.
That, however, doesn’t include Danny Welbeck or Aleksandar Mitrovic – with neither interesting Everton as it stands.
The Blues could also bring in another, more experienced, striker in the eventuality that Cenk Tosun leaves the club. However, the Turkish international’s future is still up in the air.
With at least one potential incoming this summer, there will undoubtedly be outgoings too.
Ademola Lookman has been linked with a transfer away from Goodison Park and there will be interested parties in the youngster, who has failed to force his way into Silva’s plans.
(Image: Tony McArdle – Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
It’s yet to be seen how Everton would react to any bid, however.
Elsewhere Kevin Mirallas, Yannick Bolasie, Oumar Niasse and Sandro Ramirez will all be returning from loan spells – but don’t have a long-term future with the Blues.
Further loan moves or permanent transfers will be on the horizon for those four.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is Silva’s current preferred option up front and looks set to stay and the manager has already dismissed any talk of a potential move for Theo Walcott.
Henry Onyekuru could be an interesting incoming option, but he seems keen on staying with Galatasaray at least for one more season.
Regardless, any return for the Nigeria international will rely on securing a work permit, which won’t be easy.
Read More
Must-read Everton FC stories from the past 24 hours
How Marcel Brands" summer transfer overhaul could look at Everton - Liverpool Echo
0 Comments: