SILVA’S SUMMER SEARCH

Perhaps unlike the transfer window of last summer, it is now clear where Everton should look to strengthen.

Adding to the squad, as well as keeping/replacing players who were on loan, or are wanted by other clubs, is also vital. Brands and Silva have made it evident in recent weeks that any new signings should fit in to the profile of being reasonably young, and suited to the philosophy that they are trying to impose on to the club. We’ve highlighted the positions that Everton should address this summer, whilst suggesting the players who could be brought in.

Striker:

The general consensus amongst Everton fans is that the signing of a striker should be a priority during the summer transfer window. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has done well in recent weeks, and the team benefits from his physical attributes. His work rate, pace, strength, and aerial ability all contribute massively to the team’s attacking play. However, the absence of more technical attributes can be evident during games, and this is further highlighted by his lack of goals. Ideally, Everton should bring in a top-quality striker who boasts similar physical attributes to Calvert-Lewin, as well as being better on the ball and a better finisher.

Rumoured signings: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jean-Kevin Augustin, Callum Wilson, Memphis Depay, Danny Welbeck

Other options: Timo Werner , Wissam Ben Yedder, Andrea Belotti, Paco Alcacer, Moussa Dembele, Sebastien Haller

Centre-back:

Kurt Zouma provided many outstanding performances throughout the 2018/19 campaign, and was a huge contributor in Everton’s solid defence towards the end of the season. However with Zouma only being on loan, he has now returned to parent-club, Chelsea. Furthermore, a looming Chelsea transfer ban may lead to Everton being denied a permanent transfer for the defender. If this is the case, Marcel Brands and Marco Silva will have to look elsewhere for a first-choice centre-back.

Rumoured signing: Kurt Zouma

Other options: Harry Maguire, Nathan Ake, Dayot Upamecano, Jamaal Lascelles, Tyrone Mings

Right-back:

Despite Seamus Coleman’s resurgence in form for the second half of the 2018/19 season, he did appear to struggle at times in the early stages of the campaign. Everton may begin to look at right-backs to replace Coleman for next season. Even if a new right-back isn’t brought in to take Coleman’s place immediately, it may be a good idea to determine a long-term replacement for the beloved Irishman, who turns 31 this year. Jonjoe Kenny, as well as the returning Mason Holgate will be hopeful of becoming Coleman’s successful. However, Everton may look elsewhere.

Rumoured signing: Thomas Meunier, Andre Almeida

Other options: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reece James, Noussair Mazraoui, Ricardo Pereira, Ryan Fredericks

Defensive-midfield

Signings in this area will very much depend on potential departures. As a vital component of the first team, if Idrissa Gueye leaves in the summer, he will need to be sufficiently replaced. However, the absence of rumours regarding potential replacements, as well as whispers that Gueye will remain at Everton, suggest that he may stay. Similarly if Morgan Schneiderlin moves on, a replacement will need to be established. The young Argentinian, Santiago Sosa, has been rumoured and may provide a more youthful defensive-midfield option.

Rumoured signings: Santiago Sosa, Lucas Tousart

Other options: Wilfred Ndidi, Declan Rice, Andreas Pereira, Sean Longstaff

Centre-midfield/Attacking-midfield:

Again, this area is dependent on keeping a midfielder from the 2018/19 season. Evertonians throughout social media are begging for Andre Gomes to stay following the completion of his loan season from Barcelona. He provides creativity in the midfield and enables for better possession of the ball, and would hopefully be sufficiently replaced if he does not return to Everton for the 2019/2020 season. Tottenham have been heavily linked with the midfielder, and the promise of Champions League football could be too good to turn down. An alternative option may be to play Gylfi Sigurdsson in Andre Gomes’s role, and look to sign a new central-attacking-midfield player.

Rumoured signings: Andre Gomes, Kevin Strootman, Joao Felix

Other options: Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tanguy Ndombele, Youri Tielemans, Donny van de Beek, Nabil Fekir, James Maddison

Winger:

Despite the terrific performances of last summer’s signings of Richarlison and Bernard, Everton are reportedly looking for another winger to bolster attacking options. Despite the suggestion that the club want a left-footed winger, some right-footed wingers have been recently linked to Everton. This addition, along with the likes of the previously mentioned Bernard and Richarlison, as well as Ademola Lookman, and the potentially returning Henry Onyekuru, should provide the Everton attack with plenty of pace and trickery in advanced areas of the pitch.

Rumoured signings: Bertrand Traore, David Neres, Allan Saint-Maximin

Other options: Hirving Lozano, Ryan Fraser, Yacine Brahimi, Wilfried Zaha, David Brooks, Gerard Deulofeu, Quincy Promes, Hakim Ziyech

BILLY MINSHALL