Be it via signings or loans, I think the following would set us up nicely for the new season...

Out:
Iroegbunam - too flawed technically, I'd take offers for him

McNeil - I still have a lot of time for Dwight. Decent technical player but I concede he's likely to go, and hard to see where he fits in unless we play him as a number 10, which we won't. We're well stocked for slow team midfielders.

Gueye - One of my favourite modern day Everton players, but it's time to move on. No new contract offered, but on the proviso that we bring in a replacement defensive midfielder for the here and now.

Patterson - I will always believe that there's a player in there - and to some extent, he proved that this summer for Scotland when called upon - but I'd imagine he's off. With a new right back signed (surely!) and Rohl? or Garner able to fill in in case of injuries etc. we should be OK back there. PLEASE, no more O'Brien there.

Barry - Could still work out for him at Everton, but I think it's better to move him on now and use the cash to bring in an alternative (main) striker as well as one for the future. If it's Delap on loan, then so be it. I'm underwhelmed by that prospect, but I think we'd be a better attacking unit with him in the team as opposed to Barry. He's still young and a better old-school number nine than Barry ever will be, if not a goal machine. Both Moyes and Chelsea see / saw something in him, and I think he could surprise a few people.

In:
Grealish - another year on loan if possible. I think it will happen, but not until later in the transfer window.

New Right Back - No idea who, but please let them be quick, comfortable on the ball and attack-minded, and not the constant invitation for play and possession to break down that is Jake O'Brien (in that position). We all know where O'Brien would be at his best.

Central defensive midfielder - A young, athletic player that can grow into that position and make it theirs for years to come. Must be technically decent. No one-trick 'destroyers' that win the ball and then give it away again (Iroegbunam etc.). Sick of our appalling inability to keep possession.

New, main striker - be it a signing or a loan, we simply must bring in a decent number 9. Someone that can play as a loan striker and can bring others into play.

New reserve goalkeeper - No idea on this position, but the existing back up fills me with very little confidence. Would be good to bring in a decent experienced keeper to cover for Pickford, even if they're not exactly part of any sort of succession plan.


People will talk about a new left back, but that isn't happening, I'm pretty sure of that. Aznou in the wings to cover Mykolenko? Not sure Moyes would go for that yet, but he'll find a way of covering that position using the squad. I think we'll have to accept that Mykolenko is the Tony Hibbert of this era and given that he's signed a new contract, he'll be around for some time to come.

I don't think the above is too much to ask. Certainly it's not asking us to move heaven and earth to bring in superstars (Grealish aside).

Steady progress and all that.