Everton boss sets out transfer plans
As the dust settles on the 2018-19 Premier League season, Everton manager Marco Silva is setting out his hopes and plans for the upcoming summer transfer window.
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo Silva reiterates how important keeping hold of loan signings Kurt Zouma and Andre Gomes are to his plans for Everton to build on this season’s late momentum.
This is key for the Blues, not only to maintain existing levels of performance but also to send a signal of real ambition and intent. For too long the Toffees have flattered to deceive, occasionally looking like they might break that Premier League glass ceiling and then failing to ultimately do so.
Keeping hold of Zouma and Gomes would really underline how determined Everton are to making a renewed and critically, a sustained effort to challenge the established elites.
Silva also talks of holding onto players like Richarlison who despite some inconsistent displays, has shown the potential to become a top quality player.
And several other additions are identified such as strengthening in areas like right-back, midfield and of course up front.
I would say that these are certainly the main areas of the team that need addressing the most urgently. Creating greater competition and options across the squad will be another fundamental building block.
Already Everton have been linked with a possible new recruit with rumours that they have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Joao Mario a midfielder currently playing his trade at Inter Milan.
No doubt we will see many more of these stories with increasing regularity as the off-season continues.
In other news it seems as if Blues defender Yerry Mina might face a ban from the FA over alleged gambling infractions. We’ve covered this story before but it now seems that Mina might well face punishment.
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It’s not certain what could happen if he is found guilty of breaking FA rules. If the Colombian centre-half is banned for any length of time that will be a blow to Everton’s preparations for the coming season.
Mina has had a difficult first campaign in the Premier League beset with injuries and so inevitably his performances have been up and down form when he has played.
For the Toffees to get the best out of the former Barcelona man, he needs a full pre-season and a sustained period without injury.
A ban would presumably severely disrupt that. Anyway we will have to wait and see what officialdom at the FA decides.