Everton escaped relegation by skin of their teeth. The supporters would never ever want to have such an experience again. This is Frank Lampard’s first proper transfer window and he will be hoping to remodel and redevelop the Everton squad that is a mish-mash of a team made by five-six managers in previous six years.
One thing that Lampard made absolutely clear is that he wants to build a squad that is not injury prone and can sustain the pressures of grueling fixtures. Injuries have crippled Everton and often derailed them from their path. Injuries to key personnel were one of the main reasons why the Toffees landed in deep waters last season.
Everton’s financial problems have been well documented which means that the Toffees will not be able to spend freely without making sales. Despite the situation, Everton will want to strengthen the side in certain departments so that the Toffees do not land in a situation that they did last season.
Lampard wants to build a robust squad and going into the new season, the Toffees will hope that they can finally take steps forward to their dream of European football. To be able enough to compete for a European spot, upgrades need to be made. Here are the positions Lampard must aim to strengthen
3 positions Everton will hope to strengthen this summer
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Michael Keane and Mason Holgate were Everton’s most used centre backs
1. Centre back
Everton’s central defence was a subject of constant chop and change, a central defence combination rarely remained same in the next game. Everton have five centre backs in the roster – Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Mina has had yet another terrible season in terms of fitness. No doubt that when he was in the lineup, Everton looked much more secure and solid at the back but the problem is that the Colombian missed more than 50% of the games this season. He just played 13 Premier League games so having Mina on a £120,000 per week seems to be a luxury product.
Keane made 32 appearances but was inconsistent with his performances. Godfrey was also hit by injury and found difficulties to attain match fitness after being hit by COVID. Holgate improved massively in the second half of the campaign but his first half remained poor, filled with errors. Branthwaite made a total of 11 appearances this season is still a work in progress.
Everton need a resilient and a commanding centre back. If there’s a need to offload one of the current central defenders, the Toffees shouldn’t hesitate in doing so. Godfrey and Branthwaite should not be for sale but Mina, Keane or Holgate should be free to depart.
The Merseysiders have been linked to James Tarkowski. The Burnley defender would arrive on a free transfer. Kim Min-jae is another name that has been linked. As the summer transfer window progresses, Everton might ultimately launch offers.
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Allan is rumoured to leave Everton
2. Holding midfielder
When Frank Lampard took over at Everton in January, the Englishman had requested for a No.6 in the culminating stages of the winter transfer window. Sadly, the time was too less and the options on the table were too expensive and the Toffees didn’t manage to sign a holding midfielder.
With Fabian Delph likely to depart upon his contract expiry and Allan also linked with a move away from Goodison Park. The Toffees are in desperate need for a holding midfielder. Often, when Everton lined up in a midfield two, they were overrun.
Having an efficient holding midfielder eliminates the risk of exposing the defence to a certain extent because he will always be there to protect the rearguard. The Toffees have been linked with various names: Joao Palhinha and Cheick Doucoure but so far they just seem to be paper talk and nothing concrete.
Jean-Philippe Gbamin had a successful loan spell at CSKA Moscow where he managed to keep himself fit and play nine 90 minute games out of 11. So far there are no indications if Lampard will trust Gbamin or not but a decision over Gbamin’s future will also be made soon.
For long Everton struggled to replace Idrissa Gueye. Their struggles in midfield have been glaringly evident and the temporary fixes only work for a certain time. The Toffees cannot continue fitting square pegs in round holes.
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Abdoulaye Doucoure has been Everton’s top central midfielder
3. Central midfielder
If Allan departs, Delph leaves after his contract expiry and Everton manage to offload Gomes and his massive wages, the Toffees will be left with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tom Davies as central midfielders. Dele Alli is more of an attacking midfielder and hones more attacking skills than that of a central midfielder.
Signing a young, energetic central midfielder would also be on Lampard’s list depending on what happens to the other midfielders. Doucoure is a workhorse who will touch every blade of grass on the pitch but Everton do not have a proper backup with similar skillsets.
Signing a midfielder with high work rate and certain on the ball qualities is required. The Merseysiders have been linked to central midfielders like Eric Ramires of Red Bull Bragantino and Ederson Silva of Salernitana. Connor Gallagher is also an option but Chelsea may not want to sell him.
It is still early days so we are not quite aware about what will be Everton’s spending power and how much can the Toffees spend without breaking the Profit and Sustainability rules. As mentioned, it is likely that Everton will have to sell first so the supporters will have to remain patient and trust in Lampard and Kevin Thelwell.
Which other position should the Royal Blues strengthen this summer?