Well, the season is now over and Everton have secured 5th spot in the Barclays Premier League in Roberto Martinez’ first season, quite the achievement. Not only has Roberto got us back into Europe, he has smashed David Moyes highest Premier League points haul whilst doing the double of Manchester United in the process. I could be here all day listing off all the brilliant things that have happened at Everton this season, but that’s not the point of this article. The point of this article is what my dream summer would be. Right, you normally get these but they appear to be completely unrealistic transfers, I think that the ones I’m about to mention are realistic for Everton.
Number 1:
You could probably guess who this one is, the first signing of the Summer for Everton should be Gareth Barry, it’s as simple as that. The partnership he has struck with James McCarthy is one of the best I’ve seen at Everton for a while, unfortunately, being only 20 I never got to see the Holy Trinity running games. When we were linked with him last summer, I have to be honest, I was completely against the signing, was struggling to think what he would bring to this Everton team, well, within about 20mins of his debut against Chelsea he pretty much got EVERY Evertonian on his side, that block against Eto’o was nothing short of brilliant. Let’s take a little look at his stats this season; Barry currently has 3 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League this season, he has made a total of 1899 successful passes with 1196 coming within the oppositions half. He is most certainly not a CRAB as 850 of his passes have been forward ones and with a total of 37 key passes, you can most definitely say that he is influential to the way that Everton play. I’m putting it out there, if he played against Manchester City, we’re winning that game. Gareth will be a free transfer in the Summer, and you get the feeling that if we are to offer him a half decent contract that he would sign it. Let’s hope Gareth signs as he’d be very important to us maintaining both a Top 4 Challenge and a good run in the Europa League.
Number 2:
The big man; Romelu Lukaku takes the second spot on who we should be looking to sign. As im typing this im fully expecting comments such as; “BUT WE CANT AFFORD HIM” to appear, but you know what, we SHOULD be able to afford him. Roberto has saved money in order to be able to spend this summer, add to that the £87m we’re receiving. Whilst I don’t expect us to use all £87m, a bit of it in order to help us move forward won’t hurt. Anyway, Roberto has made Romelu his number one target for the summer, and with the previous two seasons he’s had, I cannot see Romelu wanting to go back to Chelsea to play second fiddle to Diego Costa, meaning he’ll be up for sale. Personally, I’d go up to £25m for Romelu, he’s that good. I think Roberto and Romelu have already spoken about the possibility of him returning next season, and I don’t know why, but I do get the feeling that the lad is up for coming back, I just hope that Bill backs Roberto to get him. We don’t really need to look at Romelu’s stats but, he scored 15 goals in the Premier League this year and 1 in the FA Cup against Arsenal, that’s back to back seasons in which the 21yr old has scored 15 goals or more, now tell me he isn’t worth £25m?
Number 3:
If you follow me on Twitter you’ll probably seen me mention him a bit; Serbian playmaker Dusan Tadic. The playmaker should be towards the top of the shopping list this Summer as someone to replace the ageing Steven Pienaar. I’d imagine Dusan Tadic would cost around £10m from FC Twente which in my opinion is an absolute bargain for a player of his quality, especially when figures of £25m are getting thrown about for Adam Lallana. This season alone Tadic has racked up 16 goals and 14 assists, absolutely brilliant stats when you consider he could be got for £10m. Dusan can play anywhere behind the striker, but as mentioned, with Pienaar ageing he’d be perfect for that LM spot. Just imagine a; Mirallas – Barkley – Tadic trio behind Lukaku, winning the League lads, winning the League. We’ve been linked for a while with Tadic and for some reason I get the feeling that we will go in for him this Summer. One of these reasons would be Roberto ‘saved’ the money as his targets in January weren’t available, add to that Dusan was quoted around that time saying he wouldn’t leave Twente in January, so with the constant press links and those two quotes, who knows, could we be seeing Dusan Tadic in the Blue of Everton? I certainly hope so.
Number 4: LOANS, SO MANY LOANS.
As we all know, Everton have been attacked throughout the season for their use of the loan system, well I hope we genuinely annoy people again next season by loaning even more. One of our loanees Lacina Traore looks a cert to return next Season with Roberto’s recent comments in the ‘Followtonians Podcast’, whilst Gerard Deulofeu doesn’t seem likely, however, I really hope that the young Spaniard does return to Goodison so that he can tear the Europa League a new one. So say theres two loans, to bulk the squad for Europa I say we loan another two, who they are im not sure, but Roberto will have some in mind!
So, if we get those players that are injured back and sign the three I’ve mentioned plus the four loans, I think our squad would be in very, very good shape, look;
GK: Howard, Robles
DEF: Hibbert, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Distin, Alcaraz, Browning, Oviedo, Baines & Garbutt
MID: Gibson, McCarthy, Barkley, Osman, Barry & Ledson
WIDE: McGeady, Mirallas, Deulofeu, Pienaar & Tadic
ST: Kone, Traore, Lukaku & Naismith
For me, that squad of players and our manager can compete in all four competitions next season and there’s absolutely no reason why we can win a cup, or two.
So there’s my ‘dream’ yet realistic summer for Everton Football Club, make this happen Roberto and i’ll love you even more.
@MartSlinger93
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Rodwell and Micah Richards from City??
sorry and Tom Ince. Bony if Lukaku doesn’t stay.