Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen joined Everton on Thursday after the Toffees had already captured the signature of Jordan Pickford
I have to say that as a lifelong Everton I am highly confused about what occurred on Thursday.
Firstly, the Blues paid a fee that could rise to £30million for highly promising young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and then paid a fee around £24million to sign Ajax captain Davy Klaassen.
I had to ask my missus to pinch me, (which she obviously needed no second invitation to do) to check that I was not dreaming.
This Everton, who usually leave it until transfer deadline to do their business.
Even then, they usually find a way of not getting the players they need or in the fans case actually want. In short, the Blues hierarchy are not usually very decisive in the transfer market. Sorry Bill Kenwright, but it is true.
A new era has begun
It seems a new era has truly begun. Last summer the arrivals of boss Ronald Koeman and director of football Steve Walsh were supposed to herald a new era, after the exciting arrival of billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri a few months earlier.
However, last summer was one of missed opportunities for the Toffees. Finishing seventh in the Premier League was not a bad result. There was a feeling though around the club that it could have been so much better if the right players had arrived last summer.
Even want away striker Romelu Lukaku lamented the lack of realistic summer arrivals. The Belgian striker may have been using that as an excuse to leave. However, there was some truth in his criticism.
The fact Everton have business done so early in the transfer window suggests that Koeman and Walsh are meant business this summer. There has been no dithering so far. Reports suggest Everton could be about to add more players to their already reasonably talented squad.
Lukaku and Ross Barkley likely to leave
Whether the club are already spending the respective income from the sale of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley is unclear. Lukaku looks certain to leave the club after begging ex-Chelsea to take him back. His pleas may not be in vein, though, as striker Diego Costa looks set to leave the champions.
Replacing the Belgian striker’s goals will be difficult. However, it is important to remember that the Toffees would still have finished seventh last season without his 24 league goals. That rather puts losing the striker into perspective.
Barkley is an infuriating player. The England international has a lot of ability but runs down more blind alleys than an alcoholic on a Saturday night. Everton fans give him stick, as he struggles to make the right decisions repeatedly.
He is one of own and all that. However, the fear is he will never progress any further than his current level. If Everton are to move forward in the future then that is not good enough.
With just 12 months left on his contract Koeman has already stated that the midfielder will be sold this summer. That is if he fails to sign a new big money deal with the Blues of course.
The signing of Klaassen and reported interest in Swansea star Gylfi Sigurdsson suggests his days on Merseyside are numbered. Selling the midfielder for big money this summer could to be good business for the clubManchester City and Tottenham reportedly interested in Barkley.
Transfer dealings key to challenge next season
What happens in the transfer market this summer will very much determine how the Blues campaign goes next season. Everton have made a good start to their summer recruitment drive. More players of a similar calibre are required to improve on seventh place next season.
If Everton can continue to add quality players to the squad, then their odds of 10/1 to finish in the Premier League’s top-four next season will look very decent indeed.
This summer could well be an exciting one for all Evertonian’s, as we have been waiting for a summer just like this for a long time and long may it continue.
Will Pickford and Klaassen prove to be good signings for Everton?
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