Everton Must Sign £20m "Full Package" This Summer

Everton have struggled to comfortably compete in the Premier League once again this season and Sean Dyche has been working hard to save the club from relegation.

The Toffees have just ten games left to secure survival and are currently just two points clear of the bottom three going into their clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night and after going unbeaten in their last three league games will be hoping they can continue to pick up crucial points.

Indeed, Everton have suffered a number of troubling injury concerns this season with Dominic Calvert-Lewin again unable to retain his fitness which has weakened the forward line considerably over the campaign so far.

Not only that, Richarlison's summer exit and Anthony Gordon's shock move to Newcastle United in January have both heavily contributed to the lack of options and depth Dyche has in his attacking threat, which has left Everton with the joint-worst goal tally (22) in the entire Premier League season.

As a result, should the former Burnley boss keep his team up this season the club must focus on finding new additions who can properly replace those departed forwards and significantly increase the goal contributions in the team.

One player who has long been linked with a move to Goodison Park is Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, a goal-scoring machine who could be exactly what Everton needs next season to avoid another relegation scrap and dominate games more frequently.

Will Everton sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer?

There is no doubt that big changes need to be made and reinforcements need to be signed this summer if Everton maintain their Premier League status.

The club has been waiting for 18 months to see Calvert-Lewin get back to his best without success, and they are now in a position where they cannot afford to wait any longer or rely on the England striker to regain his form.

That is why the signing of Gyokeres could be monumental for the Merseysiders this summer as the presence of a prolific goalscorer has been sorely missed over the last two seasons.

Over 38 Championship appearances, the Swedish striker – who Jamie Mackie claimed is the "full package" – has scored 18 goals, registered eight assists and created nine big chances, as well as averaging 3.1 shots on goal and 1.6 key passes per game, which has led to the 24-year-old becoming the second-highest scoring player in the entire second tier so far.

Premier League, Everton, Everton news, Everton latest news, Everton update, Everton transfers, Everton transfer news, Goodison Park, Toffees, Sean Dyche, Viktor Gyokeres

It is clear that the Coventry star is a hard-working and creative contributor, something that would be massively valuable to Dyche if he could continue his incredible form on the blue side of Merseyside next season.

Despite Everton's serious financial concerns, the reported £20m fee set on Gyokeres should be an achievable price to meet due to the £45m sale of Gordon and the €28m (£25m) agreement in place with Juventus for Moise Kean.

With that being said, Dyche could get Goodison Park rocking again next season if the club can complete the signing of Gyokeres and ultimately improve the performances to get the Toffees back to competing comfortably.

Liverpool Join Race To Sign £25k-p/w Midfielder For Klopp

Liverpool have joined the race to bring Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia to Anfield this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Lavia's future?

The Reds have Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all out of contract at the end of the season, and with it having been revealed that Arthur Melo will be returning to Juventus, Jurgen Klopp will need to enter the market to secure at least a couple of new central signings ahead of the 2023/24 term.

The Merseyside outfit have already been linked with several potential candidates to add to their midfield including Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Chelsea's Mason Mount, but the latest name to have entered the fold is that of the 19-year-old from Southampton.

The Belgium international only made the move to the St Mary's Stadium in July from Premier League rivals Manchester City and his contract isn't set to expire until 2027, but Ruben Selles' best-performing midfielder aside from James Ward-Prowse after just 25 appearances (as per WhoScored), he has been identified as a possible alternative to the more high-profile targets mentioned above.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have "entered the race" to sign Lavia and are "keen" to bring him to Anfield during the upcoming transfer window as they look to complete an "overhaul" of their midfield.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and City are also reported to be working on a deal, with the latter having included a £40m buy-back clause in the terms of his contract when selling their starlet to the Saints, but as a result of that not becoming active until next year, the door has been opened for other potential suitors to make their move beforehand.

Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Would Lavia be a good signing for Liverpool?

Lavia might not be as much of a household name as a lot of Liverpool's other targets, but he's been dubbed a midfield "monster" by Southampton reporter Benjy Nurick and could be a much cheaper quality option to pursue.

The Adidas-sponsored star is naturally a defensive midfielder and loves to get stuck in, as shown in him currently averaging two tackles per top-flight game (only two Southampton players can boast more), whilst ranking in the 89th percentile for most blocks.

Elsewhere, the £25k-p/w talent has the ability to operate slightly higher up in central midfield alongside sitting just in front of the back four, which will surely tick another box for Klopp or any other interested party.

Whether Liverpool's struggles this term will affect their chances of landing Lavia remains to be seen, but given they already seem to have a fight on their hands, you could argue that the odds are not in the Reds' favour.

Arsenal’s £115k-p/w Dud Was Their ‘Weak’ Link vs Liverpool

Arsenal let slip their two-goal lead yesterday, but still walked away from Anfield with a more than respectable 2-2 draw against a struggling Liverpool side.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s men might not have been in the most glittering of form, having won just two of their last eight games in all competitions, at their infamous home stadium they remain a tough task for any side.

Especially for the Gunners, who historically have struggled to topple the Reds in Merseyside; their last win in the league came in 2012.

There were plenty of impressive performers on the day, who stood up to arguably one of their toughest tests as they enter the run-in. However, such was the bear pit environment crafted by the hosts, some also wilted.

Surprisingly, one such figure who disappointed was Martin Odegaard.

Their Norwegian captain has been ever-dependable all campaign, boasting ten goals and eight assists on the way to leading the pack in the Premier League.

However, it was a day to forget for the 24-year-old, who underwhelmed before his eventual substitution.

How did Martin Odegaard play vs Liverpool?

Whilst Rob Holding might steal the headlines for true poor performers, having been handed the worst Sofascore rating of any of Arsenal’s starting side and giving away a penalty, he does not demand the same lofty standards as his midfield teammate.

The English defender is merely standing in for the injured William Saliba, and everyone clearly knows that; likely even the 27-year-old himself.

Therefore, the occasional poor display against a tough side like Liverpool can be somewhat excused, almost expected.

Odegaard, however, has commanded such a spectacle surrounding each display, that when he underperforms it becomes a far greater story.

martin-odegaard-arsenal-liverpool-performance

From his 80 minutes on the field, the maestro could only muster 40 touches, completing 24 passes. He would subsequently lose possession ten times, and the only cross attempted would miss the mark, compounding an abysmal creative performance (via Sofascore).

Odegaard did play a role in advancing the ball forward for Gabriel Martinelli's opener, but that was as good as it got for the Norwegian, with journalist Sergio Santana even taking to Twitter to outline the “weak performance” posted by the 5 foot 10 wizard.

Often the former Real Madrid prodigy would make up for any attacking shortcomings with an unparalleled work rate. That also seemed missing in yesterday’s clash, as the £115k-per-week magician would record just one tackle as his sole defensive interaction. He would lose the other four duels competed in as per Sofascore.

Offensively inept and defensively work-shy, it was certainly an afternoon to forget for the usually reliable midfielder.

Odegaard has been instrumental in the current success of his outfit, but he will quickly want to dispel yesterday’s showing in order to return to the form that has led to such widespread praise.

Everton’s £20m Dud Is Looking More Of A Bust Every Week

Everton's decision-making in recent history has been notoriously horrific, culminating in the predicament they find themselves in.

Their loss to Fulham yesterday further consigned them towards relegation, which they only narrowly avoided last season under Frank Lampard.

It seems that this season they might not be so lucky, with a threadbare squad desperately lacking in quality and confidence. Even Sean Dyche is struggling to get a tune out of them, despite what seemed like an instant upturn upon the former Burnley boss' initial arrival.

Of these missteps that have led to this miserable point in time, it seemed like the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti remains the outlier. The legendary Italian's decision to move to Goodison Park shocked the footballing world, but his decision to leave for Real Madrid just under two years later did not.

His one full season in charge had been underwhelming, although offered glimpses of a shift in mentality that was so sorely needed on Merseyside. This was aided by the four additions he had made in the summer, which included James Rodriguez.

ben-godfrey-injury-everton-transfer-awful

However, of that quartet, the surprise standout was actually Ben Godfrey, who had joined from Norwich City on a £20m deal. Built like a tank but somehow boasting blistering speed, the centre-back was billed as the future of the Toffees back line.

This remained the case for some time, but his display against the Cottagers yesterday only served to exacerbate his recent fall from grace.

How has Ben Godfrey played lately?

Before launching into a condemnation of the 25-year-old's deficiencies, it must be noted that he has often been forced to deputise at full-back when there has been no alternative.

However, that again comes from his lack of dominance in a central role, which makes him an unlikely candidate to start in his preferred position.

Yesterday saw him once again forced into right back, where he would record a 6.3 rating before being dragged off after sustaining an injury. This was upheld by his 30 touches, abhorrent 50% pass accuracy and four duels won all game, via Sofascore.

What makes it even worse is that this is a display fans have become all too accustomed to.

An average Sofascore rating of 6.52 this season gives credence to the claims made by writer Peter Guy, who wrote on Twitter: "Honestly thought we'd signed a monster in Godfrey. He's looking more of a bust every week."

It was not a silly suggestion to have expected big things from the Englishman, who in his debut season on Merseyside had recorded an outstanding 7.03 average rating. This has disappointingly only dwindled with increased time among the first team, alongside the steady decline of the club.

With Dyche favouring the likes of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane at centre-back, famed for their brutish styles, and no future at full-back with performances like yesterday's, perhaps the steely 51-year-old boss should seek to cash in on the defender who just does not seem to fit into his plans.

Levy Wants To Reach Out To 52 y/o Spurs Manager Target

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to reach out to Luis Enrique over the possibility of holding talks with him about their managerial vacancy.

Who will become the next Spurs manager?

It is now a few weeks on from the mutual parting of ways between the Lilywhites and Antonio Conte but the north London club are still searching for his replacement.

Currently, Conte's assistant, Cristian Stellini, is at the helm until the end of the campaign and this appointment has not seen any improvement in the club's results.

Spurs are in serious danger of finding themselves considerably adrift of the Champions League race with three huge games ahead of them in the coming week.

However, a number of names continue to be linked with the vacancy in N17 and one of those is believed to be the former Spain and Barcelona manager, Enrique.

He is also a name believed to be on the list of their London rivals, Chelsea, as well with the two clubs believed to be targeting similar names.

Speaking on talkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has claimed Tottenham are, in fact, interested in the 52-year-old and may even look to reach out to him soon:

(0:30) "And now we're learning this morning [Tuesday], and I've had this confirmed, that Tottenham are interested in Luis Enrique as well and may even reach out and try and speak to him about becoming their new manager."

Who should Spurs hire as their next manager?

Over recent days, it has been suggested Daniel Levy is keen to bring in a manager who would view Tottenham as his first choice option.

This comes amid the competition Chelsea are likely to pose over the coming weeks/months with the two teams sharing a list of similar names in their managerial search.

However, it is believed Enrique has already been in London to hold talks with the Blues as the Spaniard is said to be keen on succeeding Graham Potter.

Luis Enrique walks off the pitch after his Spain side are eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.

With this in mind, perhaps Enrique would not fit the bill for Spurs with Julian Nagelsmann also believed to be seriously interested in the job at Stamford Bridge.

Amid the managerial search going on behind the scenes at Tottenham, a lot of the Spurs fans have made their feelings known b singing the name of their former manager Mauricio Pochettino during games.

As Chelsea's managerial search could play a big influence on who is available for Tottenham to choose from, it will be interesting to see if Levy does stick to his reported demand.

If Chelsea were to select either Nagelsmann or Enrique, would Spurs then be open to hiring the other which Chelsea didn't?

Tottenham: "Maniac" Manager More Likely To Get Spurs Job

Tottenham Hotspur manager candidate Arne Slot has become slightly more likely to get the Spurs job after rising up their manager list.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

The north Londoners are working to appoint Antonio Conte's successor in the background of their hunt for a top four Premier League finish.

Spurs could be seen as outside contenders to seal Champions League qualification after recent results, and if they fail to do so, chairman Daniel Levy may face a difficult task in trying to persuade world football's most elite coaches.

Julian Nagelsmann, another managerial target for Spurs, apparently sees Europe as a deal-breaker if he is to take the Spurs job so Levy and co may well need to prepare for alternative options if that is the case.

Tottenham have compiled a list of candidates for the job, with Vincent Kompany, Luis Enrique, Ange Postecoglou and Slot featuring in their thinking.

Feyenoord coachArneSlot

The latter manager has performed brilliantly at Feyenoord this season, prompting Spurs to take note and consider a move for him.

Sharing an update on Tottenham's links to the 44-year-old, a report by Soccer News now claims that Slot 'rises one place' on Spurs' list of candidates as he becomes more likely to get the job.

This is partly due to Chelsea and Todd Boehly effectively ruling out a move for tactician, and while Tottenham still prefer other coaches, Slot's odds have increased.

While he is a step behind for the time being, it's claimed that Spurs do see him as an 'interesting option'.

What could Slot bring to Spurs?

The former AZ Alkmaar boss has shone at Feyenoord this season, guiding them to top of the Eredivisie standings whilst losing just once all season.

Slot has also been heralded by Dutch football experts, like Marcel van der Kraan, who have raved over his attacking philosophy.

Van Der Kraan said this on the manager to talkSPORT recently:

“He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time.“He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine.“I don’t think he will leave now with three trophies up for grabs, but in the summer, big chances.”

It's little surprise he is in Levy's thinking based off plaudits like this, and it will be interesting to see if he rises further on Tottenham's list.

Celtic Must Unleash £1.2m-rated Gem vs Hearts

Celtic can wrap up a second successive Scottish Premiership title with victory over Hearts later today at Tynecastle, with the Old Firm outfit currently 13 points clear at the summit with just five games left of the season to play.

In truth, it has been a case of when and not if the Parkhead giants would wrap up their league crown in recent weeks, with the recent derby victory over Rangers having all-but confirmed their status as champions.

Having again got the better of the Ibrox outfit in the Scottish Cup semi-final last weekend, the Hoops are now well-placed to secure what would be a historic eighth domestic treble, with Inverness Caledonian Thistle standing in their way in the showpiece next month.

A major concern for the Hoops ahead of that final, however – as well as for todays' trip to Edinburgh – is the news that defensive colossus, Cameron Carter-Vickers is set to be out for the remainder of the season, with the United States international set to undergo surgery after playing through the pain barrier in recent times.

As journalist John McGinley stated following the recent win at Hampden Park, the 25-year-old is simply a "warrior" and a "winner", hence the frustration that Postecoglou and co will have to make do without a player who is arguably the "best defender in the league" – as per his manager.

While perhaps putting a brave face on things, the Celtic boss himself does not appear too concerned about the loss of the former Tottenham Hotspur man, having suggested earlier this week that his side will "be all alright", with it set to be an "opportunity" for Yuki Kobayashi to enjoy a consistent run in the side.

Will Kobayashi start against Hearts?

With German defender Moritz Jenz having cut short his loan deal in January, it is set to be a straight fight between Stephen Welsh and Kobayashi to nail down a starting berth alongside Carl Starfelt, albeit with it looking as if the 6 foot 1, Japanese international is the favourite for the role, having "done really well" when he has featured of late, as per Postecoglou.

Despite having been restricted to just four appearances for the Glasgow side since signing from Vissel Kobe in January, the £1.2m-rated ace has still made a strong impression in that time, having notably been lauded by writer Stuart Hodge for his "magnificent" passing in the recent win over Kilmarnock.

As his manager stated following that impressive performance, the 22-year-old has "hardly put a foot wrong" since he has been in Scotland, having also been hailed as a 'comfortable and elegant' defender by Celtic Way's, Tony Haggerty.

Celtic's Yuki Kobayashi

Pundit Frank McAvennie has even gone as far as to suggest that Kobayashi is a "better option" than Starfelt to play on the left side of the defence alongside Carter-Vickers, albeit with the absence of the latter man ensuring that a new partnership will have to be formed involving the winter arrival and the experienced Swede.

It will undoubtedly be a test for that duo over the coming weeks, although Postecoglou will need the centre-back pairing to step up against Steven Naismith's side this afternoon.

Chelsea 51 y/o Contender "Totally Ready" To Succeed Potter

Chelsea's manager candidate Mauricio Pochettino is an appointment that could go down 'very well' at Stamford Bridge, says journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Mauricio Pochettino?

As per BBC Sport, Chelsea are in 'advanced talks' to appoint Pochettino as their new manager following an extensive search for a permanent successor to Graham Potter.

The report states that former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann was also in the running alongside contenders Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany; however, it now looks like it will be the former Tottenham Hotspur man that will take the reins at Stamford Bridge.

Seemingly, Pochettino has already started to lay down his authority in west London despite still not being officially appointed, with The Telegraph reporting that the 51-year-old will ask forgotten man Romelu Lukaku if he wants to try and revive his career at the club next season.

Of course, the Belgium international was sent on loan to Inter Milan at the start of 2022/23, though he could now be set for an unexpected second chance if Pochettino is duly installed as the man to lead the Blues forward.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones reckons that Pochettino could be an exciting appointment at Stamford Bridge.

Jones said: "The Pochettino appointment is going down very well at Chelsea. I've spoken to a lot of season ticket holders that are excited and think this is the right decision. Inside the club they are excited too. At first there was some apprehension, because this is not the first time they have wanted him.

"The difference this time is that the manager role is vacant, Poch seems very assured that this is better timing for him, and any concerns were quelled quite fast. He's very open to working with this squad, I was told the young talent they have been buying is something that impresses him and he is keen to make those signings work.

"The plan to keep having Academy players involved is important too and Pochettino is totally onside with that and the identity they need to build and the reconnections that need to be built between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands.

"This is a good step in that direction and the timing of all this allows the season to end in optimism.

"Of course, there are players that will have to leave, but nothing is fazing him right now. I think the PSG experience has given him a toughness that means he feels totally ready for turning Chelsea around. It is a good time to go in – let's face it, things really can not get much worse."

Can Mauricio Pochettino turn Chelsea's fortunes around at Stamford Bridge?

Pochettino looks like he could be a solid appointment for Chelsea and the fact he has a proven track record of turning teams around, such as Tottenham, shows that he could be the missing link at Stamford Bridge to turn the Blues' fortunes around.

In his time at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Argentinian coach managed to take the Lilywhites to four consecutive top-four finishes in the Premier League and also led his former side to the Champions League final in 2019, unfortunately losing out to Liverpool in the final, as per Sky Sports.

His spell in charge of Paris Saint-German yielded the Ligue 1 title in 2021/22 alongside picking up the Coupe De France and French Super Cup in 2020/21, as per Transfermarkt.

Moving forward, Pochettino could be the man to get Chelsea back in a position to challenge for silverware regularly heading into 2023/24.

However, it is apparent – on the back of this season – that there will be a lot for the Argentine to sort out before the club can return to lifting trophies.

Arsenal Keen On "Electrifying" £65m Dynamo

Arsenal will be back amongst Europe’s elite next season, having qualified for the Champions League due to their excellent performances in the Premier League.

They may, of course, still win the title, but with Manchester City a point ahead and with a game in hand, Mikel Arteta may just have to settle for second spot and the chance to spend the summer transfer window strengthening his side ahead of another tilt next term.

The Spaniard appears to already be making a head start on improving his squad before 2023/24, with the Gunners reportedly interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, according to the Evening Standard.

It’s stated that the club looked at Diaby during January, but the Bundesliga side were reluctant to let him go mid-season. However, a move is more realistic during the summer, with the player expected to cost around £65m.

Given their preparations for the Champions League, the 23-year-old could be an excellent addition to Arteta’s team and would certainly give them something extra as they will face tougher opposition in Europe next season.

Could Arsenal sign Moussa Diaby this summer?

A return to the Champions League after six seasons away will help the club secure higher-profile targets, and this will certainly boost Arteta’s squad.

Diaby has shone since arriving in Germany from Paris Saint-Germain four years ago, scoring 49 goals and grabbing 48 assists – excellent numbers for a winger. This proves he can be not only a wonderful goal threat, but create countless opportunities for his teammates.

He has been described as “electrifying” due to his pace by journalist Aaron Stokes, while analytics site FBref considers him statistically similar to Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, which could be an excellent omen for the Gunners.

According to FBref, the Brazilian sensation is the third-most similar player to Diaby across Europe’s big five leagues, and given the impact he has had at Real Madrid over the previous few seasons – including scoring the winner in the Champions League final last term – it’s not a bad comparison to have.

This season has seen Vinicius and Diaby register impressive stats with regard to goals (ten to nine), goal-creating actions (21 to 16), crosses (91 to 60) and progressive carries (210 to 117), suggesting that they offer a dangerous threat from a wide position.

Moussa Diaby

While Vinicius Jr has the statistical edge over the Frenchman, he has evolved into one of the finest talents on the continent, while there may be some benefit to playing for Real Madrid – so there is every chance Diaby can grow his game even further if he made the move to join Arsenal.

It may cost the club £65m, yet it would be a wise investment indeed.

Everton: £70k-p/w Lightweight Was "Run Ragged" Vs Man City

Everton failed to move further clear of the relegation zone as they lost 3-0 to Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

The visitors found the opener as Ilkay Gundogan exceptionally controlled the ball with his back to goal in the box before flicking it backwards and into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

One quickly became two, as the German international this time turned provider.

He burst down the left wing before producing an inch-perfect cross for Erling Haaland to power a header past Jordan Pickford.

It did not take long for the away side to make it 3-0 after the break as Gundogan scored his second as he curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The third goal prompted Toffees boss Sean Dyche to make two alterations to his team by subbing on Conor Coady and Amadou Onana for Mason Holgate and Idrissa Gueye, with the former of those coming off, having put in a particularly disappointing display.

How did Mason Holgate perform against Manchester City?

Everton were forced to take Vitaliy Mykolenko out of their side due to an injury in the build-up to the match and his replacement did his long-term hopes of nailing down a position in the team no favours.

Holgate looked lost at left-back throughout his time on the pitch and was a liability to what the Toffees were trying to do on and off the ball.

Everton's Mason Holgate competing with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

The Englishman was caught out for City's second goal as Haaland got the run on him for the header and did not do enough to stop Riyad Mahrez from crossing for the opening strike from Gundogan.

In the 53rd minute of the match, Sky Sports analyst Andy Hinchcliffe noted on commentary that the defender was being "run ragged" by Mahrez throughout the game and Dyche replaced him with Coady just three minutes later.

As per Sofascore, he did not win a single duel as the 26-year-old was beaten in all four of his physical contests, which highlights just how weak he was against a player not known for his aerial or physical threat, whilst Holgate was also dribbled past twice and failed to make a single tackle, interception, or block.

Had he done so, then you'd imagine the left flank would've looked a lot more resolute and perhaps could have helped the Toffees build on an impressive opening spell.

The £70k-per-week full-back even struggled in possession as the 6-foot lightweight only completed three of his six attempted passes and missed one 'big chance' in the first half as he could not convert from James Tarkowski's knockdown.

Holgate, who was given a Sofascore rating of 5.5, which was the lowest of any starter for either team, did not step up and stake a claim for a regular place in the XI and this display should leave Dyche seriously considering whether to utilise the defender again in the battle against relegation.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers and then AFC Bournemouth, it would be a surprise to see the former Barnsley prospect in the starting lineup again, based on that performance alone.

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