Is keeping Jagielka key for EvertonT?
Toffee James Smedley lets us know what Everton fans expect from their season…
How happy are you with your side’s summer transfer business?
I don’t think happy is a word Everton fans have used much over the past few transfer windows. With the opening of every new one, comes the fear of losing our best players. Think we’ve got away with it this time! Arsenals pursuit of Phil Jagielka has been unnerving but unless they stump up the £20 million Moyes has his future club captain valued at, then he’ll be going nowhere. With regards to incoming transfers, it was always going to be reliant on any money that we raised through sales. With no one seemingly wanting to pay Yobo and Yakubu’s wages unless a reduced transfer fee is agreed, then the £6-7 million Moyes was hoping for the pair will not be available. The £2.5 million for James Vaughan must be floating around somewhere but has not, as of yet, materialised. Come the end of the window I expect a solid squad to remain or an even stronger squad to form if we sell a player for £15-20 million (hopefully Jack Rodwell, but his reputation has massively dwindled). This money would be invested wisely by the gaffer as he has proved in the past. I was really hoping to see a striker signed but this looks increasingly unlikely. One thing I do not want to see happen (which some fans seem to be calling for) is for the board to spend money we haven’t got. Kenwright isn’t a billionaire so can’t use his own money, wait. This is a whole different article/rant… So to summarise, happy? No. Content? Yes.
What do you expect from your team this season?
I expect more of the same, to be perfectly honest. We may not start as badly this season as previous ones with any luck, but a couple of injuries and a potential lack of goals will more than likely see us go through a loss of form. On the other hand if we can make some of our domination count this season then we should be comfortably in Europe. I am really hoping for a cup win! Final league position of 6th would be a great achievement.
Who will be your star man?
Leighton Baines was one of the stand out performers from not only Everton but the Premier League as a whole last time around, so I expect him to be key to our performances again (which is no mean feat from a left back). Having said that, one player who can really make Everton tick is the mercurial talent of Mikel Arteta. He struggled with injury and consistency last campaign but with lack of transfer gossip surrounding him this time and a hopefully injury free season, I really hope his talent comes to the forefront to get our midfield purring and the front men firing.
What young player do you expect to emerge and make an impact?
With the previously mentioned Jack Rodwell being a bit of an enigma of late I’m going to plumb plum plump go for Ross Barkley. He suffered a leg break last October but seems to have recovered and looks to be as promising as ever after impressing in our pre-season matches. I’ve gone for Ross as I felt Seamus and Jack have already broken into the first team squad. With a lack of funds it’s good that Moyes can give our exciting young players a chance. I’ve got a feeling he’s just one of a few waiting to make an impact. Oh and also Magaye Gueye warrants his name mentioned here but I’ve got a lot of hope for Barkley.
