Everton’s squad is starting to feel rather two-tiered. A collection of exciting new additions on one hand, underwhelming, overpaid members of a relics of a bygone regime on the other.
The club’s most impressive performers so far this term – Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Amadou Onana and the increasingly excellent Nathan Patterson – all arrived at Goodison Park since the turn of the year, with three signing this summer.
Frank Lampard, however, continues to be saddled with the likes of Allan, Andre Gomes, Salomon Rondon and Michael Keane. Four players, one suspects, he would happily sell if offers were forthcoming, and if talented replacements could be secured.
And while Onana, Tarkowski, Coady and Man of the Match Patterson stood tall to restrict a dominant Leeds United to just one goal during a hard-fought draw at Elland Road on Tuesday night, it was difficult not to think of this Everton side as one in transition; stuck between a promising new era and a highly-uninspiring past.
Tarkowski and Coady represent major upgrades on Keane and Holgate. Ditto Onana for Allan. But there are still a handful of Everton starters who, simply put, do not look up to the task. Big progress has been made in the transfer window. But Everton are still a long way off reaching their destination.
Everton close in on midfield signings with James Garner and Idrissa Gueye targeted
Tom Davies, a player who – unfairly or not – has come to symbolise Everton’s malaise in the eyes of many on Merseyside, struggled to impose himself in West Yorkshire; the contrast between him and the energetic, elegant Onana night and day. The Liverpool Echo, in their post-match player ratings, handed Onana a deserved 8/10.
Davies, meanwhile, got just five.
And the academy graduate cannot afford many more performances like this if he is to avoid the same fate that has befallen Allan, Gomes and co. Especially with Everton hot on the heels of several midfield targets ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Per The Athletic, talks with Manchester United over a £15 million deal for James Garner are progressing. Idrissa Gana Gueye is due in England for his medical. And, according to Voetbal International, the athletic, technically-gifted Mohamed Kudus is taking the Antony route; missing training in an attempt to force through a departure from Ajax.
Wolves’ Leander Dendoncker is another name in the frame.
It is highly unlikely all four will arrive. But the prospect of two new midfielders arriving by 11pm on September 1st feels distinctly realistic.
If Everton are to avoid another relegation battle, there can be no room for sentiment. And while Tom Davies is one the longest-serving members of this squad – a homegrown academy graduate to boot – his place in the team is starting become increasingly difficult to justify.
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