After a dramatic deadline day for the Blues, the summer transfer window is finally closed.
Ronald Koeman’s first transfer window at the club has seen the departure of defender John Stones to rivals Manchester City. The Dutchman has also added a number of key players to the squad.
So how have the Blues done overall and will fans be pleased with their dealings?
INS:
Maarten Stekelenburg
Maarten Stekelenburg was Ronald Koeman’s first singing for the Blues this summer. The 33-year old signed from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. At the time, Koeman insisted that he would still be on the look-out for his number one ‘keeper. After an impressive start to the season, the ‘keeper has earned his place in Everton’s Xl.
A smart buy for Koeman, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune on a player. The Blues could have benefited from bringing in another ‘keeper as back up for Stekelenburg.
Idrissa Gueye
Koeman activated a £7.1m release clause for Idrissa Gueye, making the Senegal international his first outfield signing. Eyebrows were raised when Koeman signed Gueye from Villa, but the defensive midfielder has proved critics wrong with key tackles and his desire for the ball. Gueye looks like one of the bargains of the summer.
Ashley Williams
After the departure of John Stones to Manchester City, Everton acted quickly finding a replacement for the centre-half. Former Swansea captain Ashley Williams joined the Blues for £11 million.
The signing of Williams was a great move for the Toffee’s, a leader and player who knows the Premier League – a perfect replacement for Stones.
Yannick Bolasie
Everton signed Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace for £25 million – making him the Toffees’ biggest summer signing. The 27-year-old penned a five-year deal at the club.
Bolasie is a winger who is fast, strong and can play in different positions, but a price tag of £25 million has been questioned for a winger who scored five goals for Crystal Palace last season.
Enner Valencia
West Ham’s Enner Valencia has signed for Everton on a season-long loan
Enner Valenica was Everton’s only deadline day signing. The Ecuador international signed for the Blues on a season-long loan with the option to buy in Summer 2017.
Everton failed to bring in any of their deadline day attacking targets – instead turning their interests to Valenica in the final hours of the window.
Major OUTS:
John Stones joined City this summer
The big departure of the summer was England international John Stones, after joining Manchester City for £50 million – making him the world’s second most expensive defender. The departure of Stones hasn’t been much of an issue for the Toffees. Youngster Mason Holgate has stepped up and fitted straight into Everton’s back four. Ashley Williams has also been a superb replacement.
Grade: C
Everton went into the last day of the transfer window looking to bring in 2-3 players. Yacine Brahimi was rumoured to be joining the Blues and Moussa Sissoko looked certain to be joining for £30 million. In a dramatic twist, Tottenham piped Everton to the post. Overall, deadline day was a disaster for the Toffees. Not only did Everton fail to sign Sissoko, the Blues’ only signings were 19-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin who will play in the U23 squad, and Valencia who can’t even get into West Ham’s first-team.
With the promise of a £100 million pound kitty to spend on players, Everton have failed to bring in any of their rumoured targets, and leaving transfers to the last minute hasn’t worked in Everton’s favour. The Blues have made some good signings but failed to deliver on deadline day.
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