Everton were left largely frustrated in the summer transfer window, but at least some of their signings have proved a success.
Everton manager Ronaldo Koeman
You all know the drill by now. Everton’s first transfer window under the ownership of billionaire businessman Farhad Moshiri ended with Moussa Sissoko boarding a plane to London, Axel Witsel remaining in Russia and Lucas Perez sitting on the Arsenal bench.
Yet, for all the frustration, Everton did spend and spend heavily. But who has starred and who has sunk in their oddly erratic first few months under Ronald Koeman ?
5) Enner Valencia
According to the BBC, Everton have the option of making Valencia’s loan move permanent next summer for £14.5 million. However, it’s difficult to imagine Ronald Koeman weighing up his stats, analysing his tally of zero goals in 168 minutes of Premier League action, and judging that the Ecuadorian could form a crucial part of his plans next season.
After all, Valencia did very little at West Ham, let alone at Everton, to suggest he justifies such a fee. We don’t want to accuse The Toffees of panic buying but Valencia did arrive on deadline day after a number of their primary transfer targets proved unattainable.
4) Maarten Stekelenberg
Only very briefly has experienced shot-stopper Stekelenberg brought to mind memories of his 2010 World Cup final appearing vintage. There’s a reason why he’s spent the last three seasons out of favour at Fulham, Monaco and Southampton.
A virtuoso performance against Manchester City aside – although a penalty save apiece from Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne cannot be overlooked – Koeman looks like paying the price for refusing to go anywhere near Joe Hart in the summer. Stekelenberg’s mistakes against Burnley and Manchester United have cost Everton crucial points this season.
3) Yannick Bolasie
Back in the brighter days of the season, with tentative claims that Everton could ‘do a Leicester’ starting to emerge, few were questioning The Toffees decision to sanction the £25 million signing of one of the league’s most maddeningly inconsistent players.
After all, the Congolese livewire started the season brightly, setting up four goals for Romelu Lukaku with one particularly brilliant cross against Middlesbrough justifying the entrance fee alone. However, a cruciate ligament injury looks to have cut short his debut season on Merseyside, while denying the talismanic striker his most reliable source of goals.
2) Ashley Williams
Why Williams’ decision to leave Swansea City in the summer after eight years of loyal service did not start a nationwide bidding war remains a mystery. With Premier League defending at an all-time low, the inspirational Welsh skipper is a refreshing, nostalgic throwback to the centre-halves that characterised British football on the mud-baths of the 80s.
His lack of mobility may have proven problematic at times, see that 5-0 Everton hammering by Chelsea, but, for the most part, Williams has looked a steady presence. Oh, and a dramatic winner against Arsenal went down quite well too.
1) Idrissa Gueye
The fact that Gueye emerged from the wreckage of Aston Villa’s relegation season with any credit, let alone actual praise, is testament to his commitment and, above all, quality.
Tenacious, combative midfielders are rather in-vogue at the minute thanks to N’Golo Kante’s one-man revolution of the ‘Makelele role’ and, despite a recent dip in performance level, Gueye’s indefatigable influence in the Everton midfield means he is undoubtedly their most inspired summer signing.
If only his Everton team-mates could match his desire.
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