Ronald Koeman added five new players to his squad this summer.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman before the match
Despite the obvious disappointment of deadline day, Everton fans should be very pleased with the work their club has done this summer.
While the big-priced marquee signings that had been suggested before the transfer window opened did not arrive, their business was astute, to say the least.
The last two seasons have seen the defence heavily criticised, but they have added a proven Premier League defender in Ashley Williams for a bargain price to fix that issue.
Indeed, it is a mystery why the bigger clubs – Arsenal spring to mind – were not interested in the Welshman’s signature.
Everton’s Ashley Williams applauding fans as he is paraded before the match
The lack of a true defensive midfielder was also a major problem in the side, with James McCarthy struggling to find both form and fitness under Roberto Martinez.
That issue has been resolved with the addition of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who has so far been a star in just a handful of performances and appears to be a bargain buy at just £7 million.
In Yannick Bolasie they have also added the kind of pace and power that has been sorely lacking from the team for several years.
If he can develop into the player that his talent suggests he can, then the Blues could have a superstar winger on their hands.
Everton’s Yannick Bolasie applauds fans after the match
Of course, Maarten Stekelenburg and Enner Valencia are not the kinds of signings to get fans excited but the Dutchman has made a strong start to life at Goodison Park and Valencia should provide adequate cover for Romelu Lukaku.
Toffees fans may have wanted millions spent, but instead their club has moved astutely and added in the positions they needed.
In a transfer window that saw Premier League spending surpass the £1 billion mark, that is an approach that should be commended, not derided.
New Everton investor Farhad Moshiri in the stands
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