3 Key areas to strengthen

[Connor]

Would anyone have Jack Rodwell back ?

I would as I always rated him but I don't see where he fits in this team.

 

[rascal]

Guidetti is a good shout actually. On loan for the rest of the season.

 

[PhilBr]

I would as I always rated him but I don't see where he fits in this team.

McCarthy, Barkley and Rodwell with the latter two interchanging during the game as numbers 8 and 10.

 

[dholliday]

Getting in and around 'silly season' now with everyone excited about Xmas, Xmas footie and of course the coming transfer window.

The quotes from Martinez about Kone and Gibson being long term players and him looking for short-term options is interesting as, after this season they will only have 2 years left on their contracts along with Naismith and Pienaar (Osman / Gueye / Alcaraz one year).

Obviously contracts may be extended, however at the end of this season that's 7 first team players (5 of which will be over 30) with 2 years left and if Martinez is truthful another 2 sold this January (Jelavic/Heitinga) with short term cover brought in. This is potentially quite a radical overhaul needed with Distin also no spring chicken and Hibberts contract expiring at the end of this season.

Defence
The full back areas look fantastic with Baines/Coleman probably the best 2 in the league and having fantastic cover in Stones and Oviedo.

The problem I can see emerging is in central defence. Looking more long-term it's only Jagielka/Stones there who fit right sided centre back slot. We have Distin at left sided centre back but no understudy / competition for him. This is an absolutely crucial area for Martinez as he needs the centre backs to be able to pass the ball out from the back and there's not many Ronald Koemans around these days!

I feel that this player will be a big money (for us) signing and needs to be a 'New Distin' with ball playing skills. So many rumours of Bruno Martins-Indi and by all accounts he can fit the bill for us perfectly and of course he's played under Koeman himself.

Midfield
On the wings we look quite weak after Mirallas and Pienaar other than Deulofeu if we can keep him for another season. So it could be said that we need to bring in one or two players here, perhaps a Tom Ince free transfer at the end of the season--although I don't think this is crucial and Martinez may even choose to play wing backs.

In central midfield I believe we have 2 potentially world class players--Barkley (obviously) and McCarthy (which may be a surprise to some but every successful team needs a player like this). In the longer term though the rest of our central midfielders are not getting any younger (Osman) same but on loan ( Barry) or injury prone (Gibson).

Losing Fellaini in central midfield may not have been felt due to the 2 new signings, however we lack height, strength and power in the centre. Yann M'Vila was mentioned before he went to Rubin Kazan and again over the past couple of days-- he would be perfect.


Attack

Obviously Martinez signed Kone before he knew Lukaku would become available and now he's out for the season. Jelavic can't hit a barn door and it sounds like he will be leaving in January which leaves only Lukaku.

Now if we can't afford him or he doesn't want to join us then Lukaku will be gone and we will be left with Kone who is certainly not a top end premier league striker and will have been out with a serious injury for the best part of the season.

It's possible Martinez would like to see an all rounder up front which is what he has classed both Kone and Lukaku as, but it's extremely difficult to predict who this may be or the type of forward he feels will spearhead the team.

Spine
So, in short a new spine of the team at a bare minimum. Most likely 2 young, tall, strong ball playing defensive minded players at left sided centre back and left sided central midfield and a top centre forward.

We've possibly got enough cash (or will have just enough cash in January after Heitinga/Jelavic leave) to sign the centre back. However Martinez will need to certainly 'wheel and deal' to bring in the other two players which will most likely be in the summer.

Going to be an interesting and hopefully productive next two transfer windows.

Nice post, mate. Agree pretty much.

 

[dholliday]

IMO we could do a lot worse than trying to tempt Citeh to sell or even loan James Milner to us. I'm sure Barry could put in a good word in his shell-like.

He's not getting much of a look in at the Etihad. is versatile, and and would be an upgrade from Ossie (even though I'm a big Ossie fan).

Crumbs! I'd rather Ossie than the lumbering Milner.

 

[Zatara]

Nice post, mate. Agree pretty much.

Thanks for the rep mate. Nice to be red though as I can find my posts easily--like bookmarks hahaha


Rodwell -- Him and Gibson in the squad would be totally unreliable due their injuries...in theory would love to have him back but how on earth to keep him fit?

Guidetti -- Been severely ill....not proved apart from dutch league

Lescott -- Him or Martins-Indi for example? Only one option.

Milner -- Would be on big money and surely city wouldn't want to sell. Would be good on the left, but again why sign him when we could get a younger player in?

 

[johnnydawg68]

What about a guy like Jese at Real Madrid. He and Delefeou teamed up nicely at the U20 World Cup this summer, and he has made noises about needing to leave to get first team football.

 

[degreeinblue]

McCarthy, Barkley and Rodwell with the latter two interchanging during the game as numbers 8 and 10.

The balance wouldn't work for me at all there. There's no Gaz Baz and he's as vital as anyone. Rodwell is more of a McCarthy than Baz and McCarthys better anyway. Although, I would take Rodwell back in a flash and surely he's got to be thinking of a move and I can't see anyone but Everton.

 

[West]

I would take rodders back no problems

 

[sageyefc]

What about a guy like Jese at Real Madrid. He and Delefeou teamed up nicely at the U20 World Cup this summer, and he has made noises about needing to leave to get first team football.

Would love to see jese here, bit more polished than del boy.

Reckon if barca dont allow gerard back next year, try for adama, hes a black delefeou, just raw bossness

 

[jamieni]

I have my doubts about Rodwell. His injury record is concerning (a legacy of Moyes perhaps?) and I'm not sure where he'd fit in our team.

Definitely think a midfielder and striker should be high on the list. I guess another holding mid and a decent pacy striker to give lukaku a rest when needed. Easier said than done though.

 

[PhilBr]

The balance wouldn't work for me at all there. There's no Gaz Baz and he's as vital as anyone. Rodwell is more of a McCarthy than Baz and McCarthys better anyway. Although, I would take Rodwell back in a flash and surely he's got to be thinking of a move and I can't see anyone but Everton.

I'm looking to the longer term: there's no guarentee that Barry will be here next season as he's on very high wages. I could see McCarthy slipping into his role - perhaps a little more experience needed first - with Ross and Rodders sharing the other duties. Would suit Rodwells athleticism, he did well bursting forward when playing for England and Ross is just going to continue developing into a superb player. Rodwell has maintained his fitness this season, just nmot getting enough playing time.

 

[Sideliner]

Everton needs a replacement striker for Lukaku-
cover at def mid for Barry and Mccarthy-
central midfielder / right wing