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Sigurdsson and the case for a number 10? via GrandOldTeam

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Having been away for the best part of two weeks there has been ample time to consider ones feelings towards Gylfi Sigurdsson, slightly outside of the bubble that is Everton on social media. I had felt on believing it would be completed by the time I got back, given the ferocious speed we conducted other business, though it currently appears the some clubs are some way apart on figures.

Swansea seem to have dug their heels in a little bit and are keen to keep their star player. As will become clear through the article I have an uneasy ambivalence to the Sigurdsson fee though this shouldn’t be misconstrued and antipathy towards Swansea. After years of having fans of other clubs deride Everton for setting allegedly “unrealistic” fees I would never turn tat accusation on another club. We live in an open market, whereby people can choose to buy or sell players at the figures they wish. If a buying club (or friendly journalists/supporters) don’t like figures quoted they are welcome to look elsewhere.



In defence of Swansea (not that they need it) he is a key player for them and they have also had a bid of 40 million. The idea they would accept a bid of any less or around that figure, with the season that much closer would be highly unrealistic. Acquiring key players is also fiendishly difficult, there will always be a premium on such players, particularly within the English Premier league (EPL). What this has left us with, is Swansea seemingly demanding an eye watering 50 million pounds for their key asset.

In defence of Sigurdsson are a range of stats going round, on assists, goals, opportunities created and a combination of all of these over recent Premier League seasons. Sigurdsson matches up favourably to the leagues leading players such as Ozil, Eriksen and even Coutinho. He has also shown these underlying numbers not for a side challenging at the top end of the season but at perennial strugglers Swansea. Alongside this, you cannot underplay the importance of 10 goals a season from a midfield player, especially at Koeman seeks to spread the responsibility that sat heavily on Lukaku.

Another important consideration with Sigurdsson is that Koeman clearly favours him. He has wanted him for 3 years since his Southampton days. While Walsh’s vision clearly involves more risky (and potentially high reward) approach to recruitment which fits more with Moshiri’s vision of moving the club forward yet this feels like a “Ronald Koeman” signing (alongside Bolasie, Williams and Schneiderlin felt like they had his stamp of approval). The signing has Premier League experience, is in the managers desired age of 27-30 and you would imagine he would give the manager what he wants quickly. If Koeman sticks to his 3 year maximum at a club he needs people ready to make a quick impact. Often these players come with a substantial premium and the debate over the cost of Sigurdsson may go slightly wider than the player themselves.



For any unease I have over the fee involved over Sigurdsson this is balanced against a belief that you need to back a manager broadly with what he wants, they have a right to succeed or fail on their own terms. Alongside this, after a promising first season Koeman has earned the right to have the signings he wants. Lukaku has been sold for upwards of 90 million so we should not be short of money to spend, and if he wishes to spend 50 million of this on Sigurdsson then the arguments goes- good for him.

There is not a lot that can be said to directly counter this logic. To coin a phrase it’s not my money and having received a good fee for Lukaku and bought astutely for players like Sandro and the acquisition of Rooney then paying over the odds on Sigurdsson may be a luxury we can afford. Yet I do think those who comment on the club have a duty to do so honestly and this includes if they fear money is being wasted.

One big worry I have is that his stats are heavily increased by set pieces. He is Swansea’s penalty, corner and free-kick taker. That is not to say set pieces don’t count, but in a team where we have Rooney, Sandro & Baines how much additional value do Sigurdsson’s set piece goals have? There’s no doubt he takes a good free kick but I’m not sure having watched him in open play either the eye test or the underlying stats would be anything akin to a 50 million pound player. Much of the debate reminds me of the Andy Johnson debate, who’s stats were also heavily weighted in favour of the 9 penalties he won that season. While he is something of a cult hero but for the initial start Everton did well to get their money back on a player who was too heavily reliant on penalties for goal output. I worry something similar may be the case with Sigurdsson.



In any discussion around Sigurdssonit is difficult to omit Ross Barkley from the discussion. If previous summer signing Davy Klaassen was an indication to Ross that Koeman was serious about being happy to lose him, then the signing of Sigurdsson would make the point crystal clear to Barkley. It is an interesting question to ask, if the signing of Sigurdsson led to Barkley leaving would that influence people’s perceptions? Why of the two would you prefer at Everton?



My heart very much says Barkley, the local lad who I maintain has more all round ability than Sigurdsson. I have yet to see Sigurdsson “run a game” as Barkley has done on a handful of occasions for Everton. There is some hope with age and experience this could be repeated ore regularly. Yet the numbers Sigurdsson produces far outweigh Barkley’s. I wonder if my sadness at Ross leaving is in some small part a bi-product of my own experience of supporting Everton at a unique time that we haven’t competed to win the league in that time frame. It leads to a fanbase that take enormous pride in younger, more local and more inconsistent players perhaps over ones who can effectively do the job they are being asked to do more consistently? While Barkley I maintain has more talen it may also be true that trophy and championship winning teams you would have to concede are generally filled with more Sigurdsson’s than Barkley’s.

As the discussion has moved forward and Swansea and Everton seem unable to come to a figure both are happy with for Sigurdsson you are seeing other potential 10’s be mentioned. Schick from Sampdoria’s deal has broken down at Juventus, with claims of heart problems and counter claims of ploys to bring the price down. Likewise we have seen some links to Max Meyer the young German, Jonathon Viera from Las Palmas. I do wonder if we might enter the competition for Renato Sanches from Bayern or Keita Balde from Lazio if either can’t get their desired dream move to one of Europe’s elite clubs? With the exception of Viera (who looks to be Swansea’s potential replacement for Sigurdsson and a good player in his own right) all of the above fit more the Walsh category than Koeman- namely younger players with less Premier League experience.

While I have to confess to having seen very little of the above players beyond obligatory youtube clips (and yes some information from computer games) I am certainly open to ridicule when I say the above names sit easier with me. More than just computer games or youtube presentations though my judgement is more informed by numbers and stats. If they are playing regularly, scoring and assisting goals and getting recognition for international teams that generally indicates a football who’s career is going in the right direction. It also seems to fit with a wider vision of what Walsh and Moshiri are looking for and a vision I am on board with-namely get the best younger players you can and mix that with a high class manager who is capable and natural (if at times reluctant) to expose and develop them.

If we were to sign any of Schick, Balde, Meyer or Sanches it is hard to see Everton losing any money on them, even if they were to struggle, yet if the Sigurdsson move fails to work out it will be difficult to claw much money back. Alongside that I also feel all of the above have a higher ceiling than Sigurdsson even if it may take them a little longer to get there.

When we consider signing Sigurdsson perhaps that becomes the key question. What are we looking to build? If it is with a central focus on next season it’s hard to argue against Sigurdsson being the best option available to us. He scores and assists 15-20 league goals per season and would not have the difficulties of settling into a new league. He also covers more ground than most players, which will fit perfectly into Koeman’s tactical approach. If like me you feel this season will be somewhat transitional in nature heading towards a big tilt in Koeman’s third year it may seem right to try and bed in 1 or 2 younger players to potentially watch them fly the following season.



My own feeling is Sigurdsson will be done. When Koeman puts his foot down he tends to get what he wants and I feel he will do so on this transfer. I sense it will be done at around 45 million, some of which will be add ons (akin to the Lukaku deal). As with all new players I will get behind him if he were to come. A final thought though, if it does happen it will mark a qualitative change for any Everton manager, including Koeman in how they are judged. Insisting on a lad for a fee of upwards of 40 million pounds puts you into a category where “best of the rest” will unlikely be deemed as a good season, or even an acceptable season. I like managers who back themselves this way, we have missed that at Everton. If Koeman gets what he wants there will be a new expectation for that to translate onto the pitch. That should be something that excites all Evertonian’s across the variance of opinions on Sigurdsson.

The post Sigurdsson and the case for a number 10? appeared first on GrandOldTeam.

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Game of the Day: Villarreal 2-1 Everton, 2005 via Everton Arent We

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In the 2004/05 season, Everton broke through the glass ceiling. David Moyes’ unfancied Toffees had finished fourth, ahead of Liverpool, and had defied the doubters – of which there were many. From being tipped for relegation by most bookies, punters and pundits in the summer of 2004, twelve months on Everton were ready for their first Champions League venture.

In the space of 180 minutes, it was over.

One half of Merseyside lost its appreciation for the Yellow Submarine 39 years after the Beatles penned the song, on a night where a certain Italian referee sealed his name in Everton infamy.

It was on May 15, 1985 that Kevin Sheedy scored the third goal in Everton’s 3-1 defeat of Rapid Vienna in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final. A decade later, Everton returned to the continent, with Anders Limpar scoring the first goal in a 6-3 aggregate win over KR Reykjavik in the same competition, and Paul Rideout claiming the last. It would take another ten years for the Toffees to register another European goal, this time in the premier continental contest – for the first time since 1970/71.

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Everton signed six players in the 2005/06 season, and the most successful addition (by far) was that of Phil Neville – which should tell you everything you need to know. It was the former Manchester United man’s cross which looped high in the air off the head of James Beattie. Everton’s record signing reacted quickest to convert at the second time of asking to put the home side on the scoreboard in the first leg. Unfortunately, Beattie’s contribution only sandwiched superb strikes by Luciano Figueroa and Josico, meaning Villarreal left Goodison Park with a pair of vital away goals, and the lead in the tie.

“We’ve got to go there believing we can still get through” said a belligerent Moyes. Two weeks later, after a 1-0 defeat to United and a win by the same scoreline against Bolton, Everton arrived at El Madrigal with a steely determination to give it their best possible shot. Evertonians poured into the coastal Castilian city fuelled by beer and anticipation, ensuring the 20,000 capacity ground would be packed to the rafters, and sounding distinctly more Scouse than normal.

The first half was not blessed with a plethora of chances. When one came along for Everton, it was golden. Duncan Ferguson flicked on Neville’s long throw and there was Tim Cahill, unmarked and in front of goal. Yet the Australian, renowned for his heading ability, couldn’t produce more than a tame effort that Mariano Barbosa gratefully grabbed. It was a mistake that the Spaniards were keen to capitalise on, and so they did just minutes later. There was more than a hint of bad fortune – not for the last time that night – as Juan Pablo Sorin’s innocuous effort took a sharp deflection off David Weir and went in, despite Nigel Martyn’s best efforts.

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In reality, it changed little. Everton had needed two goals to avoid going out, and that was still the case, though it would only give them the respite of extra time rather than progression. They needed 39-year-old Martyn to keep them in the tie first, however. The Everton stopper sprang into action multiple times to deny Juan Roman Riquelme and kept out Diego Forlan, before an incredible reflex save prevented Figueroa from putting the tie out of Everton’s reach. The Blues had been given a lifeline, yet still needed a moment of magic or madness to begin the turnaround.

Step forward, Mikel Arteta. Everton’s own Spanish import had barely made a mark on proceedings when Neville won a free-kick with 20 minutes remaining. Arteta lined up the set piece, and curled a delicious effort to Barbosa’s right.

Game on.

And it very much was game on. Cahill sent in a cross which took a wicked deflection off Sorin and onto the bar, before a superb Barbosa save kept out Ferguson’s header from a Tony Hibbert centre. Then an Arteta corner was met by the leaping Ferguson, whose powerful header flew past Barbosa and in, sparking wild celebrations among the Evertonians crammed into the away end.

Yet the night was pierced by a shrill whistle, one which curtailed all celebrations and turned ecstasy into agony. Pierluigi Collina, widely regarded as one of the best referees ever to officiate, in his final game before retirement, had given Villarreal a free-kick. Collina had noticed…

…you know what? I don’t know. 12 years on, I still don’t know.

Ferguson was apoplectic. His team-mates were baffled. Even now, you may be reading these words and fighting back the urge to pummel small animals. Collina will be remembered by 99.9% of the footballing world as a brilliant, no-nonsense referee. Evertonians will repeatedly insist that he’s a [Poor language removed].

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After Marcus Bent was penalised for having his shirt pulled, or Ferguson was punished for being able to jump, or something, Everton wilted. The luckless Blues were punished in added-on time when a Sorin centre was tucked away by Forlan. Villarreal would make the most of the close shave, going on to reach the semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by Arsenal. Everton would go on to suffer an ignominious thrashing at the hands of Dinamo Bucharest in the UEFA Cup and limp to 11th in the league.

The fans who made the long, arduous trip home from El Madrigal had plenty to talk about. Sometimes Everton games are truly memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.

Note: Everton Aren’t We does not condone harming animals – unless they’re annoying little [Poor language removed].

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KRC Genk 1-1 Everton via GrandOldTeam

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Honours even as Blues draw with Racing Club

A warm, sunny afternoon saw Everton complete their pre-season travels with a competitive work-out against Genk with Wayne Rooney on the score sheet again.

The Everton entourage made the short hop from De Lutte in Holland to Genk in Belgium for their final pre-season game on the road, and the eagerly awaited debuts of goalie Jordan Pickford and Spanish forward Sandro Ramirez.

Against a full-strength Genk outfit, Ronald Koeman lined the Blues up: Pickford, Baines (c), Williams, Keane, Holgate, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Klaassen, Dowell, Rooney and Ramirez.

A steady start by the Blues saw them knocking the ball around confidently with everyone getting an early touch until a slip by Holgate gave the home side a shooting opportunity that was deflected and no problem for Pickford to deal with. Genk had a second chance a couple of minutes later but Trossard fired his shot wide of the target.

The Blues, playing in the new silver away kit, first chance came on 12 minutes when Holgate found Dowell and his floated cross into the box saw a glancing header by Rooney parried and gathered by teenager Nordin Jackers in the Genk goal.

A quick throw-in from the left found Trossard in space again, but again he screwed his 25-yard shot wide of the Everton goal.

Trossard was proving to be the biggest menace from the home side as some excellent work from Manuel Benson worked the ball to the number 14 in the box, but his shot on the turn again went wide across the face of goal, but the warning signs were clear to see.

An ankle tap from behind on Ramirez presented Everton with a long-distance free kick that Wayne Rooney curled only just over the crossbar.

The half hour mark came with Genk on the front foot, Pickford saving a long range shot after a midfield giveaway from Klaassen and Trossard again failing to beat the Everton debutante goalie with a close range header.

Michael Keane picked up a yellow card for a pull back on Samatta as the Belgian outfit continued to enjoy the better quality of the possession and attacking chances.

A long ball from Keane found Ramirez in the right channel and he controlled it before finding Rooney who’s early shot was off target, but the quick play by Ramirez caught the eye.

Rooney, taking a pass from Klaassen, re-paid the compliment with a quick pass into the left channel that Ramirez controlled before firing in a shot that Jackers in the Genk goal was happy to smother.

Genk captain Thomas Buffel somehow escaped a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Davy Klaassen, strange considering the card waved earlier at Keane for an innocuous pull-back.

Klaassen whipped in a left wing cross for Keane to header just over from the edge of the box as Everton looked to finish the half strongly and they did in some style.

The 43rd minute saw Kieran Dowell break up a Genk move in midfield, find Sandro Ramirez in space wide on the right and his instant cross low across the face of goal was sweetly finished by Wayne Rooney.


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Rooney goal
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@WayneRooney puts #EFC ahead! 1-0#EvertonLive: https://t.co/m1rIpwvD9C pic.twitter.com/DOMiSZlVF4

— Everton (@everton) July 22, 2017
​

Half Time: 0-1

The competitive nature of the game played in hot sunshine saw Ronald Koeman make three half-time changes, bringing Maarten Stekelenburg, Cuco Martina and Kevin Mirallas on for Jordan Pickford, Mason Holgate and Sandro Ramirez respectively.

The growing understanding between Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney was evident in the opening minutes of the second stanza s they liked and exchanged quick passes in a couple of early moves, an understanding that bodes well for the coming season.

The 55th minute saw Genk draw level as the ball was lifted the ball into the Everton box and the clearing header from Martina fell nicely for Tanzanian Ally Samatta who wasted no time despatching the ball past Stekelenburg for 1-1.

Genk nearly took lead two minutes later as a cross from the right saw a point blank diving header from Samatta superbly saved by Stekelenburg turning the ball up onto the crossbar for Keane to hammer clear.

Passing the hour mark, Everton sent out Barry, Connolly McCarthy, Besic and Lookman to warm up.

Baines with a timely tackle found Dowell and his long ball for Wayne Rooney saw him try an audacious chip that Jackers did well to reach and turn over the cross bar.

The game was swinging end to end and Trossard fed Buffel but he mistimed his volley well off target.

Gareth Barry, Callum Connolly and Ademola Lookman came on in the 67th minute replacing Morgan Schneiderlin, Leighton Baines and Kieran Dowell respectively, Baines passing the captains armband to Wayne Rooney.

Ronald Koeman made further changes in the 73rd minute bringing on Tom Davies, Mo Besic and James McCarthy coming on for Davy Klaassen, Ashley Williams and Gana Gueye.

Mo Besic dived into a rash tackle and picked up an immediate and rather needless yellow card that resulted in Stekelenburg saving low to his right hand side from Leandro Trossard.

Genk too made changes and the number of changes and stoppages in play disrupted the rhythm of the game somewhat, but given the heat and sunshine, both sides would probably welcome the short breaks.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin replaced Wayne Rooney for the last 12 minutes.

Davies and McCarthy combined to give Mirallas a chance to run at the Genk defence and his mazy run was eventually stopped before he could get a shot away.

Everton pushed for a late winner with shots from Mirallas and Connolly blocked and allowing Genk to break at speed without troubling Stekelenburg who was quick off his line to gather an overhit through ball.

Full Time: 1-1

Manager Ronald Koeman will be satisfied with the overall effort shown by the squad against a Genk side who proved to be very decent opposition and they certainly took the challenge seriously.

The squad returned to Merseyside straight after the game with full concentration now turning towards the opening game of the Europa League campaign on Thursday night when Slovakian side Ruzomberok come to Goodison.

And there is also the final touches of the summer transfer shopping to be attended too as Everton will look to further strengthen their ranks for the new season.

The post KRC Genk 1-1 Everton appeared first on GrandOldTeam.

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