Yep, a few were. I was involved in those discussions.
However, the band wagon has gotten crowded in the last few weeks...
My main doubt with Emery is I don't know if he's the right manager to make the most of this 'young' squad we have now.
He's a great manager to operate on a shoestring budget and find bargains in the market. But we've had one of those... He's not great with youth players, though by no means does that mean he won't play them. However, would he build up on the momentum and potential of the likes of Barkley, Del (already had troubles last season, albeit down to both parties), Davies, Stones, Rom (probably will have left), Besic etc etc...
That is my question mark over him. Which I have been saying for a few weeks now.
This is a great post. It is my concern too and probably why i think De Boer fits us better, but Emery is probably the better manager.
For me Emery is very similar to Benitez when he first arrived at Liverpool, (I would say even better pedigree than him). I don't think he has been great and bringing youth through. You can look at that two ways really:
1) He doesn't hold bringing young players up as central to his plan.
2) He is pragmatic and what was required at Valencia (and particularly Sevilla) didn't lead itself easily to integration of young players.
I do think, even with additional money we have got youth development has to be key for Everton. English players are going to be at a premium and having lads coming through will be a godsend. I think it's an Everton was of doing things as well. My own suggestion is that we get a DOF in who puts a high value on youth development. My choice would be Loew from Germany but Overmaars also fits the bill in that regard.
If he gets certain instructions from above then I suppose Emery may take the pragmatic route and go along with it? We will see. I do think turning our back on players like Barkley, Stones, and also then lads like Davies, Dowell etc would be a silly mistake. No matter how youth friendly you are if you have good players then it's worthwhile picking them.
We don't know if it's 1 or 2 with Emery. I hope it's more 2.
