The X-Factor player

[Zatara]

Remember when Moyes said that we needed an 'X-factor' type player like Arshavin when he was at Zenit? He was talking about the player that could step up that extra gear to win games for us.

At the moment we have Barkley and Lukaku as the attacking central midfielder and the striker and yet most of our play falls down because we don't have consistent top wingers to bring in assists and goals themselves -- the opposition sees this and can focus on nullifying the above two players as well as our full-backs knowing that we have no threat from the wings.

Ignoring players like Naismith and Osman who have been shoehorned there, we currently have;

Mirallas - Open secret that he's off
McGeady - A lot of us were shocked at this signing, why did Martinez sign him? Dropped now!
Pienaar - Seems to be finished
Atsu - Waste of a loan
Lennon - Lots of energy but never a top winger

For me, I think we need to punt them all this summer, perhaps we could manage 15mil for Mirallas and McGeady and Pienaar on a free to save wages with the other two back to their clubs.

That would leave us with no wingers and while it's a bit FM that's still a realistic position for the summer. Additionally Martinez has said he wants his wingers to be free to attack with limited defensive duties which fits with the idea of having purely attack minded wingers and he has FIVE of these players on the books so it seems as though he wants to play with 2 wingers but just hasn't got good enough players.

So, bearing in mind these types of players are expensive what will he aim for this summer and will he add in this X-Factor type player or even two?

 

[bluemangroup]

It's a no from me.

 

[meagher94]

I think we'll sign Lennon and Deulofeu. Whether we get another winger on top of that depends on who leaves for me.

 

[sageyefc]

We need a top top winger to begin with, thats before whatever happens with Kev, if hes off and we already have signed a high calibre winger id bring in del to replace him if possible.

Depends what wedge is there though, should be plenty but this is everton.

 

[Kendall's Dream]

We could get Lennon, Deulofeu and Konoplyanka for about 15 mil.

But we won't.

 

[Dymak]

We can sort our wingers out through signing Lennon for a measely 7 million, and then signing one of Ayew or Konoplyanka on a free. However I very much agree that we require a player with the so-called 'X-Factor', but I think this player needs to be in central midfield. Because no matter how much you are in love with McCarthy, Barry or Besic (and some people actually are in love with them), they do not possess anywhere near the levels of creativity that are required by the central midfielders within top Premier League teams.

We need a player like Yohan Cabaye to create and score goals in the middle of the park. He will come quite cheap, around the 10-15 million pound mark, and he would make a great difference to a club like Everton. I know Cabaye allegedly abused a ball boy during a game at Goodison, but that won't stop the likes of Arsenal, or other top clubs going for him, and it shouldn't stop us either.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

We need an up grade on Pienaar and Osman first and foremost and then a replacement for Distin and Alcaraz as well as better back up for Lukaku before we get thinking about wingers.

We'll likely replace Mirallas with another loan but a winger won't be the summer priority.

 

[ijjysmith]

Olly Murs

 

[sageyefc]

Need a lot of positions coming in. Wingers, CB, GK number 10, back up RB. Board need to step up

 

[sageyefc]

Olly Murs

Can he play in goal

 

[Fresh Prince of Belle Val]

Olly Murs

He's too fat and small. Rylan could be our Andy Carroll though.

 

[DanB90]

It's time!
To face!
Operation Goodison exercise

 

[evertony]

Strong chance that Gerard will be back.

We need a lock-picker to open defences up....our huge downfall this season has been the inability to pick that final pass that breaks down a team content to defend for 90 minutes, and scab a goal from their only effort...think West Brom, Stoke, Hull etc. get a Fabregas or Modric type player in and we'll be a much different proposition to what we are now. I don't know the European leagues too well other than the Eredivisie but I'm 100% sure that there's players like that available in the €4-6M bracket. Not top names yet, but skilful, technical players who would jump at the chance to play in the Premier League at a club like Everton where even £10-15K a week would be a massive increase on what they earn now. A good scouting network should be able to find them...all the top players started out as a relative unknown.

 

[ijjysmith]

Strong chance that Gerard will be back.

We need a lock-picker to open defences up....our huge downfall this season has been the inability to pick that final pass that breaks down a team content to defend for 90 minutes, and scab a goal from their only effort...think West Brom, Stoke, Hull etc. get a Fabregas or Modric type player in and we'll be a much different proposition to what we are now. I don't know the European leagues too well other than the Eredivisie but I'm 100% sure that there's players like that available in the €4-6M bracket. Not top names yet, but skilful, technical players who would jump at the chance to play in the Premier League at a club like Everton where even £10-15K a week would be a massive increase on what they earn now. A good scouting network should be able to find them...all the top players started out as a relative unknown.

Really don't think Deulofeu will come back mate.

I'd be so made up if he did and you never know I guess, just can't see it with Barcelona's current situation.

 

[evertony]

Really don't think Deulofeu will come back mate.

I'd be so made up if he did and you never know I guess, just can't see it with Barcelona's current situation.

He's nowhere near the Barca first team....at least 4 or 5 in front of him and they always buy a big name at Presidential election time. I think you'll be very happy come the new season. Gerard needs first team permanent football....and he knows he'll get that at Everton. He loved it here so it's not even a gamble for him.