Everton had an impressive 2023/24 campaign, despite many setbacks strongly including point deductions and takeover drama around the Merseyside-based club. The toffees finished 15th, much better than the previous few seasons, on 40 points. Without point deductions, Everton wouldâve finished 12th, a major improvement from the 2021/2022 season and 2022/2023 season.
So far this transfer window, Everton have been fairly busy, much busier than multiple other clubs that surround them in the Premier League. Theyâve made 4 signings so far, which consist of Jack Harrison (Loan), Tim Iroegbunam (ÂŁ10M), Iliman Ndiaye (ÂŁ17.5M) and Jesper LindstrĂžm (ÂŁ2M loan with a ÂŁ22M option to buy.) The toffees have sold Ben Godfrey for an estimated ÂŁ12M, as well as Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for ÂŁ50M + future add-ons. Everton also had to let Andy Lonergan, Arnaut Danjuma and Andre Gomes go too, either due to high wages or just not being good enough. Arnaut Danjuma has returned to his parent club Villarreal. Lewis Dobbin also departed Goodison Park as he left for Aston Villa in a deal around ÂŁ10M. Good profit for Everton. đ”
Fringe players like Neal Maupay and Mason Holgate should either be sold or loaned out with one year left on both of their deals. It doesnât look like a contract extension is on the cards for the pair.
Personally I do believe that the Blues need a few more signings, as firepower up front is something that Everton lack a lot, meaning that the toffees find themselves in sticky situations. Another winger, a back-up centre-back and another centre-midfielder to replace the departing Amadou Onana would massively bolster their squad as they look to push higher up the table and steer themselves out of relegation battles. Everton have been linked to Wilfried Gnonto and Jake OâBrien in particular, but with sweats over Dominic Calvert-Lewinâs future as he has one year remaining on his current contact and reports coming out that the Number 9 is not willing to renew it, Everton could be forced into the transfer market for a new, young and prolific striker: something that they have needed for a long time.
How the toffees can line up next season and what they can achieve:
Manager – Sean Dyche – Sean Dyche faced the daunting task of saving Everton from relegation in the mid-way point of the 2022/2023 Premier League campaign and was successful. With a full season at the helm of the toffees, they made real progress and with better finishing at times who knows where they couldâve finished in the league. Dyche is perfect in particular with his demands of constant energy and press, but is also perfect with handling difficult situations: for instance, last season Dyche was really good at handling the crisis of the point deductions that the Blues were sanctioned with. Sean Dyche in my opinion is the man to take the toffees forward, at least for another season or more depending on performances.
Goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford – Jordan Pickford doesnât really need much introduction, currently England and Evertonâs number one. Pickford has constantly saved Everton a numerous amount of times and deserves more praise. Itâd be scary to think where Everton would be without the Washington-born goalkeeper, especially in these past few dreadful seasons. Number one.âïž
Right Back – Nathan Patterson – Last season Nathan Patterson wasnât given many chances by manager Sean Dyche. Patterson, 22, is a promising right back who also plays for the Scottish national team. When former toffees manager Frank Lampard was in charge in his tenure at Goodison Park, Patterson was given a chance and it paid off, with a string of great strings of performances. The former rangers full-back hasnât been given much of a chance since sadly, but still has vast amounts of potential to unlock. I believe that this is his season. With the departure of Ben Godfrey to Atalanta, Nathan Patterson should finally be given a chance. He can run down the line and put a cross in when needed, and is decent defensively. However, he can be inconsistent. His position will be at threat with young and upcoming Everton full back Roman Dixon coming through the ranks, as well as Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young. If he performs well, Everton have their full-back positions sorted. I still believe that Everton fans havenât quite seen the best version of Patterson yet, as it will look likely to be his make or break season. On his day however, Patterson can be solid and a great defender.
Centre-Back – James Tarkowski – Former Burnley man James Tarkowski signed for Everton on a free transfer in June 2022 and has since proved to be an absolute rock at the back. He never backs out of challenges and doesnât hesitate to leap into the air to win a header. His pure strength helps him to ease Premier League attackers off the ball. Tarkowski is one of Evertonâs most vital players, and forms a great partnership at the back with fellow English centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite.
Centre-Back – Jarrad Branthwaite – Mainly receiving links to clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, Jarrad Branthwaite oozes quality at the back for Everton. You donât find many defenders with his abilities; standing at 6â5â Jarrad Branthwaite is amazing in the air just like his defensive partner James Tarkowski, heâs homegrown, left-footed and so calm + composed on the ball. At only 22-years-old, Branthwaite can be one of the best centre-backs in the footballing world if he keeps doing what heâs doing.
Left-Back – Vitalii Mykolenko – Having an unsteady ride in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Premier League campaigns, Ukrainian Vitalii Mykolenko proved his worth and had a breakthrough season throughout 2023/2024. He may not be excellent going forward for the toffees, but he is solid defensively, passionate, and doesnât shy away from a tackle. If he can replicate his form shown last season, Vitalii Mykolenko can be a real problem for attackers once more and completes a rock-solid back line.
Centre-Defensive Midfielder – Idrissa Gueye – In the latter stages of last season, Idrissa Gueye massively helped towards Evertonâs bid to stay up. Scoring important goals in games against Nottingham Forest and Brentford as well as multiple impressive performances, if Gueye, 34, can keep it up this season then Everton have more solidity in the midfield. Gueye is particularly amazing at intercepting the ball and tackling, and he can protect the back line really well. His place could still be up for grabs though with players like Tim Iroegbunam ready to pounce and prove their points.
Centre-Midfielder – James Garner – James Garner had his breakthrough season and enjoyed a good campaign, but there is still some tweaks and improvements to add to his game as he develops. Currently 23, Garnerâs main skills are his ball control, his creativity, technique and his ability to read the game. If he can keep on improving, Garner can be a real threat to other Premier League clubs for this Everton side.
Centre Attacking Midfielder – Iliman Ndiaye/Abdoulaye Doucoure – It remains up to Dyche on who starts behind the striker: New Senegalese Star Ndiaye or Abdoulaye Doucoure? Iâm stuck on this one.
Abdoulaye Doucoure was in fine form for Everton mainly back in December before an injury, netting important goals and ending the season registering 7 goals and 2 assists in the Premier League. His work ethic is second to none, a pure tank that helps and drops back when Everton donât have the ball. Not only can he occasionally score, but Doucoure can put tackles in, intercept and pressurise. If he can return to his form earlier last season, Doucoure will be an amazing asset for Everton to have.
Iliman Ndiaye is similar to Abdoulaye Doucoure but he is more technical and creative. Ndiaye has the skills to get past a man or two, and create chances for the striker or go for goal himself. He presses constantly too, something manager Sean Dyche will absolutely love!
Who would you start, Ndiaye or Doucoure?
Right-Winger – Dwight McNeil – Since Sean Dyche took to the Everton dugout after arrival in January 2023, Dwight McNeil has been incredibly creative. I have never seen him score a bad goal, as he has a sweet left foot and a peach of a strike. Next season, if he was to take his man on more he would turn into a really important player for the toffees. Furthermore, McNeilâs work ethic is unbelievable as he constantly runs down the flanks. Last season, McNeil was more of a left winger instead of a right winger, but I think that McNeil is versatile enough to do it on both sides. In this case, the right. If his start to the season doesnât go too well, he can operate on the left instead!
Left-Winger – Wilfried Gnonto – Personally I believe Everton should sign Leeds young winger Wilfried Gnonto. With heavy links and interest in the Italian last summer, Everton have reportedly returned for him and it is yet to be known whether Everton can get a deal over the line this time or not. He is a proper winger, fast, and someone who can run at defenders with his excellent dribbling ability. He can glide past his opponents and creative various opportunities or can confuse defenders with his trickery. Everton NEED to make this deal their priority for the rest of the window, no matter what.
Striker – Dominic Calvert-Lewin – This depends on many different circumstances. Dominic Calvert-Lewin seems to be opting against signing a new Everton contract as his current deal expires in June 2025. With one year left on his deal and reportedly no desire to sign a new contract, Everton have to sell him and buy a new striker or offer him a reasonable amount of wages and an improved contract offer. If he doesnât want to stay at Goodison Park, it doesnât matter too much and Everton should look to cash in on the Englishman as heâs not been an integral part of the squad with many injuries and even going more than 20 games without a goal last season. Even still however, his presence can be a nightmare for defenders and his leap for when he goes up for aerial duels is second to none. Iâd like to see the former Blade stay at Everton though. Due to their current financial situation Everton should definitely cash in on him to make some profit with clubs like West Ham, Newcastle and Brentford lurking. Beto should and could be given a chance too!
Everton would have depth on the bench too, with Jesper LindstrĂžm, Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye/Abdoulaye Doucoure, Joao Virginia, Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young, Youssef Chermiti, Beto/Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Jake OâBrien providing high competition and fresh legs. With this squad I think Everton could definitely reach the top ten depending on how other clubs do this season, making stellar progress and starting to return back to their old selves! The Merseyside outfit also endured a decent Carabao Cup run last season before losing out to Fulham on penalties in the quarter-finals.
What do you think Everton can achieve next season with this team? đ€