It has been a long summer. Takeover speculation, transfer business, open letters to supporters and more - yes more - injuries conspired to keep Everton in the headlines even at a time when the world of football typically drifts into a post-season lull.
The intrigue continued into the final minutes as the Blues sought one final addition to boost Frank Lampard's forward options but the transfer window ended with outgoings - loan deals that took Andre Gomes to Lille and Lewis Warrington to Fleetwood Town - rather than a ninth arrival.
Only time will tell us whether this window, Lampard and director of football Kevin Thelwell's first together, has been a success. But with the dust still settling it does feel like a summer in which positives have emerged.
