Sean Dyche is yet to make a signing since he became Everton manager over five months ago but how many new faces do the Blues realistically have to make in this summer?
We’ve asked five members of the ECHO sportsdesk: “What is the minimum number of players Everton need to sign this transfer window?”
Chris Beesley
Last summer was Kevin Thelwell’s first transfer window as Everton’s director of football and he ended up bringing in eight new faces. Some 12 months on, just how many of those signings could now be considered unqualified successes?
With funds understood to be tight at Goodison Park, it could well be a case of quality – if at all possible – over quantity when it comes to reinforcements this time around. Asmir Begovic was probably as good a number two goalkeeper as you can get but ultimately if you’re having to tighten your belt, it’s a position you could risk to fill from within when you’ve got England number one Jordan Pickford.
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When it comes to priority positions, there are three areas where the Blues surely need to add numbers and they’re a striker, winger and left-back so a bottom line figure for me would be three.
Matt Jones
It's only when you stop and look at the Everton squad position by position that you realise just how many new players are needed. Not even in terms of relegation, but just to field a full compliment for the matchday squad.
At the top end of the pitch, Everton need two new forwards, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin unreliable, Neal Maupay ineffective and Ellis Simms likely to be sold.
There are also only two natural senior wingers at the club - three if you count central midfielder Alex Iwobi - meaning Everton need a couple of bodies there too. If Demarai Gray does move on, it'll be one more.
Centre midfield is arguably one of the few areas of the squad where Everton can get away with making no additions, although the club's offer of a new deal to Tom Davies would suggest that they think they need another body to call upon.
Right-back is another position where they will feel confident of muddling through, but additions are needed elsewhere across the back line.
The team was tanking with Michael Keane partnering James Tarkowski in defence, meaning they need another dominant defender in the mould of Yerry Mina. It is surely a bit too soon to ask that of Jarrad Branthwaite.
Vitalii Mykolenko needs competition at the very least, but in an ideal world would need to be upgraded on. And the cap it all off, Everton need to replace back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
So two forwards, two wingers, a centre-back, a left-back and a back-up goalkeeper makes eight. They might not be able to afford it, but it worryingly feels like the bare minimum they require to be a team that can survive in division.
Best get a move on...
Paul Wheelock
Four - but it could quite easily be six or seven. First things first, Everton cannot go into the season with just Vitalli Mykolenko at left-back. They need to look to find a player who is stronger, at this time, than the young Ukrainian, or at the very least, find a player who will offer him more competition than Ruben Vinagre did.
With speculation surrounding the futures of Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay, the burden placed on Dominic Calvert-Lewin could soon become even greater. That’s why the Blues need to sign at least two centre-forwards.
They also need another wide player. While Andros Townsend may never have played last season, his departure means Sean Dyche currently has just one genuine winger at his disposal in Dwight McNeil, in addition to Alex Iwobi, who is a better proposition in the centre.
So that’s the bare minimum. But if Joao Virginia isn’t good enough to be Jordan Pickford’s back-up - or if the player himself doesn't fancy that role - then a new No.2 is going to be needed.
Centre-back looks the area where Dyche is most well-stocked. But with Mason Holgate up for sale and question marks still over Jarrad Branthwaite - he appears he’d have the pick of clubs if he does decide to leave - then the Blues boss could well find himself needing another centre-back.
That’s also the case with midfield. Even excluding Iwobi, Everton currently have seven centre-midfielders on their books. But it’d be a big surprise if Andre Gomes, Dele Alli and Jean Philippe-Gbamin aren’t moved on before the end of the transfer window and the rumour mill suggests that at some stage the club will receive a bid for Amadou Onana. If that quartet left, it would leave Dyche with just three first-choice central-midfielders, which isn’t nowhere near enough.
But you could apply those words to so many areas of the squad. With just under five weeks to go until the start of the Premier League season, there is just so much work to do.
Connor O'Neill
When it comes to incoming signings this summer, where do you start? Everton are in need of a massive overhaul following back-to-back relegation battles.
But this summer will be one of low risk, sticking to what is known and the resources that are available will be focused on the key problem areas. With money tight, Seann Dyche has already said he will not have the sort of “war chest” some of his predecessors enjoyed, free agents and the loan market will likely be of particular interest.
However, Everton should still be targeting at least two new forwards. The club can simply not afford to gamble on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin like they did last season.
Should Ellis Simms or Neal Maupay depart then an argument could be made that the Blues would need to bring in three new attacking options. But for now, two should be the minimum.
Everton also must recruit a left-back this summer. However, instead of just acting as cover for Vitalii Mykolenko, whoever is brought in should be good enough to challenge the Ukraine international for a place in Dyche’s starting line-up.
And following the departure of Asmir Begovic, Everton are also now in need of a back-up goalkeeper as cover for Jordan Pickford, while a new winger, who can operate on either flank, is also required.
Joe Thomas
Everton need at least five signings. Probably more. But I think five *could* be enough. It is that high because Everton must take luck out of the equation, within reason at least. The problems of the last two seasons - on the pitch - have been founded upon hoping that players vulnerable to injury will avoid similar misfortune. Dyche has to plan as if setbacks are expected and if they do not occur then that is a bonus. Hopefully Dominic Calvert-Lewin will get a good season in, he has certainly been doing all he can to prepare. Everton’s priority has to be a striker who can challenge him. I think two strikers are necessary - one of a similar profile to challenge and provide back up to Calvert-Lewin, and another of a different mould who can offer a partner or open up a different way of playing so Dyche’s tactics can have more fluidity.
Everton also need someone who can challenge Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back. At right-back, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are both good enough, but have both struggled with injury. However, James Garner impressed in that role against Bournemouth and has been effective there for the England Under-21s this summer. He has also expressed a willingness to play there if needed. That helps Dyche and allows him to search for a specialist left back as opposed to a full-back who can cover both sides. So that is three signings - two strikers and a left-back. There would still be holes. Asmir Begovic is a big loss and there is clearly a need for a deputy for Jordan Pickford. I think Everton could promote a young goalkeeper given Pickford is rarely injured but I would prefer that to be to compete with a more experienced goalkeeper for the deputy role, with Andy Lonergan also there for his valuable input.
A back up goalkeeper that could provide competition and raise standards for a promoted goalkeeper, but whose presence could also take the pressure off that youngster, would be really helpful. So that is four. I think the remaining signing that would be a necessity would depend on whether Dyche sees Alex Iwobi as capable of playing a role in the middle - as he did under Frank Lampard. If Iwobi can provide cover in the middle, then another winger needs to come in. If Dyche does not believe he can, then Everton need another central midfielder. There is the potential to be savvy. Someone like Ainsley Maitland-Niles is available on a free and can cover in the middle and at full-back, while the loan market will be vital.
Separate to all this - I would also like to see Tom Cannon and Lewis Warrington get a chance to stay with the squad this season, but with the protection of the abovementioned signings in order to protect them.
