Everton's decision to give Anthony Gordon a new squad number wasn't only a reward for his efforts last season, it was surely a statement of their intention for the rest of the summer.
The winger has been linked with a couple of high-profile potential moves in recent weeks, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United credited with interest in the 21-year-old. Some reports have suggest quite lofty fees possibly being offered for the academy graduate in the near future, although the word from Goodison Park is that the Blues will rebuff any bids that might come in.
You'd expect that's what handing Gordon the No.10 shirt was slightly about. Of course it's a well-deserved reward for the progression that he has accomplished over the last few years, but maybe it was a veiled message at everyone whose eyes might be wandering over to his availability.
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"Hands off. We've got plans for him next season."
Subsequent reports shortly after news of Newcastle's interest in particular suggested that Everton could be preparing to offer their winger a new contract, apparently further cementing their feelings on the situation. Gordon, you feel, is right at the top of the list of candidates to be handed updated terms.
Firstly, it serves as a reward for a player who has been the best academy product of a generation at Finch Farm - and someone who had a rather unexpectedly huge impact in what became his breakout term last year. After being in-and-out of the side in the opening weeks of the campaign, by its end he was undoubtedly one of the most important players in the squad.
His desire, determination and love for the club led by example from the front. Because of that, he's clearly one of the most popular players among the fanbase right now, especially after the departure of Richarlison.
Because of that, losing him in the current transfer window at the very least seems unthinkable to the club. And, improved terms would make a lot of sense - even if he only put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract back in the summer of 2020.
His situation was wildly different then than it is now. With a full season of Premier League football under his belt and with a new squad number to boast, you'd think there would be fair grounds for an extension on that time.
But who else would fall into that bracket? Well you'd think there are a couple of players that Everton might have their eye on entering some negotiations with.
In a similar transfer sense to Gordon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had a lot of reports swirling around his future in recent weeks. In fact, throughout last season there was talk that the England international could be looking for a new home this summer.
However, nothing concrete has materialised as of yet. His 2021/22 campaign was stunted by injury, but he's still a quality player reaching the prime years of his career.
It was in March 2020 that Calvert-Lewin last agreed a new contract with the club. The following season was his best ever as a senior player, bagging 21 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.
He still has a significant portion of his current deal left to run, granted - and Everton are attempting to run more of a tight ship in terms of their wage structure in the future thanks to their financial situation. But, to protect their asset with the 25-year-old, it wouldn't be a surprise to hear of more contract talk in the future.
And, at the other end of the pitch, Jordan Pickford must be another that enters into this conversation. In fact, he's another that has had reports in recent weeks directed at this very situation.
Just last month, the Guardian reported that Everton had opened talks with the England No.1 with the hope of securing his long-term future at the club. Tentative rumours of a potential move always seemed to have been around the corner for Pickford, but again nothing concrete seems to have materialised.
This seems to be the most pressing matter of all given the amount of years he has left on his contract. The last time the shot-stopper put pen-to-paper was in 2018 - a year after he completed a move from Sunderland.
That was when his stock was extremely high following a fantastic first season between the posts in his new surroundings, but it's fair to say following years were mired with inconsistency. However, that's certainly a thing of the past.
Pickford was undoubtedly one of Everton's standout players last season, if not the best of them all. Over the course of the last 18-20 months at the very least, he has stood up to every task that his side have needed him to.
Gone are the days when he was erratic and couldn't be relied upon, although some pundits who watch him only for international fixtures might have you believe differently. There are seldom few players in the current Everton squad more deserving of new terms than he is thanks to his string of phenomenal displays.
Incomings and outgoings over the course of the transfer window will obviously be catching the eyes of many, and rightly so in a lot of cases. But, it also can't be forgotten how important it could be to tie down the Blues' most valuable talents while they are here.
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