After the euphoria of securing Premier League safety, thoughts quickly turned to the upcoming transfer window.
Make no mistake about it, Everton face another crucial summer in the transfer market. The task ahead for Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche is huge.
The pair must attempt to trim a bloated squad and bring together a group that will be fit for purpose. It won’t be easy.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his side’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the final day, Dyche made no attempt to sugarcoat his side’s latest relegation escape. The Blues boss believes a "massive amount of change" is needed to ensure that there is no repeat of the struggles the club has endured over the past two seasons.
READ MORE: Everton new stadium idea hailed as 'pure class' by Peter Reid
READ MORE: Dyche is about to get blunt introduction to Everton's biggest transfer issues
Last summer's transfer window was Thelwell’s first as director of football at Everton. It is safe to say that there were some hits and misses.
Big money was spent on Amadou Onana, and although he impressed at times just like Idrissa Gueye (another summer signing) did, both also had their own moments of struggle. The first half of the campaign was one of frustration for James Garner, but the way he finished the season was more than impressive, and the expectation is that he will become a key player in Dyche’s side next season.
At the back, James Tarkowski was arguably Everton’s best performer behind Jordan Pickford, and the fact he played every minute of every Premier League game his side played speaks volumes. Conor Coady also proved to be another shrewd addition, and the reaction to Everton's decision against triggering a £4.5m to buy him raises questions about the club’s summer plans.
However, there were two major misses when it came to last summer’s recruitment. Ruben Vinagre barely kicked a ball after joining him on loan at Sporting CP, and the fact that both Frank Lampard and Dyche overlooked him was quite telling.
While the signing of Neal Maupay was nothing short of a disaster. One goal in 29 appearances tells the story, and it would be no surprise to see the 26-year-old depart Goodison Park this summer.
Everton then endured a dreadful end to the January transfer window, with numerous attempts to strengthen Dyche’s squad resulting in failure. The former Burnley chief wanted two attacking additions to help in the fight for Premier League survival, but none were forthcoming as Everton ended the window as the only top-flight club not to make a signing.
Anthony Gordon joining Newcastle United meant that the Blues ended the window weaker than when they started it. The botched recruitment drive also came just days after majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri promised supporters that Everton would secure a much-needed striker.
*Have your say on current Everton issues in our special ECHO survey below:
Which brings us to now. It will not come as a surprise that Everton are looking to strengthen their squad in attack and at left-back.
But, put simply, this will be a summer of low risk, sticking to what is known and where the resources that are available will be focused on the key problem areas. With money tight, 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.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is looking to leave Crystal Palace, and free agent Moussa Dembele are two forwards who have been linked with the Blues since the end of the season. While Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres is another attacker who has been linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Dele Alli, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes spent last season on loan but are set to return. The trio all have 12 months remaining on their contracts, but one suspects all three will be allowed to leave should the right offers arrive.
Blues boss Dyche may also be in the market for a new backup goalkeeper after Asmir Begovic rejected the club’s offer of a new deal. Third-choice goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has been offered a deal.
However, one of the most intriguing aspects of this summer is how Dyche and Thelwell work together. At his former club, Burnley, Dyche was used to having control when it came to transfers, but the pair have to find the perfect formula this summer; otherwise, next season will be another long, hard slog that could end in the unthinkable happening.
READ MORE:
