After Everton’s dramatic end to the 2021/22 campaign which saw them escape relegation in the penultimate match of the season, all eyes are turning to the summer as the Blues aim to bring in a host of new names to help them avoid a similar fate next year.
This is arguably where the real work will begin for manager Frank Lampard as he’ll look to work alongside new director of football Kevin Thelwell to identify and secure the signature of key targets.
In terms of positions, there are several that the Toffees will be eager to strengthen. We can expect that it will be right-back, central defence and central midfield which will be their priority.
However depending on outgoings, there’s every chance a new forward could be needed too. Therefore Mirror Football has taken a look at who Everton could target this summer.
Right-back: Frederic Guilbert
The right-back position has been a problematic one for some time at Everton. Seamus Coleman has been one of the division’s best in that area over the years, though now 33, it’s fair to say that his abilities have started to wane.
Everton seemed to have addressed the issue by signing highly-rated Rangers defender Nathan Patterson in January. However the 20-year-old is still adjusting to life at Goodison Park. He made just one appearance which came in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood before suffering an ankle injury in April which cut his campaign short.
There’s a sense that he won’t be quite ready to succeed Coleman next season, therefore Everton could need another short term option to add a greater cover to that area of the pitch. That’s why pursuing a short term deal for a player like Frederic Guilbert could be ideal.
Guilbert found his opportunities limited at Aston Villa, particularly since the club signed Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest two years ago. This led to a loan at Ligue 1 club Strasbourg this season.
The 27-year-old thrived there, making 33 appearances and registering four assists. Impressively, he also accumulated the third-highest Expected Assists (xA) total (6.78) for any right-back across Europe’s top five leagues.
Cash’s recent contract extension, coupled with the emergence of youngster Kaine Kesler Hayden means that Guilbert could be available for another loan or even a cheap purchase ths summer, making him ideal for Everton.
Centre-back: Nathan Ake
Given only four sides shipped more league goals than Everton last season, it’s not a huge shock that at least one new central defender will be top of Lampard’s priorities in the summer. Especially as their best central defender, Yerry Mina, can rarely stay fit enough for an extended spell in the team.
Lampard has spoken about wanting to instil a more expansive brand of football next season, so bringing in a defender who can not only defend but who is also comfortable in possession is key. Nathan Ake of Manchester City could therefore be an ideal target.
The highly-rated 27-year-old has made just 19 Premier League starts for Pep Guardiola’s side since his arrival in the summer of 2020. This is less down to his own abilities, but instead purely down to the plethora of talent already at the club.
When called upon, he impressed during City’s run to the title, meaning Guardiola may be reluctant to sell, though a loan move might be an option as he searches for more regular minutes. Everton’s locality and promise of first-team football could be key in getting a short term deal over the line.
Central midfield: Conor Gallagher
Reports this week suggest Lampard is planning a raid of his former club Chelsea to help bring in reinforcements. And one of the names who have been linked as a result is exciting midfielder, Conor Gallagher.
The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Palace, was caught up in the chaos of Everton’s final home game of the season, coming off the bench in his side’s 3-2 defeat by the Merseysiders. While that may have been a low point for the midfielder, he had a largely positive season on the whole, scoring eight Premier League goals while registering a further three assists.
Everton currently lack a high-energy box-to-box midfielder who also possesses real technical ability. Gallagher has both of those qualities. Therefore if there’s any truth in rumours that Everton are chasing him, then fans of the Toffees should be very excited.
Forward: Armando Broja
With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in their ranks, there’s a fair case to be made that a new forward shouldn’t be a priority for Everton. However, the reality is that the Toffees could lose one, if not both this summer.
Lampard will be keen to keep both, though to free up funds perhaps he might need to sanction the sale of one of them. If this happens, then a replacement will be needed. Therefore another player he could look to snatch from his former club is Armando Broja.
He was another who spent the season on loan, thriving at Southampton where he featured 38 times, directly contributing to ten goals. Although still just 20, Broja has an excellent physical profile and is a dangerous dribbler. He’s also proven to be an instinctive finisher.
As a forward, he ticks many boxes and would undoubtedly be a good addition to Everton’s squad next season.
