Everton are playing for a new stadium, and it’s a testament to their manager and their squad that they still look one of the better sides on paper despite having little money to spend this summer.
Hopefully the new stadium will help Everton grow, but more immediately, it is imperative that Moyes brings in a striker to help Everton qualify for Europe next season and maintain Everton’s status as a regular top-10 club.
Yakubu is a reported target for Everton, but one, I doubt that Boro would let him go for 4m (the price Everton seem to be willing to pay) considering their own precarious situation in the Premiership, so Moyes may be forced to bring in a striker on loan.
Manager Status: Moyes has done well at Everton over the last 3 seasons and his post is secure – but despite that he will be under pressure to replicate the successes of last season.
Transfer Analysis: Moyes has bought really well in Baines and Jagielka, and managed to offload Beattie for a good price as well. Maybe Everton could use a striker, but they missed out on Nugent because of financial constraints and those same constraints could hamper their efforts for the rest of August.
Players to watch: Baines, Jagielka Pienaar and Arteta.
August Fixtures: Home to Wigan, away to Tottenham and Reading and then home to Blackburn. It’s a competitive start to the season and it will give us a good idea of where Everton stand, especially the Tottenham and Blackburn games.
Expectations: A top-8 finish.
Predictions: Bringing in Baines was a master-stroke, and I fully expect Everton to be right up there with Tottenham. Top half of the table (5th-8th) for Everton, unless they bomb spectacularly.
Also Read:
- Play SL Fantasy Football, win $1,000
- Premiership Summer 07 Transfer List
- All 07/08 Prem Season Previews
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