The Rebuild

[Escalator]

just tailor made for us - if we sign delap that would be the signing pf the summer
i like the fact that he is open to talking to a few clubs inc us and not just top 6 - and seeing what we can offer

Played almost twice as many minutes as Beto this season and has scored two goals more than Beto including two penalties, just sayin like.

[777Kidnappings]

There's value in all our out of contract players (except holgate) it's about offering what they are actually worth and letting them go if they don't want that

As for delap..... massively overrated. Might be worth the risk at 30m but he's done nowt to really suggest he's the next big thing.

[Trowel]

[Evertonian in NC]

Much rather have a younger (from the continent?) 4th choice CB that could maybe grow into a starter in a few seasons. That's how we have to start operating, using youth for development and depth.

But you have to commit to actually using said young players.

[Cantoffee]

No point in signing a young CB to be 4th choice. It's not how you develop players, they need to play competitive matches.

Our 4th choice CB should be someone older with experience who knows their role will be limited but wants to stay in the prem rather than drop down and play 45 matches a season in the Championship.

Our development of young players has been horrendous at times, Patterson is a good example - he's not good enough and never was. But if we'd sent him on loan to play a full season elsewhere he may have grown into a decent player. Instead he was in and out of the team because he wasn't good enough but we didn't have great options at RB.

[TheRam]

We’ve not had to use a 4th choice centre half this season other than tomorrow

Just release him and use his wages elsewhere.

We don’t need Keane here anymore.

[Evertonian in NC]

No point in signing a young CB to be 4th choice. It's not how you develop players, they need to play competitive matches.

Our 4th choice CB should be someone older with experience who knows their role will be limited but wants to stay in the prem rather than drop down and play 45 matches a season in the Championship.

Our development of young players has been horrendous at times, Patterson is a good example - he's not good enough and never was. But if we'd sent him on loan to play a full season elsewhere he may have grown into a decent player. Instead he was in and out of the team because he wasn't good enough but we didn't have great options at RB.

You can use one much like we used Our Tim this season. Get his feet wet off the bench, start all the cups.

Again, look at how often Keane has played - and we didn't LOOK to give him minutes. You can do it, you just need to have a specific plan and the guts to stick with it.

[Evertonian in NC]

Sorry for the double post - we also should remember that next season's 4th choice will likely be 3rd choice in 2026-27. There's plenty of near-term minutes available.

Tarks is old, and was already lacking pace before a major hamstring injury. Not sure he gets another contract.

[AjaxAndy]

Sorry for the double post - we also should remember that next season's 4th choice will likely be 3rd choice in 2026-27. There's plenty of near-term minutes available.

Tarks is old, and was already lacking pace before a major hamstring injury. Not sure he gets another contract.

We're apparently on talks with him over one so I think you're probably wrong there tbh

[Evertonian in NC]

Even if Tarks stays another year, you'd expect his minutes to start tapering off? Or maybe I am being too Footy Manager. It is a tendency/shortcoming that I recognize. Just thinking out loud and such.

[blueToffee]

We aren't signing Delap if the other options for him are Newcastle, Chelsea and Man United.

Sure he'd get the most playing time here, but he'd probably not be far off at some of the others assuming he backs himself. Chelsea and Man United in dire need of a striker and not sure what's happening with Isak at Newcastle yet.

The problem with the release clause is big clubs know there is almost no downside to signing him with his age/nationality as then add a stint at a "top 6" club and they can easily make their money back at the very least if things don't pan out.

No problem with us trying, but it's not a transfer that we should let drag out given we need to get players in, if he's genuinely interested and we get it done quickly then awesome but otherwise just move on.

[AjaxAndy]

We aren't signing Delap if the other options for him are Newcastle, Chelsea and Man United.

Sure he'd get the most playing time here, but he'd probably not be far off at some of the others assuming he backs himself. Chelsea and Man United in dire need of a striker and not sure what's happening with Isak at Newcastle yet.

The problem with the release clause is big clubs know there is almost no downside to signing him with his age/nationality as then add a stint at a "top 6" club and they can easily make their money back at the very least if things don't pan out.

I think we'll get him tbh, although I'm not convinced about him as a player.

Chelsea have Jackson, Man UTD are a club in turmoil, Newcastle have Isak and I doubt anyone will pay what they would need to in order to get him so they already have a first choice.

We're a team looking like we're on the up, he'd be a guaranteed starter, can build his reputation and get a bigger move down the line.

[Shogun]

I'm just really not seeing it with him

https://fbref.com/en/players/dd897ee7/Liam-Delap

[Toddacelli]

I'm just really not seeing it with him

https://fbref.com/en/players/dd897ee7/Liam-Delap

Same. Seems a risk. Will either kick on with us or disappear up his own arsehole.

[blueToffee]

I think we'll get him tbh, although I'm not convinced about him as a player.

Chelsea have Jackson, Man UTD are a club in turmoil, Newcastle have Isak and I doubt anyone will pay what they would need to in order to get him so they already have a first choice.

We're a team looking like we're on the up, he'd be a guaranteed starter, can build his reputation and get a bigger move down the line.

I'd not bet against any outcome, but if he backs himself I imagine the lure of playing in Europe would be too much. In Newcastle's case look how often Isak gets injured even if he's not sold. He'll get plenty of opportunities you'd imagine between the PL and Europe. Same at Chelsea with Europe and Jackson has never really cemented himself as undroppable you'd say as he blows too hot and cold.

I just don't want it dragging out, as like you say it's not necessarily a slam dunk altogether with him anyhow. Shoot your shot but move on quickly if it doesn't work out.