AjaxAndy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 4:37 pm
Even the players we've signed from lesser teams abroad we've often still gone for players who've played in the premier league before (Ndaiye and Alcaraz) so we don't exactly take a great deal of risk... Both fantastic buys at fairly low prices so very smart moves, but like you said we need some moderate risk / high reward signings that don't cost much and have the potential to be of use now and flip for big bucks down the line.
That’s the other part of it - for a low initial fee, even the unsuccessful signings can be flipped for even money or a small profit.
It gets a bit easier when you have a complete first team. Hopefully, we find ourselves in a position to sign replacements preemptively in the near future. It’s easier to bring in players from smaller leagues when you’re not depending on them to play starter’s minutes right away. Learn from the bench, cups, and rotation, take over when the starter is sold.
I think the key is...now we can take more shots. Not every signing will "hit" - but if you play the percentages, it will pay off in the medium to long term. Some will hit, and ultimately (in most cases) end up sold to fund the next round, some will be squad depth, some just warm bodies.
But that's how you build a squad sustainably.
"The best you can hope for is to die in your sleep." - Kenny Rogers (plausible Evertonian)
I could see Moyes being good for Grealish but he'll also be 30 with question marks over whether he is still capable of producing his quality.
I'd rather us be a club where players that are younger/coming into their prime like Ndiaye/Alcaraz/McNeil occupy those positions. I get it's a squad game but Grealish wouldn't be coming here to sit on the bench. I'd take him on loan but even then, are we really going to sign a 31 year-old Jack Grealish afterwards?
My daughter lives in Bristol and her feller supports City. He said we were heavily linked with their captain Jason Knight, reckon he would be a good signing.
I do think there is something in trying to get stars from these 3rd tier leagues but the step up in quality is very high.
For instance, Promise David in Belgium - first season scored 19, big physical player so would in theory translate well to the prem.
I'm a fan because he's a Canadian but I honestly wouldn't want to think we'd bring him in with the intention to start. Better to be able to buy players like him and loan them out but we don't have the finances for that.
I'd like to see him in royal blue too, but what are we going to do with Dwight, his right leg is only good for standing on, not sure he's that good on the right cutting in? Can we have one of our best players on the bench?
I do like the look of McAtee as well, can we get him too?
Trowel wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 10:33 pm
Just bear in mind that Grealish is also linked with Newcastle and Napoli, so let's treat it as an interesting rumour during the lull.
A documentary of Grealish in Naples would be something to behold
Everton will make an approach to Manchester City over a potential loan deal for Jack Grealish
