Everton supporters have been significantly more buoyant in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their side kick off the Sam Allardyce era with a 2-0 success over Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park, a result which moved them up to tenth in the Premier League table.
The former England chief took over the reins at the Merseyside outfit in the middle of last week following the sacking of Ronald Koeman back in October, what with the Dutchman overseeing a woeful start which had the club in the bottom three upon his departure. Yet a 4-0 win over West Ham in midweek helped improve the mood around the club, and Allardyce started his reign as boss with a comfortable victory on Saturday as goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed a 2-0 success for the Toffees, who in turned moved into the top half of the Premier League table.
Consequently, there have been many upbeat Toffees fans in the Tavern in recent times, many of whom are anticipating their team’s final European game of the season on Thursday night, what with Allardyce’s men travelling to Apollon Limassol knowing they cannot qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
In the meantime though, there has been plenty for our resident Evertonians to get their teeth into, not least recent reports suggesting that they are interested in wantaway Tottenham star Danny Rose.
The 27-year-old has struggled to regain first team football under Mauricio Pochettino since returning from injury earlier this season, to the point that he failed to make the matchday squad for the North London derby against Arsenal a few weeks ago.
And reports suggest that the Englishman’s future is away from North London, and Everton are one side reportedly interested in a move which, were they to get it done ahead of Manchester United, would finally put the Toffees on course to gatecrashing the Premier League’s top six.
And that’s because it would represent the sort of ambition that could well convince others to move to Goodison Park, while at the same time significantly bolstering an area of the Everton squad which is lacking in sufficient depth.
Ultimately, although Leighton Baines has been a wonderful left-back for both Everton and England over the years, the 32-year-old is in the twilight of his career, and hasn’t always been at his consistent best the last 12 months or so.
And given that the likes of Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka are also in their mid-30s, that Everton backline is an ageing one which needs attention if they are to challenge the top sides in the country – bringing in Rose would do just that.
The 27-year-old has proven in the last few years to be one of the best left-backs in the country, with his offensive capabilities as either an attacking full-back or a wing-back playing a part in Tottenham’s success in the last couple of seasons, while his defensive qualities are hardly lacking either.
Almost every side in the Premier League would want Rose in their squad, and that is exactly why, if Everton are able to pull of this coup, it would represent the sort of ambition and drive which could take the Toffees forward.
There is a bright future at Everton, what with a new stadium to come, several talented young players coming through, and indeed the money on offer from owner Farhad Moshiri, yet one still senses that they are a way away from the top six.
However, bringing in someone of the calibre of Rose ahead of the other interested parties would be a clear show of determination and intent from the Toffees hierarchy, and as such it is the sort of signing that could well attract other big names to the blue half of Merseyside – who knows, a signing of that ilk could well have kept Romelu Lukaku at Goodison Park.
Thus, although it looks on the surface to be a tricky task convincing Rose to move there ahead of United, landing the £25.2 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) would resurrect the top six challenge so many expected Everton to pose at the start of the season.
Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
