Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking ahead to the 2018/19 Premier League season following the appointment of Marco Silva as the new Toffees manager back in May.
The Portuguese boss replaced Sam Allardyce in the Goodison Park hotseat earlier in the summer following the Englishman’s sacking at the end of last season, this all despite leading the Toffees to an eighth place finish in the division. Nonetheless, he came under fire for his style of play and the way he got those results, thus prompting many Everton fans to turn on him and thus welcome the appointment of former Hull City and Watford boss Silva.
As such, there are many excited Toffees supporters around the country ahead of the new season, with several hopeful that their side can indeed challenge for the European spots this term after an underwhelming campaign last time round.
The Merseysiders spent in excess of £100 million last summer in a bid to bridge the gap to the top six, although they actually fell further behind to suggest that even more reinforcements are needed this summer to reel them in, signings that so far haven’t been forthcoming.
And while it’s clear that additions are needed, it’s also imperative that Everton retain some of their most prized assets ahead of the new campaign, as failure to do so would see them take a step back rather than forward in pursuit of the European spots.
In fact, keeping hold of these TWO lynchpins could well see Silva’s side challenging for Europe this season…
Jordan Pickford was named Everton’s Player of the Season for his efforts in his debut campaign at Goodison Park, while his World Cup exploits for England this summer is only likely to raise his stock once again.
The Toffees spent a hefty £30 million on the 24-year-old last summer, but they have certainly been vindicated for such purchase as Pickford enjoyed a fine season last time round, thus earning the number one jersey for England at the World Cup.
And the Everton shot-stopper produced the goods in Russia as well in helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the semi-finals, including playing a part in their penalty shoot-out success over Colombia in saving Carlos Bacca’s spot-kick.
Atletico Madrid were linked with the 24-year-old earlier in the summer, and after an excellent World Cup, Everton could face a battle to keep hold of the shot-stopper – a battle they simply have to win.
Last season was not a particularly great one for Everton and their supporters, with several players over the course of the campaign below the level expected of them.
Yet midfielder Idrissa Gueye was again consistently influential in the heart of the Toffees midfield to underline his status as the club’s best central midfielder, appearing in 33 of their 38 Premier League matches.
There has been interest in the Senegal international in the past to suggest that he is someone clubs are keeping an eye on, but given how integral he is to Everton in the heart of their midfield, he’s someone they absolutely must keep beyond the August 9 deadline.
