Reboot? Can Everton and New DOF Kevin Thelwell Perform a 1st Year Miracle?

Everton have to rebound or reboot after last season’s relegation battle. The Street End looks at the future of their 3 biggest stars and how they will decide which it is.

Cycle or Recycle?

This pre season marks the start of a new cycle for Everton. The excesses, mistakes and negligence of previous managerial regimes have come back to haunt the club and a reset is required. The club have to start again after the impact of Covid and poor recruitment off the pitch and performance on it. Whilst Carlo Ancelotti celebrates another European cup win, the project that he left behind is being ripped up and started again. So what next for Everton?

Massive Job for Everton

The new Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, has a massive job on his hands. His first task is to create a squad that can improve on it’s premier league position. This year’s 16^th position is the worst since 2004 in David Moyes second season. The following season, Moyes took Everton to their best ever Premier league performance, despite selling their best player, Wayne Rooney. Can history repeat itself?

Everton Rebuild?

The futures of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jordan Pickford are key to this summer and the rebuild ahead. Both Richarlison and Pickford have 2 years left on their contracts. They are also coming off strong seasons where their value is high, despite the poor performance of the team.

Calvert Lewin

Calvert Lewin has suffered through injury this term with the press constantly linking him with a move away from Goodison. This has led to criticism from some sections of the support which has hurt the player. Nevertheless, he scored the goal that kept Everton up and is still the sort of player to build a squad around when fit. If a big money bid comes in for him would Everton be ready to sell?

To answer this, it may be worth looking back to the departure of Romelu Lukaku. One may argue that it is only on the last two years have Everton truly replaced him as DCL has grown into the number 9 role. Everton struggled to replace Lukaku with Cenk Tosun scoring as many goals as the millions he earned in his contract. If Everton sell Calvert Lewin, who would replace him?

Jordan Pickford

The same applies to Jordan Pickford, whose performances have gone a long way to keeping Everton up. He provided leadership and stability behind an ever changing backline that lacked consistency and confidence. Whilst Nick Pope is likely to be available, he is not the all round keeper that Pickford is and is not likely to come cheap. Everton should be offering their number 1 a new contract but at 28, he may be looking to move away. A new contract and project may not be appealing to him. The club have to persuade him otherwise.

Richarlison

Richarlison played just as big a part as Pickford, if not bigger in the relegation battle. He fought tirelessly and played through injury whilst galvanising the crowd behind the team. The famous photo of the Brazilian talisman holding a flare and celebrating will live long in the minds of Evertonians. He has the closest connection to the fans of any of the squad and his departure would be a massive wrench. Is it necessary?

Of all of the players, Richarlison has the most value. He still has youth on his side and is a Brazilian international. Everton would likely gain more for the former Watford player than any other. He is a player known for his versatility and work rate as much as his goal scoring and technical skills. He was rumoured to want to leave last summer but agreed to stay after the club allowed him to play in the Olympics. This may be the end of his time at Everton.

Everton’s Big Question

The key question in all of this is finances. If Everton don’t need to sell to buy, keeping these 3 would turn a rebuild into a rebound. If Everton can pick up the 2 central defenders and 2 midfielders that they need without selling these 3, a return to mid table or beyond is possible. Everton were consistently finishing around the top 8 only two years ago. The 59 points that they earned last season would have earned them 6^th place this year.

This squad are capable of much more with smart recruitment. The balance in midfield and inconsistency at the back was clear to see last season. The injuries to important players also hindered the club’s efforts. Everton will improve if they improve their health, defensive options and midfield.

Over to you Kevin.