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As expected, Everton Football Club found themselves quite busy during the January transfer window. The arrivals are something of a mixed bag (so far), while the departures were largely expected.
The Blues cleared out some dead weight, and added a few necessary pieces. Let’s recap.
In
Cenk Tosun | Striker | Besiktas | £19m + add-ons
This one had a bit of an on-again-off-again feel to it, as Everton looked set to continue the trend of haggling over what amounted to pennies in the grand scheme of things.
Tosun wanted the move, though, and in the end, Besiktas relented. Everton’s new leading hitman looked...fine? against Spurs and West Brom, only to be dropped against Leicester. It’s Sam Allardyce’s world, and we’re just living in it.
Theo Walcott | Winger | Arsenal | £19.7m
It’s looking like those at Finch Farm may want to order up a gift basket for Arsene Wenger.
Theo Walcott has two goals and an assist already in just 120 minutes of football for the Blues, and has made a preposterously quick impact. In both matches, Walcott has looked like the most dangerous player Everton have. Thanks, Arsene!
Eliaquim Mangala | Centre back | Manchester City | Loan
Unlike Tosun and Walcott, Mangala has not seen the field yet. As such, it’s a little tougher to evaluate. On the face of things, it doesn’t make sense. Sure, he’s left-footed, but the Frenchman becomes the 6th senior centre back in the side.
It would be one thing if Ramiro Funes Mori wasn’t back training, there was a buy option, or Mangala could adequately play left back. None of those things are the case.
Three new players arrived at Goodison Park in the January transfer window. Who do you think was the Blues best signing, Cenk Tosun, Theo Walcott or Eliaquim Mangala?
Posted by Royal Blue Mersey on Thursday, February 1, 2018
Out
Aaron Lennon | Winger | Burnley | Fee Unknown
A faithful servant to the club, the writing was on the wall for the much-beloved winger once Walcott was signed. He should receive a hero’s welcome anytime he comes back to Goodison Park.
Ademola Lookman | Winger | RB Leipzig | Loan
This one was strange - Allardyce refuses to play him, and wanted him to go to the Championship on loan. The youngster was adamant he wanted the Bundesliga, and had his way, not without incurring the wrath of Big Sam on the way.
Kevin Mirallas | Winger | Olympiakos | Loan
Wildly popular at times, his inconsistency and role in the training ground shenanigans soured fans towards him and his exit was sealed.
Sandro Ramirez | Striker | Sevilla | Loan
Too early to give up on the player, and he needed playing time that he was not going to get in Allardyce’s current system at the Blues.
Ross Barkley | Attacking midfielder | Chelsea | £14.8m
Before his major hamstring injury, he had indicated that he would not sign a new deal. After using the club resources to regain full fitness, he left for Chelsea in a re-do of his failed summer transfer, but with the club losing nearly £20m on the sale. Being called a ‘rat’ is an unfortunate way to end nearly a decade-and-a-half at your boyhood club.
Muhamed Besic | Midfielder | Middlesbrough | Loan
Mo has not had too many opportunities to play with even youngster Beni Baningime upstaging him. He might never be a regular Premier League starter, but this loan gives him a chance to prove he can develop further.
So, that’s that, then. How would you grade Everton’s January 2018 transfer window?
Poll
How Would You Grade EFC’s Winter Window?
This poll is closed
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4%
A
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54%
B
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31%
C
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8%
D
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2%
F