How are Everton fans currently feeling about the situation at the club??

So bad that my man Jon Hein (who individually makes up approximately one quarter of my overall readership) can’t even bring himself to ask a question!

I have spent a few days trying to come up with a good reason, but at this point the only thing I can do is offer up crumbs of rumors that are starting to drop as the end of the season quickly approaches.

Let’s not end the opening monologue on a high note though, and remember just WHY Everton deserve to have leadership that treats the club with the reverence it deserves.

To your questions!

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First, don’t miss RBM’S coverage of this EXACT question

Let’s consider the following players:

• Chris Smalling
• Ander Herrera
• Daley Blind
• Anthony Martial
• Marouane Fellaini

From those five names, here is who I personally would like to see at the club in order of preference:

1. Anthony Martial
2. Daley Blind
3. Ander Herrera
4. Marouane Fellaini
5. Chris Smalling

Martial would bring the type of explosiveness AND goal-scoring Big Sam has been trying to squeeze out of the Player Formerly Known As Yannick Bolasie. The Frenchman would be a welcome addition to an attack that isn’t far off from being an impressive unit. (Assuming someone gets the tactics right).

Daley Blind is a player the RBM writing crew has yearned for, as he MORE than adequately provides cover at three positions of need: Left back, left center back, and defensive center midfield. Blind is a proven professional would would make Everton a MUCH better side.

Herrera would also be a welcome addition, though his move to Goodison would presumably have to be matched by at least 2 or 3 departures. (Davies, Rooney, Klaasen etc...)

Fellaini and Smalling are players who would represent an immediate upgrade (maybe?), but come with lots of baggage, including both being on the back end of their careers.

So which ones are most likely to happen??

1. Chris Smalling
2. Daley Blind
3. Marouane Fellaini
4. Ander Herrera
5. Anthony Martial

Welcome to life as an Everton fan, right?

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Exactly.

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Sigh.

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England would still find a way to lose.

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With so many young Blues finding their way onto English squads of all manner: Senior, U-21, U-19 etc.... it can be tempting to project future international success on these players.

So let’s do it!

To be honest, I think there is one player who has the best chance to impact England’s senior team in the future, because he’s already doing it weekly in the EPL:

Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

For all of the fuss about Richarlison at Watford this season, DCL has been step-for-step with him in terms of production.

While the two young strikers are similar in expected goals (xG90), DCL is MUCH more productive and useful in the buildup AND in creating goals.

He is literally almost off the charts in terms of Assist per 90.

Which brings me to my point about DCL being an effective England International:

Not only does the young Toffee have a nose for goal, he can also adapt within a game and is incredibly adept at holding up play and getting teammates involved.

In the roller-coaster ride that is international play, which is only exacerbated during major tournaments, this talent to keep the team connected is INVALUABLE.

Once DCL gets a run out for the full England side (probably after the World Cup) I have no doubt he will establish himself as the future of the position for the Three Lions (They can pair him with Harry Kane).

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I love women’s soccer.

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Thick Head and Thin Skin: The Sam Allardyce Story

Here’s what I will say about THE survey:

• It’s sent out every year.
• If you get paid millions of dollars to pick players who are also millionaires to go play a game in which millions of dollars are at stake.......expect to be judged

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Phillip Cocu is a relatively unproven manager, having just gotten his coaching badges done in 2008. However, in that time he started off as an assistant to the manager of the Dutch national team and being part of the side that was runners-up in the 2010 World Cup. Next he got the caretaker role at PSV in 2012 and then was appointed permanently the season after that, when Marcel Brands was already in charge.

The former PSV and Barcelona midfielder has gotten off to a great start in his full managerial career though, winning the Eredivisie title thrice already in just five season in charge.

If Brands does come on, he might ask for the Board to consider Cocu, but having already been burned by the Ronald Koeman Experience, it’s unlikely Everton will look at him.

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TOFFEE TUNES

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

RKS

Two weeks, two RKS albums, zero apologies.

Enjoy!