Royal Blue Mersey - Everton on Transfer Deadline Day, Summer 2018It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2018-08-16T11:00:01+01:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/174341912018-08-16T11:00:01+01:002018-08-16T11:00:01+01:00Excerpts from Kurt Zouma’s exclusive Everton interview
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<img alt="Everton v Chelsea - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eRxBE8s4hSAZGjugEME7sqay6lg=/0x0:2178x1452/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60854239/487885898.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Club’s on-loan defender spoke after joining up with the Blues</p> <p id="CtcsEq"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> are often called the People’s Club for good reason, as their stellar work in the community shows. However, on the football side of the operation they occasionally do something puzzling that leaves the fans fuming. </p>
<p id="Mrk65f">New on-loan signing Kurt Zouma spoke to <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/unhoused/membership-exclusive-content/in-conversation/kurt-zouma">evertontv</a> in an exclusive interview that was only published in the <a href="https://auth.evertonfc.com/?returnUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.evertonfc.com%2Fofficialmember">‘Members Only’</a> section, causing a bit of an uproar since it was the first time the player was being interviewed after joining the Toffees. That part of the website is only accessible for season ticket holders and official club members. </p>
<p id="WBi0j8">Below are a couple of excerpts from that interview, <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2018/08/14/zouma">click here to watch the full video</a> (restricted access).</p>
<p id="2u7aFW">On when he spoke to Marco Silva and what he thought of him - </p>
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<p id="RAsXrk">“I spoke to the manager for the first time about two weeks ago and I was interested in the project. He told me he was going to bring in some new players, which he did, a lot of them! But I’m looking forward to the season. </p>
<p id="KLNPRG">“Yeah he’s a good manager, he’s good in training, I’ve trained twice or thrice with him and he’s very good. He wants us to play, and is really close to the players. He wants to put more strength in the team, and I can be another option for him, and get enough game time.” </p>
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<p id="6SobyW">This is not unique - one of the most common things we’ve heard from the Everton players is how hands-on Silva has been, and how he’s been a big part in convincing the new players to join the club. </p>
<aside id="PF29Xi"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"CONFIRMED: Everton have signed Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671294/everton-transfer-news-kurt-zouma-loan-chelsea-deal-sheet-latest-confirmed"},{"title":"Kurt Zouma Everton shirt number revealed","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671986/kurt-zouma-everton-shirt-number-revealed-5-jersey-kit-done-deal-loan-transfer-news-update-chelsea"}]}'></div></aside><p id="0CxJj2">On how he felt about the competition, and his fellow new signing Yerry Mina -</p>
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<p id="Ofc8TC">“There’s a lot of players in every position, that could be good for everybody because competition is always good in a team. Your target is to win games, so hopefully we win as many as we can. Lot of quality in every position. Defensively, in the midfield and offensively too, more options for the manager. </p>
<p id="wEnTD8">“I watched him (Mina) play in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a>, he scored a few goals. He’s a good player, there’s a lot of good players here, you can see it in the dressing room. The thing now is for us is to play together and get to know each other, and I think we’ll be great, we can have a great season.”</p>
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<p id="RvUnPF">With Zouma and Mina now onboard, Everton finally have centrehalf depth to match the top six sides.</p>
<p id="YZyt0K">On club captain <span>Phil Jagielka</span>’s influence - </p>
<blockquote><p id="YIZdo9">“He’s the captain of the team, he’s a leader. Like I used to have John Terry at <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, it’s the same thing here, Jagielka is a legend. To learn from him that will be good for us, for me, for Yerry, for the other guys. We need to watch him play and speak to him a lot.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="fvfuzY">He went on to add that he was a big fan of Didier Drogba and Terry’s growing up. </p>
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<p lang="et" dir="ltr"> | Kurt Happy Zouma. <a href="https://t.co/FEfrirdsSM">pic.twitter.com/FEfrirdsSM</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1029332289648517121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p id="VyKaaN">On how he has been settling in at the side - </p>
<blockquote><p id="3V3r0A">“Yeah there are some French-speaking guys here, Idrissa Gueye and Oumar Niasse too, we have a little squad here, so it’s good. Of course it helps, but I know English, I’ve been here four years.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="0NPQbc">On how he would describe himself to Everton fans - </p>
<blockquote><p id="koRLgA">“A defender who always wants to win, who is determined to defend the colours I’m wearing. Who is willing to learn, to work in training, and to give 100% in games.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="ofVqir">That’s about all we ask for as supporters of every player to pull on the royal blue shirt. </p>
<p id="tJKH5u"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/16/17693222/kurt-zouma-exclusive-interview-everton-website-paywall-marco-silva-influence-chelsea-terry-jagielkaCalvin2018-08-15T16:36:30+01:002018-08-15T16:36:30+01:00Yerry Mina chose Everton over Manchester United and Lyon
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<img alt="New Barcelona Signing Yerry Mina Unveiled" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CILTreVSXZidZPtzuP1DMThE2eE=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60846567/904156008.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Marcel Brands talks about the deadline day dealings with Barcelona</p> <p id="yJfpLB"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> Director of Football Marcel Brands has been talking to various media outlets today about the summer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> for the Toffees. </p>
<p id="qrl6Aj">Speaking with <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11473461/marcel-brands-explains-why-everton-had-to-wait-for-yerry-mina-and-andre-gomes-signings">Sky Sports</a>, the Dutchman was asked how the Blues ended up having such a busy Deadline Day that saw four players added, with three (Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes [loan] and Kurt Zouma [loan]) joining the club in the last hour before the 5pm deadline. Mina in particular was being pursued by <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> and Olympique Lyonnais as well. </p>
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<p id="YQyhNP">“That was mainly because of Mina of course, because there were a lot of rumours also about other clubs in the Premier League - so Barcelona waited.</p>
<p id="VzxqGl">“We didn’t change the offer, so that was a little bit of a gamble, but it worked in the end.</p>
<p id="PIouit">“The boy was clear, he wanted to play for Everton, so that helps a lot, of course.”</p>
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<p id="ZVhKhy">This was the first year the Premier League had a different closing date to the transfer window from the rest of Europe, and it changed how clubs acted. </p>
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<p id="FKDNBp">“From the other side, the new market was closing earlier and the other countries waited until the end, because they know what Premier League clubs can do - so that did not help me.</p>
<p id="RANQPa">“In the end it went the right direction, but I was a little bit unsure what would happen in the last days.”</p>
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<aside id="vnxmzx"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Marcel Brands has done his part with Everton, now it’s up to Marco Silva to show what he can do","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17672650/everton-transfer-window-deadline-day-recap-marcel-brands-marco-silva-squad-management"},{"title":"RBM Roundtable: How did Everton do in the summer transfer window?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17674564/how-did-everton-do-summer-transfer-window-deadline-day-richarlison-digne-bernard-mina-gomes-zouma"}]}'></div></aside><p id="pU3odr">This was Brands’ first summer with the club, and he was also asked how he dealt with the hectic pace, especially leading up to the window closing. </p>
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<p id="PbtsCT">“For me (it was) special, my first time in the UK and a very special last day. I was lucky that I had a lot of support on my side, people from legal, people from finance, the chairman of course.</p>
<p id="NPXFV7">“It was a quite a busy day. I was confident things would get done but the days before were a bit stressful!”</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/15/17692014/everton-transfer-news-yerry-mina-latest-marcel-brands-interview-manchester-united-lyonCalvin2018-08-10T17:00:06+01:002018-08-10T17:00:06+01:00RBM Roundtable: How did Everton do in the summer transfer window?
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<img alt="Everton v Valencia - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8nuZBv7X20y6j3QTxfbEUUgiTGU=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60793083/1011028724.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We get some opinions from the Royal Blue Mersey crew on the Toffee’s activities throughout the summer</p> <p id="7rtsbG">It is now customary here at Royal Blue Mersey after every <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> to poll the writers here on how they think <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> did with getting rid of unwanted players and bringing in new players to strengthen the team. Here are some thoughts from the crew, in no particular order. </p>
<h3 id="2O50Sg">Rachel</h3>
<p id="1JNYMH">Richarlison and Digne are exciting new additions. Now there’s three more new players and I’m a little worried it’s too much change in too little time but hopefully I’m wrong! There seems to be more positivity this year, no more weird comments about why certain players wouldn’t sign and players seem eager to sign with Everton. This all points towards better leadership. </p>
<p id="4dERQy">It’s a huge relief that <span>Jordan Pickford</span> is staying at Everton. Phew. I’m also glad that Lookman is staying. </p>
<p id="PC7zzC">I know we are talking about the men’s team here but I want to stress that Everton Ladies need to sign 1-2 goalies very soon because they are almost done their preseason and still only have one keeper. </p>
<aside id="xu9FqF"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Silva: We are ready, more than ready!","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17674312/marco-silva-everton-press-conference-kurt-zouma-loan-deal-update-wolves-preview-transfer-window"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="fiF6zL">Danny</h3>
<p id="VoWWjc">The good - we have brought in more players than we ever dreamed possible! We now have competition for places in all positions. The squad appears balanced, all positions are covered, and we have raised the bar in terms of quality also. </p>
<p id="iGalNl">The bad - pre-season results weren’t great. Most of our transfers were completed late, so we have several players who haven’t played much for us, if at all, in pre-season. We are going into the season with a GK and back 4 that have never played together.</p>
<p id="fSGDpy">Ugly - nothing for me in particular. We do still have some work to do though. Ideally, we still need to ship out some players no longer required - Bolasie, Besic, Vlasic etc. We also need to get the players to gel. </p>
<p id="MDOZQD">All in all, the foundations are now in place. The work now begins on the training ground, and let’s hope we can get some momentum behind us early on.</p>
<aside id="BCEWlN"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Are Everton ready for the 2018-19 season?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17672894/everton-transfer-window-deadline-day-recap-marcel-brands-marco-silva-balanced-squad-preview-wolves"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="lsGKVg">Matt A</h3>
<p id="kTosJO">Good- The back line has been improved across the board. The center back group has been improved with Mina and Zouma, while Digne brings some much needed depth to the left back position. Gomes and Bernard are cheap, low-risk attempts to find talented young players and Silva clearly sees something special in Richarlison. </p>
<p id="HzyPsX">Bad - The biggest complaint is that so much of this business was done too late in the window. It’s great to have these players here, but there’s a match on Saturday and I suspect several new additions may not feature or will struggle with team chemistry.</p>
<p id="I4s7s7">Ugly - I still don’t know if this team is good enough to get above 7th or 8th place. I’m willing to be patient with Brands, and this window is certainly a good start, but Everton still haven’t made the kind of move to propel us up the table. </p>
<aside id="kXQo3P"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Marcel Brands has done his part with Everton, now it’s up to Marco Silva to show what he can do","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17672650/everton-transfer-window-deadline-day-recap-marcel-brands-marco-silva-squad-management"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="AFvtyz">Zach</h3>
<p id="AsE6DF">What is interesting about Marcel Brand’s first summer in charge is that he clearly does not mind spending heavily on players he thinks fit what the team needs. The fees for Richarlison, Digne and Mina were higher than their former clubs would have been able to find anywhere else, and the reported salary for Bernard is incredibly high also. I think it is rather obvious that we overpaid for these players, but such is the life of a monied English club. </p>
<p id="H9SGQK">Unlike last season, I can see a clear plan for each of the new players. I see how they fit the larger team structure and I see a direct line between their talents and what Marco Silva wants to do. Last season we wondered what the point of buying both Klaassen and Sigurdsson was, and why we refused to by a left back. This year, we have appropriate cover at every position, and new players that fill holes we had before. I am not sure whether all of these new arrivals will pan out, but I’m very pleased with the way in which Everton identified needs and sought to address them. Good window. </p>
<aside id="pnA6gb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Why Barcelona was always going to sell Mina to Everton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17655484/barcelona-transfer-news-everton-yerry-mina-deadline-day-deal"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="0naMk0">Pete</h3>
<p id="FRKVWt">The good: We’ve balanced out our squad and trimmed the fat. We have at least two players of reasonable quality in every position. Richarlison and Digne in particular look like they’ll significantly improve the team, while Bernard certainly has the potential (if he can deal with the physicality of the league) to be an excellent signing.</p>
<p id="IqZUOh">Hopefully we can still manage to shift Cuco Martina before the end of August.</p>
<p id="okzi2X">The bad: Just because you’ve signed someone from <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> doesn’t make them a great player (see: <span>Claudio Bravo</span>, Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan). Jury is definitely out on Mina and Gomes, but I hope to be proven wrong.</p>
<p id="26b200">The ugly: Why do we leave our business so late! The idea of bringing in three or four players on deadline day is absurd – and it’s not like most of these players were even away at the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a>.</p>
<p id="7Xvpoi">It’s like the kid doing his homework on the bus to school – he’s not exactly the star student, is he?</p>
<p id="uDauc6">Last year aside, we always leave our business too late, and it plays a big part in why we often start the season so slowly. Give the manager a chance and have your squad ready in July.</p>
<aside id="HermUb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Transfer Deadline Day Recap | Everton smashed this one out of the park","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17667284/everton-transfer-deadline-day-summer-2018-recap-premier-league-bernard-mina-gomes-zouma-brands"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="Crmb7C">Adam</h3>
<p id="k81lBm">Very little to get upset about in this window. All the major needs were addressed, the team got substantially younger, and the club is positioned to at least make a run at the top 6. I’m not particularly fond of Gomes, but the other players added this window should be able to make significant contributions this season -- and I acknowledge that Gomes is a low-risk, high-reward project.</p>
<p id="jwngAm">The summer should be remembered as a big statement of intent -- as last summer was. Yet, the major difference this summer is the very clear plan that’s gone along with the intent. Each signing filled a targeted need, and you’d be hard-pressed to point to an incoming player who you can’t understand the thought process behind acquiring. It’s a big change of pace from last summer, and an exceedingly important one.</p>
<aside id="TJKF78"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton on Transfer Deadline Day, Summer 2018","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670150/everton-news-transfer-deadline-day-summer-2018-rumours-latest-bernard-mina-gomes-lookman-bolasie"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="BhZsuW">Geno</h3>
<p id="Xj2DIM">I think the word that best describes my feelings at the end of the transfer window yesterday is “wow”. It seems that for the first time in a long time the club have seen their needs and addressed them from top to bottom. We have added depth, talent and, basically, a new defense, while, also, not spending recklessly, which was the problem last year. The window did start a little slow, taking a while to sign a player, but once things got down to the late hours, you could see the clubs desire to get the deals they wanted done. For the first time for me as an Everton fan, I was left happy at the end of the transfer window and without the feeling that we didn’t do enough and, I have to say, it feels pretty awesome!</p>
<aside id="VInFmb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Did the summer transfer window launch Everton back into the top six debate?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17671078/everton-transfer-news-analysis-marco-silva-brands-mina-gomes-bernard-richarlison-zouma-digne"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="bUOGmX">Matthew</h3>
<p id="XvoEG1">The good- Most of the squad’s gaping holes have been plugged properly. Down the left wing, Lucas Digne, Richarlison and Bernard should add the pace and verve that deserted the likes of Cuco Martina, <span>Leighton Baines</span> and Gylfi Sigurdsson on that flank last term. Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina, on paper, appear far more athletic and imposing centre-backs, and I hope André Gomes will be the creative central midfielder we clearly lacked previously. Meanwhile, Marcel Brands and Marco Silva’s vision looks much clearer than the scattergun approach under Steve Walsh and <span>Ronald Koeman</span>.</p>
<p id="tSXmUL">The bad- The squad still needs trimming. Cuco Martina, Yannick Bolasie and Muhamed Besic, for instance, remain on Everton’s books when, realistically, it’s hard to see them getting a game. <span>Phil Jagielka</span> or Michael Keane are not good enough for a team supposedly challenging the top six, either, even if now only as back-ups. If I’m nit-picking, I would’ve liked to see another right-back, too; competition for places is healthy and <span>Seamus Coleman</span> has suffered from a lack of it.</p>
<p id="tBRaT5">The ugly- Leaving our business so late creates great excitement and the deadline day optimism among Evertonians was palpable, but it’s hardly ideal planning. Quite what the team sheet at Wolverhampton on Saturday will be is anyone’s guess. I’ve also questioned the mentality of players we’ve previously signed from bigger clubs; hopefully Mina and Gomes don’t leave the Nou Camp thinking they’re too good for us and come with the right attitude.</p>
<aside id="smweVX"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Projected XI: Everton at Wolverhampton Wanderers","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671894/everton-lineup-wolves-premier-league-opening-day-projected-starting-11-injury-report-latest"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="amfTwe">Sean</h3>
<p id="C31WAX">The good - Marcel Brands has removed nearly all of the underperformers or high earners off the wage bill and replaced them with younger, better players in the process. At the same time, he has systematically targeted and improved every position that needed it and rebuilt the faith among the fans. </p>
<p id="ePgNUD">The bad - That it took so long to get the deals done. Relying on finalising deals on deadline day is a risky strategy but such was the nature of this window, with the World Cup thrown in, it was always going to be tricky. Factor in that it was clear players had to leave first before moves could be made and this becomes a minor gripe at best. </p>
<p id="qHAV4W">The ugly - Some of the fees and wages Everton are likely to have paid out are high but that is now the nature of the market.</p>
<aside id="VMJ0N8"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"CONFIRMED: Everton have signed Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671294/everton-transfer-news-kurt-zouma-loan-chelsea-deal-sheet-latest-confirmed"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="8xjqqH">Brian F</h3>
<p id="RPxYG6">The Good - Brands ans Silva addressed problem areas that have been festering for a numbers of windows (left back and center back), while also upgrading positions where Everton seemed to be at least ok (winger) relative to their other positions. Additionally, the systematic thinning of the squad has given the new manager room to work. The new team was not arrogant about their work and took their time assessing the roster before going about making wholesale changes. The best thing they did though? Give supporters around the world something to be excited about for the first time in a while.</p>
<p id="4Tc5t0">The Bad - A number of important deals did end up stretching to the end of the window (Mina/Zouma), which means the first few weeks won’t display the new talent and hopefully doesn’t cause the team to sputter out of the gate. (Though to be fair better than the players coming in August 31st and THEN trying to integrate!)</p>
<p id="V8Flyv">The Ugly- I got nothing. That’s shocking</p>
<aside id="hwkYAJ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"School of Science 2018-19 - Royal Blue Mersey","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/everton-season-preview-2018-2019-school-of-science"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="bj4Boq">Calvin</h3>
<p id="0ZgYC7">What an excellent deadline day that was for the Blues! Every target we wanted we got, even though there were some heart-stopping moments late before the window closed. We now have two competent players for every position, have improved pace and skill in the starting eleven all while reducing the average age of the squad. </p>
<p id="IWswRo">If I had to find fault, I would say I’m disappointed we left it right until the end to fill in the gaps and get business done. Understandably, we had to get rid of some players before we could bring more in, but at least with the transfer deadline closing before the season starts, it’ll only be a couple of weeks before they are settled in and playing. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17674564/how-did-everton-do-summer-transfer-window-deadline-day-richarlison-digne-bernard-mina-gomes-zoumaCalvin2018-08-10T16:19:16+01:002018-08-10T16:19:16+01:00Kurt Zouma Everton shirt number revealed
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<img alt="Chelsea v Brentford - The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/11AMv8swwxGjemk8pjqiiCP3BVQ=/0x0:2637x1758/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60793903/632908802.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Blues’ on-loan defender has picked his quite conventional squad number</p> <p id="2sp5ba">Right at the end of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> with minutes to go on deadline day, <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> added Kurt Zouma on loan from <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> to further bolster the central defence corps after signing Yerry Mina earlier from Barcelona. </p>
<p id="qtJqpF">The defender will wear the iconic #5 for Everton this season, a number that has been worn by some of the greatest players in the Blues history, and also by some of the most ignominious as well.</p>
<p id="Gdv8l0"><a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/ashley-williams/rueckennummern/spieler/67355">Ashley Williams</a> (16/17 - 17/18), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/john-stones/rueckennummern/spieler/186590">John Stones</a> (15/16), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-etoo/rueckennummern/spieler/4257">Samuel Eto’o</a> (14/15), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/johnny-heitinga/rueckennummern/spieler/4315">Johnny Heitinga</a> (09/10 - 13/14), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/joleon-lescott/rueckennummern/spieler/4241">Joleon Lescott</a> (07/08 - 09/10), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/david-weir/rueckennummern/spieler/3312">David Weir</a> (00/01 - 05/06), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/dave-watson/rueckennummern/spieler/135911">Dave Watson</a> (86/87 - 99/00), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/gary-ablett/rueckennummern/spieler/145765">Gary Ablett</a> (91/92), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/martin-keown/rueckennummern/spieler/3184">Martin Keown</a> (89/90 - 90/91), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/neil-mcdonald/rueckennummern/spieler/177251">Neil McDonald</a> (89/90), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/pat-van-den-hauwe/rueckennummern/spieler/177254">Pat van den Hauwe</a> (84/85 - 88/89), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/ian-marshall/rueckennummern/spieler/107794">Ian Marshall</a> (85/86 - 86/87), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/derek-mountfield/rueckennummern/spieler/177220">Derek Mountfield</a> (83/84 - 86/87), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/gary-stevens/rueckennummern/spieler/101384">Gary Stevens</a> (85/86), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/peter-billing/rueckennummern/spieler/222486">Peter Billing</a> (85/86), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/ian-atkins/rueckennummern/spieler/301822">Ian Atkins</a> (84/85), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-higgins/rueckennummern/spieler/380360">Mark Higgins</a> (77/78 - 83/84), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/billy-wright/rueckennummern/spieler/222966">Billy Wright</a> (77/78 - 82/83), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/mick-lyons/rueckennummern/spieler/255148">Mick Lyons</a> (79/80 - 81/82), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/kevin-ratcliffe/rueckennummern/spieler/135909">Kevin Ratcliffe</a> (80/81), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/gary-stanley/rueckennummern/spieler/454765">Gary Stanley</a> (80/81), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/roger-kenyon/rueckennummern/spieler/253633">Roger Kenyon</a> (73/74 - 77/78), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/terry-darracott/rueckennummern/spieler/255143">Terry Darracott</a> (77/78), <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/ken-mcnaught/rueckennummern/spieler/177053">Ken McNaught</a> (76/77)</p>
<p id="KqtMB1"><em>(</em><a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-everton/rueckennummern/verein/29"><em>Transfermarkt</em></a><em> records only go back until the mid-70s, our apologies)</em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671986/kurt-zouma-everton-shirt-number-revealed-5-jersey-kit-done-deal-loan-transfer-news-update-chelseaCalvin2018-08-10T16:02:06+01:002018-08-10T16:02:06+01:00CONFIRMED: Everton have signed Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea
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<img alt="Chelsea v Peterborough United - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YQ-Pz9R9TXnupf_CtQmTa89slBo=/0x0:2022x1348/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60793483/631215598.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Transfer sheet for Zouma went in just before 5pm</p> <p id="C1vtnc">What a Deadline Day it has been for <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>!</p>
<p id="SIGEO3">Whether or not the Blues can build off all the players they added during this summer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> is another story, but Marcel Brands certainly addressed the needs Marco Silva had pointed out. </p>
<p id="wyF9lf">The latest addition to the squad is central defender Kurt Zouma on loan from <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, with his deal sheet going through just before the window closed at 5pm, and all the paperwork done by the next deadline of 7pm. </p>
<div id="EIsZkg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | Defender <a href="https://twitter.com/KurtZouma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KurtZouma</a> joins <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFC</a> on a season-long loan from <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFC</a>.<br><br>More ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/JdHLN6iDpN">https://t.co/JdHLN6iDpN</a> <a href="https://t.co/IzIHxBTahN">pic.twitter.com/IzIHxBTahN</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1027932779516973057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="gfz61f">Everton certainly had weaknesses especially in the backline and they brought in Yerry Mina with Zouma for support. The Chelsea defender fits the profile of player that we have seen the Blues linked with this summer, under 25, strong, fast and skilled</p>
<p id="d1n9Df">Zouma has struggled to break through into the first team squad at Chelsea, spending last season on loan at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> after joining the Stamford Bridge side in 2014 from St. Etienne.</p>
<div id="dTXqUI">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What can <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Everton</a> expect if Kurt Zouma signs? <a href="https://twitter.com/petercrouch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@petercrouch</a> wrote this about him on April 21 <a href="https://t.co/mwKq6ClMEd">pic.twitter.com/mwKq6ClMEd</a></p>— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicKing_DM/status/1027604603339268096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="s8F0gx">This brings to five the total number of senior team centrehalves, including club captain <span>Phil Jagielka</span>, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate - the task that lies ahead of Marco Silva now is to get all of them to settle in as soon as possible into a cohesive unit in front of <span>Jordan Pickford</span>.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17671294/everton-transfer-news-kurt-zouma-loan-chelsea-deal-sheet-latest-confirmedCalvin2018-08-10T08:00:02+01:002018-08-10T08:00:02+01:00Are Everton ready for the 2018-19 season?
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<img alt="Everton v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ixJeaKgsm95ti8x_dcnxPkbCucw=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60787399/940550988.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Dramatic deadline day sets up a well-balanced squad</p> <p id="VQJyjs">The 2018-19 season is about to get underway, so it’s time to review our pre-season campaign, look at the players we have brought in and assess the squad. Are we better than last year? Is the squad stronger and better balanced? Are the players ready to hit the ground running at Molyneux versus Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, the 11th of August?</p>
<h2 id="SiqVXI">Players In</h2>
<p id="QfOAcM">Richarlison - £35 million from Watford, Yerry Mina - £27 million from <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a>, Lucas Digne - £18 million from Barcelona, Bernard - free agent (formerly Shakhtar Donetsk), Andre Gomes - loan from Barcelona, Kurt Zouma - loan from <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, Joao Virginia - free from <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a></p>
<h2 id="DyRNnT">Players out</h2>
<p id="6JMkVN">Ramiro Funes Mori - £8.1 million to <a href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a>, Davy Klaassen - £12.15 million to Werder Bremen, <span>Wayne Rooney</span> - free to DC United, Joel Robles - free agent (joined <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/real-betis">Real Betis</a>), Callum Connolly - loan to Wigan, <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> - loan to Fiorentina, <span>Ashley Williams</span> - loan to Stoke, Henry Onyekuru - loan to Galatasaray, Antonee Robinson - loan to Wigan, Shani Tarashaj - loan to Grasshoppers Zurich, Conor Grant - loan to Plymouth, <span>Luke Garbutt</span> - loan to Oxford United</p>
<p id="4naroB">Let’s take a look at the <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> squad and who’s doing what this season. </p>
<h2 id="RZ9Qt4">Goalkeeper</h2>
<p id="GBlmpm">The goalkeeper position is arguably the strongest at the club. <span>Jordan Pickford</span>’s profile has soared after a successful <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> campaign. Behind him, we have Maarten Stekelenburg. While at Everton he has never ascended the heights he reached earlier in his career (double penalty saves at Man City aside!), he is still a decent back-up keeper, who played 58 times for Holland, including a World Cup final. We have also signed 18-year-old Joao Virginia from Arsenal, and 21-year-old Mateusz Hewelt is highly regarded.</p>
<p id="visUDx">So we have a range of keepers at the club who are all at different stages of their career. It would have been good for Pickford to get some game time in our last friendly against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/valencia">Valencia</a>. This aside, we are well stocked in the goalkeeper position.</p>
<h2 id="8Wu5ee">Defence</h2>
<p id="HraZ3z">Marco Silva seems to prefer a back four, whether we play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. With Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny we have the right back position covered. Likewise at left back, we have <span>Leighton Baines</span> and Lucas Digne fighting it out to be first choice left back. At centre half, we only had <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Michael Keane before transfer deadline day, as Mason Holgate currently has an achilles tendonitis issue. </p>
<p id="OR8Qnc">We appear to have completely reinforced this position with the signings of Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma, so we have this position well and truly covered also. The task now for Marco Silva will be to make a solid defensive unit from the players mentioned above.</p>
<p id="snREax">The personnel is in place, but it has to be a concern that we are starting the season with a goalkeeper and back four that have never played together.</p>
<h2 id="fGrV0z">Midfield</h2>
<p id="SBnuCM">It looks like we will be lining up with three midfielders in Silva’s formation, and this is a position where we have some options. Idrissa Gueye is undoubtedly the engine room, and Gylfi Sigurdsson is nailed on to play as an attacking midfielder, but the other place is up for grabs. <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> will probably get it initially, but we have not brought in André Gomes on loan from Barcelona for nothing.</p>
<p id="aNke3F">Schneiderlin has underwhelmed for a long time now and there are doubts about the efficiency of having Gueye and Schneiderlin in the same midfield. Tom Davies has ability but needs to step up - he may yet be better served from a season on loan somewhere. </p>
<p id="rrDlw5"><span>James McCarthy</span> has a long term injury. Muhamed Besic seems surplus to requirements, having seen a move to Middlesbrough fall through. We also have younger options in the form of Beni Baningime and Kieran Dowell.</p>
<p id="opjO3d">Let’s hope that Silva can get the blend right in the midfield also. Along with the centre back position, this is another key challenge for Silva. More intensity and better ball retention will be required. If Schneiderlin doesn’t start the season well, he can expect Gomes to take his place once he recovers from a hamstring injury which is expected to keep him out until the end of this month.</p>
<h2 id="kepd4T">Attack</h2>
<p id="oUDL10">We seem to have an array of options up front all of a sudden! Richarlison on the left, <span>Theo Walcott</span> on the right and Cenk Tosun up front. It’s a slight concern that Walcott has missed a lot of the pre-season, and he looked rusty against Valencia.</p>
<p id="oh5PLQ">We do have various other options though. On the wings, we have Ademola Lookman and Bernard, although Nikola Vlasic and Yannick Bolasie appear to be surplus to requirements. Sandro Ramirez is willing, but is he able? </p>
<p id="HUw1n1">Up front, we have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse as back up to Tosun.</p>
<p id="rlfRXW">Richarlison has impressed in pre-season. He has looked likely to produce a moment of magic any time he has had the ball. It will be interesting to see how Tosun gets on this season. He scored five in 14 games last season in a <span>Sam Allardyce</span> team where he fed off scraps. Could he get us 20 goals with improved service? He has his limitations as a player - he’s not the quickest, and he’s not the most mobile, but he certainly can finish when he gets a chance.</p>
<p id="yNoUUf">All in all, we have plenty of options up front, more than we have had for a while now, so hopefully last season’s struggles to score are a thing of the past.</p>
<h2 id="SyK0xc">Summary</h2>
<p id="6KZZHS">On paper, we have the best squad we have had for a while. We have options in every position; we now have two left backs, five centrehalves, plus an array of midfielders, wingers and strikers. We may well see some departures yet, as clubs from abroad can still sign our players. It would round off an excellent window if we could shift some of the players no longer required - such as Besic, Bolasie, and Vlasic.</p>
<p id="x1Nw1G">Currently, seven players have come in and twelve have departed. Some of the players have not had too much game time in pre-season though; Pickford, Holgate, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin & Walcott, along with most of the new signings. This has to be a concern. It’s doubtful don’t think we will be fully up to speed until some time in September, but there has simply been so much change at Goodison over the summer - even some of the pre-season friendlies were cobbled together last minute. </p>
<p id="xYjfjJ">We’ve got a new manager, new players and some of the deadwood has been allowed to leave. The summer hasn’t been long enough for us. Pre-season results were disappointing, but this probably helped Silva and Brands to convince the Everton Board to splash the cash this summer. We now need to fine tune the squad, get some good work done on the training ground, and hopefully we are in for a good season. Thankfully the early season fixtures seem much kinder than last year - hopefully the results will be better also!</p>
<p id="DZaJaG">Come on you Blues!</p>
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<p id="tBMWRp"><em>Danny Broderick has signed on at Royal Blue Mersey just before the </em><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors"><em>transfer window</em></a><em> closed - please join us in welcoming him to the crew! #WelcomeDanny</em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17672894/everton-transfer-window-deadline-day-recap-marcel-brands-marco-silva-balanced-squad-preview-wolvesDanny Brod2018-08-10T06:00:02+01:002018-08-10T06:00:02+01:00Marcel Brands has done his part with Everton, now it’s up to Marco Silva to show what he can do
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<img alt="Marco Silva - Everton Manager" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ETOY5V7GroqGaiI2S1pkxaXj3Uo=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60786787/1011029134.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The transfers have been completed. Now it’s up to Marco Silva to work with what he’s got.</p> <p id="EWsTpT">Better late than never. Four words that perfectly sum up <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s summer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>.</p>
<p id="l4PdYs">It may have taken a while, but we signed a player in every position we needed.</p>
<p id="A5hwOG">Centre-back? Check. Ball-playing central midfielder? Check. Winger? Check check. Left-back? Check!</p>
<h2 id="BkOz0u">Everton Learning</h2>
<p id="6kF7cT">Everton splashed the cash frivolously last summer, meaning the Blues ended up with three number 10s, just one senior left-back and nothing close to a replacement for our departed top goalscorer of four consecutive seasons. It was a woefully imbalanced squad.</p>
<p id="gkGgAa">It meant the new men in charge, Messrs Brands and Silva were first left with a clear-up operation. </p>
<p id="UtiF4K">And although they warned that a big clear out was needed before any acquisitions, they seem to have met their first challenge of re-balancing the squad – aided by a board that has backed the men in charge again, with an initial net spend of over £60 million.</p>
<p id="wpkt4h">So, the first challenge Brands and Silva have faced they’ve tackled head on and come out with the right result. Nine (and counting) pieces of deadwood have moved on, with five or six important players brought in.</p>
<p id="ooyZEx">On Saturday though, it will be just Marco Silva facing the limelight, as the Blues take on Wolverhampton Wanderers - a side who have also been far from shy with their chequebook since getting billionaire owners in 2016.</p>
<p id="n0WFL9">Wolves away are a tricky first test for Silva and his side - who will unlikely be ready to start with any of his latest acquisitions from yesterday at the Molineux. And after a pitiful pre-season that ended in four straight defeats (including by three-goal margins against Blackburn Rovers and Rennes), a significant improvement is going to be needed from the rest of the squad if they are to avoid an opening day defeat.</p>
<h2 id="8wqRkN">
<s>Great</s> Low Expectations (for Now)</h2>
<p id="tProNU">Luckily for Marco Silva, <span>Sam Allardyce</span> left Evertonian’s expectations at an all-time low during his tenure and inevitable departure. It means his replacement should be dealt a little more patience and breathing space from the Blues’ faithful – even if he wasn’t the<em> </em>ambitious big-name appointment that many had hoped for.</p>
<p id="CxuVIM">To keep the supporters on his side, though, for once, it may not immediately be about results. Goodison wants a plan that it can get behind. One that can return glory to L4. </p>
<p id="MGd3O8">If Marco Silva can show the hungry Blues a vision, they’ll be with him every step of the way.</p>
<p id="wFMoV7">It’s time to build something at Everton, and, maybe helpfully, the low expectations may just give Marco Silva enough time to lay the foundations.</p>
<p id="xduvDZ"> </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/10/17672650/everton-transfer-window-deadline-day-recap-marcel-brands-marco-silva-squad-managementPete Reynolds2018-08-09T22:57:00+01:002018-08-09T22:57:00+01:00Transfer Deadline Day Recap | Everton smashed this one out of the park
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<p>Take a bow Brands.. over to you Silvarands.. over to you Silva</p> <h2 id="S2wIjG">10:30pm BST / 5:30pm EST</h2>
<p id="okKttH">Alan Myers has left Finch Farm, which tells us we’re done for the night here. If Kurt Zouma’s loan deal fell through, then we would’ve heard something, so no news is good news in this case. Besides, if we’ve learned anything today about the Marcel Brands regime, is that it gets the job done. So if Marco Silva wanted Zouma, he’s likely got him and the hold-up is just the media stuff, the pics, videos, etc. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Papa Marcel. <a href="https://t.co/A94zDhZnug">pic.twitter.com/A94zDhZnug</a></p>— Royal Blue Mersey (@RBMersey) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBMersey/status/1027589861233045505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="ZUUnHO">That’s it from us on this live tracker, plenty of content <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">on the site</a> for you to read between today and tomorrow, thanks for joining us on this most exciting of deadline days, it really did turn out to be a wonderful Christmas after all. </p>
<aside id="rOUAQc"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Did the summer transfer window launch Everton back into the top six debate?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17671078/everton-transfer-news-analysis-marco-silva-brands-mina-gomes-bernard-richarlison-zouma-digne"},{"title":"Why Barcelona was always going to sell Mina to Everton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17655484/barcelona-transfer-news-everton-yerry-mina-deadline-day-deal"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Ic6R6h">
<h2 id="xR6epI">8:30pm BST / 3:30pm EST</h2>
<p id="SrpdXk">More announcements, this time with player quotes and squad numbers for Mina and Gomes.</p>
<aside id="zrGMBk"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Yerry Mina and Marco Silva speak about Colombian’s transfer","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670090/everton-transfer-news-yerry-mina-confirmed-barcelona-comments-marco-silva-deadline-day-news-latest"},{"title":"Yerry Mina Everton shirt number revealed","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670148/yerry-mina-everton-shirt-number-revealed-13-jersey-kit-done-deal-transfer-news-update-barcelona"}]}'></div></aside><aside id="LLV22g"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Gomes comments about Silva after loan deal announced","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670106/everton-transfer-news-andre-gomes-loan-barcelona-comments-marco-silva-deadline-day-news-latest"},{"title":"Andre Gomes Everton shirt number revealed","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670210/andre-gomes-everton-shirt-number-revealed-8-jersey-kit-done-deal-transfer-news-update-barcelona"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vqFXaf">
<h2 id="1sigdt">8:00pm BST / 3:00pm EST</h2>
<p id="x9herL">We have confirmation! Not about Zouma unfortunately, but Everton officially announce Mina and Gomes. </p>
<div id="slmWde">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">✍️ | Meanwhile in Barcelona… Signed and sealed. <a href="https://t.co/NIIbP2tJ1I">pic.twitter.com/NIIbP2tJ1I</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1027630501471903746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="yjGv16">7:10pm BST / 2:10pm EST</h2>
<p id="XaJBUY">All the media sources are saying that Zouma loan deal is done.. but we’re Evertonians.. we worry. </p>
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<h2 id="nMeXGh">6:50pm BST / 1:50pm EST</h2>
<p id="wpbNJc">Ten minutes to go.. Everton fans on tenterhooks about Zouma. </p>
<div id="QlSUtR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking | Kurt Zouma to Everton on loan is a done deal, will be official imminently, according to L'Équipe.</p>— Get French Football News (@GFFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/1027608319811366913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="QIhp24">6:00pm BST / 1:00pm EST</h2>
<p id="HJy4I9">Nikola Vlasic is getting some interest from Russia. The Blues can still send him out even with the window closed. </p>
<div id="ydg0Ct">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everton have submitted a deal sheet for Zouma loan transfer and have until 7pm to conclude. CSKA Moscow interested in Nikola Vlasic</p>— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) <a href="https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1027595250506899456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="Y44y2D">5:45pm BST / 12:45pm EST</h2>
<p id="zvsib6">Zouma is having a medical right now, not clear where he is though as Sky say they saw him at Cobham (Chelsea training facility) 15 minutes ago. </p>
<div id="WSqSU3">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kurt Zouma to EFC on loan deal sheet is in. A medical is underway.</p>— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) <a href="https://twitter.com/_ChrisBascombe/status/1027592478646591488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<aside id="b9Vz1H"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Another youngster could leave Everton on loan ","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17633872/everton-transfer-rumours-nikola-vlasic-loan-deal-cska-moscow-newcastle-news-deadline-day"},{"title":"Everton midfielder’s move to Boro falls through ","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670342/everton-transfer-news-muhamed-besic-middlesbrough-boro-permanent-transfer-latest"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="Z4TvVC">5:20pm BST / 12:20pm EST</h2>
<p id="OqNhDm">Alan Myers reporting from Finch Farm confirmed that there is one more name (maybe!).. we’re hearing it is Kurt Zouma as we expected. </p>
<div id="s1Mjid">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sky Sports, it's Zouma (the potential 'surprise' to Everton) . How do you not know that? Come on <a href="https://twitter.com/JimWhite?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimWhite</a>!</p>— Kristian Sturt - Transfer News (@FootieWriter) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootieWriter/status/1027589907122999296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="eA6pVV">Also added that Mo Besic move to Boro is off, no reason given. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Sx5Ps6">
<h2 id="w8v3WF">5:02pm BST / 12:02pm EST</h2>
<p id="US4Xbo">The window has officially closed, but the Andre Gomes loan did come through. </p>
<div id="TPmiZc">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">❗ [LATEST NEWS] Agreement with <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Everton</a> for the loan of <a href="https://twitter.com/aftgomes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aftgomes</a> <a href="https://t.co/mMgvCLX6Ig">https://t.co/mMgvCLX6Ig</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1027586388026449926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<aside id="0dOXCe"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"CONFIRMED: Everton sign Andre Gomes to loan deal","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670060/confirmed-everton-announce-andre-gomes-loan-deal-barcelona-buyout-clause-news-latest"},{"title":"CONFIRMED: Everton sign Yerry Mina","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670024/confirmed-everton-announce-yerry-mina-transfer-official-barcelona-colombia-world-cup-defender-latest"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="9klSWq">4:58pm BST / 11:58am EST</h2>
<p id="a5bxp3">Barcelona announce Mina has left for Everton. </p>
<div id="wi6Ejl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">❗ [LATEST NEWS] Agreement with <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Everton</a> for the transfer of Yerry Mina<a href="https://t.co/YMyWm4thOR">https://t.co/YMyWm4thOR</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1027584061756329987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZqvHUE">
<h2 id="hhE4CM">4:45pm BST / 11:45am EST</h2>
<p id="DV7s6Q">Finally! Bernard!</p>
<div id="6Uq7HD">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | Ready, set… go! <a href="https://t.co/iQFNTBeTeA">pic.twitter.com/iQFNTBeTeA</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1027581375451414528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<aside id="uVyCyB"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bernard Everton shirt number revealed","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17659158/bernard-everton-shirt-number-revealed-20-jersey-kit-done-deal-transfer-news-update-klaassen-oviedo"},{"title":"Silva and Bernard speak after player signs four year deal","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17658498/everton-transfer-news-bernard-announced-comments-marco-silva-deadline-day-latest"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="HYg7kg">
<h2 id="edBPpn">4:30pm BST / 11:30am EST</h2>
<p id="bcVrcv">Alan Myers thinks there’s not enough time now to do a permanent deal for Yannick Bolasie, and Everton are adamant he doesn’t go out on loan. </p>
<div id="AW0Fdd">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not expecting any more surprises after Bernard (as good as done) Mina (Close) and possibly Gomez, Besic out, Bolasie and Lookman stay! Dowell and Connolly new deals Busy day!</p>— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALANMYERSMEDIA/status/1027577233647521792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="mw2KYR">This leaves only the Championship and the rest of Europe for Yala - Turkey has been mentioned in the past, but the player wanted to stay in the Premier League. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3ytMV7">
<h2 id="kS29jD">4:15pm BST / 11:15am EST</h2>
<p id="y3COcv">Just waiting on some official announcements now.. hearing Mina and Gomes are done, and Zouma close too. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="EVVhxK">
<h2 id="U12gKA">3:55pm BST / 10:55am EST</h2>
<p id="14YS9n">Just over an hour to go now, and we hear the Bernard announcement is very imminent!</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="HIifBI">
<h2 id="9oIxkk">3:40pm BST / 10:40am EST</h2>
<p id="IY2kJM">Whoa whoa whoa! Are Everton seriously getting Mina <em>and</em> bringing in Kurt Zouma too?!</p>
<div id="Z4bNk9">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Info <a href="https://twitter.com/lequipe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lequipe</a> : Everton vient de trouver un accord avec Chelsea pour obtenir le prêt de l’international français Kurt Zouma. Les Toffees doivent maintenant boucler les formalités autour de l’arrivée du joueur avant 18 heures <a href="https://t.co/LpxQ9O3pXb">https://t.co/LpxQ9O3pXb</a></p>— Bilel Ghazi (@BilelGhazi) <a href="https://twitter.com/BilelGhazi/status/1027562721250828294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<blockquote><p id="VKP9zF">“Everton has an agreement with Chelsea to get the loan from the International French Kurt Zouma. The Toffees must now complete the formalities around the arrival of the player before 1800 hrs.”</p></blockquote>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="i8nL8m">
<h2 id="DVYsPp">3:00pm BST / 10am EST</h2>
<p id="Nk5c1X">Yerry Mina update - this is going to come down to the wire it looks like. </p>
<div id="u0lU6F">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">☎️ DIRECTO. Reunión en marcha en BCN con Oscar Grau ( CEO del FCB) dirigiendo las negociaciones de las salidas de Yerry y André con el Everton. Agentes de Yerry llegaron recién <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mercato?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mercato</a></p>— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) <a href="https://twitter.com/gerardromero/status/1027547066912960513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<blockquote><p id="1ODPjM">“Meeting underway in BCN with Oscar Grau (CEO of FCB) directing the negotiations of the departures of Yerry and André with Everton. Agents of Yerry arrived recently”</p></blockquote>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ecOXmx">
<h2 id="9MWOxh">2:40pm BST / 9:40pm EST</h2>
<p id="ob9yYs">Some news about Theo Walcott.. but it’s not transfer-related, relax!</p>
<div id="S44rJr">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every time I meet <a href="https://twitter.com/theowalcott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theowalcott</a> I’m reminded of how much of a gentleman he is, stopped the car shook hands just to say hello and good luck! These are the players and characters you need at your club!</p>— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALANMYERSMEDIA/status/1027547597718863872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="Z8TSjr">Alan Myers is at Finch Farm for Sky Sports today, by the way. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="pczrqJ">
<aside id="b2E6y9"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton reportedly reach loan deal for Chelsea defender","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670758/everton-transfer-news-chelsea-rumors-kurt-zouma-deadline-day-latest-updates"},{"title":"Everton secure futures for two youngsters","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670328/everton-transfer-news-kieran-dowell-callum-connolly-new-contracts-three-year-deals-loan"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="MCkknX">2:15pm BST / 9:15am EST</h2>
<p id="V1bT9d">More action! Youngsters Kieran Dowell and Callum Connolly have both signed new three-year-deals [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670328/everton-transfer-news-kieran-dowell-callum-connolly-new-contracts-three-year-deals-loan">RBM</a>], with Connolly joining Antonee Robinson on loan at Wigan, under Evertonian legend Joe Royle. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17628290/everton-transfer-rumours-callum-connolly-wigan-athletic-loan-deal-season-joe-royle-antonee-robinson">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="srbAIO">
<h2 id="jlN8eo">1:50pm BST / 8:50am EST</h2>
<p id="BpNzYN">Everton lose their mo.. Mo Besic that is. The word is it’s a permanent deal to Middlesbrough for £6m - good luck Mo! [<a href="https://twitter.com/ALANMYERSMEDIA/status/1027536506142027776">Myers</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="kjmoqP">
<h2 id="OYFnwd">12:40pm BST / 7:40am EST</h2>
<p id="pQslss">Even Cuco Martina is getting a look-in today! Loan move to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/middlesbrough-fc">Middlesbrough</a> coming up for the defender. [<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsPeteO/status/1027519680959922177">O’Rourke</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="dHaPyT">
<h2 id="9gzhKh">12:20pm BST / 7:20am EST</h2>
<p id="sgo8Pi">Ademola Lookman will NOT be leaving <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> during this summer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>. At least not on Deadline Day, the Bundesliga’s transfer window doesn’t close until the end of the month. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670076/everton-transfer-rumours-ademola-lookman-rb-leipzig-latest-news-reports">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="6crrAm">
<h2 id="NzFaGR">12:10pm BST / 7:10am EST</h2>
<p id="M0ar2m">There’s growing interest in Yannick Bolasie, but the Blues are not interested in just loaning him out, sale only. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670038/late-interest-growing-in-bolasie-everton-middlesbrough-palace-burnley">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="yskqLZ">
<aside id="KhF2kI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Yerry Mina having Everton medical ahead of transfer from Barcelona","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669996/yerry-mina-everton-barcelona-transfer-rumours-news-latest-medical"},{"title":"Andre Gomes undergoes Everton medical before loan switch from Barcelona","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670040/andre-gomes-barcelona-transfer-medical-everton-latest-news-reports"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="9uRPn5">11:50am BST / 6:50am EST</h2>
<p id="kgPQmB">Andre Gomes is also undergoing his Everton medical in Spain. [<a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180809/451266829139/yerry-mina-andre-gomes-barcelona-traspaso-reviison-medica-barca-everton.html">Mundo Deportivo</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="T6q24o">
<h2 id="u88WR4">11:30am BST / 6:30am EST</h2>
<p id="DspSPi">Finally some action! Yerry Mina is undergoing a medical (for Everton!) in <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> right now. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669996/yerry-mina-everton-barcelona-transfer-rumours-news-latest-medical">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="U06o6R">
<h2 id="sLaT3Y">11:15am BST / 6:15am EST</h2>
<p id="mAfCFS"><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is headed off to AC Milan after his agent met with club officials last night. [Mail]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="t6fqe7">
<aside id="eBy71V"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Late interest growing in Yannick Bolasie transfer away from Everton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670038/late-interest-growing-in-bolasie-everton-middlesbrough-palace-burnley"},{"title":"Championship tug-of-war for Everton midfielder","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669962/everton-transfer-rumours-muhamed-besic-leeds-bielsa-middlesbrough-boro-news-latest"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="QWplI2">10:45am BST / 5:45am EST</h2>
<p id="X6yhEA">Mo Besic being chased by Middlesbrough as well. The sum talked about is £4m, which is basically what we paid for him in 2014 when we got him from <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/ferencvaros-budapest/transfers/verein/279/saison_id/2014">Ferencváros</a>.</p>
<p id="nkgDkR">More on the Besic story here. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669962/everton-transfer-rumours-muhamed-besic-leeds-bielsa-middlesbrough-boro-news-latest">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="V7E8iq">
<h2 id="3H1oVS">10:20am BST / 5:30am EST</h2>
<p id="vGIDEv">Yannick Bolasie wants to stay in the Premier League, and the two suitors are <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> and his former side <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a>. [<a href="https://twitter.com/MirrorDarren/status/1027480203583520768">Mirror</a>]</p>
<p id="avyBpv">The U-23s are not getting any players added today. [<a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-make-no-new-additions-15007639">Echo</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="DpFqsj">
<aside id="F3zJ50"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Ademola Lookman will not be leaving Everton ","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17670076/everton-transfer-rumours-ademola-lookman-rb-leipzig-latest-news-reports"},{"title":"Sandro unlikely to leave Everton before deadline","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669876/everton-transfer-deadline-day-latest-sandro-ramirez-transfer-rumours-premier-league"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="BDYugM">10:00am BST / 5:00am EST </h2>
<p id="nQZBo8">Good Morning! Happy Deadline Day all!</p>
<p id="VGEqtt">Bernard’s medical is done and he should be getting announced any time now. [<a href="https://twitter.com/DominicKing_DM/status/1027462864045522944">Mail</a>]</p>
<p id="01cxMi">Yerry Mina apparently is very close (stop us if you’re actually tired of hearing that). [<a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11466539/yerry-mina-close-to-everton-switch-from-barcelona">Sky</a>]</p>
<p id="UGZrqJ">There’s some movement on the Andre Gomes front too. [<a href="https://twitter.com/DominicKing_DM/status/1027462864045522944">Mail</a>]</p>
<p id="e5NzAc">Mo Besic might be headed to Leeds. [<a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/andre-gomes-interest-sees-everton-15007683">Echo</a>]</p>
<p id="Q2Wq0u">Sandro could leave too, but not necessarily today with the European window still open. [<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17669876/everton-transfer-deadline-day-latest-sandro-ramirez-transfer-rumours-premier-league">RBM</a>]</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="xXzNMb">
<p id="KpQjzK">Transfer Deadline Day can be one of the most exciting days of the year in the football calendar, especially if your team is going to be active like we expect <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> to be.</p>
<p id="zywvY2">The Toffees have already bought and loaned out a handful of players, but there are still expected to be both incomings and outgoings in the next few hours. The signing of Bernard on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk should also be announced today.</p>
<h2 id="wEWgs8">Team Needs</h2>
<p id="snhjym">The Blues, obviously, desperately need at least one center back, and probably two. Another central midfielder would not hurt at all, either. </p>
<h2 id="tBak6T">Potential Deals</h2>
<p id="Rawfxs"><strong>Possible In: </strong><br>Bernard, Yerry Mina, Kurt Zouma, Andre Gomes, Badou N’Diaye, Tiemoue Bakayoko, <span>Danny Drinkwater</span></p>
<p id="3nC4hp"><strong>Possible Out: </strong><br>Callum Connolly, Matthew Pennington, Yannick Bolasie, Ademola Lookman, Cuco Martina, Muhamed Besic, Nikola Vlasic, Sandro Ramirez</p>
<p id="GKACbo"><strong>Confirmed In</strong><br>Richarlison, Lucas Digne, Joao Virginia</p>
<p id="82yjej"><strong>Confirmed Out</strong><br><span>Kevin Mirallas</span>*, <span>Ashley Williams</span>*, Antonee Robinson*, Davy Klaassen, <span>Wayne Rooney</span>, Joel Robles, Shani Tarashaj*, <span>Luke Garbutt</span>*, Conor Grant, Henry Onyekuru*, Ramiro Funes Mori</p>
<p id="cj1Tgb"><em>*- loan</em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/8/9/17667284/everton-transfer-deadline-day-summer-2018-recap-premier-league-bernard-mina-gomes-zouma-brandsevertonchrisTom MallowsCalvin