Sean Dyche faced with ‘seismic transfer decisions’ in ‘huge week’ at Everton – David Maddock
Sean Dyche has a “huge week” ahead of him at Everton which could “decide the very fate of the club” this season, according to David Maddock.
The Mirror journalist wrote for the newspaper’s website in the early hours of Wednesday morning (23 August) that amid two defeats and no goals so far this term a “couple of seismic transfer decisions” could be the difference for the rest of the campaign amid pursuits for Southampton striker Che Adams and Leicester’s Patson Daka, although neither are “prolific”.
Maddock assesses the situation simply as Everton needing “new signings of quality” but “have little money to make them”, hence the need to shop at the level of the two relegated forwards.
Dyche has made four additions this summer but only one for a transfer fee in teenage Sporting striker Youssef Chermiti, who is yet to feature for the club.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered a fractured cheek bone less than 45 minutes into his comeback against Aston Villa on Sunday, leaving the Toffees short at striker once again.
Make or break
It will come as no surprise to Everton supporters that the club’s season may rest on the ability to sign adequate scoring ability before the deadline.
That was very much the case when the final whistle went on the 1-0 win over Bournemouth on 28 May to confirm the Toffees had scraped to Premier League safety once more.
Just as it was the case in the January window where nobody came in at all apart from Dyche himself, and for most of last summer after the big-money sale of Richarlison to Tottenham.
Since the Brazilian’s departure Everton have signed Neal Maupay and Chermiti for the striker position, with neither having shown they are 20-goal-a-season options previously, and the Frenchman’s Goodison career having gone worse than anyone could have expected.
Chermiti is an inexperienced developmental player who may prove crucial but could equally take time to adapt to the Premier League.
Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison should be useful additions out wide, but until both are fully fit the two loanees’ impact is difficult to judge.
Granted, Everton have tried to spend money on El Bilal Touré this summer, as well as Rodrigo, but both chose to go elsewhere, while the pursuit of Hugo Ekitike from PSG looks to have fallen apart based on internal politics at Goodison Park.
But now that it appears any chance of signing Willy Gnonto is gone despite bids approaching £30m to Leeds United that money surely has to be directed towards the best-quality striking option that is still on the market.
In other Everton news, the club want another Premier League ace who is willing to take a pay cut to get a move.