Everton face a crucial summer with several first-team contracts nearing expiry. As the move to Bramley-Moore Dock approaches, off-pitch decisions are vital. David Moyes has brought some stability, but key calls on experienced players will shape the squad’s future as the club prepares for a fresh start in a new home.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Now Everton heading into a pivotal summer with a host of first team players nearing the end of
00:08their contracts. As the club prepares to leave Goodison Park and begin a new chapter at their
00:13Bramley Moor Dock Stadium, the focus off the pitch is just as significant of what happens on it.
00:20Under David Moyes, Everton have shown signs of stability, but the uncertainty surrounding so
00:24many player contracts adds a layer of complexity in the months ahead. From experienced leaders to
00:31regular starters, decisions will need to be made quickly to ensure the squad remains competitive
00:36heading into their historic move. I spoke to Will Rooney to get his thoughts on the players facing
00:42uncertain futures, how Moyes might shape the squad this summer and what it all means for Everton
00:48as they look to start strong in their new home.
00:50Well, let's look at Everton and the current contract situation. Obviously, we mentioned
00:59so many times the amount of change that's going to be occurring this summer at Everton. Abdal
01:06Dekore is a key player. He's been five seasons at Everton now and we've mentioned him before
01:12and his impact during those relegation fights where he really dug in and was a key player
01:16involved there. He's obviously one of the highest earners at Everton as well. What's the
01:21sort of latest on him in terms of his possible departure as well? And then on top of that,
01:27some other key players who are nearing the end of their contracts because there is a fair
01:32few at Everton this summer.
01:35Yeah, he is a bit of a man, my character, I'd like to call it. But Everton have wasted some
01:40money after Oshiri arrived and I think they've got value out to Corey. He's played under every
01:49manager. He's played under Karl Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez. The only one he didn't play under
01:54was Frank Lampard. Sean Dyche and now David Moyes has continued to play him. Dyche wants to
02:01play, I beg your pardon, Lampard wants to play more of a progressive style and it didn't fit
02:06him. But managers seem to like his energy and his off-the-ball work rate. And he's chipped
02:13in with a few really important goals. He scored that goal against Bournemouth, which kept Everton
02:17up in 22-23. But as Everton are just starting to progress under David Moyes, playing a bit
02:24more football, you wonder where does he fit in? He's someone who will play well against the
02:33bigger teams, say your Arsenal's, your Liverpool's. But Everton in home games, he's only scored
02:41two goals this season in the league. And for a number 10, that's not enough. You need more
02:46from that. And a 32, would Everton be getting full value for money out of him if these took
02:54up their option of an extra year? I mean, could there be a compromise? Do Everton try and say,
03:00well, we can give you two years on less money, but you'll have a little bit of financial security,
03:07won't have to move your family, etc. But will he want to play that role as well? He's not scoring
03:14the goals that he was a couple of seasons ago. So it might look like there's a potential to
03:24departure, both shake hands. Corey will always be remembered, to be fair. He's been a big player
03:30in keeping Everton up. But he's one player who can Everton get them off the wage bill. Can they get
03:36someone in cheaper, someone in younger who they can develop, who might be able to score a few goals,
03:41who maybe they can sell in the future or develop since a player that stayed around for a long time.
03:46And yeah, the contract situations are interesting. There's a lot of players we've discussed as well.
03:54Can you see someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin staying? Probably not. I think he's another one who
03:58all parties probably think it might just be best for a fresh start. Michael Keane, the centre-back as
04:05well. I don't think he's made an appearance or maybe he's made a couple of sole appearances since David
04:10Moyes arrived. He'll want to go and play football after a frustrating few years.
04:16It's just a kind of game. He's the one that everyone's looking at, I think, in terms of wanting to keep,
04:21can Everton keep hold of him? Because he's 35-36, but he isn't slowing down. And Everton needs some
04:28continuity, even though everyone wants a big summer transfer window. There needs to be some players
04:35there. And if you keep that spine of the team, Pickford, Tarkowski, Bramford, it's just a kind of game,
04:40play, then you're doing something right.