The transfer window has now slammed shut. Three months of anticipation, Twitter “ITK’s” pretending they know something (#Witsel is ours) and worst of all, Jim White and his unusual relationship with Big Ben and the colour yellow. Everton let go of eight first team players overall that we’re going to talk about and rate the business. One being Oumar Niasse level, 10 being Idrissa Gueye quality business.
John Stones – Manchester City – £50m
We all saw it coming. The second the Spanish slaphead at City decided he wanted Stones he was gone. Under Roberto Martinez, he was an excellent defender at times but also a terrible defender at times too. City still realised the immense potential the lad had and they knew if he had one good season under Ronald Koeman he would’ve been going for up to £75m. They swooped and signed him 3 weeks ago as Everton made a £47m profit on a player laughed at when he was first signed. Incredible business for a defender who had shown last season he wasn’t very good at defending – yet. 7/10. Didn’t want to play for us and we made a lot of money via it. But he will be world class.
Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert – Released
The trio were released on June 10th. Although not entirely surprised it was strange to see them leave, Steven Pienaar was a brilliant player for Everton. His back heels, God is Great vests and incredible link up with Leighton Baines will be missed, but unfortunately, we’ve seen very little of it since 2012, well very little of him full stop. Leon Osman has been playing in Everton’s first team for 12 years now. Making over 350 appearances and scoring 63 goals. Another good player for Everton who was criminally underrated for a number of years. Unfortunately, like Pienaar, he lost a yard and looked as if he’s been dragging around a Ford Focus RS whenever on the pitch since 2014. He scored some great goals, played anywhere he was told and won Everton a lot of points down the years. Finally, Tony Hibbert. A good servant to Everton, a good defender but an average player at best. He gave his all for Everton in fairness. However, he bit the hand that fed him, for someone who’s spent more time fishing than time on the pitch in the last 4 years, he was in the wrong to tear the club to shreds over his release. It was handled poorly but Hibbert let himself down in the end. But anyways, whenever Hibbert scored we rioted – grateful for your services. 10/10, all good servants but the time was right.
Brendan Galloway – West Brom – Loan
Brendan left Everton on loan last week to play for Tony Pulis’ Neanderthal West Brom team. I would rather watch the Crimewatch reconstruction of Antolin Alcaraz’ Everton career than watch a Pulis team attempt to play football but he will teach Brendan how to be a Premier League defender. Works for both parties. 8/10. Will be well taught but rather him be deployed at centre-back.
Aiden McGeady – Preston – Loan
Aiden McGeady really confirms what a conundrum Roberto Martinez was. He signed this winger who couldn’t cross his legs but then signed Brendan Galloway and Mason Holagte. Anyways, Aiden moved to Preston on deadline day. His Everton career hit rock bottom when Ronald Koeman caught him trying to lick the transfer window, there was no way back from that. If he can find some fitness he may be at his level, but with Simon Grayson favouriting a 5-3-2 system and the simple fact that he’s gash, I’m not convinced he’ll even make the starting XI. 10/10, hopefully, I don’t have to see another Aiden McGeady stepover or missed one on one ever again.
Luke Garbutt – Wigan – Loan
Once returning from a fairly useful loan spell with Fulham, many saw Luke as the heir to Baines’ throne. But with rumours circulating that his attitude and work ethic isn’t fantastic, he was loaned out to Wigan 2 weeks ago. With Baines seemingly losing a yard of pace from a few niggling injuries, next season could be Luke’s year. 5/10, disappointed not to see him in the team but he’ll get game time at the DW.
Shani Tarashaj – Frankfurt – Loan
Admittedly, I know very little about Frankfurt besides the sausage, in fact, I know very little about Shani Tarashaj due to him playing 5 minutes in pre-season before taking an elbow to the jaw and seemingly vanishing. I just hope he comes back a better player so I can see Everton Da’s struggle to spell his name on Twitter – hopefully, next season Shuna Toraschiaj will be born. 6/10, same reason as Garbutt, adding to the fact he was a backup attacking option and he has a boss name.
Not a bad out list by any means. Some young players getting game time, a new era was signified and Aiden McGeady vanished like a fart in the wind.
Up the Toffees!
