Rating Everton’s 2022 Transfer Business Under The New Regime

Everton FC entered their most recent period of squad rebuilding when Frank Lampard was appointed manager in January 2022, and Kevin Thelwell was appointed director of football a month later.

It signalled the latest attempt to make up for previous mistakes in the transfer market as, despite high levels of spending that should have Everton challenging for European places, they ended up in a relegation battle last season and were in trouble financially.

A club that had to work its way out of trouble was now struggling for funds with little confidence that any money spent would be spent wisely.

The hope was that on the back of a strategic review of football operations, and the latest root and branch changes carried out by Thelwell, the club could begin to turn a corner, or at least recover some of the ground they lost to rivals.

There have been backroom changes aplenty initiated by Thelwell’s rebuild, but there have also been numerous additions to the first team.

Eight players have arrived in total since his appointment, and each can be assessed as to their success and what the transfer indicates with regard to the bigger picture and overall recruitment strategy of the new regime.

James Tarkowski

The English centre-back was the first of two players arriving at the beginning of the 2022/23 season from recently relegated Burnley.

Tarkowski was brought in for his leadership skills and his familiarity with the Premier League. He’s also familiar with relegation battles—something Everton should not have been contemplating, but might be useful in the coming months. Hopefully it’s his experience of avoiding relegation rather than that of being relegated that comes to the fore.

Overall Tarkowski has been a decent signing and a slight upgrade on Michael Keane. Everton signing a 29-year-old showed they were interested in adding certain attributes regardless of age, and that they also value Premier League experience.

6/10 – perhaps not enough of an upgrade on Keane but a good character to have in the team.

Dwight McNeil

Another English player and the second to join from Burnley, McNeil had shown potential during his time working under Sean Dyche, operating as a wide player with a good work rate in defence.

He had also shown flashes that he could provide a spark within such a solid setup, not least when he scored a wondergoal against Everton at Goodison Park in March 2021.

He has so far shown glimpses of his potential but has hardly set the world alight at Everton or been consistent enough to show he deserves a regular place in the XI.

However, the work rate is still there and at 23 he is a more than useful squad option with the potential to improve if the rest of the team does.

6/10 – struggled to hit the ground running but potentially a very useful young squad player.

Amadou Onana

The highly-rated young Belgian midfielder was signed from Lille in the summer for $40 million.

It was an indication that the club are willing to spend a relatively large amount on players with the 21-year-old’s profile—having the potential to improve considerably, and one who should retain some resale value even if he doesn’t.

He featured for a poor Belgium side at the World Cup and is likely to be part of their rebuild as well as Everton’s.

It’s early days for such a young player arriving in a new country at a new team with several issues, but he looks like he could go on to be useful in the starting XI as he settles and improves.

7/10 – considerable potential and also mostly recoverable resale value.

Neal Maupay

The French forward had the potential to replace some of what Everton lost with the sale of Richarlison, but he has been utilised as if he is the entire solution to the club’s problems in central attacking areas, rather than part of it.

He may improve and find his place in the team once Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns from injury if he is able to play alongside the centre-forward rather than deputise for him.

The way he has been used has been a worrying sign of a disconnect between recruitment and coaching, but it may have simply been a case of needs must due to a lack of other attacking options.

5/10 – used poorly so far but could find his place alongside a centre forward.

James Garner

Another English signing but one who has not yet been utilised enough to judge.

Garner cost around $18 million from Manchester United and has been talked up by his manager but is yet to start a Premier League game.

4/10 – apparently highly rated by club staff but not used so far, and Everton needs players they can use.

Idrissa Gueye

The Frenchman has performed to the level you might expect having enjoyed his peak years during his first spell at Everton before a big move to Paris Saint-Germain.

He returns not quite the player he was on higher wages than when he left, which might not make sense, but he still has something to offer and brings back with him experience at the highest level.

6/10 – understandably not the same level of player that left Everton for PSG but could still be important in helping Onana settle.

Rúben Vinagre

Signed on loan from Wolves as backup for Vitalii Mykolenko but hasn’t been convincing when he has deputised.

4/10 – necessary backup but apparently not good enough to challenge for a start.

Conor Coady

Another from Wolves arriving having spent years playing in a back five now being asked to play in a four. He adapted reasonably well and added more leadership at the back alongside Tarkowski.

Has a good range of passing but can’t take as many risks as he could in the middle of three centre-backs at Wolves.

7/10 – brought much-needed on-field leadership and adds some playmakng ability at the back.