Grading the summer transfer window: Everton

Modified Oct 13, 2017 21:49 GMT

Everton v Leicester City - Premier League — Losing Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United was a big blow for Everton

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Atalanta v Everton FC - UEFA Europa League — Gylfi Sigurdsson has yet to live up to his price tag

The Toffees shattered their record transfer fee by spending £40m to bring the Icelandic playmaker to Goodison Park from Swansea in mid-August, but despite helping his international side qualify for their first ever World Cup appearance in the months following, he hasn’t had as much early success at his new club. He scored a tremendous goal on his debut against Hadjuk Split but hasn’t scored since and has looked a little out of sorts.

There were always questions over Sigurdsson’s abilities at the top level – some fans view him as little more than a dead-ball specialist, but his performances for Swansea over the past few seasons – 9 goals and 13 assists in 2016/17 – suggest much more than that. For Everton though he hasn’t created any goals and only 2 of his 11 shots this season have been on target.

For many fans the problem has been Koeman’s use of him – for Everton he’s been deployed out wide on a number of occasions when he clearly favours playing through the middle, the position he enjoyed for Swansea and with Iceland. Perhaps a change of tactic for Everton will end up helping him but right now he hasn’t lived up to his price tag at all and that’s been one of the most disappointing facts of Everton’s early season issues.

Grading: 4/10

Nathangelo Markelo, Henry Onyekuru, Boris Mathis, Josh Bowler, Lewis Gibson, Dennis Adeniran

Of Everton’s 14 summer signings the six named above haven’t appeared for the Toffees’ senior squad yet. Onyekuru has been sent on loan to Anderlecht while the majority of the others are either with Everton’s reserves or their u23 squad. Essentially they’re moves that haven’t affected Everton’s Premier League fortunes, so no grade will be given.

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

Know More

Edited by Shambhu Ajith