Everton’s summer has already been one of revolution, but with their recent cash injection, the sky really now is the limit for Kevin Thelwell.
He will be aware of the financial pitfalls that a lack of an owner might provide, but having just received a hefty £50m sum from Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa, his window is now set to be suitably propped up by this huge fee.
However, that’s not to suggest that he is going to go crazy with these funds.
It is his intelligence and shrewd eye in the market that has brought him such success thus far, and he could exhibit that again here with a move to sign an underappreciated asset from a Premier League giant.
Everton still want to sign Kalvin Phillips this summer
The Toffees have not been short of transfer targets this summer, but this latest report details what could be the most revolutionary of them all, with Everton’s interest in Kalvin Phillips reaffirmed.
It is noted by TEAMtalk that Sean Dyche is a huge fan of the midfielder, and thus could push particularly hard for his services.
They write: ‘Sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that the Toffees have enquired about the possibility of signing out-of-favour Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips, who could fill the void left by Onana.
‘Everton’s preference would be to sign the 28-year-old on loan with an option to buy, but the Cityzens are reluctant to sanction another loan if it doesn’t include an obligation to buy.
‘Negotiations will continue between clubs in the coming days but Phillips is thought to be open to playing under Dyche at Goodison.
‘The Toffees’ boss is a big admirer of Phillips and believes he can get him back to his best.’
Kalvin Phillips would be perfect for Sean Dyche
It’s no wonder that Dyche is such a big admirer of Phillips, given how perfect the 28-year-old would be in the heart of his system.
That is, if he can get his act together and recapture both his fitness and form at Goodison Park.
After all, fans need only look back on his time with Leeds United for proof of the outstanding midfielder he once was, providing a combative protection to the backline whilst also boasting the passing prowess to progress his side as well.
He was full of unbridled energy, and never shirked a tackle. Marcelo Bielsa loved him, and so too would Evertonians.
During his first Premier League campaign with his boyhood club, arguably his finest to date, the £150k-a-week maestro maintained an 85% pass accuracy, yet paired this with 1.2 key passes, 2.6 tackles and 1.7 clearances per game.
Just as solid as he was creative, there was nothing he could not do, and Dyche will be particularly enamoured with the 64% success rate he maintained with his long balls, of which he competed 4.7 per game.
He was a dominant force as Leeds United took the Premier League by storm.
Perhaps he could now engineer a similar fairytale story at Everton.
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