American Blue Scouser Column: What Everton Needs To Do For The Transfer Deadline

Today is the last day for Everton to make any additions to the club. So the question to ask here is what else does the team need and how to address it? David Moyes has been pretty vocal about how he needs more players added to his team especially if Everton wants to be making European competition or win a trophy. While the club has already made moves, is it enough? Let's take a look.

Selling Iliman Ndiaye is going to hurt a lot as he's going to be a star and was Everton's most creative player. However, they sold him and got some value out of his sale as they made a profit. That being said, the team was able to acquire winger Jack Grealish again on a season long loan from Manchester City as he returns for his second campaign on the Merseyside. Grealish might be a bit older than Ndiaye, but at least he will provide some creativity on the left hand side of the field. Grealish would've paired well with Ndiaye playing on the right hand side, but Brennan Johnson will have to fill in that void and he isn't a bad option. The team also sold striker Beto to Fiorentina (to ironically replace former Toffee Moise Kean) for a decent price, however, Everton must feel pretty confident Thierno Barry is ready to take his level to the next step. That being said, the club made another signing as they brought in another striker in Folarin Balogun from Monaco as this gives them another attacking option and more depth. Theoretically, Moyes could use both Barry and Balogun interchangeably as to whom starts and comes off the bench. Everton has also sold midfielder Tim Iroegbunam to Hull City, which is another move I do not like either as I thought he showed promise and provided a lot of depth.

However, with all that said, Everton needs to do more business. Personally, I think replacing Iroegbunam with a quality reserve is needed for sure. Another addition should be a third choice striker as right now there are only two on the squad. If an injury occurs, then Moyes will have to use his pragmatism to help with that loss, otherwise they are cooked. Think of a player like Youssef Chermiti (who I thought deserved more playing time) who could be there just in case something happens. Finally, a right back is needed too. Kenny Tete looked to be the solution, but seemingly those talks stalled and the move won't happen likely. If so, then there is little time to find one and if one is not found, that is going to be a bit of a problem. Sure, Merlin Rohl and Jake O'Brien could theoretically play there if needed, but that is not ideal as they both are playing out of position and it's not their strongest area either. Time is ticking, but a right back is imperative to sign for this window. Now that Nathan Patterson will be sold (another talented player I hated seeing waste away on the bench and should have gotten minutes), the team has zero right backs. Not having one would be disastrous if not signed. Moyes saying he needed more players wasn't saying that he didn't think the club wasn't going to compete this season, but what is needed is quality depth so that he could rotate and take a shot at something more ambitious. No natural right back on the team, or a backup, plus only one left back on the squad now that Adam Aznou is out on loan, there has to be a lot of moves today.

Hopefully Everton will listen to Moyes as to what to do before this window closes. Hopefully a right back is signed and that it is a quality one. And lastly, let's hope that no other issues arise at the last minute or else the club could face a pretty rocky season. Yes, it would've been nice for the team to bring back in Richarlison (and with after the recent drama that could still be a possibility), but we all have to be confident until we are not. However, this saga doesn't inspire all that much confidence giving the supporters more frustration than needed. Everton just needs to buckle down and do what's best.