An overview of what some of the players Everton sought this summer have done in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Everton’s summer was an interesting one and, despite it being clear the club was operating within financial constraints, the rumours over transfer targets still abounded.
In the end, the Blues brought in five players as Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell built for what they hope will be progress.
Beto, the striker who has already shown in 135 minutes that he may be the signing Everton have needed across several windows, appears to have been the most significant.
With the first international break upon us, here is an overview of how some of the other players Everton were interested in have fared so far this season.
Anthony Elanga
Of all the players Everton looked into during the summer, Elanga has had one of the best starts. Viewed as a potential solution to the search for a right winger, he instead opted to head to Nottingham Forest. Elanga, like many of Everton’s summer targets, had been sought in January. The 21-year-old had an instant impact for his new side, providing an assist at the Emirates in a defeat to Arsenal on his debut. He scored his first goal for Forest in the club’s most recent game, the strike securing a 1-0 at Chelsea.
Rodrigo
Rodrigo was an early target for Everton as the club looked at relegated Leeds United for potential recruits. The striker had Premier League experience but was always set to leave Elland Road for a relatively low fee. He instead when to Qatar, however, where he is leading the line for top of the table Al-Rayyan. The 32-year-old’s first goal was the winner in his second game – a victory over Qatar SC.
Wilfried Gnonto
Everton’s protracted effort to prise Gnonto from Leeds ended unsuccessfully, despite the teenager missing games and submitting a transfer request as the interest peaked. Gnonto’s actions led to a public rebuke by Leeds and his own fans turned on him amid the saga. But Leeds held firm, Gnonto has already been reintegrated – and has already started his journey to making amends. An apology led to his selection in the first XI at Ipswich Town and he scored after 14 minutes of his return. Leeds went on to win 4-3. He has started the two games since then and is now back in Daniel Farke’s plans.
El Bilal-Toure
El Bilal-Toure was on Everton’s radar throughout the summer but a deal always appeared to be just out of reach once Atalanta’s interest solidified. The Serie A side stepped up its pursuit of the striker as Manchester United’s interest in Rasmus Hojlund intensified and once that deal was struck it gave Atalanta the windfall needed to secure the Mali international. His move, a record deal for his new club, has started disastrously – the 21-year-old has been ruled out for some time after suffering a tendon injury during a friendly against Juventus.
Che Adams
Che Adams, perennially linked to Everton, appeared close to a move to the Blues before the deal for Beto was confirmed. He then looked set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan but that deal fell through and he remains at Southampton. The south coast club’s retention of the striker has helped its start to the season – Adams scored two late winners in the club’s first three games of the Championship campaign. Adams struck with minutes of normal time remaining when Southampton won at Sheffield Wednesday in the season opener – then left it even later to help his side take all three points off Plymouth.
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Kamaldeen Sulemena was another target from relegated Southampton – having almost joined the Blues when he moved to England in January but opting for St Mary’s over Goodison. One of a few right wing targets looked at by the Blues, he too stayed at Southampton. While his teammate Adams has enjoyed a good start, Sulemana is yet to feature in a Championship matchday squad this season after suffering a muscle injury that hampered the end of his pre-season.
