With a new era potentially on the horizon, Everton’s focus now shifts to keeping that core intact—and building on it. We spoke to Will Rooney of LiverpoolWorld to reflect on the key players who made the difference—and what it might mean for the summer ahead.
00:00Now as the dust settles on Everton's season, attention turns to their standout performers and what comes next.
00:09While off-field uncertainty has recently dominated much of the conversation, on the pitch Everton managed to steer clear of danger and show real signs of progress.
00:19From the commanding displays of Jared Brantwaite to the tireless work of Idrissa Gay and the leadership of James Tarkovsky, a core group consistently stood up when it mattered most.
00:30Youngsters have also shown flashes of promise hinting at a brighter long-term future.
00:35With a new era potentially on the horizon, Everton's focus now shifts to keeping that core intact.
00:41We spoke to Will Rooney of Liverpool World to reflect on the key players who made the difference and what it might mean for the summer ahead.
00:49Will, looking at Everton and in terms of their summer plans, I would mention it's also going to be a few big changes around the stadium move to be completed as well.
01:01David Moyes' first summer window back at the club.
01:03In terms of Liam Dillap, obviously he's going to be on a lot of Premier League clubs' radars.
01:09He's had a great season at a real struggling side this season and that relegation release clause as well, which will come into place likely in terms of Ipswich.
01:19Do you feel Everton should go all out for the likes of Liam Dillap?
01:23How do you think they should navigate this summer transfer window?
01:27Because a striker who can score double-figure goals is so important.
01:32Obviously, that lacked with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the last couple of seasons.
01:36Yeah, well, Everton, as the thing's standing, Will needs a striker.
01:41They're going to have, as the thing's standing, two senior options out of contract on Calvert-Lewin and Armando Brode who is probably going to go back to Chelsea.
01:51Calvert-Lewin has had his ups and downs at Everton, has his injury issues now.
01:59And do Everton look and go in a different direction instead?
02:04And the thing with Liam Dillap is you say, can Everton, if they do like him, can they persuade him that Everton are the club?
02:12Does he want to fast-track his career and go to maybe a Chelsea or, you know, a Man Utters?
02:18But why do you want to go to Man Utters at the minute?
02:21And if you go to Everton, you know you're going to be playing a lot of football.
02:28Still only 22.
02:29Everton have got a history of developing strikers.
02:32They, you know, like to Romelu Lukaku, went and scored how many goals for Everton and got a big move to Man Utters on the back of that.
02:40And if David Moyes can convince him that he is going to be leading the line, he will improve.
02:47He won't stand in his way in a few years if a massive club comes.
02:52And Everton are a massive club himself.
02:53You don't know what Everton are going to do in the next couple of seasons if they, you know, take an upward trajectory, start challenging for Europe.
03:01That's the aim of David Moyes.
03:03So, you know, the pulling power is there.
03:05He's only had one year in the Premier League, scored 12 goals for Ipswich.
03:09But he does look like a sort of centre-forward who David Moyes would like, you know.
03:14And someone who can bully defenders, someone who can give you a focal point, but someone who can score goals as well.
03:22He's shown that this season.
03:25£30 million, the only issue for Everton is how much of the budget would that take up?
03:31Because, you know, Everton are going to be able to spend money this summer, but it's not like they've got, you know, a blank cheque book.
03:37They've still got to keep an eye on the PSR situation, etc.
03:40And Ipswich, if they want one instalment of £30 million, then it might be difficult for Everton to pay it out of front.
03:52But can they pay it in instalments?
03:54I don't know.
03:54Well, if Liam's a lap when you're 22, you've got to make your next move.
04:03You've got to consider it.
04:04Do you want to go to Man Utd and get swallowed up potentially?
04:08Look at Rasmus for you and struggle there.
04:10Or do you want to go to a team that you know you'll be playing week in, week out with a manager who really admires you?
04:16So, if Everton like him, you could see the benefits of him moving, but it's just the fact that whether they spend a lot of that budget,
04:28because Everton, they need a striker, they'll need wingers, might need a centre-half, might need another left-back, midfield.
04:37So it's whether Everton go all out on one player or they have to manage the budget accordingly.
