Thursday 29 July 2010, 14:06
by Matthew Gamble @efc_mattgamble
More From Pre-Season
Related Links
Leighton Baines is so impressed with the strength of the Everton squad that he would be happy to see the transfer window close tomorrow!
The Toffees strengthened their squad early in the summer with the recruitment of Jan Mucha, Jermaine Beckford, Magaye Gueye and Joao Silva.
Those players are added to a squad that is also on the verge of welcoming Marouane Fellaini back to action, joining other key players who returned in the second part of last season after serious injuries.
Baines told evertontv: "We are very happy with our squad and we have strength in depth now as well. Some of the younger lads are ready to come in and challenge for places.
"We are happy with what we have got and if the window shut tomorrow we would be happy with that."
A media hot topic this week has been the Premier League's introduction of a new rule meaning clubs must name at least eight 'home-grown' players in a squad of 25 for this campaign.
Everton's current playing pool satisfy these criteria comfortably but other clubs may be worried.
Baines continued: "The new lads have looked sharp and very focussed and they look like they want to do well. The transfer market has been quiet so far but in the coming weeks if a few moves start to come about that has a knock on effect on people needing to replace those players and that's when things get a bit more exciting.
"A lot of people are going to be looking to sign English players (because of the new rules) but we have got plenty of them already. We are in a good position and we are very happy with our squad in general."
- Latest News
- Most Popular
Wigan
Everton
Stoke
Your Comments
Please login to post a comment.
The views below are submitted by registered users of evertonfc.com and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton Football Club.
darren allen
Will be interesting to see what happens with Billy, Rodders, Johnny, Coleman and Felli this season. Hopefully they will all be first choice..Hard to see where we can strengthen but again, we do not have an abundence of pace.. Would be nice to see if we can get McGeady or Nzogbia on the cheap. Think we should go 4213with .howard/coleman/baines/jags/johnny/felli/rodders/arteta/pienaar/billy and saha/beckford, with fell/rodders cm and arts given free role
Report comment
Saturday 31st Jul 2010 13:32
Agree with darren?
Khal Malik
Coleman is there to cover RB. If anyone leaves it will be Pienaar. We have a very good squad. And I'm sure if we need to sign someone Moyes will make it happen if he can. All Evertonians would like Donavon to sign, but it looks more likely to be on loan again. IMWT.
Report comment
Saturday 31st Jul 2010 03:21
Agree with Khal?
darren allen
Very strong and talented squad...Only the rb position and lack of real pace worries me. Will be interesting to see what formation DM plays and how some really good players handle not being in the first 11. Agree with most though - we need peanuts to do what he's gotta do and let us move on. Could be an interesting season.
Report comment
Friday 30th Jul 2010 21:07
Agree with darren?
Andrew Patrick
I too would love for the transfer window to close tomorrow, then we might keep Arteta, Pienaar and Jagielka... otherwise I'm certain one of them will leave, and disrupt our entire season as much as last time round.
Report comment
Friday 30th Jul 2010 17:04
Agree with Andrew?
Mark Reid
Best Everton "squad" of players for 20 years. If we keep them together and play like we know they can... it'll have been a pleasure stumping up for the season ticket. Just got to take it one game at a time. It says it all seeing Fellaini coming back. Then we've got Mikel. Johnny... the list of quality goes on. I love it when a plan comes together...
Report comment
Friday 30th Jul 2010 14:19
Agree with Mark?
Kevin James
At last he finally admits it!! After all the speculation of big money city and other european clubs Landon donovan has publicly stated he wants to return to us. This is fantastic news!! Sell pienaar if he really wants to go and use the funds for landon, A player who actually wants to play for us.
Report comment
Friday 30th Jul 2010 09:12
Agree with Kevin?
eric mcnamara
seriously strong squad, astounding really. all we need is belief.
Report comment
Thursday 29th Jul 2010 23:40
Agree with eric?
Mikel Arregui
I agree, I wish the transfer window closed as July ends so finally the so-called journalists would leave us alone, though I'm sure they'd find other nonsense topics to harm us. I'd like Landon too but it seems like our best chance would be to bring him on loan again this winter... the MLS don't seem to want to let him go at all.
Report comment
Thursday 29th Jul 2010 17:19
Agree with Mikel?
Mathew Stock
Landon would be a good signing, as would an extra CB to cover Yobo, Distin and Jags, I know Rodwell, Heitinga, Hibbert and Neville can play there, but We need some natural Centre-Backs :)
Report comment
Thursday 29th Jul 2010 16:52
Agree with Mathew?
Anthony Thomas
If the transfer window shuts tomorrow as Bainsy wishes, I just hope Landon signs in at the last minute. Then watch us go. COYB
Report comment
Thursday 29th Jul 2010 16:19
Agree with Anthony?