Everton ponder loan move for City winger Johnson as Moyes looks to strengthen

Everton are weighing up an ambitious loan move for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
The 24-year-old has become unsettled at City with manager Roberto Mancini reluctant to start him on a regular basis. 

Wanted: Adam Johnson (right) has been involved in Manchester City's pre-season tour of America

City have also considered another winger, Fiorentina’s Alessio Cerci, although talks have stalled over the £6million asking price.
Chelsea, who wanted Johnson before he joined City, have expressed an interest but City are reluctant to sell to a rival.

Wing wizard: Alessio Cerci has been linked with a move to Manchester City from Fiorentina

Everton cannot afford a transfer fee unless they sell first but would be keen on a loan — particularly after missing out on Aston Villa’s new signing Charles N’Zogbia. 
If City are willing to deal it will also alert Sunderland who may buy the player if a £20m valuation was broken into instalments.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2019540/Everton-want-Manchester-Citys-Adam-Johnson.html#ixzz1TPJjmEy2

Everton in Crisis?

Another media bastion awakens to the populist internet 'Everton in Crisis' theme and tries to see it from every side:
To a wider audience, Everton are regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the game but some of the natives tell another story. Pressure is building and an increasing number of supporters are becoming agitated that Everton are being left behind. The critics claim the directors are not dynamic; not ambitious enough to give manager David Moyes and his squad the assistance needed to compete.

As the public face of the board, chairman and staunch Evertonian Bill Kenwright is the man bearing the brunt of the complaints. While Liverpool have spent more than £100million bankrolling the Kenny Dalglish revolution, Everton's cheque book has remained closed and the club have been subjected to intense levels of criticism not witnessed since the late 1990s.
In contrast to the increasingly bitter element, other fans believe the situation is just fine. Sportsmail investigates the fractious scene unfolding around Goodison Park...

The fans say:

Squad strengthening - or, more accurately, the lack of it - is one of the biggest bones of contention Evertonians have with the board. Why must the club sell before they can bring anyone in? Seeing less glamorous sides more active in the market is causing tempers to fray.
Grand ambitions: But Everton fans haven't exactly seen the best in recent years 'We have built a potentially very decent squad mainly from selling two players (Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott) over the past seven years for big fees but we don't want this to be the way we survive,' says Paul Lipton, 31, a season-ticket holder in the Upper Gwladys Street stand.
'We are jealous of other teams who have backing and Evertonians are sadly resigned to the fact we are severely struggling to compete in the current league.'

The club say:

Aware of the growing chorus of criticism, chief executive Robert Elstone wrote on the club website: 'Despite the "kitchen sink" being thrown into the criticisms, claims beefed up by errors and speculation, the central issue is transfer activity and allied to that, "Where does all the money go?".
'The latter is easy to answer. It goes to Finch Farm (Everton's training ground). As simple as that. It goes on youth development. It goes on players. For the past decade, the club has bought and invested all it has had available, and sometimes more, on the firstteam squad.' Everton say they invest 84p in every £1 the club earn in fees, wages and the academy.

Dominic King says:

Moyes has explained on several occasions that 'every penny I have asked from my chairman, he has given to me' and the manager has broken Everton's transfer record four times since January 2005. There have been other financial successes. The club announced a record commercial deal with sports firm Kitbag in May 2009, while turnover has mushroomed in the past decade from £30m to £80m.
Yet the feeling on Merseyside is that with just a little bit more cash, Moyes could bring in the players who would transform the club's standing.
Adding a class striker and flying winger to the squad would significantly improve Everton' s chances of success but seeing targets end up elsewhere because they do not have the finances to match their ambition is becoming an increasing source of frustration for fans.

WHERE IS OUR OLIGARCH?

The fans say:

A growing number want Kenwright replaced by an individual or group who will give Moyes the chance to sign three £15m players per transfer window.
'My view is sadly we are in a new world of football and Everton are trying to play by last year's rules,' says Andy Firr, a season-ticket holder for the past 15 years.
'Let's go global. Get someone in who gives us a chance and let's try and somehow move forward. Otherwise let's just keep quiet and slowly decline to the lower leagues a la Coventry City.
'I am not somebody who expects silverware every year or indeed every five years. But I find it hard seeing the likes of Wolves and Leicester being in a position to spend money. We surely cannot be so skint that teams are destroying us in the transfer market.'
Mark Crotty, who has been instrumental in setting up The People's Group on Facebook and Twitter, adds: 'The biggest concern for Evertonians is the lack of investment or the lack of takeover.
'How much do they want for the club? Evertonians have more pride than just marching up and down streets protesting but it's getting to a point now where frustrations are ready to boil over. If Kenwright is the big Blue he proclaims, surely a solution would have been forthcoming?'

The chairman says:

Asked what drives him on, Kenwright says: 'You do it with passion, energy. It is the only way. The expectation at this club is so great you just have to keep going.
'Every time you get a bit closer to where you want to be, or rather need to be, you know the next step is going to be that bit harder again because of the finance involved among the elite of modern football. As chairman, you have to remain buoyant and maintain the spirit of this great club.'

King says:

The accusation aimed at Kenwright, who has been at the helm since 2000, is that he does not want to let go. He is not oblivious to the talk of the terraces but to say he would not welcome the arrival of a benefactor is wrong. He would have no hesitation stepping aside for the right offer and has said as much at every AGM and EGM in recent years. But, as yet, there have been meetings and telephone calls but nobody has come in with a concrete proposal.
What is the right offer? Anyone looking to invest in Everton would first have to buy the shares of the club's directors. Then the current debt (last reported at the financial year ending May 2010 as £44.9m and rising) would need to be cleared, so funds could be provided to support Moyes.
Aside from that, to get Everton rolling with the top four, any new owner would have to start thinking about a new stadium. Until Everton get that kind of investment, the fact is that they will struggle to keep pace with those in the Champions League spots. But if Kenwright is being careful about whom he sells to, is that such a crime?
With the except ion of Manchester City, which takeover in recent years has been a resounding success? Birmingham and West Ham have just been relegated and Aston Villa have had to sell their two best players. Many fans were surprised that Blackburn secured investment - but imagine if Venky's Group bought into Goodison rather than Ewood Park last winter. Around that time, Everton had a string of poor results - who is to say Moyes would not have suffered a fate similar to Sam Allardyce?

HOME NOT SO SWEET

The fans say:

Twice in recent years, Everton have explored attempts to relocate but both projects - the King's Dock (2003) and Kirkby (2007) - ended in acrimony. The latter was especially divisive, as seeing a move to Kirkby would have meant Everton relocating outside the city.
Many believe the failure to relocate to King's Dock and build an iconic stadium on Liverpool's waterfront is the biggest missed opportunity in Everton's recent history, more so than failing to reach the Champions League group stages in 2005. A sense of bewilderment remains.
'I get a reminder of the financial failings of the current board everyday as I pass the King's Dock,' says Mark Jackson, 33, a Bullens Road and Gwladys Street regular. 'To think, a £30m investment (in 2003) could have provided the club with a new stadium in a prime location.
'There is a lack of forward thinking around Goodison, which is so frustrating. Luckily for Bill Kenwright, his best decision was appointing Moyes: his achievements on the pitch have masked the problems off it.' Gareth Jones asks: 'Why has it taken so long for the club to think about building a new restaurant, shops, office building at the Park End? Also what is happening with the development of it? Nothing?'

The club say:

Everton continue to talk with Liverpool City Council about finding a suitable plot of land for a new stadium but the redevelopment of Goodison is a virtual non-starter because of economic impracticalities.
The King's Dock was a project involving many partners but fell apart due to escalating costs that, at the time, were £1m per week. Everton could have found the initial £30m outlay.
Season-ticket prices remain fiercely competitive. Goodison is one of the least expensive venues and the club have a policy of keeping the cost of a seat as cheap as possible. A seat in the main stand for the Merseyside derby is £41.
King says:

Goodison Park might be a reminder of a golden age of British football and it is one of the few grounds in the Barclays Premier League capable of producing a tribal atmosphere. However, it is showing its age and it simply cannot provide Everton with vast streams of revenue.
Until Robert Elstone oversaw a revamp of the club's catering business a couple of years ago, stories were commonplace of fans attempting to buy drinks before half-time only to miss the start of the second period because they had not been served. Superficial alterations have been made but Goodison does not have the comfort of many other grounds in the league.

THE FUTURE

The fans say:

It would be wrong to paint a picture that all the supporters are vehemently against the board. As one fan wrote on the Bluekipper website this week: 'Sixth, fifth, fifth, eighth and seventh in past five seasons. Real crisis we are in, aren't we? Just because we are not winning trophies doesn't mean we are failing. (Critics are) good at bringing up all the things wrong with the club but (they) have no solutions.'
But Paul Lipton summarises many fans' feelings when he says: 'Even though we have a chairman who is passionate about the club, which most teams cannot say, he and his board are totally inadequate to push us forward. There is a lot of pride in the manager and most of the players for keeping us in a very respectable position in these circumstances but how long can this continue?'

The club say:

Everton remain committed to giving Moyes every possible financial assistance. The players believe there is sufficient talent at the club to maintain the standards that have been set during the past five years, in which they have qualified for Europe three times and reached the FA Cup final.
Captain Phil Neville said: 'It is a massive challenge for us, but we have done it before. We reached the top four a few years ago but that target seems to get harder and harder each year. Europe is key for us. For a club our size, with the players we have, it is the least we should expect.'

King says:

Spirit is a key word at Everton. This is one thing of which there is a plentiful supply. Every time anyone attempts to write Everton off as a team, they have a habit of pulling off a shock result and while there is a longing to see a new face or two arrive in the dressing room, the squad are not panicking.
There are a number of exciting young players emerging, headed by Jack Rodwell. But transfer cash and increased investment are needed. Kenwright knows it, so does Moyes, the players and the fans. Until they are found, the conjecture will continue.But the

Blues show well in the Capital Heat

It was a better performance from something of a makeshift team that got off to a good start against DC United, with nice goals from Anichebie and Bilyaletdinov. Everton then took it easy in the sultry heat and rang the changes, with Vellios, Barkely and McAleny getting some excellent top-team experience before Magaye Gueye wrapped things up with a nice finish at the far post off a good cross from Beckford. All in all, a good runout for the improving Boyes in Blue.

Match Summary

So David Moyues is reduced to feilkdinga somewat experimental side, with the much-hyped Tolos Vellios up front and Jermaine Beckford on the bench. No Arteta of course in midfield, where Bilyaletdinov and Cahill may frge an interesting partnership, and rookie Ross Barkley get a start — hopelfully another statement of faith from David Moyes.
DC could have scored in the first minute when a chip caught out Mucha but Distin was behind him top rescue the situation
Baines released Anichebe down the left and some neat control with an exquisite finish saw Bog Vic put the Blues ahead in the 4th minute, a nice opening goal. DC won a dangerous free-kick that was a deflected over and from the corner, DC put together a good play with Wolff firing wide.
Anichebe jinked in again but fired at the goalie Hamid.  Barkley, wearing 20 and playing a nice one-two, got in for a shot. 
15 mins and a good mone through the middle, Rodwell, Vellios, Barkley to Bily, who ran right through the static DC defence finished nicely right through the 'keeper.
Idjou had a pop from distance that flew wide, then Barkley got forward and slipped his shot just wide of the post. A gorgeous ball from Rodwell was miscontrolled by Bily. Barkley tried a shot from distnace but it was powder puff stuff.
Cahill got  daft card (26') for a handball block on a strong shot from Borsink, and Mucha pulled off a brilliant save off a really hard-hit direct free-kick. Lahar then produced a nice chip from out wide that beat Mucha but came off the bar as DC looked to get back into the game.
It was a good spell for United, who pressured the Everton defence, and forced them to play some football. But when the Blues got some rare possession, they insisted on playing it backwards, Anichebe reduced to playing right-back and shoving a United featherweight easily into touch..
 Vellios got forward and played a great cut-back to set up Coleman but he snatched at the chance and blew it high and wide. Wolff-- Pontius 36'  Odwengya pulled off a great shot that Mucha was onto sharply at the near post and saved well.
Barkley showed some excellent touches, a nice play through the middle and a great feed ball to Coleman, who stumbled all over it. Rodwell then had a pop from distance but it lacked control. Everton finished the half dominating the game but playing some very negative stuff when in possession.
HT: Cronin for Hamid,  Corb/Kitchen; Morsink/Shanosky  Jakovic ./ White
Gueye for Barkley; Osman for Vellios,
Ball over the top and Pontius finished past Mucha to put the home side back in the game just 2 mins after the break.  Gueye looked to play in Rodwell.  52: Conor McAleny (#11) on for Anichebe.
Cahill tried a clover volley made it look rather stupid. Osman then had a pop that was just as poor. Baines ran down the left and played it back to Bily but his cross was poor.  McAleny got in a shoot that was blocked over, and Baines from the corner got a great cross in that Cahill nodded fractionally past the poste, thanks to a bit of  a push.
McAleny and Rodwell combined nicely but Rodwell's shot was deflected over, from Gueye's corner, Cahill's  downward header was cleared off the line, then Billy's shot clipped off the top of the bar/.
Pontius did well to beat Jagileka and fire into the side netting. United won a couple of corners and pressured the Everton goal, as the game opened up with action at both ends, Bily getting in behind and crossing to no-one in particular.
70' Neville and Hietinga for Jagielka and Baines.   Rodwell got in a low shot that was saved but United came very close to equalizing off the corner.
Coleman set up Gueye for a strike but his shot was off target.  Beckford also had a poke, to no effect.  Then Gueye released Beckford who ran past the United defence and crossed very well, back to Gueye who had made a great run to the far post and the Frenchman finished it off very nicely for the 3rd goal.
Pontius looked to get past Distin, and eventually got i a chipped cross that beat everyone.  Then a fabulous first-time attempt on a dropping ball over the shoulder, McAleny's ambitious shot flew wide.
Mucha had done quite well in the Everton goal and came out strongly to punch ,  a late corner.  He was alert again for a superb effort from Pontius, who was by far the best player on the fileld. 
At this stage, United were peppering the Everton goal with shots but Mucha resisted all attempts to improve the scoreline and the Blues ran out deserved winners. 

Players return to training

Some Everton players reported back for pre-season training yesterday then underwent fitness tests at Liverpool University before flying out this evening for a four-day training camp in Austria. Players involved in end-of-season internationals like Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Johnny Heitinga and Seamus Coleman are not expected back for another week, while Tim Howard, whose involvement in the Gold Cup has only just ended, will not rejoin the squad until the US tour later this month. Joseph Yobo is not expected to return to Finch Farm again. as his transfer to Turkey should be completed soon...

A report in the Express claimed that Yobo was planning to stay away from David Moyes’s pre-season preparations and run the risk of a hefty fine, in order to force Everton to accept the offer on the table from the Turks.
Goodison officials have refuted suggestions, however, that the Nigerian defender is preparing to boycott EFC pre-season training in a bid to push through his move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
His Nigerian teammate, Yakubu. who's Everton future remains uncertain, is also included in the Austrian trip, according to the Daily Mail.