Everton capture Baines from Wigan

Everton capture Baines from Wigan


Everton have completed the signing of Leighton Baines from Wigan.
The 22-year-old left-back has signed a five-year deal with the Merseysiders after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical on Monday.

The Kirkby-born defender becomes Everton's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar.

Baines, who turned down a move to Sunderland, is doubtful for the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

He is a lifelong Everton supporter and was at Goodison Park last Tuesday when the Toffees played Werder Bremen.

Baines told the club's website: "I am very happy now it is all done and I am looking forward to getting on with it."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6934188.stm

Suprised Man. Utd didn't want to sign him, Silvestre did look on his way out, and Heinze mess.

Only problem would be that he would be Evra's understudy, although Evra is only better in the attacking sense.

I think too simillar to Evra. Ideally you want a lb for different situations. I'm happy with Silvestre being back up because he gives us the addition height factor thus better defensive options depending on the team we play.

decent signing for them. they could do with a rightback as well, i don't rate hibbert much.

Maybe they can finally play Pip Neville there, now they have more than enough options in midfield - Arteta, Carsley, Jagielka, Pienaar, Cahill (when he gets fit).

Good signing.

Baines as well as Jagielka will easily strengthen the Everton side. If they get Lucho then this will be a very good Summer for them IMO. I like the way Moyes has done his transfer business very quietly this Summer.

Didn't Jagielka play in the midfield last year?

DD wrote:Didn't Jagielka play in the midfield last year?

For the most part, yes, but he can play all over the shop except for up front.

He can play in both positions. Probably be....

Howard
P Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Osman, Jagielka, Pienaar, Arteta
Cahill
Johnson

The likes of Hibbert, Carsley, McFadden & Vaughn should make a good bench.

It really looks like a stronger squad than last year.

There were also some rumours about Carsley wanting to leave/being sold, if I'm not mistaken.

Roger Hunterrific wrote:

DD wrote:Didn't Jagielka play in the midfield last year?

For the most part, yes, but he can play all over the shop except for up front.

Good man then. It was him who also took the keeper position a Blades game last year. Made a couple cracking saves too.

Terry was also keeper for a few minutes last year.

Terry usually plays the keeper for Chelsea. Hes good with his saves.

Parks lives wrote:He can play in both positions. Probably be....

Howard
P Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Osman, Jagielka, Pienaar, Arteta
Cahill
Johnson

The likes of Hibbert, Carsley, McFadden & Vaughn should make a good bench.

Pienaar is a sniejder style player. PLaying middle in a 4-4-2 doesn't suit him, he's not gritty enough.

Maybe himself and Cahill can interchange, be abit more like


---------------- Jagielka
------- Cahill ----------- Pienaar

Cahill does his fair share of midfield work.

Also I heard they we're back in for Fernades today & Yakubu.

If the rumours are true, Everton squad would be:

GK: Howard, Turner, Ruddy
RB: Neville, Hibbert
CB: Lescott, Yobo, Stubbs, Boyle
LB: Baines, Valente
MF: Arteta, Cahill, Jagielka, Fernandes, Pienaar, Osman, Carsley, Van der Meyde
ST: Johnson, Yakubu, McFadden, Vaughan, Anichebe


That's a pretty good squad overall - no wingers, and a bit weak at goalkeeper, but I think it's finally big enough for them to do well in Europe and not worry about relegation in the league.

As it is, I still think Evertons squad looks light in places and lacking quality overall. But if they were to bring in Fernandes and Yakubu their summer would look very impressive. Personally, I dont rate Carsley at all, nor Osman in the midfield, and they have promising forwards but only Johnson who can really perform at the top level - he can look great at times, can make very intelligent runs, but hes inconsistent and perhaps doesnt add hugely to their all round game. Yakubu and Fernandes would be two great buys, and would boost my impression of Moyes a lot too.

They could maybe push Pienaar onto the wing, where I agree they look light, and go:

_________Howard

Neville__Yobo__Lescott__Baines

_____Fernandes_Jagielka

Pienaar_______________Arteta

__________Cahill

_________Yakubu

Should have bourght Poccognoli instead!

They're not having Yakubu

If we sell him we're going down and thats that.

I love the fickleness from the evershite fans, last week it was 'Kenwright out', this week it's 'we are going in the right direction, there's no need for change'

how can they suddenly afford these players? Bah, they wont get Yakubu anyway, tossers!

P.S wow my 5000th post