With Everton successfully confirming their place in the 2024/25 Premier League season, the club can now begin their preparations for next season.

As the Toffees begin to compile their transfer targets, Sean Dyche firstly has some big decisions to make on the future of eight first team squad members whose contracts are set to expire this summer.

Jack Harrison

After seeing off competition from Aston Villa, Everton were able to sign Jack Harrison on loan deal from Leeds. Since then, Harrison has made 35 appearances for Everton, bagging 4 goals and 3 assists. Undeniably, Harrison is almost a perfect defensive winger in a Dyche system, with a fantastic work rate and strong defensive contribution.

However, throughout his time at Goodison Park, there have been many critiques on his attacking output. It is no secret that in the final third this season, Everton have been very poor and that if the club want to be comfortable in this division, then serious attacking improvements need to be made.

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As a left footed attacker, who has mainly played on the right this season, it has been detrimental to his overall game. Dwight McNeil practically owns the left midfield spot and has shown across the season that he is a much stronger player than Harrison.

There is no reported buy option in the current loan and his Leeds contract doesn’t run out until the summer of 2028. As a result, I don’t believe Harrison should be Everton’s starting right midfielder next season, but if a deal can be done at a good price, I wouldn’t be against Everton signing him to be a part of the squad, for his work rate and defensive contribution in a Dyche system.

Decision: If the price is right, keep.

Arnaut Danjuma

Since his arrival at the Toffees, Danjuma has failed to make a huge impact on the club and has rarely featured throughout the season. Whilst he has suffered with injuries, I don’t believe he has the teamwork and work rate required to succeed in a Dyche team. He has showcased his excellent technical and dribbling qualities, but for a team that is built on hard graft, I dont believe he is suitable.

Reports have suggested that Villareal may want to cash in on Danjuma this season, with his contract near expiring, and with Everton’s limited funds, I think it would be best to avoid the Dutch winger and find someone more suitable to Dyche’s plans.

Decision: Leave

Andre Gomes

After an impressive loan spell at Goodison Park, Andre Gomes signed for Everton permanently in 2019. Described as a ‘Rolls Royce’ midfielder when he initially signed, his passing and technical abilities won over the Everton crowd. However, just months into his permanent deal at the club, the European Champion suffered a horrific ankle injury after a tackle from Son Heung-Min. Following his return, he struggled to reach the heights he was once at and began to feature less and less for the Toffees. Last season, he had a decent loan spell at LOSC Lille and has since came back and had brief cameos under Sean Dyche.

With a huge weekly wage and barely featuring for the Toffees this season, I think it is time to say goodbye to the former Barcelona man.

Decision: Release

Idrissa Gueye

Gueye returned to the Toffees from French Giants PSG and has continued to defy his age and showcase the unique qualities he possesses. Going from playing with Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar, to fighting relegation with Everton must’ve been a really easy choice for him. His initial departure provided struggles to the Everton recruitment team, who in the end essentially replaced him with himself. The performances and goals he gave against Forest and Brentford showcased the reliability the Senegalese midfielder still obtains. Within his current contract, Everton have the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months.

Gueye has frequently been Everton’s starting midfielder this season and has pulled out some strong performances when Everton have needed him. In a team that will need a lot of recruitment in the summer, I think it’s best to activate the year extension in Gueye’s contract and spend any time and money on looking at other positions.

Decision: Keep

Seamus Coleman

After almost 15 years at the club, is it time to say goodbye to Seamus Coleman? Probably the best 60 grand Everton have ever spent, the current club captain has played 420 games for the Toffees and his current contract expires this summer. Dyche has frequently praised the Irishman, outlying his importance in the recent relegation battles and the commitment he has to the club. This season he has suffered with frequent injuries and has only made 10 league appearances, with other right back options being used. However, as many managers have said his experience and motivation to the squad cannot be downplayed.

With how highly he is spoken about and the passion he extrudes, I think Everton should offer him another contract. If a relegation battle comes up again, you want people like Coleman in the camp to remind the squad of what it means to play for Everton. I cannot see wages being an issue and he will undoubtedly be a terrific mentor for the young squad that Everton are forming.

Decision: Keep

Ashley Young

Signed on a free deal from Aston Villa, the 38-year-old has played 32 times for Everton this season, featuring in a number of positions across the pitch. Whilst he hasn’t always been great and has received his fair share of criticism, his versatility in covering positions has been highly appreciated. I believe that the vast experience he attains is under appreciated at Everton, and for such a young side players like Young are needed.

If Everton’s finances are limited this season, I wouldn’t be against Young getting a year extension. In a squad with already limited numbers, his versatility to be able to cover both full backs and wing positions, is very useful and has saved Everton a number of times this season. However, I do recognise that he hasn’t been great throughout the season, therefore I am hopeful that he will no longer be as heavily relied on as this season.

Decision: Keep

Andy Lonergan

Since joining Everton as their third choice goalkeeper in 2021, Lonergan has still not made an appearance for the club. With England’s number one in in between the sticks at Goodison Park and Joao Virginia making some solid cameos for the Toffees this season, the goalkeeping unit has been strong at Everton. Applying the proverb, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, then Lonergan’s contract should be extended in hopes of continuing Everton’s goalkeeping successes.

Decision: Keep

Dele

Signed on the January 2022 deadline day by Frank Lampard, Dele Alli has only managed to feature 13 times, accumulating less than 400 total minutes for the Toffees. At the beginning of the 22/23 season, the former England international was sent on loan to Besiktas where he made 15 appearances before returning back to Everton after picking up an injury. Following his return, Dele bravely spoke on ‘The Overlap’ about his ongoing battles with mental health. Since then, Dele has sustained multiple setbacks, having surgery on a persistent groin injury, and has not featured for Everton this season.

With Everton’s financial struggles, apparent clauses included in the negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur have meant that Everton have been reluctant to utilise him. Dele’s wages are also a big problem with him reportedly earning £100,000 per week. Therefore, if Everton were to keep him, serious conversations would have to be had about the reduction of his wages. Dele has shown glimpses of his class, and I believe Sean Dyche could get the best out of him, it’s just the finances that are the issue.