By Paul Conatzer
Twitter @Toffeepaul
It’s beginning to look like Marcel Brands, Everton’s director of football has a touch of Harry Catterick about him.
Catterick worked in a different era, where managers made transfer decisions mostly by themselves. However, like Catterick, Brands seems to move with stealth in the transfer market.
Perhaps Catterick’s most famous move was the purchase of Alan Ball in 1966. Most expected Blackpool’s flame-haired World Cup winner to end up at Leeds. However, Catterick swooped in and spent a then-record £110,000 for Ball and the rest is Royal Blue history. Unfortunately, it was also a surprise when Catterick sold Ball to Arsenal for a record £220,000 fee. No telling how much Ball would be worth now. But, it’s easy to imagine his salary would be in between his transfer fees a week.
Despite rumours appearing almost every day about Andre Gomes going elsewhere – so far, Spurs, Wolves, West Ham and any number of local village teams have been linked with the Portuguese midfielder.
Gomes joined Everton on loan from Barcelona and impressed in the middle of the pitch for the Blues. Brands hasn’t said much about the Gomes’ transfer. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gomes ink a permanent contract with the Blues.
Brands is stealthy, he proved that last season as other clubs such as Manchester United were linked with Yerry Mina, who signed for the Blues on deadline day. Dealing with Barcelona isn’t easy, but Brands has proven he can.
Wonder who else Brands is going to bring in?