How Everton could seal an even better signing than Hackney for free

Everton made a slow start to the summer transfer window, but they have tied Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl down to permanent contracts, also spending £23m on Middlesbrough captain Hayden Hackney.

The Toffees’ hopes of qualifying for Europe last season were blown away like leaves in the wind, David Moyes unable to prevent his team from going seven games without a win to close the Premier League campaign.

Hackney could help change that, bringing technicality and a winning mentality to a midfield that perhaps went a tad stale.

Why Hackney could be a game-changer for Everton

Middlesbrough were the most dominant possession-based team in the Championship last year, and Hackney was at the heart of that.

The 23-year-old is one of the most talented passers in England, averaging 54.3 passes per game in th Championship. He also created 2.2 chances on average each match, winning duels and dribbling into dangerous positions with consistency.

It’ll certainly be something new for the Hill Dickinson side, who are still working toward a slicker on-the-ball style under Moyes’ management. More control and fluency when creating could bear dividends for the Merseysiders, who are no longer among the relegation fodder, but who still lack a bit of punch in attack.

Hackney could play a central role for many years, but Everton probably need some more experience in their squad too. Imagine if they could get their hands on one of the most talented and experienced technicians in English football.

Everton ready to close statement signing ASAP

Everton have tidily gone about their work over the past several weeks, but Moyes could really do with a marquee addition to make a difference in setting out pre-season objectives.

John Stones could be that man. Once a part of the Goodison Park machine, the England international left the club and signed for Manchester City in a £47.5m deal last year – now, he might return.

Well, according to Sports Boom, the veteran may be set for a homecoming, with crunch talks expected next week now that his deal with City has expired.

Discussions will commence when Stones returns from North America this month, after the Three Lions play their third-place play-off against France, with Everton keen to get a deal done as soon as possible, before the new season gets underway.

At his absolute best, Stones was one of the best defenders in the world, and his skill and intelligence when in possession actually transcended the role designated across his career.

Replete with silverware, Stones is only 32, but injuries have ravaged much of his career, and he has missed chunks of nearly every season he spent under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Hackney would make interesting changes to Everton’s ball-playing in midfield, but Stones could revolutionise the very make-up of Moyes’ progressive system, and in that, he could be the signing of the summer for the Toffees, who need leadership and experience at the highest level if they are to break away from the monotony of mid-table.

For England this summer, Stones has played five matches, starting three of them. He has completed 97% of his passes and won 63% of his duels, and while he won’t be able to start every Premier League fixture for Everton, he could make an impact greater than any other member of Moyes’ side next year.

With Jarrad Branthwaite’s development being stunted by repetitive injury setbacks, it feels doubly important that Everton get this one over the line, hopefully negotiating an affordable salary package.

Hackney would have the longer impact at the club, in that he would feature prominently for many more years, but Stones could make more of a difference, guiding Everton back into the European limelight after a decade away.