A Toffee Dream - Everton vs Newcastle United (Game week 5) [A CM2006 Story]

[Bala]

Podolsky transfer fee agreed...

I still have a week before the transfer window closes till January. Just one week and I need to get in atleast 1 quality striker. Daniel Carvalho can double up as a forward, but I prefer an out and out striker who can complement Beattie.

Lucas Podolsky
Deal clinched​

I called up FC Cologne and discussed with their sporting director about the transfer fee of Lucas Podolsky. He was insistant on the 5.5 Million release clause. As we agreed that it was a real good price for such precocious talent, I said we would agree with the same.

A deal has been clinched and Cologne gave us the permission to discuss personal terms with the player. I would be flying to Germany later tonight to discuss with Podolsky.

 

[Bala]

To Germany....

As I left for Germany to discuss personal deals with Lukas Podolsky, I happened to meet reporters from SKY on the airport. I did accept that the Podolsky deal was done with and all that remains is the player signing on the dotted line.

As I checked the SKy Sports website on the flight, I was not surprized to see the story maikng it to the top.

​

 

[m_vaughan]

Excellent news for The Toffees. Gosh I wish he was valued at that much in FM, I would have bought him long back. Just what you need and good to see that you yourself are going to Germany to meet the player and his agent.

 

[MWaugh]

thats a very good deal for everton. podolski will hopefully complement beattie up from well. i love the presentation with the website idea bala.

 

[shravi]

Do you spell his name wrong on purpose (NOT MEANT TO BE A DISS-)?

 

[m_vaughan]

Do you spell his name wrong on purpose (NOT MEANT TO BE A DISS-)?

Lukas and Lucas are both correct. Not sure about "Podolsky" though.

 

[Bala]

Plan - B

As I reached Cologne, I called up Alan and asked him to proceed with negotiating a deal for a couple of other options as well. We had discussed the reports submitted by Jim Little in detail before we started our serious pursuit of Podolsky.

I called up Katie and asked her to get in touch with Alan to get the news on media once the initial discussions were through.

I still have 3 hours before I visit FC COlogne and meet Lucas Podolsky and his agent. An hour later Katie called me and confirmed that Alan was in discussion with the other team.

Half an hour later Alan called me and confirmed that the wheels have been set in motion and the news had been sent to ESPN.

Everton chase Reading duo

Everton have made an official enquiry about the availability of Championship side Reading's duo - Leroy Lita and Steven Sidwell. Everton are in their pursuit of bolstering their strike force and they have concluded a deal for FC Cologne's star striker Lukas Podolski.

Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine confirmed that the Toffees have stepped up their interest in the Reading duo.

"Yes! We have asked Reading about the availability of Leroy Lita and Steve Sidwell. Leroy is a fantastic talent who carries a lot of pace and craft. He just might be the player we need to beef up our front line with. Steve is a great player with a good head. He has a fantastic array of passing and he defenitely deserves a shot at the Premiership"

Reading have yet to confirm about the transfer possibility. But it seems that Everton are determined to prise the duo out of the Championship.

 

[m_vaughan]

Thats a sound plan. A good backup and depth is very much essential, particularly when you might be involved in domestic as well as European competition this season, and injuries to your main players are very much possible.

Also by having a number of strikers, the pressure on Beattie and Podolski, assuming the latter makes the move, will be higher to perform and score goals.

 

[shravi]

Lukas and Lucas are both correct. Not sure about "Podolsky" though.

I was relating to the last name.

I love your presentation Bala! Keep it up!

 

[gary0808]

Brilliant Story. Beattie and Podolski should work wonders, while Cahill will be a blow.

I think to improve you should get a young but also recognised defender. Someone like Dawson of Tottenham

 

[m_vaughan]

I think to improve you should get a young but also recognised defender. Someone like Dawson of Tottenham

He already has signed Oguchi Onyewu to satisfy that requirement. With Roma's Matteo Ferrari also present, the defence is pretty good imo. He also has Nuno Mendes and Umit Davalla.

 

[Bala]

yeah! The defence is pretty solid with Nuno Valente, Nuno Mendes, Pistone, Yobo, Davalla, Onyewu, Hibbert and Ferrari. And I can always call on Phil Neville as a cover on the right, left or centre.

The midfield is good aswell with Arteta, Cahill, Maniche, Osman, van der Meyde, Kilbane, Davis and Vampeta. Carvalho can operate both as a striker and a attacking midfielder.

My worries are up front with just Beattie, Vaughan and Anichebe. Thats the area I need to work on. Hopefully the Podolski and Lita deals should come through.

 

[MWaugh]

yes definatly just lacking some fire power up front at the moment but hopefully podolksi will resolve that issue. beattie is a class striker, hopefully they can work together

 

[Bala]

Podolski deal falls through.

23rd August 2005

Podolski - still a goat...

To say I am frustrated is an understatement. After all the good work done on this deal, it fell through as the player was not mentally prepared for a life outside Germany.

It was understandable as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen had swung into overdrive as we finalized the deal with Cologne. Bayern are reportedly
all set to hijack our move for the promising striker.

I had a real lengthy discussion with Podolski and his agent. Though we offered him a lucrative 5 year contract and a goal scoring bonus to the boot, he was not open to a switch to the premiership. He was of the opinion that he could book a place in the German team for the World Cup that is to happen next year, if he stayed on at Germany.

I am one who belive in getting players who want to play not coerced to play. So I wished him luck and called of the talks.

Podolski though was open for a switch beyond the Bundesliga in the future.
Well that just remains to be seen. As far as my striker problem is concerned, it remains as it is. But I have tomorrow's game against Celtic to worry about. Back to Liverpool it is.

 

[MWaugh]

bloody germans. i can sort of see his reasoning though in terms of world cup selection but thats heart breaking for yourself. your going to have to look at fixing that problem before you stlip too far down and its too late to achieve your potential