Everton have pulled off 'three' stellar summer moves, one is a brilliant deal - transfer expert
Everton's £24million deal to sign Tyrique George from Chelsea was among a few great pieces of business at Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer.
That is the opinion of former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Toffees and Angus Kinnear, CEO, have faced huge criticism for what has been, in many ways, a frustrating summer window.
Everton brought in Brennan Johnson, George, Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jack Grealish, but have been left short.
The collapse of a deal to sign Folarin Balogun and the decision to sell Beto has left Thierno Barry as the club's only recognised senior striker, and there remain the same concerns that already existed over the depth in defence.
There was also anger over the proposed £40million sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, which ultimately fell through after fans protested in the stands.
'Everton just had to get their fingers out'
David Moyes will have to do without Iliman Ndiaye this season, after he was sold to Manchester City for £65m.
Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam have left, too, as well three full-backs - Seamus Coleman, Adam Aznou and Nathan Patterson.
But there were undoubtedly positives for the summer, too, and Grealish's return felt like a vital moment.
"I think that there's been a good bit of business done in this summer. George coming in is a top deal, [James] Garner staying at the club and bringing in Jack Grealish," King told Football Insider.
"I think that's a very, very positive sign for the supporters. And, you know, you see the reaction when Jack Grealish walks out on the pitch. You know, everybody's excited that he's going to spend another year at the club.
"Could never see him going to Sunderland. But Everton just had to get their fingers out. I think Sunderland pushed Everton the right way. Let's put it like that."
What has David Moyes said about the chaotic summer?
Moyes has never been one to complain publicly about the tools at his disposal, but he made a surprising admission last week.
The Scot confessed that he has never spoken directly to owner and chairman of the club, Dan Friedkin.
"We don't have a huge squad, but sometimes you need to do something special in football, and we will attempt to do something special," Moyes added.
"I love Everton and always have done. It's reinvigorated me being back and now there's a little bump in the road. I need to get over the bump quickly and start looking at how I can make it go smoothly."