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#2 Everton
John Ruddy
Post his world cup heroics, Mr. America Tim Howard has looked decidedly less authoritative. It would be unfair to put the blame for Everton’s defensive woes squarely on his broad shoulders. Nevertheless, even as his beard grows to fearsome proportions, Howard looks like a man caught in a hailstorm. The addition of former Everton keeper John Ruddy would certainly get that never-say-die spirit going.
It has to be noted that the American is no spring chicken himself, and Ruddy could very well prove to be his long-term successor. The Englishman will be looking to make a mark at a club where he was an understudy for a long time before being sold by David Moyes. All in all, a move that would be welcomed by all those involved, with the £4 million asking price a consolation for Norwich City.
Shaun Maloney
Roberto Martinez is a known admirer of Maloney, having brought him from Celtic in his time in charge of Wigan Athletic. He recently watched his former charge turn in a man-of-the-match performance for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland.
Everton have certainly missed the underrated James McCarthy in the center of midfield, and Muhamed Besic has carried around with him an air of indiscipline. At £ 500,000, Maloney would be an absolute bargain as a short-term solution who could give Everton a much-needed measure of consistency.
Lewis Macleod
Martinez has enjoyed great success recruiting from the Scottish scene, and the Rangers starlet Lewis Macleod could very well be on his way to Goodison. The financial troubles that have plagued the Rangers leave them almost resigned to losing a bright young prospect, and it looks like only a matter of time.
Rangers boss Ally McCoist has stated the importance of Macleod to the team, calling him “a shining star” that the club has grabbed hold of during the darker days at the Ibrox. This star looks set to illuminate greater stages, and Martinez is the perfect manager to get the best out of him.
