By Jerrad Peters

How would you assess Everton’s chances ahead of this season?
-Arden, Winnipeg

I worry for Everton. They have been there or thereabouts, knocking on the door of the Champions’ League for three of the last four seasons. Their fans have become accustomed to solid finishes in the top-half. And David Moyes, one of the top, young managers in English football, has worked wonders since arriving in 2002.

Unfortunately, everything appears ready to unravel at Goodison Park. In late July, chief executive Keith Wyness resigned from the club, leaving the Toffees in a precarious position. While still in the job, Wyness was one of the most vocal supporters of the Premier League’s 39th game strategy and proposed that Everton build a new stadium beyond the environs of Liverpool. Needless to say, his departure was not mourned by the club’s supporters. In fact, they proceeded to vent their frustrations on chairman Bill Kenwright, whose statement that the club required additional investment to remain competitive only fueled the dissatisfaction on the blue half of Merseyside.

All the while, Moyes has remained utterly inactive in the summer transfer window. While striker Andy Johnson was allowed to join Fulham for $19.6million, the revenue has yet to be invested in strengthening the squad. Rugged midfielder Lee Carsley was also permitted to leave the club on a free transfer.

As a result, Moyes opened the 2008-09 Premier League season with one of the smallest squads in the top flight. He had no choice but to deploy Aiyegbeni Yakubu as a lone striker; and the combination of Nuno Valente and Leighton Baines were useless on the left flank. The only bright spot, as usual, was the performance of Mikel Arteta. An injury to the Spaniard, however – or to any of the starting-XI for that matter – would be absolutely devastate the club’s prospects.

Compounding matters is the fact that while Moyes rested on his laurels, the likes of Portsmouth, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur were significantly upgrading their squads. These will be the sides that challenge for the UEFA Cup places. And as it stands, the best that Everton can expect is a finish in the top portion of the bottom half of the table.

With less than a fortnight remaining until the transfer period comes to an end, Moyes has to act fast. His first piece of business should be to sign Alan Smith. Say what you will about the 27-year-old forward. But he is currently out of favor at Newcastle and could be acquired for as little as $4million – a substantial value for a player who once scored 18 goals in the Premier League for Leeds.

Another striking option is CSKA Moscow hitman Vagner Love. After going through the ranks at Brazilian side Palmeiras, the 24-year-old joined the Russian outfit in 2004. He responded by taking the club to a treble of league, cup, and UEFA Cup honors. Just last month, he scored a wonderful hat-trick against local rivals Spartak Moscow.

To strengthen the midfield, Moyes is believed to be persuing both Joao Moutinho and Stephane Mbia. Moutinho, Sporting Lisbon’s 21-year-old sensation, is arguably the Scot’s most coveted target. But with Sporting demanding $33.5million for the Portugal international, a move is not likely to happen anytime soon. Mbia, however, is a more feasible option. Just 22-years of age, the Rennes hardman is regarded as one of the top defensive midfielders in France and has represented Cameroon on 11 occasions. He would be available for a much more realistic $11.2million.

Of course, these are names that have been bandied about since the beginning of June. And with Moyes either unwilling or unable to make a significant offer for any of them, one has to wonder that the problems at Goodison Park go far beyond the manager’s sphere of influence. If the squad remains as it is, Everton will be fortunate to avoid the bottom third of the table.

Two-part question: How do you think the loss of Maurice Edu will affect Toronto FC going forward? And is Major League Soccer’s transfer system out of date?
-Paul, Burlington

In their past eight matches, Toronto FC have won just once while managing a pitiful four goals. Needless to say, the loss of Maurice Edu could not have come at a more inopportune moment.

As a Major League Soccer freshman in 2007, Edu was named the Rookie of the Season and notched four goals in 25 appearances. He formed a reliable midfield tandem with Wales international Carl Robinson and had Toronto heading to its first playoff appearance before joining the United States Olympic team in June. After the Americans were eliminated from the competition by Nigeria, the 22-year-old flew to Glasgow and watched Rangers’ 2-0 win over Hearts on Saturday. He has already agreed terms with the Scottish giants; and the $5million transfer will become official on Wednesday, August 19th, if he is permitted a work permit as expected.

His loss will likely put an end to Toronto’s fading playoff aspirations. After Sunday’s 2-0 loss to New York Red Bulls, the Canadian side are 6th place in the Eastern Conference, three points back of both New York and surging DC United.

Regarding the second part of the question, Major League Soccer’s transfer system is appearing more and more antiquated with each transaction. As it stands, all players’ contracts are owned by MLS. Subsequently, clubs such as Rangers do not, in fact, negotiate with counterparts such as Toronto FC. Rather, they conduct their business directly with Major League Soccer. When a transfer deal is reached, the club is awarded two-thirds of the fee while the league retains the final third.

It should be noted that the current system was a vital, and effective, component of Major League Soccer’s operations from its launch in 1996 until just a few years ago. The measure was enacted to prevent the sort of big-money moves that eventually caused the North American Soccer League to fold in 1984. And, until recently, it has worked like a charm.

But its time has past. As the once youthful franchises of MLS mature and are able to stand on their own two feet, they are keen to take over the responsibility of player transfers and acquisitions. That’s not to say that the firm hand of Major League Soccer hierarchy should disappear altogether. Far from it. The salary cap must be strictly enforced. But gradual deregulation would be in the best interests of the clubs, and ultimately, the league.

Mo Johnson, Toronto’s director of soccer, would never have unilaterally decided to sell Maurice Edu. The club could have afforded to keep him; and, just as importantly, continued to build around him. That Major League Soccer made the decision for Johnson is unfortunate for both the club and its fans. But that’s business in modern MLS. And while it was once necessary to keep the league solvent, the time has come for a measured liberalization of the rules.

Have a question about football? Email your query to jerradpeters@gmail.com.