The transfer window has not yet officially opened, but supporters are already on tenterhooks to see what business Everton can muster over the course of the coming months.
It's stating the obvious to suggest that last season was absolutely not good enough from the Blues, who only secured their Premier League survival in dramatic fashion thanks to a comeback victory over Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of the term. As they strive for better, many are expecting there to be a lot of changes over what could be a transformative summer.
Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell will be at the helm of the recruitment policy, and meetings between the pair have already taken place over what strategy the club will take over the course of the next few weeks. Evertonians will sincerely hope that the mistakes of the past can be learned from when the Blues embark on what will be another important period of their recent history.
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First of all, you'd expect the situation with which players are staying at the club to be resolved. Everton have submitted their retained list to the Premier League and the announcement of it to the public is expected this week, with numerous names coming to the end of their contracts.
Rumours have circled over the potential of perhaps Jonjoe Kenny being offered a new deal, which would be referenced in the list. However, for the others, it seems like the end of their respective times on Merseyside - which could free up a significant portion of the wage bill.
Still, finances will play a big part in Everton's summer transfer window. The club were savvy with their spending this time last year and, while there could be more money available this time around, it's not expected to be a big-spending few months for the Blues.
That could somewhat change with the possibility of other outgoing players leaving the club. This remains a bloated squad in some areas of the pitch, while still managing to be low on strength-in-depth for many areas too.
You would expect that numerous fringe players could be made available for transfers over the course of coming months. Not just in terms of their own chances of getting playing time elsewhere, but allowing Lampard and Thelwell to reinvest the funds into strengthening other areas of the side.
The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Salomon Rondon could see themselves affected by this thinking to varying degrees. All of this will, of course, depend on any potential interest in these players and whether they do feel the need to move on.
No doubt there were be bids for other players that Everton will certainly want to keep hold of, however. In an ideal world, both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison would be turning out in royal blue throughout next season, but there's set to be a lot of interest in the pair.
Numerous reports have already circulated around potential destinations for both stars, although there's seemingly yet to be an official approach. If Everton were to lose one, or potentially both, of these important players it would have to be for a significant price - making sure they can reinvest that cash to replace their respective influences in the side.
And that brings us neatly towards incomings, which could well be affected by those set to leave the club. Plans will almost certainly be in place for the potential of losing big-name stars, but it's of course yet to be seen whether it will come to that.
On an initial basis, it looks to all intents and purposes like James Tarkowski will be the first man through the door at Goodison Park on a free transfer. He's an experienced head, a leader, someone who has excelled in the Premier League in the past and he adds much needed qualities in the heart of defence.
It seems a no-brainer when you put it like that, it's a position Everton desperately needed to strengthen and they look to have moved quickly in this window to do just that. Depending on potential outgoings for other players in that position, Lampard and Thelwell may still be on the hunt for another central defender to be added to the mix.
Another main priority you'd think would be a No.6, with the Blues desperately lacking someone of that profile. Especially with the potential of Fabian Delph leaving at the end of his contract and Gbamin potentially being moved on, it's certainly an area the Blues look light.
It's yet to be seen whether Lampard will use his contacts at Chelsea to bring in any players but certainly there have already been links, with Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher two of the front runners in that sense. Harry Winks is another who has been touted by very early media reports, although he doesn't seem to fit the profile of player Everton need.
You'd expect this is going to be a very busy transfer window from the club, and one where they need to show they have learned from their previous mistakes. Over-spending in the wrong ways dragged them into the mess of last season, and they can't do that again.
There is real hope among the fanbase, however, that Lampard and Thelwell can put together a coherent strategy for the future. That must start in the coming weeks.
