Everton have made huge improvements over the Premier League season so far with eight new signings joining the squad this summer, and now a reliable source has given an update on a newcomer's future at Goodison Park.

What's the latest?

According to The Times' Northern football correspondent Paul Joyce, Everton will be able to keep hold of Conor Coady despite an impending manager change at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In an article written for the publication, Joyce claims that Coady's season-long loan will not be affected by the managerial changes happening at Molineux and Everton have every intention of triggering their £12m option to buy clause for the centre-back following his positive impact and performances in the team.

Thelwell's biggest masterclass

There is no doubt that signing Coady on a permanent deal would be director of football Kevin Thelwell's biggest masterclass at Goodison Park since he joined the club in February, as Wolves' loss has been one of Everton's biggest gains for a long time.

Bruno Lage was more than happy to let his club captain, who Dave Edwards dubbed "phenomenal", go this summer after the manager was keen to change his defensive tactics to a back four instead of the famous back three that has seen Wolves establish themselves in the Premier League.

Ironically, Coady is now thriving in a back four with the Toffees, developing a formidable defensive partnership with James Tarkowski which has led to Everton transforming from a relegation battling side to a solid team that has the best defensive record in the entire Premier League.

Everton have let in just seven goals over their first eight outings in the league which is two fewer than Premier League champions Manchester City this season so far, and as a result, are unbeaten in their last six games with four draws and two consecutive wins.

Over seven top-flight appearances, the reliable centre-back has one goal and one assist, making 5.4 clearances and 36.9 accurate passes per game, as well as winning the majority of his duels (52%) too.

The 29-year-old has been the recipient of his praise since he arrived in Merseyside, with teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure hailing Coady in an interview:

“He is going to help us a lot this season,” the Everton midfielder commented.

“All the times I have played against him, he was a good character and very consistent.

“We are very happy to have him in our team – he is a leader."

It is that leadership that the Toffees sorely missed in their backline last term with Jamie Carragher dubbing them "Championship level" on their way to shipping 66 goals, the fifth worst record in the top-flight.

With that being said, if Thelwell can pull off the permanent signing of Coady it would be a big boost for the club and will leave the immediate future of the Everton defence in safe hands.