Everton News

Everton have endured a really tough start to the Premier League season, losing their opening three matches and shipping ten goals.

Having forged plenty of chances throughout those matches, their lack of proficiency is not a new trend at Goodison Park.

However, this new lack of solidity at the back is.

Having never really been the most free-flowing attacking outfit, the fact that they could always rely on their rock-solid backline was one of few comforts the Toffees had.

If that is gone, they really could be in trouble this year…

TalkSPORT pundit fears for Everton

Speaking to talkSPORT earlier this morning (08/09, 9:09 am), pundit Tony Cascarino sought to review Everton’s start to the season.

Unsurprisingly, it did not make for good listening.

All the positivity that was forged over a summer of revolution in the transfer market has been swiftly wiped away by three Premier League losses, the latest of which has had a particularly crushing effect on the fanbase after throwing away a 2-0 lead with just nine minutes to go.

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However, it was not the lack of desire late in the game that left Cascarino fearful, but something else entirely, as he claimed: ‘My biggest concern with what I have witnessed with Everton, they have conceded 10 goals in three games. And they haven’t played, in my mind, very elite teams.

‘Obviously, Brighton are a very good side but conceded three. Spurs, they conceded four and Bournemouth they conceded three. So they have conceded ten goals, and that is… We always sort of pride ourselves on thinking that Everton are going to survive because defensively you think they are quite stubborn.

‘Going through three games with ten goals conceded, that would be very concerning.’

Who was to blame for Everton’s collapse against AFC Bournemouth?

There are two schools of thought from within the fanbase at the moment when seeking to understand what on earth happened last weekend.

On one side, Sean Dyche‘s lack of substitutes, or his poor use of the two he made, left the players completely hamstrung. They were dead on their feet and woefully exposed, and a fresh Cherries side, revitalised by five substitutes, found it all too easy.

However, on the other side, these are professional footballers and athletes, who should have been able to see out the result with or without a manager and substitutes.

Before the 87th minute, many within Goodison Park lauded the display as one of the best they had seen in some time, especially under Dyche’s leadership.

They forged chance after chance, carving through the visitors with ease and scoring two of the many opportunities that arose.

So, it really was impossible to explain how they fell apart so easily and so quickly, and questions about Dyche’s Everton future seem somewhat harsh when putting the performance into context.

Realistically, both are fair arguments and have their justifications. At the end of the day, the Toffees just need to bounce back now, with Aston Villa away next up on their fixture list.

Everton’s dreadful start to the 2024/25 campaign continued over the weekend with the hefty defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur.

It has been a strange summer at Goodison Park with Everton having endured a mixed few months ahead of the new season starting.

Sean Dyche had seen Everton‘s early struggles in the pre-season friendlies resolved as the Toffees ended the summer strong.

However, Dyche did also issue a blunt statement to the Everton fans following the first game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Off the pitch, Kevin Thelwell has been able to bring in some solid additions with the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Jake O’Brien.

But then there is the takeover saga and Alan Shearer has now shared a very honest verdict on the matter following the defeat in north London.

Alan Shearer issues Everton takeover verdict after Tottenham loss

Everton are believed to still be looking to make some further additions before the window shuts at the end of the week.

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However, there are bigger issues currently at the club with the Toffees’ long-term future still in doubt as the takeover debacle rumbles on in the background.

Over recent weeks, John Textor has entered exclusive talks to take over at Everton after signing an agreement with Farhad Moshiri.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer has claimed Everton are now in desperate need of their takeover situation being resolved.

“Everton were rotten, thought they were awful. And three goals at home last week, four goals yesterday [Saturday], at the weekend…” said Shearer.

“Already, the manager’s saying: ‘we’ve got a small squad to choose from’. I know they’ve got one or two injuries, but he’s going to have to use all of his experience wisely this season, if he’s going to keep Everton in the Premier League.”

“And the sooner they get taken over in terms of being bought by someone who’s invested. Who wants to be there long term, who’s interested, and all of that, the better it will be for them. The longer it goes on, the more I fear for them.”

John Textor now needs to sell his Crystal Palace shares

Textor‘s bid for Everton has a number of potential issues with the club having taken out a number of loans with previously interested paties.

However, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is Textor’s shares in Crystal Palace which Everton require him to sell before taking over on Merseyside.

How quickly those shares could be offloaded will have to be seen but there is certainly a concern that this is not a deal which is going to be resolved quickly.

And that is something which could potentially harm Everton in the final week of this summer’s transfer window.

Without any long-term backing for the club, it will be difficult for Everton to determine how much they will be able to spend over the final days of the market.

Much has been said about Everton fans this week, in the days leading up to their trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Sean Dyche did not help himself with his assessment of the home support after their opening-day defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, passing comment on a near-empty Goodison Park at full-time, but lo and behold when it came time for a trip down south there was a full away end packed out.

That was despite there being little chance of them snagging a result.

This fanbase has followed their team up and down the country as long as the club has been alive, regardless of form or their chances of winning.

Current players speak about the impact it has on them, even if it often does not improve results, and former stars are arguably even more complimentary when they leave, realising just how good they had it before.

One particular player, who built up a great affinity with the Evertonians, has reaffirmed that relationship just yesterday.

Richarlison shows love to the Everton fans at full-time

As the full-time whistle blew, bringing to an end the Toffees’ 4-0 trashing on the road, there was likely a collective sigh of relief from the away end.

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It was over, and thus began their arduous return to Merseyside.

However, that journey did not commence until they were finished applauding the players, despite the manner of the result, with a few coming over to applaud back at this unwavering support.

Ironically enough, it was a Spurs player who came the closest to the fans, with Richarlison coming over to lap up the adulation.

Richarlison even gave one Everton fan his shirt, which will likely only spark further rumours about his uncertain future.

Could Richarlison really join Everton this summer?

Ever since murmurs emerged suggesting that the Lilywhites wanted a new striker, Richarlison’s future has been clouded.

So, when Dominic Solanke was officially purchased, that notion was only intensified.

The £90k-a-week forward, who had deputised out wide and up front for both Everton and Spurs, was left without a spot in the starting side, unlikely to displace Ange Postecoglou’s new £65m marksman or Heung-min Son.

So, that is where Kevin Thelwell came in, with Everton touted for a move to re-sign Richarlison.

The Brazilian has already ruled out a potential move to Saudi Arabia, but it’s also clear that he will not be content just to sit on the bench all campaign.

Perhaps even just a loan move might be a switch that benefits all parties, allowing him to return when Postecoglou has guided his side back into Europe and his chances across numerous competitions are more likely.

Everton have started the Premier League season off in the worst possible fashion, losing both games, conceding seven goals across them, and failing to find the net themselves.

Yesterday’s crushing defeat at Tottenham Hotspur was to be expected, but it was their opening-day disaster at home to Brighton and Hove Albion that has really stuck the knife in, and ramped up the pressure on Sean Dyche before the new Premier League campaign has even really got underway.

Supporters are torn on the 53-year-old, with many claiming that his time is up after he once again omitted Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien from the starting side.

However, the rest of the fanbase attest that without the former Burnley boss they would be playing Championship football now, which is almost certainly true.

Yesterday, he made one particularly bold call which would have pleased most fans, as he opted to start Roman Dixon at right-back.

After a really tough debut, Dyche has since given his review.

Roman Dixon makes his Everton debut vs Spurs

Although it was only brief, touching on the 19-year-old’s competency in what was arguably one of the toughest times to make a first senior start, the Everton manager could be nothing but complimentary for the teenage speedster who gave a solid account of himself in north London.

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Expected to face the formidable trio of Heung-min Son, James Maddison and Destiny Udogie, who all often occupy similar spaces on their left flank, many feared that the inexperienced Dixon would get overrun.

But, on occasion, he was seen getting the better of fellow debutant Wilson Odobert, even if in possession he left a little to be desired.

As noted earlier, Dyche’s assessment was only short, but it certainly suggested an element of pride after there had been an inkling that Dixon would start at Spurs.

He told Sky Sports: ‘Young Roman has done terrific. Tough game for him, but he has done terrific, he has stuck to task.’

How did Roman Dixon play vs Tottenham Hotspur?

Naturally very keen to impress, but hamstrung due to his defensive responsibilities, it was hard for Dixon to make the impression he likely wanted to yesterday.

That, as well as their regressing youth production, has seemingly resulted in a failure to produce a starring player from their academy, who has risen up to cement a first-team spot.

Well, the teenager in question might just have made a case for at least another start, with Ashley Young’s suspension ongoing whilst Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Nathan Patterson all scramble for fitness.

On the ball, Dixon was disappointing, swallowed by the stresses that Spurs’ press induced.

However, defensively, against a skilful and paced Frenchman, he more than held his own, making five tackles, two clearances and one interception whilst also winning three of his five ground duels.

Crucially, he was not dribbled past once.

With a home match against AFC Bournemouth now on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether Dixon will be trusted again.

What’s for certain is that Dyche needs to win this match, or else face the full force of a fanbase just waiting to boil over.

Everton have a matter of days now to solve their issues which have been evident in their opening two games of the Premier League season.

Sean Dyche has now seen his Everton side suffer two heavy defeats in their first week of the new 2024/25 campaign.

It has not been easy watching for the Blues fans on Merseyside which have seen seven goals conceded and zero goals scored so far.

However, they have also been watching the majority of their summer signings sit on the bench for those opening defeats.

Regardless, of how Dyche has used his new recruits, there is clearly some work needing to be done in the final days of this summer’s transfer window.

And Fabrizio Romano has just provided the Everton fans with an update on what they could expect over the final days of the market.

Everton could bring in two more signings before Friday’s deadline

The Toffees’ boss casted an angry figure last week as Dyche hit out at the Everton fans who left during their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Over the coming days, Everton are going to have the opportunity to potentially add to their front line with questions remaining about their strikers.

Everton have been strongly linked with interest in Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier with the defender potentially available for a late move.

But the England international may not be the only potential arrival on Merseyside over the next week with Romano providing an encouraging update.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano has claimed the Toffees could be set for a busy end to the market.

“They could be busy, for sure. I think they could do something, maybe two signings or something like that. Let’s see how many. But for sure, they will be busy,” he said.

“They’re exploring opportunities that we know about. The financial fair play situation is not making things super easy for them, but they’re still actively working on several things.

“We said about Trippier, but there could also be other possibilities in several different positions. So, I think Everton will be active.”

Everton may not have the finances available to make any move transfers

With the Everton takeover situation still lingering in the background, the long-term financial situation at Goodison Park is up for debate.

It has been claimed by Alan Myers that Everton did not have any financial concerns for the short-term, but that was earlier in the summer.

John Textor has entered exclusive talks with Farhad Moshiri following his bid to take over Everton.

Now, with less than a week left in the window, Everton may be feeling slightly more reserved given there has been no takeover completed of the club.

And Dyche certainly did not hint towards any late signings coming through the doors following the defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

Everton endured another 90 minutes to forget on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten in emphatic fashion against Tottenham Hotspur.

Having seen his side concede three goals last weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion, Sean Dyche had to watch Everton concede four in north London.

Seven goals have now been picked out of the Everton net in the opening two games of the campaign whilst none have been scored at the other end.

With so many injuries plaguing the side, it really has been an opening week of the season which has offered very little to sing about for the travelling fans on Saturday.

But they were treated to a classy gesture from one of their former players Richarlison following the full-time whistle.

What Richarlison did to Everton fans after the Tottenham defeat

Richarlison did not start the game despite Dominic Solanke’s injury issue which kept him out of the game on Saturday.

Everton are facing their own issues up top with Dominic Calvert-Lewin said to have been left frustrated with some of his teammates during the game.

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But the Brazilian did come on towards the end of the game and he made sure he showed his gratitude towards the travelling fans after the game.

Having seen their side humiliated once again, it was understandable that the away end in north London was far from full at the whistle.

However, Richarlison still walked over to the Everton fans to share his gratitude for their support towards him over the years.

Richarlison made sure he was able to clap the away end before he headed down the tunnel after his short display off the bench.

What Sean Dyche said after the game about Everton making more signings

Seven days on from Dyche’s blunt message towards the Everton fans, he did not exactly provide them with a much happier message after the Spurs defeat.

Although Dyche did not take aim at the fans, the Everton boss did provide them with some frustrating news when it comes to transfers.

There isn’t any finances to change things, this is what we are,” Dyche told the media after the game.

But Everton have already made some promising additions and yet the Everton boss is deciding against using them.

Jake O’Brien is watching on from the bench as his fellow defenders have now conceded seven goals and Jesper Lindstrom made an immediate impact from the bench.

Perhaps the Everton manager needs to look closer at the options he has before worrying about not being able to add any more.

Everton are travelling down to the capital later today to face Tottenham Hotspur in their second game of the Premier League campaign.

It was not the start to the season which Sean Dyche will have wished for as his Everton side were embarrassed in front of their home fans last weekend.

They now have the opportunity to make a real statement with what would be a huge win against one of the Premier League’s top sides.

Spurs are also coming into the game looking for their first win of the season with Ange Postecoglou left frustrated on Monday by his side’s missed chances.

However, both sides are also coming into the game in north London with injuries plaguing their starting XI despite being just one game into the season.

But something which happened on Friday night may have just hinted towards one of the players who could be set to play against Spurs for the Toffees.

Everton injury latest ahead of Tottenham clash

One of the biggest issues for Everton going into the game on the weekend is the lack of senior right-backs available.

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Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are both missing the game through injury and Ashley Young will now be sidelined through his red card picked up last weekend.

This has now seen Everton show an interest in Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.

But for now, it has left Dyche with a real decision to make for their trip down to north London on Saturday.

Roman Dixon could be set for Everton debut vs Tottenham

With no senior options at his disposal and a lack of left-back’s available anyway, Dyche may have to look to his youth options.

One player who did feature throughout pre-season was the 19-year-old full-back Roman Dixon.

The U21s right-back has already featured in the Premier League 2 this season and managed to provide an assist in the season opener.

However, he was not a part of the squad to take on Chelsea U21s on Friday night which may be a significant indication he is set to play a role against Tottenham today.

What Sean Dyche has previously said about Roman Dixon

Clearly, these are serious circumstances which has seen Dyche’s options really tested with injuries and suspensions hitting Everton hard.

Last season, Dyche told The Athletic that it would be a ‘big ask’ to see the likes of Dixon brought into the starting XI given the jump up in the standard from the U21s.

However, it now appears Dixon could be made to make the leap with Dyche’s options stretched massively ahead of the Spurs game.

“He showed flashes of his pace, which is standout,” Paul Tait told The Athletic.

“As a young player, he’s still got some bits around the edges — his understanding and positioning but that gets better with time and appearances.”

And if he is to come up against the likes of Heung-min Son, Dixon is going to need every last ounce of pace he has available.

After the disaster endured on Saturday, where they were crushed 3-0 in their opening Premier League match, Everton’s deficiencies were laid bare.

Most were already well-known but blissfully ignored by the decision-makers within the club, likely praying that it would not be this soon into the campaign that they were exposed.

However, exposed they were, with the outstanding issue unsurprisingly coming at right-back.

It’s been a problem position for the Toffees for many years now, yet no work has been done to source a long-term solution.

This might not be it, but their interest in a few new targets provides hope that the Toffees are at least looking into it now.

Everton need to sign Eric Ebimbe

That notion is especially emphasised by Everton’s efforts to sign Eric Ebimbe from Frankfurt following a fine first permanent campaign at the German club.

Having first impressed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the 23-year-old earned himself a £6m move to the Bundesliga, where he has only gone from strength to strength.

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A strong yet technical midfielder, one of the key assets of the Frenchman is his versatility, particularly the ability to move into right-back.

In fact, when compared to other right-backs across Europe, Ebimbe ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals and total shots per 90, the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, and the top 5% for aerials won per 90, via FBref.

His physical prowess is further emphasised by Dijon sporting coordinator Peguy Luyindula, who once claimed: ‘He’s powerful, versatile and knows what he wants.’

Everton are now showing interest in Kieran Trippier

It’s actually quite ironic that, after all the turmoil surrounding their right-back position, it seems the Toffees are now inundated with targets to hopefully fill that position.

After all, whilst Ebimbe would likely do a job there, having deputised at times in the full-back role, a proper solution is needed to ease the pressure on Coleman and to finally usurp Ashley Young from the first-team.

Therefore, Everton’s interest in Kieran Trippier makes perfect sense, even if he is still hardly brimming with energy at 33.

There has been a notable decline in the Magpies’ main man, and being dropped from the starting squad for his side’s Premier League opener last weekend spoke volumes for his place within Eddie Howe’s squad.

But, Sean Dyche undoubtedly loves the full-back, and has made that clear many times before.

This might not be a deal done quickly, and thus Ebimbe remains a player they should still try and get in as soon as possible.

Trippier, though, is realistically the best option they could hope to get to truly fulfil that position though, allowing the former PSG man to star in his favoured role.

Everton need to bounce back from last Saturday’s disastrous opening-day loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, but things get no easier with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon.

Sean Dyche will have been desperate to get off to a good start at the weekend, and despite a spirited opening 45 minutes, things swiftly fell apart.

Conceding twice inside 60 minutes, getting a man sent off and making far too many mistakes condemned the Toffees to a 3-0 defeat, and left them with plenty to think about going into their next match.

It has quickly snuck up on them as well, as they will travel to north London hoping that they can cause further upset after newly promoted Leicester City snagged a draw off Ange Postecoglou’s side on Monday.

With that in mind, here’s how we think Dyche might line up for the visit to Spurs.

Predicted Everton XI for their Premier League game vs Spurs

It’s expected that the 53-year-old manager will make just two changes from the side that started at Goodison Park last weekend, but shift the formation dramatically.

After all, he goes into Saturday’s match without a recognised right-back option, with Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Nathan Patterson all out injured.

Naturally, Jordan Pickford will start in goal, and he will likely play behind a new-look back three.

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Dyche employed this system when forced to a few times last campaign, achieving great success on the road against Aston Villa in the EFL Cup and at Burnley in the Premier League too.

With that in mind, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane will retain their starting spots, and they will be joined by the first of two new debutants Jake O’Brien.

Vitaliy Mykolenko and Dwight McNeil will make up the wing-back spots, with Mason Holgate still very much untrusted.

This shift to a back three has been forced due to Ashley Young’s recklessness, getting sent off against the Seagulls to condemn his side to defeat.

It seems little has changed since journalist Jack Mendel branded the £40k-a-week veteran a ‘liability’ back in 2019.

Tim Iroegbunam stunned Dyche with his starring performance last weekend, and he will retain his spot next to Idrissa Gana Gueye due to a lack of competition in this role.

A front three will have to be full of energy to try and stop Spurs from playing through them with ease, so Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also be expected to start again.

However, with no spot for the attacking midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, Iliman Ndiaye could be deployed out wide and allowed to roam.

His unpredictability in possession could prove crucial, to create that one piece of magic needed to snag them a goal on the road.

Everton, following their demolition at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, have a glaring problem heading into their next match.

After all, the scoreline was not the only negative to come out of the clash.

Chasing the game at 2-0 down, Sean Dyche was frustratingly tentative with his changes, and Iliman Ndiaye’s official debut was made even more difficult when Ashley Young made the unwise decision to take a touch down just inside his own half, despite being both the last man and marked by Kaoru Mitoma.

The Japan International couldn’t believe his luck, and as he stole the ball and raced through on goal all it took was a slight pull-back to send him sprawling to the ground and send the 39-year-old off.

Mason Holgate’s substitution was booed by Everton fans, which says enough about the likelihood of him starting against Tottenham Hotspur, whilst suggestions of throwing Roman Dixon in despite his lack of Premier League experience are wildly unlikely.

So, at the moment, they are heading to north London without a recognised right-back to try and thwart Heung-min Son.

Everton bid to sign a new right-back

Having recognised that, Kevin Thelwell has seemingly rushed into the market to fix that issue, but his solution does not include buying someone with experience.

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Instead, he seems set to opt for more youth, actually investing in a player who is one year Dixon’s junior.

Alisson Santana may be a bright Atlético Mineiro prospect hailing from Brazil, but little is known about him.

And yet, according to Brazilian outlet O Tempo, the Toffees have submitted an official bid.

The exact figures are yet to be disclosed, but it is assured that ‘negotiations are underway’.

Despite boasting a €60m (£51m) release clause, earlier this year during Arsenal’s tenuous links to the 18-year-old, a more reasonable fee of €25m (£21m) was being discussed.

Who is Everton target Alisson Santana?

Despite his youth, Alisson already has an impressive number of senior appearances for his boyhood side, where he developed through the youth ranks to make his debut just last year.

Although described by some as an attacking midfielder, the bulk of his appearances have actually come at right-back or right-wing-back, revealing a versatility that would be much welcomed at Goodison Park.

This ability to play all across the pitch seems similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also started his career as an attacker.

However, with youth comes malleability, and his tactical and physical maturity will only grow with further experiences.

It might be a long shot to think that Everton could not only sign him up but deem him instantly ready for the first team, but if they are to pay £21m for a right-back, he may well start against Spurs on Saturday.