Liverpool Echo

Everton boss didn't even celebrate moment that summed up £120,000-per-week star's frustrations

Today marks the 33rd birthday for former Everton player Bernard

He is the smallest Everton player of modern times but when Bernard enjoyed his biggest moment in a royal blue jersey, there were no fans inside Goodison Park to enjoy his dramatic winner. And, while those around him celebrated wildly with the match-winner, manager Carlo Ancelotti just calmly blew on his cup of tea.

That was Everton’s 5-4 extra-time victory over Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup fifth-round tie, on February 10, 2021. But as Bernard prepares to blow the candles out on his cake this year, he must hope that his 33rd birthday elicits more of a celebration than we got from the Italian that night, who like the attacking midfielder is now based in Brazil as national team coach.

As pointed out by this correspondent in my book Spirit of the Blues: Everton’s Most Memorable Matches and Goodison Park’s Greatest Games, in normal circumstances, the Grand Old Lady would have been shaking to the rafters when Bernard volleyed in the decisive ninth goal of the night.

However, supporters were kept out due to the global coronavirus pandemic and in some ways, the low-key backdrop to the ding-dong action on the pitch summed up the frustrations of Bernard’s time on Merseyside.

He arrived from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018, a transfer window that also saw compatriot Richarlison snapped up from Watford for an initial £35million, Kurt Zouma brought in on loan from Chelsea, and Everton launching a triple raid on Barcelona for Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes.

Although out-of-contract Bernard came on a Bosman-style free transfer, this enabled him to command substantial wages, understood to be in the region of £120,000-a-week.

Despite his silky skills, the diminutive samba star would often struggle to impose himself among the physicality of the English game.

Blues had to wait until March 30 the following year to see Bernard’s first goal for the club as he met a low Seamus Coleman cross to net from close range at the back post and seal a 2-0 win at West Ham United with what proved to be his only Premier League strike of his maiden campaign.

Cutting inside from the left wing and beating Ben Foster with a low, right-foot shot at his near post just 10 minutes into Everton’s first home game of the following season against manager Marco Silva’s previous club Watford to earn a 1-0 success, hinted at better times ahead.

However, despite some intricate footwork in a tight space to open the scoring in a 2-0 victory over West Ham United a couple of months later – a fixture Silva had admitted was a “must win” for him after four straight losses – the manager who shared a native Portuguese tongue with Bernard had been sacked after a 5-2 thrashing to Liverpool at Anfield on December 4 left the Blues in the relegation zone.

With replacement Ancelotti bringing in James Rodriguez, who he had previously worked with at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, as his main creative force the following season, Bernard mostly found himself on the bench and his winner against Spurs came after coming on as a substitute with 20 minutes remaining of normal time. Indeed, out of the 84 matches he would play in total for Everton in all competitions, scoring eight times, Bernard would only complete 90 minutes on 13 occasions.

Was the South American, who stands at just 164cm (approximately 5ft 4½in), a mere centimetre taller than the Premier League’s shortest player at the time, Bournemouth’s pocket-sized Aberdonian winger Ryan Fraser, just too tiny for English top flight football?

Adrian ‘Inchy’ Heath, who won a brace of League Championships and an FA Cup with Everton, plus Alan Ball, who is widely considered to be the Blues’ most-talented outfield player of the post-war era, were both 5ft 6in and there have been several ‘mighty atoms’ at the club who were even smaller than those two. In the Premier League era, 5ft 5in winger Aaron Lennon made 77 appearances for Everton and scored nine goals.

Goodison’s ‘Little General’ Bobby Collins arrived in September 1958, was just 5ft 4in and took just a dainty size 4 boot. But there was nothing delicate about the Glaswegian’s play and the ‘Pocket Napoleon’ was famed for his ferocious style against much larger opponents, playing 147 games and scoring 48 goals for the Blues.

Deceptively strong, inside left Alex Stevenson stood a mere 5ft 3in but was known as Goodison’s ‘Celtic Sorcerer’ either side of the Second World War, turning out 271 times for Everton, scoring 90 goals and winning the League Championship in 1939.

Mini marvel Alec Troup, a mere 5ft 5in, set up the most momentous goal in Goodison history, floating in the corner kick in 1928 that provided the prolific Dixie Dean with a record 60th league goal of the season.

It was just one of many occasions that the Scot, who played 260 times for Everton between 1923-1930 scoring 35 goals, produced the ammunition for Dean who said: “Out of those 60 goals I scored, I must have scored 40 from centres by Troup.”

‘Goal a game’ Fred Geary was Everton’s first big star at centre-forward in the pioneering Victorian era but unlike later Blues icons in the position, he was hardly a target man given his pint-sized 5ft 2in frame. Quite probably the smallest ever player to turn out in the club’s first team, Geary, who was snapped up from home town club Notts Rangers, netted 86 times for Everton in 98 outings, including 20 in their first title-winning season of 1890/91 before crossing Stanley Park to help Liverpool win the Second Division Championship in 1896, later returning to Goodison as a groundsman.

If Geary was an oddity as a vertically-challenged Everton centre-forward, Johnny Holt, who played centre-half for a decade between 1888-1898, was nicknamed ‘The Little Devil.’

Club stalwart Will Cuff remarked that Holt, who played 252 games for Everton and won a League Championship in 1891, was actually considerably smaller than his official ‘listed’ height of just 5ft 4in.

After post-Everton spells with United Arab Emirates club Sharjah and Greek side Panathinaikos, Bernard is now back in his home city of Belo Horizonte – where he won the last of his 14 caps for Brazil in the infamous 7-1 mauling to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final – for a second spell with Atletico Mineiro, his first top-flight club. Shortly after signing for the Blues in 2018, he outlined the challenges he had faced to succeed in light of his small stature.

Bernard said: “I was released on two occasions at Atletico Miniero. Obviously this caused me some concern but I did get another opportunity and once I started playing, I improved.

“I just had to show my qualities every day in training and in all games, because I knew this would be a problem I would face on a daily basis.

“I have always faced prejudice for my height and physique but it’s never been something that has worried me. I’ve always followed my dad’s advice to overcome the problems of height and physical-related issues I might come across.

“I can use my qualities to compensate for any of these physical issues so it’s not a worry for me. On the pitch, if you are quick with your feet and your mind, these small margins can make a small difference.”

One thing that isn’t short with Bernard though is the list of other former Everton players he shares a birthday with. Also born on September 8 were Gylfi Sigurdsson (1989), who teed him up for that winner against Spurs; Gary Speed (1969); Ray Atteveld (1966); Jackie Grant (1924) and George Wilson (1883).

Everton owners The Friedkin Group must learn from Daniel Levy's exit as executive chairman at Tottenham Hotspur if they are to make the most of the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium

Evertonians will have watched with interest as executive chairman Daniel Levy’s near 25 year-reign at Tottenham Hotspur came to an abrupt halt a mere 107 days after the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.

Success-starved Blues supporters, whose wait for major silverware now extends for a record-breaking three decades would have loved to have experienced a night like Spurs’ UEFA Europa League final victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21.

Despite the on-field spectacle in the Basque country being suitably lacklustre given what was at stake, with a dog of a game reflecting the fact this was a contest between a couple of expensively assembled but chronically underachieving sides who would finish 15th and 17th respectively in the Premier League, it was a glorious and historic occasions for fans of the north London club and the 1-0 win courtesy of Brennan Johnson’s 42nd minute close range strike also gave them a backdoor entry into this season’s Champions League.

The success didn’t save Ange Postecoglou’s job though but with regular fan protests about his leadership, Levy, who subsequently appointed Brentford’s Thomas Frank as his 14th permanent manager, has now followed the Greek-born Aussie out of the exit door.

Here on Merseyside, there has often been a prevailing feeling that Spurs enjoy a much grander popular perception among the national media because of their geographical status within the capital.

Their brace of League Championships doesn’t even match Huddersfield Town’s total of three, is half the number won by Newcastle United and Sheffield Wednesday, a third of Sunderland’s six and is dwarfed by Everton’s nine, never mind Liverpool’s 20 that now matches Manchester United’s figure.

Yet because of their influential status, Spurs have provided 79 players for the England national team, the highest figure of any individual club.

If you’d had asked this correspondent around the millennium when Levy first came in, whether Everton were a bigger club than Spurs then I wouldn’t have had to think about it – of course – but now, despite all the criticism he faced among his own team’s supporters, I’m not so sure. The 63-year-old leaves a complex legacy that also serves as a warning to The Friedkin Group and indeed, all owners.

A contentious figure, he was often accused of putting finance ahead of football and one famous protest banner claimed: “Our game is about glory, Levy’s game is about greed.”

For better or for worse, the businessman who graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Economics and Land Economy at Cambridge University before heading investment trust ENIC International Ltd, turning it into a sports, entertainment and media company, earned a reputation as being one of the toughest negotiators in the game.

That’s something that the late Everton chairman Bill Kenwright – who would have turned 80 yesterday – found to his cost when the pair of them negotiated Richarlison’s transfer between the clubs across the dining table in the elegant surroundings of Scott’s in Mayfair in the summer of 2022.

The plush seafood restaurant sells caviar and boasts an elegant oyster and champagne bar, but Kenwright still left with a bad taste in his mouth as he felt that Levy had the Blues over a barrel as need to sell to satisfy PSR issues and ended up accepting an offer for the Brazilian for some £20million less than their valuation of the player.

To add insult to injury, Everton ultimately were still deemed to have breached that financial year and a subsequent brace of points deductions loomed for that and the following 12 months. Like the Blues though, Levy did deliver on the ground issue with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being built on the site of the old White Hart Lane with the team having to temporarily relocate to Wembley during the construction process.

At the time of its opening in 2019, the impressive arena, which with 62,850 seats, can accommodate 26,566 more than its predecessor at the time of demolition (for context, Everton have increased by 13,355 going from 39,414 at Goodison Park to 52,769 at Hill Dickinson Stadium) instantly became the best stadium this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Tellingly though, despite lucrative events such as NFL games being played there, for all Levy’s skills when it came to striking a deal, over six years on, there has still been no naming rights agreement.

While Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is in many ways football’s equivalent of a five-star hotel, architect Dan Meis always insisted that Everton’s new home would be a “simple building” that was “very functional,” as it has been built for performance rather than luxury and is “a Ferrari, not a Bentley.”

Also, rather than being tucked away on Tottenham High Road, the Blues now find themselves in an iconic location on the banks of the Mersey and part of Liverpool’s stunning maritime skyline.

But as Levy has learned to his cost, the most important aspect of any football club is delivering on the pitch, and it seems as though one night at the San Mames Stadium has failed to paper over the cracks in that respect.

Liverpool will look to resist any late attempts to lure Harvey Elliott away from Anfield before the September 1 transfer deadline

Liverpool will look to resist a late attempt to take Harvey Elliott before Monday's transfer deadline. Arne Slot is determined to retain the England Under-21 hero for the season ahead.

West Ham United were understood to have shown an interest earlier this summer and the Premier League champions have been in talks with RB Leipzig over a potential deal that is connected to Xavi Simons' future.

Dutch winger Simons is now on the cusp of a £51m move from Leipzig to Tottenham Hotspur. That is expected to lead to increased interest from the Bundesliga side as they try to recruit a replacement for the 22-year-old.

However, the ECHO understands Liverpool are planning for the campaign ahead with Elliott as part of their ranks and will only consider a sale that would represent an incredible profit on a player who joined for a minimal fee of around £4m from Fulham in 2019, via a tribunal hearing.

With players like Tyler Dibling (to Everton), Jacob Ramsey (to Newcastle United), Matheus Fernandes (to West Ham United) and Omari Hutchinson (to Nottingham Forest) all moving for figures of between £38m and £42m in recent days, Liverpool feel the true valuation for 22-year-old Elliott, who was integral to an England side who won the European Under-21 Championship in June, far exceeds the current market rate.

Liverpool's stance is perhaps backed up by Newcastle United's impending £65m deal for Nick Woltemade, the Germany Under-21 international who played against Elliott and his England colleagues in the Euros final back on June 30.

Stuttgart striker Woltemade finished as runner-up to Elliott as the Player of the Tournament in Bratislava and Reds head coach Slot wants to keep the versatile midfielder around beyond Monday night's September 1 deadline.

Speaking during the Hong Kong leg of the club's pre-season tour of Asia in July, Elliott said of his future: “If I had it my way I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that.

“I love everything about the club, but at the same time I kind of need to be selfish and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to get in the World Cup squad.

“I want to keep being successful as a player. It's something I still need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation.

"We have many new players who have come in so whether it blocks the path for me I'm not sure. It's something I need to have a look at and decide.”

Former Everton forward Richarlison could leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer

Former Everton forward Richarlison could be set for a shock exit from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, as the Europa League winners are reportedly considering offering the Brazilian as part of a deal to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons in North London after joining Spurs from Everton in a deal worth £60m in June 2022.

The Brazilian, though, has been a bit-part player at Spurs under managers Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou. Richarlison, who has also been linked with a return to the Blues this summer, could leave Tottenham in a shock Premier League transfer. The Daily Mail reports that the former Everton frontman could be used as a makeweight in a deal to sign Eze from Crystal Palace this summer.

Frank's side reportedly opened negotiations with the Selhurst Park outfit over a deal for the England international last week.

Frank's side reportedly opened negotiations with the Selhurst Park outfit over a deal for the England international last week.

It has been claimed that Eze, who also has interest from Arsenal, told Palace officials of his desire to join the Europa League winners.

Eze, 27, played in Palace's Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday, and after the fixture Glasner admitted he expects the midfielder to feature in Thursday's Europa League Conference qualifier against Fredrikstad.

"There are a lot of rumours about Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, but they were 100% with this group... and they have proved that in a big way," said Glasner.

On Eze, he added: "He will come tomorrow to the Crystal Palace training ground, Tuesday off, we take Wednesday and I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad."

A pre-season injury might open one avenue for Harvey Elliott to complete a transfer away from Liverpool

On the eve of the new Premier League campaign, Liverpool's rivals Tottenham Hotspur have been struck by a potentially severe injury blow for James Maddison. This comes not long after fellow attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott was linked with making the switch to North London.

Spurs, facing Newcastle United in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, witnessed their No.10 stretchered off in clear distress. Maddison did not appear to have made contact with an opponent before hopping on one foot and falling to the ground in clear pain, requiring medical treatment.

Awaiting the prognosis, it could end up a problem for manager Thomas Frank who will have ambition to challenge the reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in 2025/26.

If they are required to do so, Spurs will have little under one month to sign a replacement using the open transfer market. Coincidentally, GIVEMESPORT recently suggested the London club were one of several with eyes on Elliott after a failed attempt to sign Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White.

The 22-year-old claimed a Premier League winner's medal at the end of last season but with a reduced contribution under Arne Slot than he had been allowed under previous boss Jurgen Klopp. His campaign ended with 28 appearances but totalled just 822 minutes played.

This resulted in a reduced return of five goals and three assists in all competitions.

Across the summer his fortunes changed for the better playing for England at the Under-21 European Championships, which Lee Carsley's team won with the Liverpool talent named player of the tournament.

Meanwhile back on Merseyside, the Reds were busy beginning their summer haul of seven new signings so far. Amongst them was another player to provide competition for his position, Florian Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record £116m fee.

Elliott has been public about his personal scenario and the decision he must make to stay and fight for a place at Anfield or leave for a fresh challenge.

Speaking to The Anfield Wrap last week, he admitted: "If I had it my way I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that.

"I love everything about the club, but at the same time I kind of need to be selfish and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to get in the World Cup squad.

"I want to keep being successful as a player. It's something I still need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation.

"We have many new players who have come in so whether it blocks the path for me I'm not sure. It's something I need to have a look at and decide."

Fabian Otte has joined one of Liverpool's Premier League rivals after his departure from the champions was confirmed earlier this month

One of the two goalkeeper coaches who recently left Liverpool has joined one of their Premier League rivals. It was announced earlier this month that Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel had departed the champions.

Otte spent just one season on Merseyside after taking over as head of first team goalkeeper coaching last summer following the departures of John Achterberg and Jack Robinson.

World Cup winner Taffarel, meanwhile, called time on his three-and-a-half-year stay at Liverpool after joining then manager Jurgen Klopp’s backroom team in November 2021 to work alongside the club's shot-stoppers, including first-choice Alisson Becker, who he had worked with for the Brazilian national team.

Taffarel's next step is unclear but it has now been announced that Otte has become Tottenham Hotspur's new first team goalkeeper coach.

Otte is one of a number of appointments at Spurs after Thomas Frank was named as their new head coach.

Further to the previously-announced arrivals of Justin Cochrane (first team assistant coach), Chris Haslam (head of performance & first team assistant coach), Andreas Georgson (first team assistant coach) and Joe Newton (first team coach analyst), Tottenham have confirmed that Matt Wells will remain on their coaching staff as first team assistant coach as well as welcoming Otte and Cameron Campbell as first team development coach.

Liverpool, who returned to pre-season today (July 8) following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, have replaced Otte and Taffarel with the return of Xavi Valero.

The 52-year-old is back at Anfield after previously serving under Rafa Benitez, who he then followed to Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid before spending the past seven years at West Ham United, where he won the Europa Conference League under now Everton bossDavid Moyes.

Liverpool also have a new assistant coach. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been appointed to the role following the departure of John Heitinga to take over as Ajax head coach.

Van Bronckhorst was previously a manager. Starting out at Feyenoord in 2015, he led the club to the Eredivisie title in 2016/17 and also won two KNVB Cups and two Johan Cruyff Shields.

After a stint in China with Guangzhou R&F, the 50-year-old took over at Rangers in 2021 and won the Scottish Cup and led them to the Europa League final in his first season in charge.

Taking over as Besiktas manager last summer, he won the Turkish Super Cup with the club before departing in November.

Salah to miss Spurs and Arsenal...

Mohamed Salah could miss as many as six Premier League matches - including the trips to both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal!

He'll be on Africa Cup of Nations duty in December and January, and it clashes with some big matches!

Rivals watch

Never mind Liverpool's start to the season, I don't envy Arsenal's!

AUGUST

Sun 17 Manchester United (A)

Sat 23 Leeds United (H)

Sat 30 Liverpool (A)

SEPTEMBER

Sat 13 Nottingham Forest (H)

Sat 20 Manchester City (H)

Sat 27 Newcastle United (A)

That is a horrid opening six matches!

League Cup dates confirmed

The dates for the 2025/25 League Cup have also already been confirmed. Due to Liverpool's Champions League commitments, they will enter the competition at the third round stage - but you should already know that by now!

Preliminary Round: w/c 4 August 2025

Round One: w/c 11 August 2025

Round Two: w/c 25 August 2025

Round Three: w/c 15 September and w/c 22 September 2025*

Round Four: w/c 27 October 2025

Round Five: w/c 15 December 2025

Semi-Final First Leg: w/c 12 January 2026

Semi-Final Second Leg: w/c 2 February 2026

Final: Sunday 22 March 2026

*Round Three will take place on the same basis as 2024/25, with split weeks for those Clubs participating in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

FA Cup dates confirmed

Away from the Premier League, the dates for the FA Cup have already been confirmed. Liverpool, of course, will enter the competition at the third round stage.

Extra Preliminary Round: Saturday 2 August 2025

Preliminary Round: Saturday 16 August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday 30 August 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 13 September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday 27 September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying: Saturday 11 October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 1 November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 6 December 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 10 January 2026

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14 February 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7 March 2026

Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 25 April 2026

The Final: Saturday 16 May 2026

What games will Salah miss?

Mohamed Salah will depart on Africa Cup of Nations duty this winter and is set to miss a number of Liverpool games as a result.

With the continental competition taking place in December and January, he's likely to be absent for the entire festive period.

But which - and how many - games will that entail? Not long to find out...

How are Premier League fixtures decided?

The Premier League website explains: “We start when we know the composition of each division, so after the last Football League playoff. We place each club in a pairing grid, which defines the dates they will be at home.

“For every date in the season, the fixture computer knows which clubs are at home and who are away and then it will mix them up randomly to determine the matches.

"In any five matches there should be a split of three home fixtures, two away or the other way around. A team will never have more than two home or away matches in a row, and, wherever possible, you will be home and away around FA Cup ties.

“A club will never start or finish the season with two home or two away matches because it would be unfair for a team to finish with two aways, Around the Christmas period, if you are at home on Boxing Day you will be away on New Year's Day or an equivalent date.

"We also try to maintain a Saturday home-away sequence throughout the season wherever possible. Most clubs will have a partner club with whom they cannot clash, such as Manchester United and Manchester City, or Liverpool and Everton. In London it gets a bit more complex and less obvious.”

Good morning!

Hello, good morning and welcome to our special liveblog for today's Premier League fixtures release. We'll have updates throughout the morning and you'll receive the fixtures live when they drop.

Our writers will then provide the best analysis and bring you all the key dates and more. Don't go away.

Jarrad Branthwaite is the subject of interest from several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur

Everton remain intent on keeping hold of Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. The talented centre-back continues to attract interest with Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs considering a move.

But David Moyes wants to build his team around Branthwaite and the defensive axis he forms with Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski. New owners The Friedkin Group are keen to back that plan.

Everton are braced for a second summer of interest in Branthwaite, who produced another solid season after recovering from an injury that caused him to miss the opening weeks of the campaign.

The Blues rejected two bids from Manchester United last summer, though neither offer came close to their valuation of him after a stunning breakthrough season in the Premier League.

This summer, Spurs appear most interested in testing the water for Branthwaite even amid the uncertainty caused by the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou.

Europa League success has meant Tottenham can offer Champions League football while the future of current centre-back Cristian Romero is uncertain.

Branthwaite is understood to be content at Everton and grateful for the opportunities he has had on Merseyside.

Champions League football could prove a temptation in the wake of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s apparent desire for players to be competing in Europe if they are to make his World Cup squad, however.

The Blues hold the cards on any deal after the player signed a new contract 18 months ago, one that is set to keep him at the club until 2027.

Should Everton fend off interest once again, there would be an expectation that fresh terms would be on the agenda given his rise in importance since then.

Moyes wants to build his Everton squad around Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford but Everton's resolve could be tested as clubs including Tottenham Hotspur weigh up a move for the 22-year-old

Everton are braced for another summer of interest in Jarrad Branthwaite. The centre-back remains on the radar of several Premier League clubs.

The Blues rebuffed two bids for the 22-year-old from Manchester United last summer. Neither offer, with the second for a package worth around £50m, came close to meeting the club’s valuation of a player who had enjoyed a stunning breakthrough year.

The potential for the Old Trafford club to return 12 months on has diminished after their failure to qualify for Champions League football but interest from Tottenham Hotspur, whose Europa League final success over Man Utd secured a place in Europe’s premier competition, is understood to be serious. Chelsea are also believed to be considering a move for Branthwaite, though it is Spurs whose interest is felt to be stronger at this early stage of the transfer window.

David Moyes is eager to keep hold of the England international, who became a key pillar of one of the top flight’s most stringent defences after missing the opening weeks of last season through injury.

The Blues boss has set his sights on building the squad that will take Everton into their stunning new stadium around a defensive axis of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the centre back pairing of Branthwaite and James Tarkowski. That plan has already been dealt one setback, with 32-year-old Tarkowski requiring surgery on a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the final month of the season. The operation is understood to have gone well but there is concern the recovery period could eat into pre-season preparations.

Branthwaite is under contract at Everton until the end of June 2027, having signed a new deal following his emergence into the first team in the opening months of the 2023/24 campaign. Everton, who signed him from Carlisle United in 2020, are in a strong position to rebuff speculative interest as a result.

The player, meanwhile, is understood to be content on Merseyside and appreciative of the opportunities Everton have provided him - and can continue to offer him with the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

An offer of Champions League football could hold an appeal, but only if Everton are offered a deal the club deemed to be serious - something Man Utd failed to do last season.

Ahead of the World Cup in 12 months' time, England manager Thomas Tuchel is yet to select him since he took over the senior national squad and, of those chosen ahead of him so far, Levi Colwill and Dan Burn will be competing in the Champions League next season with Chelsea and Newcastle United respectively. Marc Guehi will also be playing in Europe after Crystal Palace won the FA Cup.

Should a high-profile offer be turned down there would be an expectation of contract talks reflecting the club’s value of him, given that his current deal was built around his status as a rising star within the Everton squad.

Given Branthwaite was bought for just £1m, any sale would be significant from the perspective of Everton’s position in relation to the league’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).

The hangover of previous difficult years will still play a role in the club’s PSR figures ahead of the June 30 deadline but, from the beginning of the new football financial year on July 1, Everton should have the freedom to be more ambitious in the transfer market.

The club’s financial outlook has been strengthened since last summer due to the stability provided by The Friedkin Group since their takeover was completed in December.

A look ahead to Everton Women's final game of the WSL season

Still buzzing after they completed a dream Merseyside derby double, Everton Women will look to end their season on a high this weekend. The Blues welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Walton Hall Park on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off) for the final game of the Women's Super League campaign.

A Katja Snoeijs strike and a Gemma Bonner own goal ensured Brian Sorensen's side ran out 2-0 winners over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. That followed their 1-0 success over their city rivals at Goodison Park in November.

And the victory means Everton could even finish and above Liverpool in sixth in the final WSL standings by beating 10th-placed Tottenham.

Sorensen said: "We will try to end as good as we can. Everyone is in a good mood, there is a good vibe after the Liverpool game.

"But we are fully focused to end on a high. If results go our way, we could end up in sixth place.

“We want to end on a high because everything happening at the club right now is positive. It has been since the new owners took over.

"That is our aim: end as high as possible and end on a good note. It has been a good season overall despite all the challenges."

Tickets for the game can be purchased here.

While Sorensen was delighted with another win over the Reds, he admitted the performance could have been better.

Speaking after the match, he said: "We enjoy coming here (but) I didn’t think we played our best game at all.

"Probably one of the worst in terms of on-the-ball performance, but defensively we were solid.

"Took the goals in the right moments; well-worked goals actually so pleased with that. It’s just good to control a game out.

"They had maybe a couple (of chances) but I felt Courtney (Brosnan, goalkeeper) has those nine out of 10 times. So well done by the whole team.

"We’re quite good (defensively), we have a good defensive record - fifth or something in the league. So we know we can always rely on that if our game doesn’t flow.

"I don’t know why it was like that today. It was there to play through them and I think we saw that with the chances we did it.

"We want to be better on that side but it’s been a long season and people are tired. We still have a lot of good players who are not in the squad."