Everton manager Sean Dyche is hopeful the injury sustained by Seamus Coleman during Saturday’s friendly with Roma isn’t ‘too serious’. 

The Toffees overturned a first-half Lorenzo Pellegrini goal to draw 1-1 thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike in their last-ever pre-season friendly at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

“The first half was a little bit slow, as you’d expect. It can be like that at times in pre-season.  The second half, I thought, was good,” Dyche told evertontv of his side’s performance.

“A lot of the habits were on show. [It was] a soft goal from our standards, but other than that, I thought it was a decent performance and there were good signs from players who are new to the Club, as well.”

However, one negative was club captain Coleman limping out after just 32 minutes after sustaining a knock.

Coleman has spent 15 years at Goodison Park and has made over 400 appearances for Everton to date, long since establishing himself as an extremely popular and influential figure.

Losing his leadership on the eve of the 2024/25 Premier League season would be a blow to Everton, but Dyche is hopeful the 72-time Republic of Ireland international’s injury is nothing to worry about.

“Unfortunately, it looks like he’s nicked his calf,” said Dyche. “We’re not sure at the moment how serious that is, but I don’t think it’s too serious – the way he came off – but we’ll just have to hope for the best.”

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The Everton takeover scenario appears to have gone on for an age, but help could be at hand which might finally bring an end to the issues that have dogged the Toffees under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri.

Fined for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, the Merseyside outfit have also been languishing at the wrong end of the Premier League table for far too long.

In short, Everton are a club in desperate need of a decent cash injection and the right owner being at the helm.

Crystal Palace part-owner John Textor could be Everton’s saviour

That’s where Crystal Palace come in.

According to The Guardian (subscription required), businessman, John Textor, who currently owns 45 percent of the South London club, is interested in steering Everton into a new era.

With a brand new stadium to move into shortly, it could be an opportune time for Textor to invest, but in order to do so, he would need to sell his stake in Palace.

On the face of it, given that Palace are on the up, selling up would appear to be an odd decision from Textor, particularly if he’s to move to a club that are in dire financial straits.

However, the businessman clearly sees a way in which he can lead Everton back to their former glories, and ownership would also afford him a majority stake in the Goodison Park outfit.

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Given that, with respect, Everton have been historically considered as a bigger club than Palace too, it may well be that Textor’s potential investment will be the shrewdest piece of football business that he’s done to date.

With the 2023/24 Premier League season about to start, the sooner that any deal can be agreed, the better for all concerned.

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Everton striker Youssef Chermiti is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing ‘minor surgery’ on his foot, the club have confirmed.

Chermiti arrived at Goodison Park from Portuguese champions Sporting CP for £15m (per BBC Sport) last summer.

Still only 20 years old, Chermiti has had to be patient when waiting for opportunities with the Toffees, playing just 196 minutes of Premier League football last season and making 20 appearances across competitions.

Cherimti appeared to be making progress this summer, seeing plenty of minutes during pre-season and scoring twice in a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers in July.

However, the Portugal youth international was withdrawn at half-time in Everton’s 3-0 win over Preston North End on Saturday, with manager Sean Dyche confirming after the match it was due to injury.

“Youssef has one which will take a while. We’re a bit disappointed in that,” said Dyche (via evertonfc.com). “I thought he was going well in pre-season, and that’s not going to be a short one – not by the looks of things.”

Chermiti undergoes surgery

Everton have now confirmed that Chermiti has undergone surgery and despite no timescale being given on his return to action, it’s hard to see him returning soon.

“Everton can confirm Youssef Chermiti has undergone minor surgery on a foot injury,” Everton said in a club statement.

“The Blues striker sustained the problem during a training session at Finch Farm.

“The 20-year-old will now begin rehabilitation under the care of Everton’s medical team.”

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Sean Dyche was thrilled to see two Everton new boys get on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win over Preston North End on Saturday, alongside a host of key players returning from injury.

Second-half goals from summer signings Jake O’Brien and Jesper Lindstrom completed a comfortable friendly victory for the Toffees after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had opened the scoring from the penalty spot before half-time.

6ft 4″ centre-back O’Brien lashed home a powerful volley from the edge of the box after Preston failed to clear a delivery into the box.

61' Goal! Jake O'Brien makes an impact off the bench. A fine finish!

?? 0-2 ? https://t.co/2VsWpyRq02 pic.twitter.com/c3QQqp1YMA

— Everton (@Everton) August 3, 2024

Lindstrom’s effort was arguably even more impressive, curling a beautiful free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net from distance.

70' Goal! Another debutant on the scoresheet as Lindstrøm curls home a great free-kick!

?? 0-3 ? https://t.co/2VsWpyRq02 pic.twitter.com/A7qpKjRFnM

— Everton (@Everton) August 3, 2024

Both players were making their debuts after joining Everton from Lyon and Napoli, respectively, and Dyche was delighted to see them make a fast start to life in blue — while the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and academy graduate Harrison Armstrong also caught the eye.

“I’m really pleased for the new lads, of course. Jake and Jesper getting two different kinds of goals, but both good goals. Dom (Calvert-Lewin) was looking sharp. [There were] a lot of good habits on show today,” Dyche told evertonfc.com after Saturday’s match at Deepdale.

“You want centre-halves to score, but it’s not always that type of goal. It was a great strike.

“And Jesper, you want him to enjoy that and show signs of little bits of magic. In training, he’s looked like that, whipping them in.

“Tim (Iroegbunam) locked in another 90. He’s new to us, and young Harrison (Armstrong) getting another taste of what we’re about, so I’m pleased for him, as well.”

Preston win a step in the right direction for Everton

Saturday’s victory and the manner of the performance will come as a massive relief to Evertonians, who had watched their side fail to win any of their summer friendlies previously — 2-1 and 3-0 defeats to Salford and Coventry, respectively, following a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers.

Dyche himself admitted the ‘mixture’ was better, especially with the likes of James Tarkowski, Vitaly Mykolenko and Idrissa Gana Gueye returning to action.

“After Tuesday, going into this game, we expected to see a difference. We did see a difference, and of course, very important players [returning] who have shown they’re very important players over time. That mixture just felt better and looked better on the eye, as well,” said Dyche.

Everton have one more official friendly to come before they open the 2024/25 Premier League season, taking on Italian giants Roma in the last-ever friendly at Goodison Park on Saturday.

• How to buy tickets for Everton games at Goodison Park

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Everton boss Sean Dyche has denied the signing of Jake O’Brien means that Jarrad Branthwaite could be sold to Manchester United.

United have identified Branthwaite as a target and saw two offers rejected for the 22-year-old with Everton holding firm at their £70m valuation.

The Red Devils haven’t yet returned with a third offer and are still thought to be in the market for another centre back despite the signing of Leny Yoro.

United have identified Matthijs de Ligt as an alternative and have been in discussions with Bayern Munich over a potential move, which would see him reunite with Erik ten Hag.

Dyche insists O’Brien arrival doesn’t mean Branthwaite leaves

O’Brien, who has just arrived from French side Lyon for £17m has been touted by some as a replacement for Branthwaite, but Dyche remains adamant one of his star men isn’t going anywhere this summer.

“No way! You’re kidding me! I’m very surprised you’ve put two and two together at Everton Football Club,” he told Sky Sports when asked if O’Brien’s arrival had any impact on Branthwaite’s future.

“It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just to do with trying to model the club with the finances available, obviously we’re stretched at the moment with depth.

“We are trying to bring in players who can add layers to the club, younger players who can develop and protect the club both on and off the pitch with their performances and then in the future with the finances.

“It’s a tough juggling act and it’s tough to find the players who can do that, we think we have a few here.

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“We’ve made it clear to him [Branthwaite] that there’s nothing other than that. But, of course, put two and two together and everyone starts speculating. What do you do?”

Everton have already lost one key player in Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m and they will be desperate to keep hold of Branthwaite ahead of the new season.

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Everton boss Sean Dyche says he’s ‘disappointed’ that some of his players failed to ‘lay down a marker’ in the club’s 3-0 friendly defeat to Coventry City on Tuesday evening.

The Toffees have endured a miserable pre-season schedule so far, failing to win any of their three friendlies against Sligo Rovers, Salford City or Coventry, coming away with 3-3, 1-2 and 0-3 scorelines, respectively.

Of course, Everton remain without a host of key players, with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Vitaly Mykolenko, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Nathan Patterson yet to play any part this summer.

Meanwhile, new signings Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom, Tim Iroegbunam and Jake O’Brien are still being assimilated into the squad.

Even so, Dyche has been left disappointed that some of his squad players and youngsters haven’t left their mark.

“At the end of the day, beyond the result, which is important by the way, make no mistake, we are trying to get players through these games. We are trying to get minutes, we are trying not to break them because of the other injuries we have got,” Dyche told Everton’s official website following the loss to Coventry.

“The only thing I am really disappointed in is you want players to come in and really lay down a marker. You want them to say, ‘Gaffer I am ready, I am obviously game-ready the way I am playing and the way I am going about it’. I don’t think we had too much of that tonight.

“Forget about the result, you are still looking for that spark from players, and habits, and I thought the habits were miles off in the first half and most of the game, to be fair.

“Some of that is the fact we haven’t got into that side, the tactical side, but it’s difficult when we are missing seven players. Bedding them in, we have new players learning, it’s all them things.

“Like I said, there’s no excuse, I thought Mark’s team were excellent tonight and that’s what you come across in the Premier League, really, some real high-quality performances like that so I thought they were top of the game.”

Dyche offers fitness update ahead of Preston friendly

As mentioned, Everton are having to limp through the summer with so many players injured, recuperating after international commitments, or still working their way into the squad following their arrival.

Dyche admitted this has played a key factor in the Toffees’ lacklustre results and performances, but offered a ray of hope with ‘three or four’ players in line for a return for this weekend’s friendly trip to Preston North End.

“Obviously [the game] showed how many players we are missing, very important players,” the Everton manager said, adding: “From our point of view, like I say, we are missing too many very important players. We are hoping they are going to come back sooner rather than later.

“We are bedding players in and it is difficult when they are in this fitness period to just do any tactical shape and understanding. So we are trying to manage a lot and get it all right when we know deep down there are five, six, seven players who have been very important to us who will be important again.

“There’s three or four we think might be close for the weekend, but two or three we might have to protect beyond then.

“There is better news with Tarky, he might be around it at the weekend, we will see. Gana as well might be around it. Jordan is obviously not back yet.

“Jake, we will see on his fitness, he is another newcomer to us. There are a few more on top of that. Jesper is more of a common sense sort of thing; he’s just got here – a niggly thigh, nothing too heavy. Jarrad is making progress as well but isn’t quite there yet.”

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For the second summer in a row, Leeds United have been busy in the transfer market.

After being unable to get back up to the Premier League at the first opportunity – agonisingly losing the Play-Off final to Southampton – there was always going to be a financial element that would come into play.

Manager, Daniel Farke, and owners, 49ers Enterprises, are seemingly caught between a rock and a hard place given that the club need to have quality players within the squad in order to give them the best chance of promotion this season, whilst understanding that many of the club’s better players will want to leave.

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Willy Gnonto has often been touted as a player who will be one of those to move on, and it was believed that he would soon be making a switch to Everton.

Nothing is ever over till it’s over, but I’m not expecting it atm

— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) July 29, 2024

However, Sky Sports journalist, Alan Myers, has all but confirmed that the deal is now off.

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Sean Dyche has provided an update on the fitness of a number of key players after a threadbare Everton side lost 2-1 in a friendly to Salford City.

The Toffees took the lead shortly after half-time at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday through James Garner’s free-kick. However, they were pegged back by two goals in the final 20 minutes from the League Two side.

50' Garner whips in a free-kick to put the Toffees in front!

? 0-1 ? https://t.co/2VsWpyRq02 pic.twitter.com/fhj0tAn32J

— Everton (@Everton) July 27, 2024

As embarrassing as a 2-1 defeat to a fourth-tier team looks on paper for any Premier League club, it has to be noted that Everton were without a host of key players.

Despite being able to field a starting XI featuring the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison and Seamus Coleman, Dyche introduced a host of youngsters from the bench, disrupting the flow of the game in the second half.

Among the missing players were Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Vitaly Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson, while new signings Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye were also unavailable.

Dyche provides update on Branthwaite, Tarkowski and Co

In a lengthy post-match interview with evertontv, Dyche addressed the fitness of Everton’s absentees.

“We’re a way short of our main group, which we know, due to injuries and we still need support through the markets, which we’re looking to do,” said Dyche.

“Tarky’s coming through things at the moment, so that’s good. Gana, we had to be careful with, but he’s coming through things and Myko’s the same. Dele’s getting closer but has still a bit to go with his fitness.

“Ili is another knock, nothing too serious, so he should be back around it next week.

“Jarrad’s making steps forwards. He’s not ready yet. He won’t be back next week but should be after that.

“The main message is they are not serious injuries but at this stage of pre-season when they’ve done a lot of work we have to be careful, hence why we took the main group of players off here as they are getting fitter and stronger after a big week, which they have had.

“Jesper’s literally just got in the door. He is up and running, though, and he’s had a good spell of pre-season work. He feels pretty good so I think he’ll be up and running pretty quickly.”

Everton host Brighton on the opening day of the Premier League season but before then, they have further friendlies against Coventry City, Preston North End and AS Roma.

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Kevin Nolan believes a move to Everton could be the best option for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips.

The midfielder joined the Premier League champions from Leeds United in the summer of 2022 but injuries and competition for places have limited him to just 31 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Phillips — a 31-time England international — was loaned to West Ham United for the second half of the 2023/24 season but struggled to have the desired impact, playing just 10 games across all competitions and totalling only 320 minutes.

This summer, Phillips has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium and Everton are one of the teams understood to be most interested

Nolan was David Moyes’ assistant coach during Phillips’ spell with the Hammers and he believes a switch to Goodison Park might be just what the 28-year-old needs to get back on track.

Nolan backs Sean Dyche to get Phillips back on track

“Sean Dyche is someone who would give him the support that he needs,” Nolan told talkSPORT.

“He’s got a really good backroom team and how they use the fitness coaches so being around them will help him.

“He’ll also be at home, which was a major thing with him coming down to London.

“He’d just had a baby, but everybody forgets about all of those things when we’re moving here, there and everywhere and our wives and kids are going off to another place while we get them set or they’re looking at houses.

“To come and try and bed in when his missus has just had a baby and stuff like that, it was a difficult time for him – off the field, as well as on.

“I think he has (got a fire in his belly) and it’s not for anyone else, but it’s sort like ‘I’ll show you’ and it’s for himself more than anything.

“He’s definitely got the ability and I truly hope that he gets back to where he was a couple of years ago and I’ve got no doubt that when he does, England will come knocking again.”

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Sean Dyche believes new signing Jesper Lindstrom’s versatility and ‘hunger’ can help add another dimension to the Everton attack this season.

Everton completed the signing of the 16-time Denmark international on a season-long loan from Napoli on Friday, with Lindstrom joining Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam as the club’s summer arrivals so far.

Lindstrom can play in all three positions behind the main striker and despite struggling for Napoli last season following a big move from Germany — failing to register a single goal or assist in 29 appearances across all competitions — he’s already proven he has European pedigree with 14 goals and 14 assists in 80 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt between 2021 and 2023.

Getting familiar with Goodison. ?? pic.twitter.com/c5BC6cfJ7K

— Everton (@Everton) July 27, 2024

Dyche believes the 24-year-old can add some extra quality and desire to the Everton forward line in 2024/25.

“Jesper is a player with very good ability who can operate in a number of different attacking roles, which will benefit us heading into the new season,” Dyche told Everton’s official website.

“He joins us with a range of different experiences. He is hungry and eager to succeed with us, and that’s a strong starting point as we look to add more productivity to our attack.”

Director of football Kevin Thelwell added: “We’re delighted to have completed the loan signing of Jesper to further bolster our options at the top end of the pitch, having already brought in Iliman Ndiaye and the return of Jack Harrison.

“Jesper is a player we have been interested in for a long time. He has exciting attributes that we know Evertonians will appreciate and we look forward to working with him to help him produce his best football in an Everton shirt.”

Lindstrom ‘ready’ to show why he should stay at Everton

Everton hold a permanent option in their loan deal for Lindstrom, so it’s now up to him to prove he deserves to stick around.

The midfielder already has a wealth of experience in football, including playing 11 times in the Champions League and winning the 2022 Europa League with Frankfurt.

Lindstrom is hoping to call upon those past successes to drive him forward toward a long career on Merseyside.

“I feel like all of the experiences I’ve had so far have readied me for this moment,” Lindstrom said. “I’ve played in a few different leagues now, I’ve played international football and in the Champions League and Europa League. I feel like I’m ready. I feel like I can help the team and that is what I want to do. I want to show the fans that I’m here.

“This is a season for me to come back on track. I think this is a very good fit for me and I’m ready to show why I should stay here.”

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