Welcome to our Everton blog for Monday, March 13. It's the start of a new week and a good one for the Blues after Saturday's important 1-0 victory against Brentford.
The home win moved Sean Dyche's side out of the relegation zone, with as many as nine clubs battling to avoid the drop. The Blues face three tough fixtures in the Premier League now, proving that every home win counts.
On the transfer rumours front, Everton are reportedly interested in Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye, but Tom Davies may have to decide whether he wants to sign a new contract at Goodison or move onto pastures new.
Elsewhere, Duncan Ferguson may be a hero at Everton, but he is under growing pressure at Forest Green Rovers, where he is yet to win a match as manager in his first seven attempts. With the Cotswolds team rooted to the bottom of League One, can he turn things around?
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Report suggests new twist in Abdoulaye Doucoure contract saga
Earlier today, reports in Turkey suggested that Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure looked set to pass up the opportunity of a contract extension at Goodison Park in favour of a possible move to Besiktas.
But a counter report from closer to home is now suggesting quite the opposide.
According to Football Insider, sources have told the website that the 30-year-old Frenchman is now set to have his 12-month contract extension option activated by the Blues.
Doucoure will be out of contract in June, but a recent upturn of fortunes under Sean Dyche appears to convinced the former Watford star that his future remains on Merseyside.
Only a week ago, he had explained to Sky Sports how he had come close to leaving Everton in January, but was 'very happy' with the appointment of Dyche, following the sacking of Frank Lampard.
Doucoure has made 17 Premier League appearances for the Toffees this season, scoring once in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
I don't know how players cope with VAR after most recent Everton decision
Michael Ball tackles the big issues at Goodison Park after Everton's 1-0 win over Brentford.
It was a massive win for Everton against Brentford, although it would be nicer to be able to put ourselves in a more comfortable position for my own health though as that second half seemed to go on for a very long time and every time I looked at my watch it seemed to have stopped!
We all know that between now and the end of the season, our home games are going to be vital to trying to stay in the Premier League and while we’ve played one more game than most of the other teams in or around us and the result in the early match didn’t go for us but we’ve got to concentrate on our own performance and our battles and the lads did that. I thought that it might have been a bit nervy but Everton were at it from the off, asking questions and causing Brentford lots of problems.
It was obviously a fantastic start – a great strike, a great goal – but we didn’t sit back after that and kept trying to go for the jugular. The first half reminded me of the previous game at Nottingham Forest in that we were on top but credit to the players, they kept trying to get that second goal but just lacked that killer instinct with a number of chances for Amadou Onana and one from Alex Iwobi that was cleared off the line.
Read the first part of Michael Ball's weekly ECHO column in full, HERE.
Assessing Sean Dyche: What the form guide tells us about Everton's survival hopes
Everton climbed to the dizzying heights of 15th with a significant win over Brentford.
It was a third victory for Sean Dyche and meant the Blues’ points tally on his watch reached double figures. They are now just two points from 12th - though remain only one point above the bottom three in a relegation battle that has now dragged Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest fully into its orbit.
The nervous following of rival teams is set to continue for some time but different sides are on different trajectories. With that being the case, the ECHO looked at how results compare among the bottom nine since Dyche’s appointment in a bid to offer wider context to the improvement in results.
So, what do Dyche’s first seven games really tell us about where Everton are in the fight for Premier League survival?
Read our full assessment of the Everton manager's time in charge so far, HERE.
Michael Keane makes Harry Redknapp's Team of the Week
The faith shown in Michael Keane by Sean Dyche not only saw the Blues centre-back get another start in the 1-0 win against Brentford on Saturday, but his performance earned himself a place in Harry Redknapp's BetVictor Team of the Week.
Explaining his choice, Redknapp said: “I had a feeling that Michael Keane would be a big player for Sean Dyche. He’d been out the side, but Dyche knows him and when you’re in a relegation battle, you need players that you can trust.
“Everton look a much more organised side now and I thought the pairing of Keane and Tarkowski were terrific against Brentford.”
Keane has now started three Premier League matches under Dyche, with Conor Coady dropping back to the bench.
Doucoure 'offered to Besiktas'
Everton are reportedly not expected to trigger the one year extension in Abdoulaye Doucoure’s contract.
That’s according to Fotospor in Turkey, who are reporting that the midfielder’s agent has ‘offered’ him to Besiktas. The report goes on to claim that Doucoure could join the Black Eagles if their manager, Senol Gunes, ’approves’.
Doucoure’s current contract is up this summer but the club have an option to extend that by a further year. Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Seamus Coleman are three others who have their deals expiring at the end of the current season.
Merseyside Police make enquiries over image of Everton chairman Bill Kenwright being removed
Merseyside Police has confirmed it is making enquiries over the removal of a sign featuring an image of Bill Kenwright from Goodison Park.
The board was part of the club timeline that runs around the perimeter wall of the stadium. The panel featuring the image of Kenwright was on the Goodison Road stand of the ground, opposite the Winslow Street junction.
In a statement released by Merseyside Police the force said it is liaising with Everton over the matter.
Joe Thomas has the full story here.
Everton 'eye' Gonzalez
Everton are reportedly among a number of European clubs considering a move for Lecce central midfielder Joan Gonzalez.
That's according to Torro.it, who are reporting that the Blues are eyeing a move for the 21-year-old this summer. The report goes on to claim that Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are also interested in Gonzalez's signature.
So far this season, the midfielder has claimed three assists in 24 appearances in Serie A, but has been applauded for his tough tackling displays. Gonzalez is under contract at Lecce until 2027.
Lineker return to BBC confirmed
The BBC have released statements on behalf of Tim Davie and Gary Lineker confirming the former England international is to return to the broadcaster.
Lineker said: “I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”
Davie, Director-General of the BBC, said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.
“Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
“Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert – reporting to the BBC – on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.
Besiktas 'make Alli decision'
Dele Alli will reportedly be forced to watch the remainder of Besiktas' season from the stands after falling out of favour.
That is according to a report from Takvim, via Inside Futbol, who claim the Everton loanee has failed to grasp his opportunity with the Turkish giants.
The report further adds that Senol Gunes is reportedly 'unhappy' with the 37-time England international and that Besiktas will not take up the option they have to make the move permanent during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Branthwaite lifts lid on private Dyche talks
On-loan Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has confirmed he will return to the Blues before a decision is made on his future.
The 20-year-old reunited with former Goodison Park director of football, Marcel Brands, when he brought the centre-back to PSV Eindhoven on a temporary deal.
It was the 60-year-old who brought him as a 17-year-old to Merseyside when he swapped League Two for the Premier League. The Dutchman is a keen admirer of the England defender and it was reported that a January bid from the Eredivisie side was rejected by the Blues.
Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard on the eve of the January market slamming shut and the 20-year-old has revealed that the Everton boss made contact with him to check in on his temporary spell.
Stephen Killen has the full story here.
Everton 'eyeing' Ndiaye
Everton are reportedly one of a number of clubs interested in signing Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye.
That's according to the Sunday Mirror, via Goodison News, who are reporting that the Blues, West Ham United and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on the versatile forwards.
The Senegalese striker was the hero for the Saudi-owned club as they knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup at the start of the month.
The 23-year-old has scored 12 times so far this season and has been instrumental in his side's bid for promotion back to the Premier League. He is under contract at Bramall Lane until the end of next season.
Got the Monday Blues?
Good morning Everton.
A week starts so much better after a victory doesn't it?
Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest news and transfer rumours out of Finch Farm.
