Hello and welcome to the Liverpool ECHO's Wednesday live blog for all your very latest Everton news, rumours and transfer gossip.
The ECHO will provide breaking stories, reaction and comment to all the big talking points from Goodison Park as well as keeping tabs on transfer market gossip from around the world.
Sean Dyche believes his Everton side are reaping the rewards for their hard work on the training ground - but acknowledges there is still work to be done. While Nathan Patterson has been selected for Scotland's upcoming internationals against Cyprus and Spain.
On the transfer front, Borussia Dortmund have reportedly been scouting AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham as links with Everton and Manchester United continue. While Chelsea could reportedly reignite their interest in Amadou Onana if the Blues are relegated from the Premier League.
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Boost for Everton
Southampton and Crystal Palace were both beaten in the Premier League tonight, handing Everton a boost as they look to beat the drop.
The Saints remain at the foot of the table while Palace are jusy two points above the Blues after a shocking run of form since the turn of the year.
Dele Alli's next step
Dele Alli is in somewhat of a crossroads in his career, he was once one of the most promising midfielders in Europe, but his form has fallen off a cliff.
The England international is currently on loan at Besiktas from Everton but has endured a torrid time in Turkey.
His former MK Dons boss Karl Robinson spoke of Alli's 'excitement' for his next chapter: “If he was back over here, he would smile again, he just loves playing football,” Robinson told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“I think the punditry here has had a massive impact on him. He got sent off once for punching a West Brom player during a game, and everyone was saying he was doing silly things, and people tried to control him and round him off.
“When he was on little money at MK and Tottenham and overachieving, compared to when he was earning what his talent deserved, there became a different level of expectation, and people judged him in a completely different way even though it’s the exact same person playing the exact same way."
'License to thrill'
Sean Dyche has been speaking about Demarai Gray and giving the forward a 'license' to play his game.
“Demarai is not an out-and-out centre-forward so we’ve got to give him a little bit of licence to play just as himself," said Dyche. "Really there’s that open look at him because at the minute he’s learning fast because although he has played there, he hasn’t played there regularly so we’ve got to expect that some of his game adapts quickly and it’s something that he has to learn.
“He kept working. He showed patches where he carries it well and into the right areas and he worked hard for the team and it’s not always easy when you’re playing a strong outfit and defensively strong outfit like Brentford.”
Kevin Campbell on Alex Iwobi
Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell has spoken about Alex Iwobi in his column for Goodison News after the ex-Arsenal man has seen his position change since the arrival of Sean Dyche.
“No I don’t. You play where the manager wants you to play, and it’s not been detrimental to Everton. I think at home they’ve been very decent. They played well against Arsenal and they did the business against Leeds, which was a massive game, a big pressure game and they won it.
"It is what it is at the end of the day. Different managers want different things from players. Alex Iwobi is versatile enough that he can play multiple positions. Lucky for him, he’s done pretty well under Sean Dyche.”
Rikke Sevecke lifts lid on emotional Anfield win
Everton Women's Rikke Sevecke has spoken about the win against Liverpool Women in the Merseyside derby at Anfield at the end of September.
"It’s never easy in a derby game because there’s so much tension and people want to fight for everything to win," Sevecke told the ECHO. "That’s so exciting for the fans to see because a derby is such a big game and one we want to win no matter what.
"Of course it is also about tactical things but also in these types of games it’s about fighting for absolutely everything and giving 100%, which is what we're going to do."
Is someone cutting onions?
A truly wonderful video from Jordan Pickford and Everton as they make eight-year-old Harry's dreams come true after inviting him to visit Finch Farm to meet his heroes.
Tough matches coming up
Everton are next in action on Saturday in the 5.30pm kick off game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are currently in 15th in the Premier League, but sit just one point above Bournemouth in 18th.
Everton then face another tricky test after their game with Graham Potter's side Tottenham on Monday, April 3 before Man United welcome the Blues to Old Trafford on Saturday, April 8.
Everton tracking free agent
Everton are amongst the clubs tracking Union Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira when he becomes a free agent in the summer.
The midfielder has put a number of clubs on alert and Sean Dyche is keeping a keen eye on the German's situation, according to SportBILD.
The 29-year-old has had a great season with the German side who are flying high in the Bundesliga this season, but looks set to depart in the summer.
Ex-Everton youngster makes Duncan Ferguson prediction ahead of 'hero' reunion
Former Everton youngster Steven Schumacher believes coming up against Duncan Ferguson will be "fun" as his Plymouth Argyle side takes on Forest Green Rovers.
"I was involved in the first-team when Duncan Ferguson was there," he told the ECHO. "Growing up, he was my hero. I think it’s really good what Duncan has done to come down to League One and get his first taste of management, try to learn the ins and outs of what’s required, I’m sure he’ll do well.
"Can’t wait, it should be fun. Their team are having a bit of a tough time at the moment but I’m sure he’s really enjoying it, I’m sure he’s learning a lot about this job because it’s his first time being a full-time manager.
"It should be good, looking forward to seeing him, I always got on well with him. So did my assistant, Mark Hughes, I look forward to having a beer with him after the game, see how he’s getting on.
"I haven’t spoken to him since he’s gone in," Schumacher admitted. "I would’ve liked to, I’d like to get hold of his details, give him a text. I’ll see him so there will definitely be a couple of beers waiting in the fridge ready for when he wants to come in after the game and have a beer with us.
"We’ll have a good chat, and reminisce, I used to coach his son as well so it’ll be interesting to see how Cameron is getting on."
Everton 'interested' in signing Sheraldo Becker
Everton are continuing to be linked with a move for Union Berlin forward Sheraldo Becker.
According to Sport Bild, via Sport Witness, the Blues remain interested in signing Becker at the end of the season.
Becker was first linked with signing for Everton during the January transfer window, but the player ended up remaining in the German capital.
Now the latest report says Becker is “on the list” of Everton’s potential targets, with Nottingham Forest also credited with an interest in the player.
Everton linked with Boulaye Dia
Everton are being linked with a move for Villarreal striker Boulaye Dia.
Dia is currently on loan at Italian club Salernitana, who have the option of making the move permanent this summer for 12m euros.
According to Salernitana News, one option for Dia is that he could sign for Salernitana permanently, and then be sold to Everton so they can make a profit.
Andy Burnham says new Everton stadium will be the most iconic ground in England
Andy Burnham has proclaimed he’s certain that Everton’s new stadium will be the most iconic ground in English football.
Speaking after officially opening Everton in the Community’s The People’s Place, the first-purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub attached to a Premier League football club, he told the ECHO:
“It’s hard on every level going the game right now. Without getting into all the details, my dad is getting on a little now and at times when you look around Goodison you realise we’re in the final stages of this.
“In some ways it’s life isn’t it? Things come to an end and renewal is necessary.
“Goodison is, if we’re honest, at the end of its life in terms of being a football facility. I remember the pride we had growing up as Evertonian kids over Everton being the first this and the first that and Goodison is part of us and part of who we’ve been.
“Sometimes you have to accept that an era ends and another one starts but it does make it hard when you’re going to the match, every time you go you’re getting closer to that wrench of leaving.
“I think we all accept now we’ve got to leave for the club to move forward in the future but it wouldn’t be right if Everton didn’t leave in the right way. The People’s Place, alongside the other facilities here on the campus, is doing things in the right way.”
Amadou Onana 'could still leave Everton for Chelsea'
Chelsea could still make a move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, it has been claimed.
The Blues midfielder was tentatively linked with an exit during the January transfer window, despite him only signing from Lille last summer.
And journalist Simon Phillips says that while a move for Onana may not be Chelsea’s priority, the Everton midfielder could still be of interest to the London club.
"I've not heard of any follow-ups to Chelsea's interest in Onana at the moment, but as you say, he was looked at as an option in January,” Phillips told Give Me Sport.
"This is something that could develop more, especially if Everton end up getting relegated and Chelsea sense a bargain deal to be done.
"It felt to me in January that he was more of a player they turned to as maybe a plan D. I don't expect him to be high up on the list but he's certainly a player that Chelsea have considered."
Seamus Coleman and Conor Coady go from 'villains to heroes' after Everton heavily fined
The reports of the independent commission that rules on FA disciplinary matters into Everton's games with Liverpool and Leeds make for interesting reading.
Joe Thomas takes a closer look here.
Rodrigo Becao transfer latest
Competition looks set to be mounting for Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao as Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined Everton in the race for his signature.
The Blues failed to capture the 27-year-old in the summer, it has been claimed, but they are said to be still in the mix to sign him.
However, reports in Italy are suggesting that as the season enters the business end, interest is ramping up for the Brazilian centre-back. He has 18 months remaining on his deal with the Italian outfit, prompting interested suitors who lie in wait for developments on his future.
Everton 'leading race' to sign Rodrigo Becao
Everton are still being linked with a move for Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao.
According to Italian news outlet Mondo Udinese, the Blues - along with Tottenham Hotspur - are the clubs leading the race to sign the defender.
However, it has also been reported that Inter Milan have now entered the race to sign Becao this summer.
Sean Dyche details what James Garner can offer Everton
James Garner is on the brink of making his first Everton appearance under Sean Dyche.
The midfielder was part of the matchday squad for the games with Nottingham Forest and Brentford but was an unused substitute on both occasions. His involvement, however, marked his return to the first team picture after a serious back issue left him out of action for almost three months.
Dyche is a fan of Garner, who he watched consistently during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season. Following his exit from Burnley, Dyche, who lives nearby, regularly visited the City Ground to see Forest’s rise out of the Championship.
Garner’s talent was prized highly behind the scenes at Finch Farm under Frank Lampard, who signed him from Manchester United in the summer. His deadline day arrival meant he missed the opening five games of the Premier League season and his search for match fitness as a result, followed by the injury he suffered after starting the Carabao Cup tie at Bournemouth, has stunted his development at Everton.
After concluding his recovery by earning minutes with Everton’s Under-21s - watched by Dyche - the 22-year-old now looks set to play a role in his club’s survival fight.
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Dyche makes Everton 'effort' claim
Sean Dyche believes his Everton side are reaping the rewards for their hard work on the training ground - but acknowledges there is still work to be done.
Speaking to evertontv after his side’s win over Brentford, Dyche admits he was pleased with the improvements Everton's players have made during his tenure so far.
He said: “On the defensive side, it’s another clean sheet, and we’re doing the hard yards. There’s no lack of effort there.
“We just lost our way a little bit, but I’ll certainly take the three points, and take the positives from it.”
Before adding: "I said to the players that we have to continue to take responsibility. That involves taking chances as well.
“I want the freedom for them to take them, but when they’re there, you’ve got to take them.
“The mentality was good, and it was strong. It’s just another step, that’s all it is. It’s an enjoyable step but it’s just another step.
“There’s plenty of steps that we’ve got to continue taking. I said it after the Arsenal game [1-0 victory at Goodison] and I’m saying it now.”
Former Everton youngster makes Ferguson prediction
Former Everton youngster Steven Schumacher believes coming up against Duncan Ferguson will be "fun" as his Plymouth Argyle side takes on Forest Green Rovers.
The 38-year-old's side will host the Scot's League One strugglers this weekend as they look to boost their survival hopes. Argyle have been pushing for promotion to the Championship this season in Schumacher's first full season at Home Park.
Ferguson made his first steps in full-time management when he opted to replace Ian Burchnall at Rovers. The former Blues forward was linked with replacing Frank Lampard - someone he worked alongside for a brief stint during his time in the backroom staff at Goodison Park - but decided that the Gloucestershire side would be the place for his first steps in management outside of the Everton hotseat.
Stephen Killen has the full story here.
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