Everton

Ben Collins
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Aston Villa (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the club statement about prospective owner John Textor: "If you're a prospective owner, you're going to ask certain questions, finding out about what you're going to buy and to get a feel."

• On Textor saying he wants to speak to Dyche about what kind of players he wants to coach: "I haven't had the chance [to speak yet]. I don't think the deal's reached that position. If you're a prospective owner, you probably would want to build a relationship, or certainly know the manager's thoughts. He isn't the current owner but if he did take over I'm sure you'd have that conversation [about players]. I think that's standard practice."

• On how he deals with those discussions: "Over my years as a manager, I've dealt with many situations, many different players and many different playing styles. I've tried to adapt to whatever challenge I've had with the group of players I've been given."

• On whether there's any uncertainty over his future: "The bigger picture of the club is the main focus. The club is still nowhere near where it wants to be. We want to win games - that's my first thought. It's not about myself or contracts. It's about my staff and the players aligning to win games."

• On his position beyond this season: "The ambition here changes weekly. It's been an up-and-down period, for the club not just for me. We've brought some level of calmness but at the minute it's a volatile situation on and off the pitch, with talk of ownership change and, on the pitch, not getting the results we want."

• On new loan signings Armando Broja and Orel Mangala: "Armando's got an injury so that'll take a bit of time. Orel's come in today, been bright and breezy, and wants to be part of the group. We'll assess it as we go on."

• On Seamus Coleman's apparent injury playing for the Republic of Ireland: "Seamus is touch and go but we'll see how he recovers from that."

• On Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson fitness: "Jarrad is just [training] on the grass now so he's at the beginning of the process and Patto's the same. They're starting to train with us every day."

• On opponents Aston Villa: "The manager [Unai Emery] has done a tremendous job. They've invested, but invested well, which is not easy. They're a good outfit and they're learning with the more games that come round."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Aston Villa v Everton from 17:30 on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Everton have released an update on the status of the club's ownership in the wake of comments by businessman John Textor.

The American, who already holds a 45% stake in Crystal Palace, was granted a period of exclusivity last month by current owner Farhad Moshiri to discuss purchasing a majority stake.

On Wednesday, Textor spoke publicly about his plans for Everton in an in-depth interview with Sky, external, saying the opportunity to buy the club was "like someone asking you if you want to be President of the United States".

The Blues have recognised Textor's words but have responded by saying any deal is still a way off.

"The club is aware of the comments made by John Textor in relation to a potential purchase of the club," the statement said, external.

"While positive conversations and progress continues to be made with Mr Textor to formalise any deal with him, there remains some work to be done to complete the transaction.

"Accordingly, the comments made by Mr Textor merely represent his personal view on club matters.

"Everyone at the Club is staying focused on providing the best support possible to Sean and the squad as we head into the weekend’s fixture.

"The club will provide updates in respect of new investment when there is material news to communicate to supporters and other stakeholders – and this will be done through official club channels."

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Since their return to the top flight in 2019, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their 10 league meetings with Everton (W7 D3), keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just three goals in that run.

The Blues have lost four of their past five Premier League games at Villa Park, though they did win three of their previous four visits before that.

American businessman John Textor is confident a deal to buy Everton could be completed in four weeks. (Guardian), external

Want more gossip and transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full column

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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Every Evertonian will have winced when Seamus Coleman stayed down following a collision with Harry Maguire at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Our captain, at the age of 35, is still the club’s first choice right-back and there lies the problem. But there is no player more loved and respected at our club than the man from Killybegs.

Our "60 grand" bargain buy has epitomised what it means to be an Evertonian since arriving in 2009. Fearless, selfless and proud, he has been - and continues to be - an on-pitch representative of those sitting in the stands.

I could quite easily write thousands of words about what he means to Everton but it would never truly do the man justice.

For someone who has given everything to the club, there is an argument to be made that the club he has served so well has let him down.

His legacy is in danger of becoming tarnished due to transfer market mistakes and poor recruitment strategy.

For instance, Nathan Patterson was brought in under an outgoing Rafael Benitez with one eye on replacing Coleman. However, injuries, lack of form and a failure to impress have impeded any notion of him becoming our starting right-back.

If anyone deserves to sail into the sunset after a fantastic career - in which he was one half of one of the best full-back partnerships in Premier League history - it is Seamus Coleman.

A player who needs saving from himself, at a time when there is no able deputy.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Everton had a net profit of £29.4m. They were one of six clubs to generate a profit over the summer.

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Earlier, we asked you who has made the most Premier League appearances for Everton.

Club captain Seamus Coleman is the correct answer. The Republic of Ireland international has played 365 top-flight games for the Toffees, passing previous record holder Tim Howard last season.

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Why the irresistible becomes the irresponsible in a matter of moments will become one of the great mysteries of life.

But Everton's late collapse against Bournemouth absolutely highlights the fact every player in every match has to be prepared to battle for every challenge and make sure that they try to impact the game in a positive fashion.

It is in fact the minimum standard requirement of each and every one of them.

Always.

The current manager has become very adept at “juggling sand” in the past twenty months and more of that may be coming down the line at some point. At Everton under the current ownership you never really know.

Sean Dyche’s task after this latest bout of self-inflicted misfortune is a bit more simple than that.

He has to make it clear to his players that it is now "look-in-the-mirror” time.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum is not just four Latin words on the crest of this famous old club - it’s about an awful lot more than that !

Image source, PA Media

Paul Brown from the The Paddock Blues podcast spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about Sean Dyche: "I think 99% [of the blame] lies with Sean Dyche. Obviously the players have got to take a lot of responsibility and see the game out [in their 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth].

"I would get rid of him now. I don't see what he's done to deserve so much loyalty that fans are showing him. We went four months without winning a game last season and we've won five out of our past 25 league games. We've forgotten how to win and it's not acceptable to me.

"At the beginning of the season, I wanted to just get to Bramley Moore as a Premier League club. I would have taken 17th. But now I want more. I think this squad of players is a lot better than what he's getting out of them.

"He deserves a lot of praise for what he did last season under difficult circumstances, but I don't like his mannerisms in interviews. He is blaming everyone other than himself."

Listen to the full episode here on BBC Sounds

Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Everton?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

The joy and despair of football.

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Just the despair.

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Some things you wait for.

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And others never take long to arrive.

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There are awkward moments.

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There are planned moments.

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Chaotic moments.

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Sometimes there are moments of genius.

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And, occasionally, the moment just calls for romance.

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We asked you for your views on how Everton have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

More than half of all respondents believe the Toffees will finish between 11th and 16th, but your comments suggest supporters are nervous about the final season at Goodison Park.

Here's a snapshot:

Tommy: There is no need to panic yet. We have bought wisely during the summer. The squad is definitely better than it was last season. Give them a bit of time to settle and to learn from recent mistakes. There are still 35 games left, which is more than enough for us to settle into mid-table by the end of the season. Nothing has changed!

Blue: If Everton continue with the current manager, then another dreadful season lies ahead. The combined ages of Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski and Ashley Young must rank as the oldest defence in the Premier League and Dyche continually picks them. Dyche also continues to pick his favourites when we have recently bought in good players. The stats don’t look good.

Eric: New manager needed. New style for the players. No one prepared to appoint new manager. No one to decide. Best ground in the Championship next year mind you.

Greg: A bit early for predictions. Need to put it into context with Everton. They lost the first three games last season and comfortably stayed up. I always like to see what the table looks like at the beginning of October. Let's see where we are then.

Athers: Everton will never progress with the current manager! He is devoid of football intelligence and particularly in game reading and management. He did a decent job in helping the team avoid relegation; however he does not have the talent or ability to maximise the potential of this improved, but still limited squad. Time for change - but not David Moyes!

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I have a soft spot for Everton because I spent so many years there, so the last few years have been really difficult to watch.

If you are 2-0 up in the 87th minute - and you have lost your opening two games without scoring - you should recognise when momentum is shifting. But there were no leaders on the pitch on Saturday. There was nobody taking any ownership to say "come on lads we can't lose this game" after just conceding.

When I was playing, we always had players on the pitch who could identify the weaknesses to re-gain the momentum. They have senior players who didn't take that leadership role on when it was needed the most.

To concede three goals in six or so minutes is something they will be kicking themselves about. Mistakes happen but it is about what you do to rectify it.

The international break has come at the right time from the outside looking into Everton. Some players like to just bounce into the next game, but when you lose so many games it is easy to get into a rut.

When the games are coming continually, you don't get the time to reflect or have the hard conversations, so it gives management time to get together too. Players can also go away to a different environment, which is maybe more positive because I can imagine it being quite dull and negative at the moment at Everton.

They have to switch off from the disastrous opening three games and then come back refreshed to go again. They have to try and get the fans back on board because they are so important.

Everton don't want to be moving out of Goodison this season to then play in the Championship, so they have a lot to think about.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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New Everton signing Armando Broja says he wants to "build a great relationship with the fans" in his first interview after being unveiled as a Blues player.

The Albania striker's season-long loan from Chelsea was confirmed late on transfer deadline day with a club option to make the move permanent

"As a player, especially as a young player, you’re keen to feel wanted by people and that's how Everton have made me feel from day one," Broja told Everton's media, external.

"They've really wanted me and told me why, so that makes you feel really happy and proud.

"Maybe the start of the season hasn't gone how we wanted but we can definitely turn that around with the squad and the manager we have here. I certainly feel like there are going to be so many more positive days ahead and, for me, I'm just focusing on getting back and integrating with the team.

"I want to make an impression on the fans, too, by scoring goals, creating chances, my work rate off the ball, being aggressive as a striker and helping the team out in any way I can.

"I want to come in and build a great relationship with the fans, with my team-mates and with the coaching staff. When you feel at home and you feel happy, that's when you play your best football.

Broja is expected to be out until mid-October with a foot injury but is positive about his rehabilitation.

"It’s going well," he added. "Hopefully, I can be back as quick as possible. I think I’m going in the right direction.

"I want to make sure I recover well and be as strong as I can, so I’m ready for the fans and my team-mates. I just can’t wait to be back, to put on the shirt and just enjoy it."

Dan Roan, Simon Stone and Tom Mallows
BBC Sport

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Leicester's successful appeal against an alleged breach of Premier League financial rules means they are set to avoid any punishment or points deduction - but what does this mean for the rest of the Premier League?

Everton were deducted a total of eight points last season for two separate breaches across different accounting periods.

Because they were a Premier League club throughout the period for which they have been charged, the above situation does not apply.

Their first points deduction was reduced from 10 points to six on appeal and then they withdrew their appeal for the second breach and ended the season in 15th.

Part of the second charge relating to interest costs associated with the building of the club's new stadium has been deferred but could yet result in another points deduction.

We will find out if they have breached PSR limits for a third time at the end of December when the Premier League issue charges for any clubs they believe have overspent in the period ending 30 June 2024.

Read the full analysis of Leicester's PSR case

Everton are considering re-appointing David Moyes as manager - 11 years after the Scot left Goodison Park to take charge of Manchester United. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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The first international break of the season is never a particularly welcome pause in the Premier League season. For Everton fans, it’s even less so. The new campaign only three games old but is seen as the first reference point to assess how the season has gone so far.

Three matches, three defeats, 10 goals conceded and rock bottom tells its own grim story.

The latest tale of woe hit an epic scale at the weekend against Bournemouth. All of that means another period in purgatory for Blues fans. International football does not provide a break from the pain - in many ways it elongates it.

When problems mount, it is hard to see the forest for the trees but much of Everton’s play for 80 minutes on Saturday was the best at Goodison in a long time. Crisp, accurate passing, excellent movement and a brand of easy-on-the-eye football with two new signings playing their role.

Iliman Ndiaye looked the part, consistently terrorising the Bournemouth back line while Tim Iroegbunam offered drive, energy and conviction. There’s a purpose to his play that looks like making him a welcome addition.

They allowed others to thrive. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s play for the most part, was a combination of power and finesse. The late unforeseen devastating problems only came because they could not kill off their opponents - and paid the ultimate price.

Bournemouth might not be the best litmus test for judging a performance but consider the changes Andoni Iraola has made. Afterwards, he said his team were very second best overall, their aggressive pressing totally negated by how Everton played around it.

Sean Dyche has been criticised for taking off Ndiaye and Calvert-Lewin but Ndiaye was making his full Premier League debut and Calvert-Lewin was on the field for much longer than usual. There was more than enough experience on the pitch to ensure Everton closed it out, as they have done many times in the past two seasons.

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Everton will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Blues so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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Former Everton player Graham Stuart believes Saturday's loss to Bournemouth was even more frustrating due to how well the Blues had played for the majority of the game.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould, Stuart said: "The difficulty is picking yourself up after a result like that - there was so much good for 87 minutes. They played some wonderful football.

"The frustration from my perspective is when you're on top and you're 2-0 up, it is a dicey scoreline. It only takes a little break, they get a goal and they find a way back into the game.

"You've got to be ruthless - we had chances to go three/four goals up. There's no way back from that and that's the frustration. We have got to start learning to be really ruthless out there and put teams to bed, then stuff like that doesn't happen."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says Toffees boss Sean Dyche has earned patience and remains "the right man for the job" at the moment.

Speaking on the Football News Show, Osman said: "I don't think Dyche should be worried about his job but there will always be rumours."

Watch The Football News Show here

Mike Richards
Fan writer

As Evertonians, we thought we had seen it all in recent years. Points deductions, on-field disasters and off-field destruction. Strangely, nothing prepared us for the nine minute meltdown we witnessed on Saturday afternoon.

The capitulation at the hands of Bournemouth just about summed up our recent history. The glimmer of hope instilled within us after a glorious first 85 minutes in the golden Goodison Park sun, evaporated as quickly as we could all mutter the fabled phrase –“Dyche Fit”.

The majority of the fan base have been clear in where they feel the blame lies.

From the stands, we could all see how both the heat and the intensity of the game had impacted certain players. Combined with Bournemouth making five substitutions prior to Sean Dyche taking off the impressive Iliman Ndiaye, it was a recipe for disaster.

The players aren’t totally blameless either. When you’re looking for leadership and game management, responsibility was shirked and discipline lost.

The international break should allow the manager and players to have some self-reflection. You win as a team and you lose as one.

The season is in its infancy and it’s imperative the dying embers of this game don’t fester and dictate the outcome of matches immediately after the international break.

The work done in the transfer window was solid and arguably better than many hoped for.

With Branthwaite, Chermiti, Patterson, Broja and Mangala to add to the squad, there is still plenty to remain positive about and we must.

Sometimes international breaks can be seen as an inconvenience and momentum killer. For us, it’s an ideal opportunity to press reset and look forward, not back.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external