Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has spoken of his faith in Jordan Pickford.
Walker plays with the Everton goalkeeper for England and has heaped praise on his ability, pointing to a trust he has in him during penalty shootouts.
Watch the clip of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker above or listen in full here
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Everton fans
Mal: Wrong tactics, wrong manager - I said this last season and nothing has changed. Pickford long balls to Harrison, who then crosses it to Calvert-Lewin, who rarely scores from open play. This didn't work last season and it won't work this season. Everton has a manager in Dyche who stubbornly won't change his system. If only Moyes was available...
Gary: Same old Everton, I'm afraid. It's going to be a very long season but at least we have a few more games to play before we really know how it will pan out. We just don't have pace at the back with Young and Coleman, who has been a fantastic servant but his legs are not 21 any more.
Lee: Thought we started really well - then typical Everton turned up! Young cost us a chance of even getting back into game - really poor from him. I'd rather start with three at the back. Very, very disappointing.
Brighton fans
Charlie: I love this club but, honestly, in the first 20 minutes we were all over the place and lucky not to concede. However, when we eventually took hold of the game, we played fluidly and progressively. In terms of attack, we were ruthless, skilful and easy on the eye. In Hurzeler we trust.
PH: We gradually worked our way into the game and took control. We could have scored more but we played it around and stretched the 10 men of Everton in order to keep the clean sheet. Excellent execution of the gameplan, especially in the second half.
William: Brighton were great - the best way Hurzler's tenure could have started. They certainly grew into the match, and while there were some nervy moments at the start, we didn't look back. If we keep playing like this, Europe may be on the cards after all.
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards says "it is likely to be another very nervy season" for Everton fans as the club look to be in trouble on and off the pitch.
"Financial uncertainty is crushing them," Edwards told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "For a while you can defy the uncertainty and ignore it, but my worry is that it is lingering in the background and almost becoming a dark cloud hanging over them. They are in so much debt and a lot of it links up to the new stadium which is very concerning.
"Gradually, because they can't really do much with the squad, it is beginning to catch up with them.
"I put all of my faith in Sean Dyche to get them out of trouble, but the football club is a mess and it is going to be really touch and go. It is likely to be another very nervy season."
Former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly added: "When is it going to change for them? When are they going to have a season where they are not looking over their shoulder?
"They did not look strong at all [against Brighton].
"I know Dyche will do enough to push them through it but it is not enough for a club like Everton. Something has to give. He needs a bit of backing to get some more players through the door."
Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester United and Fulham.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Everton's performance?, external
What did you make of Brighton's display?, external
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
There are six games on the opening Saturday of the 2024-25 Premier League and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.
*All times are BST
A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.
Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.
In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.
The pair have both given their prediction for Everton v Brighton on Saturday.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Everyone will be watching this to see what brand of football Brighton play under their new manager Fabian Hurzeler, and if he has tweaked it compared to their style under Roberto de Zerbi.
If the Seagulls' players are still settling into a new system then it definitely helps Everton. We know that they will be battle-hardened under Sean Dyche and I just wonder if the Toffees will have too much nous for them.
Dyche always seems to have been fighting fires since taking over but without last season's points deductions they would have been in mid-table for most of the campaign and that is where I think they will end up this time.
Liam's prediction: 2-1
I am mates with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford so I have got to back them here, he will not be happy if I do not!
I love watching him for England but he encapsulates his club so much because he has got so much character and spirit, so I hope for his sake they get off to a half-decent start.
Shamoon Hafez, who will be covering Everton for BBC Sport again this season, asked what you are expecting 2024-25 to look like for the Toffees.
Here are some of your answers:
Steve: Well with the comings and goings and the ongoing saga of the takeover, I'm expecting a rollercoaster ride in Goodison Park's last season. Hopefully we'll start clear of any relegation battles and finish in the top half. Don't see a quick fix, though.
Greg: One thing about our great club, you can't predict the unpredictable. We have our hopes as usual, but we are nothing but realistic. Keeping comfortably away from the bottom three will be a bonus, but if we get another points deduction I think our luck may finally run out.
Mike: The squad is vulnerable in both full-back positions and central midfield, and if Calvert-Lewin goes we have no proven replacement. The signings are promising but none have significant Premier League experience. I'm more hopeful than optimistic. However, having been an Evertonian for 50 years it's the hope that kills you. At least the club seems to be stabilising - hopefully.
Richard: With the past two or three seasons in mind, I think most Everton supporters will settle for mid-table and a decent cup run. It doesn't feel right to think of much more yet.
Ifan: After the nervous seasons we’ve had over the past few years, I’m hoping for more stability with no more unexpected point deductions. Finishing the season in the top half of the table would be good. Finishing in a European place would be awesome!
Everton are discussing a possible loan for Napoli and Sweden midfielder Jens Castuje, 25. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Dyche says there is a "better" feeling at Everton going into this season
Sean Dyche says Everton's current situation means key players each have a price at which selling them on makes sense.
The Toffees, punished for breaching financial rules last season, are in talks with businessman John Textor over a potential takeover.
Dyche was asked on Thursday if he feared losing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin should an offer come in.
"That would be the challenge for the club - what level (of fee)? For any player, not just Dom," he said. "You saw Amadou Onana leaving us (for £50m to Aston Villa), there was a level where they think 'right that's it, it's got to be done'.
"That is the current situation of the club. It's not just about the players mentioned, it's about any player. The club has got an outside picture and that's not something I can control."
Dyche has lost Onana and Ben Godfrey this summer, while Andre Gomes was released and Dele Alli's contract also ended, though he is still training with the club.
The manager has brought in fresh blood but feels Everton's position has become that of a development club while off-the-field issues around ownership continue to take shape.
"On the playing side of things to lower the wage bill, we've done a pretty fair job of that. But the bigger picture at the club is dependent on what money is needed at any given time," added Dyche, ahead of the visit of Brighton.
"The growth of the team and development of individuals is important for the club.
"It was once a buying club and now it's not, so now it is development and winning and bringing it all together in a package that can suit the club and be successful, which can be a hard task of course.
"From my point as management it is looking at the players individually and their development, from the club's point of view it is managing the finances as best as possible and from the fans' point of view it is getting as many points and getting up the table.
"I think because of the bigger picture of the club on my watch the expectation is to move forward year-on-year and be better than the previous season."
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesSean Dyche entered the news conference at Everton's Finch Farm training ground and immediately grumbled at how hot it was in the room.
We haven't had the best of summers weather wise, but the Toffees boss is certainly feeling the heat and that will be cranked up even more if they lose their Premier League opener against Brighton on Saturday.
Despite wiping the sweat off his brow and looking a little flush in the face, the manager spoke about the "calmness" felt around the club this summer and the excellent transfer business they have managed to achieve.
But shortly after the assembled media had left the building, news broke that Blues owner Farhad Moshiri had entered into an exclusivity agreement with John Textor as he aims to sell the club.
Dyche had been asked about the takeover situation and said he had his "fingers crossed" that a resolution could be found, but this brings more uncertainty before the start has begun.
Textor would need to sell his 45% stake in Crystal Palace before being able to complete a purchase of Everton, so how long will that take?
These things are never straightforward, as the fans know, and this one could rumble on for a while.
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He confirmed Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman and James Garner will miss the opening game of the season but Michael Keane has trained this week and should be in contention.
He said there is "more calmness and positivity" going into this season from within the club and from the fans: "The reality of knowing the truth of the situation helps."
On their transfer window so far: "We have been trying to bring in players who fit into the club and we have worked hard collectively, with the scouts, to get the right players. The only balance to that is they don’t have much Premier League experience, so it is how quickly they can be effective."
He says he "is confident the club will do the best they can to make sure we are competitive" when asked about possible outgoings before the transfer window closes.
Dele Alli has had "a minor operation" but is not a long-term injury concern. Dyche did not make it clear what involvement Dele will have with the squad but the aim for now is just getting him fit.
He said that the final season at Goodison Park does not bring any additional pressure: "People will say no matter their memories that it is time for a new stadium."
On opponents Brighton, whose manager Fabian Hurzeler takes charge of his first Premier League game: "I am sure he’s trying to bring his own version of what he wants to do but they look to be passing and pressing a bit quicker."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Points deductions, battles against relegation and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the takeover – it hasn’t been a dull couple of years covering Everton.
As manager Sean Dyche said last season, just as he builds one wall, another falls down around him. The ex-Burnley boss has performed an admirable job in the most testing of circumstances.
It felt like the weight had been lifted off the shoulders of everyone at the club when they guaranteed survival with three games to go, so can they claim a top half finish this season?
Performances were encouraging towards the end of last term and they have added quality to the squad with the astute signings such as Jesper Lindstrom, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Ireogbunam.
But there is always something unexpected around the corner for the Blues, so what will 2024-25 bring for Everton – and for those who cover the club - in their final season at Goodison Park?
What are you expecting from the season? Tell us here, external
We asked for your views on what one thing that nobody seems to be talking about for Everton.
Here are some of your comments:
Dennis: I am quietly confident we will be comfortable mid-table and I can honestly see us going all the way in either the League Cup or FA Cup. This is also going to be a happy and sad season. Happy because we are going to be in a brilliant new stadium, but sad and emotional to be leaving Goodison Park.18 May 2025, what an emotional day it will be. COYB.
Jeff: Why do none of the pundits talk about how bad Calvert-Lewin is? It's a mystery to me. Calvert-Lewin is Championship material at best.
Anthony: We need financial stability and certainty. Sean Dyche and the team will provide the results in the short term. Once we are in the new stadium, the sky's the limit and we can can get back up to where we've always belonged.
Graham: No one has talked about the Goodison factor this season. The final year at The Old Lady is going to spark special atmospheres that are even better than usual. That may propel us to a special season. The bear pit will be more hostile.
Richard: Someone who has been overlooked for Everton is James Tarkowski. Whenever I have watched us, he has always been superb and gives 100% every game. I love the attention Jarrad Branthwaite gets, but for me Tarkowski is just as good.
John: Dyche suits us and we're a better side for him. He can be a bit stubborn though in terms of favourites subs. As much as Abdoulaye Doucoure scored some important goals, he shouldn't be his first name on the sheet. Great athlete but not the best footballer. Dom will need someone in there with him.
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother Premier League campaign is about to begin and Everton manager Sean Dyche is due to face the cameras and reporters later on Thursday.
The Toffees begin their final season at Goodison Park by hosting Brighton, who have the top-flight's youngest ever manager Fabian Hurzeler taking charge for the first time.
A relative unknown in England, how much does Dyche know about him? Will the 31-year-old German spring any surprises?
In this news conference, the Blues boss is also likely to field questions around the takeover uncertainty after the Friedkin Group pulled out of talks, and on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's future, with the striker entering the final 12 months of his deal and yet to sign a new contract.
Meanwhile, what will Dyche have to say about how summer signings such as Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom, Tim Ireogbunam and Jake O'Brien are settling in? How many of those will feature at the weekend?
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe club I am truly fearful for is not a newly promoted side. If I am brutally honest, my real concerns are for my old club Everton. In this last emotional season at Goodison Park before they move down to that beautiful, purpose-built arena by the old docks, there will be great sadness saying goodbye as they embrace the future.
However, the future is incredibly uncertain. Last season saw points deductions but Sean Dyche still managed to keep them safe with a mighty and frankly incredible 14 points to spare.
For some people, including me, considering the pressure and problems he dealt with, Dyche should have been a serious candidate for manager of the season.
This season the problems are bigger than leaving Goodison, losing more important players, the threat of another relegation battle if there are any injuries or any more draconian points deductions.
No, it is the crushing debt and the inability to get a buyer that can pass muster and is considered trustworthy.
Everton’s financial woes are not over. In fact they are as bad, if not worse, than they have ever been.
If they cannot find a buyer, it could still be the biggest and saddest story of the coming season.
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