It's time for your Everton morning headlines on Tuesday, February 7.
Jordan Pickford Everton contract silence could be 'major worry'
Everton fans will be keen for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to commit his long-term future to the club, but he is yet to sign a new contract with the Blues.
And that should be considered 'a worry', according to journalist Paul Brown, who has suggested that there could be a 'problem' behind the scenes.
The noise out of Goodison Park was that England international Pickford had agreed a new five-year deal before the World Cup got underway in Qatar back in November, but there is still no confirmation that the 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a new deal. Pickford has 16 months left on his current contract and while he remains on it, other Premier League clubs could start circling for his services.
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Talking to GiveMeSport, Brown said: “The Pickford situation is a bit strange because there was a lot of noise around him pre-World Cup that his contract was basically done, all agreed, it just needed signing off and, for whatever reason, that hasn’t happened.
“Sometimes clubs get players signed and they just don’t announce it for a few months for whatever reason, but I do think, in this case, there is some kind of problem that we haven’t been fully informed of yet, which is a bit of a worry.”
Read the full story HERE.
Sean Dyche has early Demarai Gray dilemma at Everton amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin concern
Sean Dyche kicked-off his Everton reign with a huge 1-0 win over Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
James Tarkowski’s second-half header from a Dwight McNeil corner was enough to secure the Blues all three points. The win, however, was not enough to move Everton out of the relegation zone.
The big games keep coming for the Blues with a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool next up for Dyche’s side. And with that game in mind, the ECHO has taken a look at the changes the Everton boss could make to his side for the game.
Eyebrows were initially raised when team news dropped after 11.30am on Saturday. Dwight McNeil coming in for Demarai Gray seemed a bold call.
However, it was confirmed post-match that Gray missed out due to a small injury. But McNeil more than took his chance and claimed an assist for his efforts.
While on the opposite flank, Alex Iwobi also impressed and Gray might just find himself watching on from the bench on Monday night. However, the fact Dyche would be able to call upon the former Leicester City man if required puts the Blues in a strong position.
Elsewhere in midfield, Tom Davies is another option who could come in, but given how well Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana and the returning Abdoulaye Doucoure all did, it is hard to imagine Blues boss Dyche would be keen to make changes.
The ECHO's Everton assessment in full HERE.
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