The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Everton

  • Liverpool face anxious wait over Salah injury

    Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has assured club manager Juergen Klopp he’s “all fine, all good’’ after picking up an injury during the club’s UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.

    But Klopp admits he is concerned over the fitness of his leading goalscorer after he limped off seven minutes after the interval at Anfield on Wednesday.

    This was after the Egyptian had scored the opening goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side in the first leg of the quarter-final.

    Klopp confirmed the 25-year-old, who has scored 38 goals for Liverpool in all competitions this season, will be assessed in the coming days.

    Read Also: Liverpool stun Manchester City with 3-0 win at Anfield

    This is ahead of their English Premier League clash against local rivals Everton at Goodison Park.

    “About Mo, I don’t know at the moment,” Klopp told reporters. “He came to the sideline and said he feels sometimes, something. That was enough for me to not even ask the doctor how he was. So, we immediately took him off the pitch.

    “After the game I asked him and he said, ‘I will be good, it will be fine’. But now we have to wait for the real diagnosis, not Mo’s self-diagnosis.”

    Liverpool will defend their three-goal advantage against Manchester City in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

    NAN

  • Everton’s midfielder Sigurdsson out for up to eight weeks

    Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is expected to return to action from a knee injury in six to eight weeks, the English Premier League club said on Wednesday.

    The club’s statement therefore goes on to allay concerns that he could miss out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Russia.

    Sigurdsson was injured against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, raising doubts about his fitness for the finals in Russia starting in June.

    But following a consultation with a specialist the prognosis is not as bad as first feared.

    The 28-year-old, who has four league goals and three assists for Everton this season, is Iceland’s main creative force and his absence from the tournament would have been a major blow.

    Read Also: Everton must prepare to win ugly, Sigurdsson says

    “We’ll continue to assess Gylfi’s progress on a week-to-week basis,” Everton manager Sam Allardyce said on the club website.

    “The medical team will work very closely with him… to get him back playing as quickly as possible,” he said.

    Iceland is in the same group with the Super Eagles at Russia 2018 along with Argentina and Croatia.

    Sigurdsson, a key player for the Icelanders, is expected to lead the country at the tournament.

    NAN

     

  • Man City’s Mangala moves to Everton on loan

    Man City’s Mangala moves to Everton on loan

    Everton have signed France centre back Eliaquim Mangala on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City subject to clearance from the Premier League.

    Mangala found himself surplus to requirements at the league leaders, who broke their club record to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte on Tuesday, for a reported 57 million pounds fee.

    “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play for Everton and I cannot wait to pull on the royal blue jersey for the first time and give my all for the supporters,” Mangala told Everton’s website.

    Read Also: City in talks over Mangala

    The 26-year-old, who joined City from Porto in 2014 and spent most of last season on loan in Valencia, has made nine league appearances this season, including five from the bench.

    He is Everton’s third signing of the January window, following the arrivals of winger Theo Walcott from Arsenal and striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.

    NAN

  • Walcott grabs brace as Everton beat Leicester

    Walcott grabs brace as Everton beat Leicester

    Theo Walcott scored twice in his second appearance for Everton as they beat Leicester City 2-1 at home on Wednesday to move further clear of English Premier League relegation danger.

    Walcott, who joined Everton from Arsenal for about 20 million pounds in the current transfer window, converted Gylfi Sigurdsson’s low cross from close range after 26 minutes.

    He then volleyed home before half-time to double the lead.

    Jamie Vardy reduced the arrears from the penalty kick spot deep into the second half.

    Read Also: Walcott   left Arsenal with his things in bin bags

    This was after the referee spotted a Wayne Rooney foul on Wilfred Ndidi, to set up a nervy finale for the hosts in which Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho twice hit the woodwork.

    Everton, who flirted with relegation danger earlier in the season, are ninth in the table while Leicester are three points above Sam Allardyce’s side in seventh.

    NAN

  • Walcott left Arsenal with his things in bin bags

    Walcott left Arsenal with his things in bin bags

     

    Theo Walcott will make time for proper goodbyes with his old Arsenal colleagues after a rushed exit to Everton left him with his belongings in bin bags.

    England international Walcott ended a 12-year association with the Gunners when he joined Everton in a £20million deal this week, having fallen down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium.

    And the 28-year-old told a news conference on Thursday there was no great fanfare when he came to leave Arsenal’s training ground.

    “When I found that I was coming here I had to go there at night just to pick up all my stuff in binbags,” he said, much to the amusement of new boss Sam Allardyce.

    “That’s loyalty for you,” the well-travelled Allardyce chortled. “I’ve had a few of those – you have to sneak in and sneak out.”

    Walcott went on to explain he is keen to say more prolonged farewells, while relishing Everton’s trip to north London on February 3.

    “I’ve spoken to the gaffer [Arsene Wenger] and I’m sure I’ll get some time to go back and catch up with people and do my proper goodbyes. That’s the right way to do it,” he added.

    “We do also play them soon as well, which I’m looking forward to.

    “I’ve always had so much time for the fans and they’ve been great to me, through all our ups and downs. I can’t thank them enough. It’s part of my family, Arsenal.”

    Walcott scored 19 times last season but found himself out of favour with Wenger this time around.

    Nevertheless, his respect for the man who plucked him from Southampton as a teenager remains undiminished.

    “I’ve always had so much respect for the manager. For whatever reason it didn’t happen this year, that’s why I’ve moved on. I just want to work hard for this team

    “I’ve known him since I was 16 – to bring a young player in and have faith in him, I can’t thank him enough.”

    Managers at international level have not been such a mainstay during Walcott’s up-and-down career with England, but his time in the squad during Allardyce’s fleeting time in charge left an impression.

    “I had a brief spell with the manager with England I and I felt like I wanted more of that,” he explained, ahead of a prospective Everton debut at home to West Brom on Saturday

     

     

     

     

     

  • Theo Walcott joins Everton in £25m deal

    Theo Walcott joins Everton in £25m deal

     

    Everton have completed the signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal which could rise to £25million, with the winger saying the move made him ‘excited again’ about his career.

    The 28-year-old, who spent 12 years with the Gunners and played in nearly 400 games, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract worth over £110,000 a week.

    Walcott becomes Sam Allardyce’s second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m arrival of striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.

    The England international opted to join Everton despite serious interest from West Ham, Bournemouth and his former club Southampton.

    He scored 108 goals for Arsenal after arriving as a 16-year-old in January 2006, but has fallen down the pecking order under Arsene Wenger this season, and has now signed on to be an Everton player until 2022.

    Walcott told the Everton club website: ‘I’m very ambitious and I’ve come here because I want the club to push to the next level, and with the players that have come in, I feel like the next level can be reached.

    ‘I’m very excited to be starting a new chapter and I felt this was the right place for me to be. The manager is very ambitious and I feel like the club is going in the right direction.

    ‘The fact there’s a new stadium going to be developing in the next few years, it’s exciting times for Everton Football Club.’

    Walcott has not started a Premier League match this season and has appeared off the bench on only six occasions in the top-flight. He has made 16 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals.

    He admitted he had felt he needed to move on from Arsenal in order to ‘reignite’ a career which was in danger of stagnating.

    He said: ‘I’m dead excited and I just want to do what I do best which is playing football and expressing myself because I’m excited again, I really am.

    ‘It felt like it was time for me to move on. It was sad but it’s exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before. I want to be part of something and I feel like this place will offer me that.’

    Capable of playing on either wing and as a central striker, Walcott is desperate for playing time at Goodison Park as he bids to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.

    The former Saints youngster is likely to be included in Everton’s squad to face West Brom at home on Saturday as Allardyce looks to end a run of four straight defeats.

  • Everton seals £27m Cenk Tosun deal

    Everton seals £27m Cenk Tosun deal

     

    Everton have finally filled the void left by Romelu Lukaku by completing the signing of Turkey striker Cenk Tosun for £27million from Besiktas.

    The 26-year-old, who scored 41 goals in 96 games for Besiktas since 2014, has penned a four-and-a-half year contract at Goodison Park.

    Everton announced the transfer at half-time in their FA Cup Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool. Tosun is scheduled to make his Blues debut when Everton play Tottenham on January 13.

    The manager and the club really wanted me very much and that is why I am here,’ Tosun said. ‘Sam Allardyce was a big part of my decision.

    ‘He said he really wanted me here and to feel that, of course, is another big reason to come to Everton.

    ‘I’m really happy to be here and happy that everything is done. I’m really excited to play for Everton as soon as possible. Everton is a great club with a big history and a big culture and I’m looking forward to showing the fans the kind of player I am.’

    Everton have struggled without a focal point to their attack this season after selling Lukaku to Manchester United in the summer for £75m.

    Tosun is confident of hitting the ground running and bringing goals to Sam Allardyce’s side.

    ‘I bring my skills here and everybody is going to see what kind of player I am. I believe I can be a good player in the Premier League for Everton.

    ‘The Premier League is a strong league, I know that, so my own physical strength will help me. Also I can use both feet the same and I believe I am a good striker in the box.

    ‘I’m really looking forward to training with my teammates and getting to know them and, of course, I want to play as soon as possible.

    The Tottenham game will be the first game I am available for and I’m very excited about it already.’

     

     

     

     

     

  • Chelsea grabs Ross Barkley for £15million

    Chelsea grabs Ross Barkley for £15million

     

    Ross Barkley has signed for Chelsea from Everton, the Premier League champions have announced.

    The 24-year-old’s contract at Goodison Park was due to expire at the end of the season after he rejected a new deal with the Toffees.

    A move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day in August did not materialise, but Barkley has now moved to Stamford Bridge for a cut-price fee, reported to be in the region of £15million.

    Twenty-four-year-old Barkley has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, which runs until 2023.

    ‘I’m overwhelmed, I’m looking forward to it and I’m really excited to get started,’ Barkley told his new club’s official website.

    ‘To be given a fresh start at a new club like Chelsea, it’s unbelievable for me. I’m looking forward to continuing where I left off at the end of last season and hoping to improve and add more goals to my game.’

    Director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘Ross is a player we have long admired and are certain he will prove to be an important player for Chelsea.

    ‘He possesses outstanding technical and physical attributes, matched with good experience of the Premier League and a strong desire to succeed at the highest level. We welcome him to the club and look forward to seeing him in action.’

    Barkley has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, but he is nearing match fitness.

    Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup third round tie at Norwich on Saturday and prior to the deal being confirmed, Conte said: ‘We are talking about an English player, a young player. He has good prospects for Chelsea. I think the club decided for this investment also for his contract.

    ‘I think this is a good opportunity for the club to buy this player.

    ‘For sure he is a good prospect for Chelsea.’

    May’s loss to Arsenal was the last Toffees appearance for the Everton academy graduate, who made 150 Premier League appearances for Everton, scoring 21 goals.

    The Italian added: ‘Don’t forget he had a bad injury, he had surgery. This player has not played in seven months.

    ‘We must have great patience. We have to hope to recover him very quickly, to try to help us for the rest of the season.’

    Conte declined to address rumours West Ham striker Andy Carroll was a target, saying transfers were not his remit.

    He added: ‘The recruitment is not my job. The club try to do the best for this team, to try to improve this team.’

    Conte plans to rotate his options for Saturday’s trip to Norwich.

    David Luiz is poised to make only his second appearance since October after falling out of favour and undergoing rehabilitation on a knee injury.

    Eden Hazard, who was likely to be rested anyway, is a doubt after being kicked on the calf in Wednesday’s draw at Arsenal

  • World Cup: Iceland banking on team work-Sigurðsson

    World Cup: Iceland banking on team work-Sigurðsson

     

    Strong indications abound that Iceland may adopt mass defense and mass attack when they face Nigeria at the world Cup in Russia.  Everton attacking midfielder and Iceland international Gylfi Sigurðsson who gave the hint, further identified team work as the major selling point of the Heimir Hallgrímsson led team.

    The 29 year old former Swansea city ace described as infectious the fighting spirit among the players, a virtue he notes will come handy in Russia where they have been group to face Nigeria, Argentina and Croatia.

    ”It has a lot to do with the team spirit that we have. How we are as a group is unique,”Gylfi Sigurðsson was quoted as saying by fifa.com.

    The country’s modest population, and the small pool of players to pick from, ensures that the players play regularly and as such are like very close friends.  The closeness some analysts believe is a huge plus because of the level of blend among the players.

    Sigurðsson started every single game for Iceland in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and was on target against Kosovo and Ukraine.

    Nigeria will face Iceland at Volgograd Arena, Volgograd on June 22 in their second match in Group D of the 2018 World Cup.

    Meanwhile Croatia Head coach Zlatko Dalic believes quality friendly against African countries ahead of the world cup will be an added advantage for his team especially before they face Nigeria in the opening match.

    There are indications that Croatia may approach Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for a friendly match before the world Cup in Russia.

    Recall that Croatia crashed out in the first round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.  The team conceded 10 goals scoring one.  The first match saw them lose 3-1 to hosts Brazil in São Paulo .

    The second match was against Cameroon who ran away with a 4-0 victory while the last match ended 3-1 in favour of Mexico.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Barkley reveals huge 10-inch scar after surgery

    Barkley reveals huge 10-inch scar after surgery

     

    Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has revealed the huge 10-inch scar that has been left on the underside of his thigh following surgery on a ruptured hamstring.

    The 24-year-old is yet to play for the Toffees this season after suffering the serious affliction in the build up to their first Premier League game, but it appears he may be nearing a return.

    Barkley posted a photo of his scar along with the words ‘not long now’, suggesting he will be available for selection under new manager Sam Allardyce sooner rather than later.

    Much has changed at Goodison Park since Barkley injured his hamstring. He was on the verge of leaving after a fallout with Ronald Koeman and and even turned down a deadline day move to Chelsea in order to focus on his rehabilitation.

    But a disastrous start to the season saw the Dutchman sacked and replaced by Allardyce, offering Barkley the chance for a fresh start at his boyhood club.

    He is expected to make his return to action in the next two weeks, but there is every chance he may not play for Everton again with Chelsea and Tottenham both ready to renew their interest in the January transfer window.

    Although Allardyce may be willing to offer Barkley a reprieve, the player himself still has a decision to make on his future as he enters the final six months of his contract next month.

    Gylfi Sigurdsson was signed as a replacement for the England international and the presence of Wayne Rooney may also limit Barkley’s playing opportunities.

    Meanwhile, Chelsea are searching for ways to boost their squad in mid-season and will make contact to find out what it might take to get him interested in a move to west London.

    Antonio Conte’s tactical switch towards a five-man midfield would offer more opportunities for a player of Barkley’s style and ease the workload on Cesc Fabregas.