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Post by Everton News. on Aug 9, 2022 11:05:51 GMT
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Post by Everton News. on Aug 9, 2022 11:07:09 GMT
PICKFORD CONVINCED OF BRIGHT EVERTON FUTURE
Jordan Pickford is convinced Everton’s “commitment, attitude and desire” can provide a foundation for a successful 2022/23 season.
The Blues suffered a narrow defeat against a high-quality Chelsea outfit on Saturday, but Pickford saw many encouraging signs during a keenly-contested battle at Goodison Park.
Everton more than matched Chelsea for extended periods and Blues boss Frank Lampard said only a “clinical edge” was missing from his team’s performance.
Pickford – who made his 200th Everton appearance in the game – insists the squad will approach this weekend’s clash at Aston Villa with a positive mindset.
“We can take a lot of confidence from the Chelsea game,” said England's first-choice goalkeeper, who was this week joined by international teammate Conor Coady in L4.
“They’re a top side, but our commitment, attitude and desire with and without the ball were very good.
“We’ve got to take the positives from the game going into Villa, because I think there were quite a few.
“Our defensive work was very good, and I think it was a good display all-round. On another day, we could definitely have got something.
“The fans were brilliant, too, and we know we’ll start to pick up results.”
It was announced on Monday that Ben Godfrey has undergone a successful operation on the fractured fibula he sustained in the Chelsea game.
The centre-back is expected to be out for around three months and Pickford admitted it was distressing to see his teammate in pain following the injury.
The goalkeeper also expressed his belief that Mason Holgate’s impressive performance after replacing Godfrey highlights the squad’s professionalism and togetherness.
Holgate made nine clearances during the game – the third-highest total of any Premier League player over the weekend – and won three tackles.
“It was very tough to see Ben suffer an injury like that,” said Pickford, who captained Everton on Saturday in the absence of regular skipper Seamus Coleman.
“We just hope he recovers as quickly as possible.
“Mason came straight into the game and we had a spell were we had to defend a lot of corners, and he was there heading the majority of the balls away.
“That shows our team spirit – that everyone is ready to come on and contribute, even if they’re not starting.
“The commitment and desire is there.”
By Peter Lennox / Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Aug 11, 2022 11:03:33 GMT
Everton will wear the new 3rd kit for this game.
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Post by rugbytoffee on Aug 11, 2022 14:31:54 GMT
Everton will wear the new 3rd kit for this game. JEEEEZ , What is wrong with the Blue? |
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Post by Everton News. on Aug 12, 2022 12:00:30 GMT
New signings Conor Coady and Amadou Onana are available to make their Everton debuts for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa (12.30pm BST kick-off).
Frank Lampard revealed he has been impressed by England international Coady, who joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Wolves earlier this week.
The Everton boss described the signing as "a big deal", while also praising the leadership qualities of fellow summer recruits Onana and James Tarkowski, hailing the trio as the right type of characters "to drive the Club forward".
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Lampard said: It's a big deal in any dressing room - leadership. When you're coaching and managing, you rely on people in the dressing room to relay the message and drive it home, because you can't do every bit yourself.
"James [Tarkowski] has been in all pre-season and has shown his personality, as well as his on-field abilities.
"In the short time Conor has been here - just a few days - he's been a great one for me because normally you have to do a lot of reference checks on players to find out what type of people they are.
"It took me about five minutes to speak to Conor and understand the type of person he is - and I knew it before the phone call, if I'm honest.
"The minute he came up as an opportunity for us, it was a huge deal for me and the Club.
"The conversation we had was relatively short. I remember going against him while I was manager of Chelsea during COVID times with no fans - and it struck me, his voice on the pitch and how much he drove his team. And, obviously, he's a quality player, a regular in the England squad.
"I spoke to him and became aware of his situation, I told him what I thought about him as a player and what we're trying to do at Everton.
"With Amadou as well, the personality he's shown as a young man, with a real positive, infectious attitude straight away.
"It's not all about that [the character of a player] but it's a big part of what we're trying to do - to bring the right people to the Club to drive it forward.
"We're happy in terms of the business we've done so far to that point."
Meanwhile, striker Salomon Rondon returns for the trip to Villa Park after completing a three-match suspension.
But Lampard refused to be drawn into revealing more specific team news, as he "weighs up getting the sharpest players on the pitch" after a tricky pre-season.
The Blues will be without Yerry Mina after the the Colombian damaged ankle ligaments in the 2022/23 Premier League opener against Chelsea.
Ben Godfrey, meanwhile, is expected to be out for approximately three months after undergoing successful surgery to repair a fractured fibula in the same match.
Andros Townsend remains a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury in March.
Everton FC
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