From the category archives:

Everton

Chelsea and Liverpool forced to name small squads

by David Wilson on September 1, 2010

For the first time Premier League teams had to name a 25-man squad for the first half of the EPL season and there was a couple of surprises.

All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do not qualify as homegrown. Homegrown players are classed as players who “irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday”.

Transfer deadline day part one

by Damian Cooper on August 31, 2010

Robbie Keane Today is transfer deadline day in the EPL meaning that Premier League clubs have until 6pm London time to sign players before the window closes. The day is always rife with Speculation and the advent of 24 hour rolling sports news has fuelled that speculation further in recent years.

Avram Grant is on his phone down at the Boleyn Ground with rumours abound of Jamie O’Hara and Robbie Keane coming in. Scott Parker is sought after once again, and Hammers fans will be hoping that the Board do what they say and keep hold of Parker. Chairman David Sullivan issued a hands off warning a few weeks ago and said Parker was categorically going nowhere. That hasn’t stopped the rumours though.

What a difference a day makes

by Damian Cooper on August 29, 2010

Proud history, bright future Aston Villa fans will be heading to Villa park today in trepidation rather than the optimism of an exciting new season ahead. The Villains have well and truly had their balloon burst already as they prepare for what is only their third EPL game and second home league game of the season. The blow from O’Neills decision to walk away from the club was softened by an opening day victory against West Ham, but things have gone from bad to worse since then. Randy Lerner is taking a patient approach to bringing in a new manager, but defeat today will see the fans’ patience start to fall away as they clammer for a new man at the helm.

What Now For England?

by John Brandon on June 29, 2010

After a desperately disappointing World Cup exit at the weekend, the question is where do England go now?
The whole tournament showed England to be an over hyped mediocre side set up in a way by Capello that below average sides were able to simply raise their game and get a result against them.
People have actually forgotten that before this tournament England actually failed to qualify for Euro 2008, with exactly the same squad as the current campaign. So it’s the same squad, just four years older, or as Capello whinged in his press conference, ‘four years more tired’.

Everton sign Jermaine Beckford

by David on May 31, 2010

Everton have signed striker Jermaine Beckford on a four-year deal after the striker’s contract at Leeds was cancelled.

The 26-year-old scored 31 goals last season in helping Leeds gain promotion to the Championship.

His goals helped Beckford to be named as the League One Player of the Year, an award he also won in 2008.

“I want to test myself at the highest level,” said Beckford.  ”I’ve been impressed a lot by him [Moyes]. He seems like the type of guy who will sit down and tell you where you’re going wrong, what you’re doing right and what you might need to work on. “It is a club I can learn from and it can help me develop into a better player. Fingers crossed, I can be really involved in taking this club where it wants to be.”

Rafa Eyeing Everton Players?

by Patton Hunnicutt on April 21, 2010

Ronnie bothering Rafa Benitez
Steven Pienaar is just minding his own business at Everton, but it seems that Rafa Benitez is ready to raid Everton and get the upper hand in signing Pienaar this summer.

For me this indicates that Rafa is staying in Liverpool despite being offered the Juve job and probably others down the road.  Since he’s going to start buying players I guess it’s only fitting to ask why this guy and why put the news out there now.

It would seem that with Pienaar’s contract not up until next year that there wouldn’t be a whole lot Rafa could do.  Plus, he’s put the news out there so now Pienaar’s agent can put the pressure on Everton to pay up because Liverpool’s desire to sign him has produced leverage.

Donovan Should Stay in England

by Brian Hall on February 25, 2010

Faggots n chips
Creative Commons License photo credit: Krissyho

Landon Donovan should stay in the land of fish and chips and bangers and mash for good. 

I know it sounds a bit hypocritical for a Yank to wish that the MLS’ best domestic would leave the league to go across the pond, but with Donovan’s recent transfer to Everton he has finally proven to the world that he is top division stuff.  You can say it is a mere coincidence that right when Donovan moved to Everton their season took a positive move up the table, but the LA Galaxy star has been a valuable player that is used frequently in the lineup. 

Chelsea Move Back On Top Of Premier League

by David on January 27, 2010

Frank LampardChelsea moved back on top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win at home against Birmingham City. Birmingham arrived at Stamford Bridge on a club-record 15-match unbeaten run, but that unbeaten streak was in jeopardy within six minutes when City left Florent Malouda unmarked in the penalty box, as he headed in a cross from Joe Cole.

Chelsea spurned several good chances before Frank Lampard added a second before half-time. Lampard again finished of the scoring in the 90th minute as Chelsea look the most likely team to win the Premier League this season.

Everton is going to sign Donovan?

by Patton Hunnicutt on December 12, 2009

It appears that Everton is close to signing Landon Donovan to get him on a 3-month loan.  As soon as I read this I had many questions.  Many, many questions.

1.  Is Landon Donovan really going to be able to help a club that is as pathetic as Everton right now?

No.  Everton is showing us that their “way” isn’t working and now they want to bring in a guy who needed David Beckham so his team could LOSE the MLS Final to what amounted to an expansion team?  I don’t get it.  I know Landon is a good player and all that, but has anyone else noticed that USSoccer is thinking of adding Robbie Findley to their roster?  (Do you think that’s because he made Donovan look like a kindergartener?)

Everton to sign U.S. star on loan deal

by David on December 9, 2009

Everton are expected to sign US international Landon Donovan on a three-month loan deal in January.

Donovan needs to play competitive football at the end of the Major League Soccer to maintain his fitness for the World Cup finals in South Africa in June and he spent last winter at Bayern Munich.

Newspaper reports say that negotiations are at an advanced stage with the 27-year-old, who is the USA’s all-time leading scorer.

LD’s move to Merseyside would help boost Everton’s injury-ravanged squad, and he will be able to play in the next stage of the Europa League.