Koeman: “No way”

Ronald Koeman has ruled out Phil Jagielka leaving Everton amid rumoured interest from Sunderland.

Koeman: “He is the captain of the team. I need four good centre-backs. There is no way that Jags will leave the club”

On the future of Niasse, Koeman said: “Niasse, in my opinion, is not what we need for the future in that position. But good luck to the boy.”

The Everton manager also confirmed he intends to bring three or four more players in before the window closes, before expressing concern over the physical condition of his side.

“Of course it is always nice to start the season, but we are not at the level we need to be at. Not in terms of players, and not in terms of physical states.

“In a physical sense, I think we are 70% of what we need to be. We are working hard to improve, but that’s a different way of training and thinking about football and the level in the Premier League. We need to improve”.