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Who would be in your Everton-Tottenham Combined XI? via Royal Blue Mersey

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To be fair (to Everton) we’re picking a minimum of five from each side

DISCLAIMER: In the interests of fairness, by mutual consent the combined XI has a minimum of five players from each side.

With Everton hosting Tottenham tomorrow, Royal Blue Mersey joined forces with fellow SB Nation blog Cartilage Free Captain to create a combined XI that should give you plenty to rave and rant about as you count down the hours to the game tomorrow. Our thanks to Sean for engaging in this, and welcome to all Spurs fans who would like to comment on what we will freely admit is a side that has more Blues than should have been.

Strikers –


RBM – Pairing Romelu Lukaku with Harry Kane is a no-brainer. Rom does better when he is not the sole focus, and this will allow him to drift outside to get the ball and run at the defence, where he can get truly terrifying.

CFC – I absolutely agree with the pairing. Kane can play both the 10 and the 9 and would link up well with Lukaku. Kane's passing is underrated if you ask me and both of them can beat up on center backs. Actually, maybe they'd make a good WWE tag team at some point, though a good tag team name isn't coming to mind…

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Unchained WWE

Kane & The Undertaker
Midfielders –


RBM – The Ross Barkley – Dele Alli comparisons are probably never going away, and that's probably because even we don't know what Ross' best position on the field is. He doesn't have the workrate to be a box-to-box type midfielder, but he is also at his best with the ball at his feet, so he needs to be kept supplied regularly. This might be the only way to have both on the field and unencumbered by defensive responsibilities.

Gareth Barry is probably unlucky to miss out, but his ageing legs wouldn't hold up at the base of this diamond.

CFC – Dele is too good to leave off of this, especially with us utilizing the diamond. He has to play the #10 role in this formation. I agree with the comparisons to Barkley, and while he wouldn't make an unbalanced Starting XI for me in this, I think slotting him on the left midfield is a fine choice. The problem I came up with here is the Erik Lamela vs Christian Eriksen argument. While I could go full Spurs history here and say let's just throw Aaron Lennon on the right and let him run at everyone, Lamela's pressing is so good and he is as creative as it gets. He's poised for a big season and I can't drop him.

Since we're having Dele at the #10, then Eric Dier has to be at the base of the diamond. His passing is great and he is a beast when it comes to protecting the space in front of the back four. Plus, he has to be there to protect Dele. The bromance cannot be broken between these two.

Defence –


RBM – The Everton backline exemplifies the saying that the individuals are better than the sum of the whole, especially last season. Phil Jagielka has slowed down a bit recently, but remains our most solid, stay-at-home defender. Pairing him with Jan Vertonghen frees up Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman to bomb up and down the wings.

CFC – This is where it gets really tough for me because I'm down to one outfield choice. Coleman doesn't have that insane pace that Kyle Walker has, but it would be good enough to be a threat in attack and still track back on defense. Baines, when he's healthy, is still good enough to play left back so I'll concede there as well. That leaves us with the center backs, and it seems insane that I would break up Janby Aldertonghen and I would never consider it, but here we are because of the rules we have here. I'm going to go with Toby Alderweireld over Jan, only because Toby showed over the course of the last 12 months that you can pair him up with anyone and things will work out. Jan might be able to do that as well, and I have no doubt he'd be fine, but Toby gets the nod here with Jagielka.

Goalie –


RBM – No debate whatsoever here, Hugo Lloris is better than any goalie Everton have by a country mile.

CFC – Like you said, this is a no brainer. Hugo is love. Hugo is life. He's also the Captain of this group. There's no way you can't have our beautiful Frenchman not be in net.

Manager –


RBM – Both ex-Southampton managers, with Ronald Koeman having a much more illustrious career as a player. But as we all know too well, a good player does not a good manager always make. We’ll take Mauricio Pochettino for having done more in the Premier League.

CFC – We’ll roll with Poch out of bias, naturally!


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Everton v Tottenham Hotspur – The Preview via Everton Arent We

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As the saying goes – once Everton has touched you, you can’t make them just [Poor language removed] off and leave you alone.

Or something like that.

Yes, like Christopher Biggins, Everton are back in the spotlight and making people fume yet again. This time we’ve got the potential to cause a furore so big that Owen Smith will need to launch a campaign against us and the Mail might link us to cancer or an immigration boom. Is this the season that we end our long wait for glory? Will this be the first step in a quiet revolution? Or will we shake our heads come May, mutter ‘Everton that’ and begin again?

Things certainly are different in our sunny corner of L4, mind. When Farhad Moshiri swept into Goodison in February, he brought eye-watering wealth and the promise of better days. We’d be the Mersey Billionaires, a star-studded line-up and a glittering new stadium, winning the lot and making heads fall off left, right and centre. Funny thing is, some of our *not at all impatient* fanbase are disgusted that all of this hasn’t happened immediately. Damn you Moshiri, you Persian fraud. A Farsi-cal chairman, if you’re keen on atrocious puns.

Simply put, there is no way a great change is going to happen quickly. It may even mean that the points tally only improves slightly this season. We’re all desperate to end our hiatus from success, but while trophies can be a short-term goal whether you’re Man City or Wigan, returning to a place among the upper crust takes a while. Just look at Manchester United and Liverpool, two sides with plenty of history and fistfuls of cash, still not assured of a place in the top four.

So we’re getting there, as Oasis said, little by little. While Everton hope to give us everything we ever dreamed of, first we must repair the damage after the wheels of our club came falling off. Roberto Martinez is out, his phenomenal vision long since clouded over, and his uninspiring staff out with him. The replacements have been hand-picked; Ronald Koeman, the man credited with guiding a Southampton side constantly plucked by bigger sides a few places above us; Steve Walsh, one of the masterminds who guided Leicester to the title; Erwin Koeman and Jan Kluitenberg, two of Koeman’s most trusted men; and Patrick Lodewijks, a highly rated goalkeeping coach to replace Inaki Bergara and his suspect shorts. Like the refurbishment of Goodison, we’re building on what we’ve got and steadily improving. The grand vision, much like a beautiful new stadium on the King’s Dock, will arrive in time if the foundations are there.

With no games to fume about, we’ve had lots of time to whine about the squad. Where’s the signings? Why aren’t we spending money NOW? Why aren’t we bidding on him, the Mirror says he’s available? The Mirror’s selling Lukaku again, what a bunch of lying bastards. All paper talk. Anyway, where’s that signing we were linked with by that ITK? What, we’ve bid for HIM?! Oh, not him, I wanted the other one.

It’s exhausting, it really is.

So John Stones is gone. Effortlessly brilliant on the ball but unable to do the basics, he is not worth £47.5m as a short-term signing, but he will be in time. Best of luck to him. In the meantime, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert have all left the club. Hibbert, distraught at not getting a new contract, told the Mail that we’re not “The People’s Club” any more.

YEEEERRRRRRRRS.

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Idrissa Gueye is in, and while we may be blinkered by the awful showings he put in against us for Lille and Aston Villa, he will add some energy and bite to a midfield that went missing too often last season. Ashley Williams may be 32 but he has experience, leadership and the ability to do the basics and do them well. Maarten Stekelenburg is a second choice keeper in first choice keeper’s clothing at the moment, but he can claim a cross and only does star jumps as a warm-up. The pattern is clear – carefully handpicked players who do not immediately elevate us to the very top, but represent an improvement. There is the suggestion that at least two more players will come in. Lamine Kone and Yannick Bolasie are targets, and while all the Twitter experts may be keen to point out there are better options out there, we’ll have to trust the new staff. This soon into their time here, we owe them that much.

Besides, it’s not your money they’re spending, is it? Unless you’ve got a Sky subscription.

According to Ronald Koeman, we’re 70% ready for the new season. While that’s hardly heartening, Koeman is a man eternally chasing that elusive 100%. Not the Martinez, Lego Movie-style hyper-enthusiastic 100%, but perfection. They will be ready to play this weekend, but they will not be playing Koeman’s brand of football to his full satisfaction for a while yet. Again, that watchword is patience.

There’s nothing to say we can’t win games even though we’re not at our best, or because we haven’t concluded our business. It’s time to get back on that nine-month rollercoaster and see if we’re giddy or just back to feeling nauseous come May.

Luckily, it’s only Spurs we’ve got, that side against whom we have an awful record and who put up 80% of a decent title fight last season before going all Sprursy.

Dealing with infuriatingly patronising red neighbours is a cross we both have to bear, and for that they can be forgiven for being constantly maudlin. The inflated sense of self-worth a group of people can only get from being from London makes it a pain when the Jack Wills-sporting crowd saunter into town with all the great bantz about eating rats and bricking cars, but they don’t have the same sense of entitlement that Arsenal fans tend to.

Mauricio Pochettino, he with the constant expression of a man who has flown to Las Vegas and had his luggage turn up in Luton, has created a strong side built on youthful talents and a strong back line. Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderwiereld and Jan Vertonghen stroll into almost any side. Kyle Walker probably strolls into lamp posts, the absent minded-looking meff. Moussa Dembele is the understated heartbeat of this side, so it is a bonus that he is out and hired goon Victor Wanyama is in. Dele Alli is excellent and has now proved it, so he and Ross Barkley can console each other now Alli is bound to be weighed down by hype and constant pressure to meet expectations, while Christian Eriksen is excellent and already knows it. Harry Kane, with his face like a Madame Tussaud’s project gone horribly wrong, proved a lot of people wrong by continuing to score freely last campaign. After a summer of looking like one of the key players in the England tragic comedy that was ‘This Time We’ll Definitely Follow On From ’66, Part XIII’, he’ll be motivated to return to top form for his club.

So the Koeman era starts here. Stekelenburg in goal. Robles can no longer use Tim Howard as a yardstick, so his inability to claim a cross is now a real sticking point. Coleman, Funes Mori, Jagielka and Baines if the former is fit. Perhaps Holgate at right back if not. For all our transfer failings, we’ve done an excellent job picking up classy young defenders. Tom Davies could also slot in there, but he and his flowing blonde locks will be better suited in midfield. Taking up those slots should be Gueye, Barry and Barkley. Lennon, Lukaku and Deulofeu if Lukaku is fit. If not, Mirallas in for Lukaku. We clearly need more attacking options, but Deulofeu shows some promise as a less-than-traditional centre forward, as he once did for Barcelona B.

Alright, I know things aren’t perfect. After the last couple of years, we knew we needed to build from the rubble of previous failures. That rebuilding starts here and now, with a home game against good opposition. It’s not going to be a bed of roses, and we may not get where we want to go. But we need to feel like we’re at least on the way.

They say good things come to those who wait. And we’ve waited long enough.

Come on you Blues.

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Ronald Koeman insists Ross Barkley is in critical phase of career as he challenges Everton midfielder to deliver his greatest season via Daily Mail

Five years after David Moyes handed the then 17-year-old Ross Barkley his Premier League debut, new boss Ronald Koeman warns him he is entering a critical phase of his career.
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Koeman keen to dampen expectations ahead of season opener via Royal Blue Mersey

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Everton take on Tottenham at Goodison Park

Well, are you ready?

Just 90 days after a manager-less Everton ended a dismal season on a relative high with victory over relegated Norwich, the Toffees will once again stride out at Goodison Park ahead of what promises to be another eventful season.

In the intervening three months we have fed our football fix with a combination of Euro 2016 and Copa America action, but nothing quite beats the Blues on a Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.

This summer was supposed to be when everything changed. When Everton, fuelled by Farhad Moshiri’s billions, stamped their new-found authority on the Premier League.

An Axel Witsel here, a Juan Mata there, we were supposed to see the Mersey Millionaires spur back into action.

Instead it’s felt very much like we’ve travelled back in time to the David Moyes era, with the club’s major transfer activity only kicking into gear after a major sale.

Things are, of course, very different from Moyes’ time at the club and the arrival of Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh are two astute appointments by the Everton hierarchy.

The final two weeks of the transfer window may yet yield a few surprises too. The departure of John Stones was sadly inevitable and largely out of Koeman’s control. But the three new signings we have made will undoubtedly improve the side and it seems a few more deals are imminent.

But for now we need to show a touch of patience and accept that things will not change dramatically overnight.

Koeman was very quick to dampen expectations going into the season opener, warning that his squad were only 70% fit and expressing his frustration at the length of holiday they were given.

It is a damning indictment of the Roberto Martinez regime that the players can be deemed so unfit on the eve of a new campaign.

The side regularly looked out of juice in the closing stages of games under the Spaniard and perhaps now we know why.

Koeman’s concerned expressions on the touchline during pre-season are also indicative of a man only just realising the size of the task put in front of him.

There may be a few choppy waters ahead before the Dutchman can start to turn the good ship Everton around.

The opposition

Tottenham, in contrast, have had a serene build-up to the new season. Fresh off the back of their most successful Premier League campaign to date manager Mauricio Pochettino has wisely chosen not to meddle with his squad.

The only major arrivals are Victor Wanyama from Southampton, for what looks like a bargain fee of £11m given today’s market, and Vincent Janssen for £17m from AZ Alkmaar.

That means the core of last season’s side remains, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris set to feature at Goodison Park.

Only champions Leicester had a better away record than Spurs last season and only a 5-2 collapse at Newcastle on the final day prevented them from finishing with the best defensive record on the road.

It all points to a tricky first day at the office for Koeman and his new side.

Team news

New signing Ashley Williams will not feature for Everton on Saturday. The defender has is short of match fitness after returning to training late after Euro 2016. Romelu Lukaku (heel) and Seamus Coleman (ankle) are to be assessed. Captain Phil Jagielka is fit after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Maarten Stekelenberg is expected to make his debut in goal with Idrissa Gueye poised for his first Toffees appearance in midfield.

Tottenham will be without Mousa Dembele who still has four games to serve of a six-game ban issued last season. Defender Jan Vertonghen is fit to start after recovering from an ankle injury suffered at Euro 2016.

The last word

Koeman may well be indulging in a bit of mind games by publicly declaring his dismay at his side’s lack of fitness.

He will be all too aware of the expectations surrounding the side following his appointment as manager and will be keen to try and secure some breathing space in case things don’t go right straight away.

It is clear the team needs strengthening and a pre-season that yielded two wins, two defeats and two draws perhaps sums up where the team is at right now.

Tottenham look a much more settled, balanced side but will also feel the pressure of expectation after such a wonderful season last time out.

A packed Goodison Park means it will be a raucous atmosphere for Koeman’s debut but I fear it won’t be enough to secure the win.

An entertaining 2-2 draw will leave all parties satisfied and allow attention to be switched back to the transfer market before the window closes in a fortnight’s time.

Predicated Everton XI: Stekelenberg, Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines, Gueye, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku.


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Everton Interested in Valencia Defender? via Royal Blue Mersey

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Plan B already in place if Kone falls through

Everton are reported to be interested in Valencia’s Aymen Abdennour as a possible replacement for John Stones. If true, this is likely a plan B in case the Toffees’ bid for Lamine Kone of Sunderland fails to materialize; which is a possibility considering that David Moyes has offered him a new contract, but only if he stays past the transfer deadline of September 1st.

Abdennour, 27, joined the Spanish club last August from Monaco for a reported fee of £18.8m, and picked up 29 appearances in all competitions. The Tunisian defender was brought in as a replacement for Nicolás Otamendi after his move to Manchester City. Abdennour is under contract until 2020, giving his club an upper-hand in negotiations with interested suitors.

Though Valencia seem to have given up on the player, they also want to make some cash for their troubles. Everton’s bid is around £15.5m but the Spaniards are said to be holding out for a fee of £19m.

At the moment, sources are scarce but David Cartlidge of beIN Sports Spain has put out a few tweets on the matter:


Everton in for Abdennour. Bid is apparently €18m, but Valencia want around €22m. Sources very good on this one too… #EFC

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) August 12, 2016


Everton in for Abdennour. Bid is apparently €18m, but Valencia want around €22m. Sources very good on this one too… #EFC

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) August 12, 2016


Valencia owner Peter Lim in London for meetings with Arsenal over Mustafi & Everton over Abdennour (via reliable @Generaldepie_). #AFC #EFC

— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) August 12, 2016
​

If that last one can be believed, talks may have reached an advanced stage. If so, we have to wonder how long Abdennour has been on Everton’s radar and how this was kept so quiet.


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The football is back and there’s loads to see and do at Goodison Park via NSNO

We've waited 89 long days for proper football to return and the wait is finally over as Everton take on Spurs at Goodison Park this afternoon.
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Everton vs. Tottenham 2016 Premier League opener: live stream, start time, TV schedule and how to watch online via Royal Blue Mersey

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The Toffees host Spurs to open the league season.

Welcome back! After three long months and the so-called "Summer of Soccer", real football has returned. For this new-look Everton side, there is optimism aplenty. Under new ownership and a well-regarded manager, the Blues are looking to rebound from two disappointing seasons and threaten for a spot in Europe once again.

Just a run down of the changes for Everton over the summer:

  • Ronald Koeman made the move from Southampton to take over for the sacked Roberto Martinez as manager.
  • John Stones has finally been sold, going to Manchester City for a fee reported to be around £47.5 million
  • There have been three senior signings to date, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (Fulham), midfielder Idrissa Gueye (Aston Villa) and center back Ashley Williams (Swansea City).
  • But some old faces have left: goalkeeper Tim Howard, right back Tony Hibbert, winger Steven Pienaar and midfielder Leon Osman.

For Tottenham, they had what could be regarded as their best season ever in the Premier League. They finished third with 70 points and lost just six games. If they could convert some of their 13 draws into wins they may be legitimate title challengers. Spurs have added to their attacking prowess, bringing in Victor Wanyama from Southampton and Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar.

This fixture last year led to two draws; a 0-0 tie at White Hart Lane in August and a 1-1 score at Goodison Park in January with the goals coming from Aaron Lennon and Dele Alli. Those are results that I’m sure Everton would be happy with once again, but Spurs will be looking for more.

Match Details


Date and Time – Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST/15:00 BST

Stadium – Goodison Park, Liverpool, England

Capacity – 39,572

Weather Forecast: 18°C/64°F, partly cloudy, 0% chance of rain

How to Watch/Listen


Radio – US: SiriusXM FC
UK: BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio

TV – US: CNBC
UK: not listed

Live Stream – NBC Sports Live

Information from LiveSoccerTV.com

Lineups

Everton


Starting XI – TBA

Bench – TBA

Tottenham


Starting XI – TBA

Bench – TBA

Poll

What is your prediction for the result in this Everton vs Tottenham game?

  • Everton win
  • Draw
  • Everton loss

0 votes | Results


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2016-17 Premier League season to have new rules via Royal Blue Mersey

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Triple punishment rule, kickoffs and offside rule changes to be implemented

When the new Premier League season kicks off later today, keep an eye out for some of the modified rules that will be enforced this year.

Of the 95 changes that have been agreed upon, very few will actually be visible to the casual fan, but the change with the biggest impact is the so-called ‘Triple-Punishment Rule’ – a foul committed in the penalty area, denying an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity. This usually results in 1 – a red card, 2 – a suspension and 3 – a penalty kick.

Under the new rule –


In the new laws a player who commits a foul while tackling in a "fair and reasonable" attempt to play the ball will only receive a yellow card for this offence, because it is considered that the penalty kick recreates the goalscoring opportunity that was lost by the foul.

If the offence is outside the penalty area, or if the foul is for holding or handball, then it will still be sanctioned with a red card.
​

Some other key changes were used at the Euro 2016 tournament held in France this summer, including the kickoff, a part of the offside rule and goalkeepers moving during a penalty kick.

Henceforth, the kick-off can be played in any direction and does need to be necessarily played forward. This was seen quite often during the Euros, especially by France.

As for the offside –


If a player runs back into his own half from an offside position and is penalised, the free-kick is taken from the point where they are penalised. This can be well inside their own half, which increases the advantage for the opposing team.
​

During a penalty kick, if a goalkeeper moves early on a kick that the penalty taker does not score from, the kick will be retaken, with the goalkeeper getting a yellow card.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) General Manager Mike Riley said –


"The changes are reflective of the modern game – you have to move with the times.

"We want football to be seen as a progressive and forward-thinking sport and ultimately these changes have been made to try and improve the game.”
​


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Tottenham’s Erik Lamela rescues point against understrength Everton via The Guardian

Tottenham should have won this game and they know it. Everton were the most obliging of opponents, slightly fortunate to take an early lead and positively delusional if they imagined they would be able to hang on to it for 85 minutes. In the end they were glad of a point, so small was their share of the game and so limited their attacking efforts, while Spurs will be satisfied with the result but acutely aware they could have done better.

Everton paraded Ashley Williams on the pitch before kick off though the new signing from Swansea was deemed too short of match practice to make his debut in Ronald Koeman’s new look back three. Mason Holgate, a member of that trio, was also one of three players making their first Everton starts, the other two being goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and defensive midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye. The change Everton found most difficult to get used to, however, was the absence of Romelu Lukaku as an outlet up front. The Belgian is widely believed to be on his way out of the club anyway but he needed stitches in a foot injury in last week’s friendly against Espanyol and was not risked.

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