Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Yannick Bolasie is not part of his plans for Everton in 2020/21.
The winger has been working hard in training and played in both of the Blues' pre-season matches over the summer, coming off the bench against Blackpool and Preston.
However, the 31-year-old has not been involved in the squad for any of Everton 's first six matches of the campaign in all competitions as rumours have circulated surrounding his future.
Ancelotti, when asked about Bolasie's future in his pre-Brighton press conference, praised his player's work ethic - but confirmed he will not be involved for Everton this season.
The boss said: "Bolasie is doing well, he's training well and properly. He's a professional.
"He is not part of the squad. He can train with us if he's not able to find a club until the end of the market, and if he stays here of course we are going to train him.
"But I said to him that we have a big squad, and unfortunately there is no space for him."
Bolasie is one of a number of players who find themselves on the fringes of the Everton squad for the time-being.
However, Ancelotti sent a message to those who might not be getting as much game time as they would like - saying that they will be judged by their efforts on the training pitch.
Catch the latest Royal Blue podcast HERE
"I think to keep the players happy is not the goal. I don't want to keep the players happy, I want to reach results with the club," the manager added.
"I know it's impossible to keep all the players happy, but sometimes the sadness of the players and the fact that they can be upset with the manager can be a good motivation to work hard, to be focused, to wait for the moment.
"The moment comes, there is no other solution. If you are ready, the moments will come sooner or later.
"The players who are maybe not involved in the last games will be involved tomorrow, and they have to be ready. In the end, I'm used to saying to the players, the judge is not the manager - the judge is the training ground.
"If you do well in the training ground, you have a possibility to play. My job is to look at what the player does on the training ground and then, after that, I have to choose the line-up."
