Here are your Everton FC evening headlines for Wednesday, November 9.
New stadium update
Everton have confirmed that the first of the giant trusses that will support the roof structure at the club’s new stadium has successfully been installed.
In what is being described as a milestone moment for the project, the 100-tonne section of steelwork was carefully hoisted into place in the north stand on Wednesday morning. In total, the ground will have five roof trusses installed; two in the smaller north stand and three atop the one-tier south stand that will eventually house 13,000 Evertonians.
READ MORE: Everton analysis - Trio add fuel to transfer speculation as Frank Lampard example still not followed
READ MORE: What Bournemouth fans chanted during Everton win should embarrass players and Frank Lampard
Today’s work is set to be followed by a series of lifts over the coming weeks at both ends of the stadium that will offer a first view of its full height of just under 45 metres. Each truss will initially rest on temporary support trestles built into the stand, and consist of three sections assembled at ground level and lifted into place individually.
Speaking last week, Amadou Onana admitted he had been 'blown away' by the progress of the dockside development: “It is my ambition to play here. It looks amazing so I’m very much looking forward to that day. I want to help bring Everton back to where the club belongs. I’m completely blown away [by the stadium]. It looks fantastic. I can’t believe how fast it is growing!”
Kudus transfer stance
Everton summer target Mohamed Kudus has ruled out a move away from Ajax in the January transfer window.
The Toffees were keen on signing Kudus towards the end of the summer window, with some reports suggesting a loan had been agreed while others claimed the forward refused to train in a bid to force a move away. The 22-year-old has quickly forgotten any misgivings, enjoying the form of his life with 10 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions - and it seems he is happy to stay in Amsterdam for the foreseeable.
“Of course things changed after that,” he told Dutch publication Algemeen Dagblad via Sport Witness when asked about wanting to leave in the summer. “Especially that I started playing more. I believe that if – and we never know for sure – I had been given that chance, things could also have gone well or better.
“That’s how I felt at the time. I wanted to try something new. That’s normal in football. We all want to play. And if you don’t play, you have to look further to be able to do that. “I am a player who likes to challenge himself. This is my third season here. We’ll see what the future brings. The most important thing is that I just keep performing for the team and the rest will follow naturally later.”
Asked whether he will look to leave the Johan Cruijff ArenA in January, Kudus replied: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think so."
READ NEXT
Frank Lampard gives scathing verdict on Everton fringe players after Bournemouth loss
Everton player ratings as one awful and three more poor in Bournemouth hammering
Tom Cannon sends 14-word message after making Everton debut against Bournemouth
Frank Lampard gives injury updates on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and two more Everton players
Everton fail to learn from past mistakes as Frank Lampard selection raises worrying question
