Here are your Everton evening headlines for Monday 7 September.
How James Rodriguez can make his ‘last chance’ count as he's spotted in Liverpool
James Rodriguez is running out of opportunities, but his move to Everton offers a chance to get back towards the level we all know he’s capable of.
The Colombian had a huge impact on perceptions of his country with his performances at the 2014 World Cup, but six years later he’s trying to rebuild his own career after a disappointing end to his time at Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti, the man who took James to the Spanish capital, is aiming to bring him to Everton, where he can reignite a career which has recently looked to be flagging, and Colombia-based journalist Carl Worswick has given the ECHO some insight into perceptions of the playmaker in his homeland.
“He supposedly turned down Ancelotti’s Napoli last year because he wanted to stay at the top table of world football but maybe there’s a realisation from him that he needs this,” Worswick explains .
“James is 29 now and I heard a Colombian journalist say the other day ‘if he doesn’t make it at Everton, let’s turn the lights off and go home.’”
He was pictured leaving a Liverpool hotel as Everton look to finalise a transfer deal.
Rodriguez, 29, arrived in England last week after Carlo Ancelotti had asked the board to contemplate a high-profile move for his services.
He was spotted leaving the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool One after images at the weekend had shown him at the Titanic Hotel near Bramley-Moore Dock.
How Carlo Ancelotti’s predecessors fared in their first summer transfer window
Carlo Ancelotti has been hard at work in his first summer transfer window as Everton manager as he aims to improve on last season’s 12th-place finish.
Allan has already joined from Napoli, while a number of other players are being targeted by the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss.
But how did the Italian’s predecessors get on the first time they had a full summer to build the squad they wanted?
We’ve taken a look at how David Moyes, Roberto Martinez, Ronald Koeman and Marco Silva fared in their first summers, looking at the players who made an instant impact and those who didn’t do what the Toffees’ managers hoped they would.
As Ancelotti pushes for a couple of further additions, the squad is starting to look a little healthier going into the 2020/21 season, but will it be enough?
Everton told they “must” finish in the top six after big-spending summer
Everton are expected to add two more big signings as we approach the start of the new season, with James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure tipped to join Allan at Goodison Park.
Those deals would represent a big summer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who finished last season in the bottom half, giving them a platform to challenge for Europe.
However, simply challenging for the top six isn’t enough, according to former Arsenal midfielder Perry Groves .
“I think they are a very big threat to get themselves in the top six and if they do that the next step will be getting into the top four,” Groves told talkSPORT .
“For the money you’re going to spend and the money they have then that [top six spot] is a prerequisite.”
Last season’s 12th-place finish was Everton’s lowest since 2003/04, and left them 10 points outside the top six. However, a full season under Ancelotti - and expensive new additions - could help them bridge the gap.
*Do you play Fantasy Premier League? Do you back yourself to use your chips in the right gameweeks, and nail your captain every single time? Now is your chance to prove it – and win some prizes in the process.
