Here are your Everton morning headlines for Friday, 2 October.
Everton edge closer to £25m Ben Godfrey deal
Everton are closing in on a £25million deal to sign Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey ahead of Monday’s transfer window deadline.
The 22-year old has emerged as the Blues’ first-choice defensive target ahead of potential loan moves for Jean-Clair Todibo and Fikayo Tomori.
Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the potential arrival of the England U21 international after the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham in midweek, with the Italian describing him as a “really good centre-back”.
Godfrey played a key role in the Canaries’ Premier League promotion back in 2019, before making 30 top-flight appearances last season under Daniel Farke.
Everton chasing club Premier League record ahead of Brighton clash
Everton could set a new club Premier League record if they beat Brighton this weekend.
Ancelotti’s side have enjoyed a perfect start to the 2020/21 season with three straight Premier League victories and three wins in Carabao Cup action.
If the Blues pick up all three points against Graham Potter’s side, having beaten the Seagulls home and away in 2019/20, it will be the first time they have won seven consecutive games since the title winning campaign of 1986/87 .
Howard Kendall’s team achieved that feat twice in one season during their march towards a ninth First Division title for the Blues.
If Ancelotti’s side do win this weekend it will also set his team up perfectly for the derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17.
Carlo Ancelotti set to rotate for Brighton clash
Ancelotti will once again make changes to his side for the Premier League visit of Brighton this weekend.
The Italian made sweeping alterations for the midweek Carabao Cup win over West Ham, and he is expected to recall the majority of his big guns against Graham Potter’s side .
Jordan Pickford will remain in goal, behind Michael Keane and Lucas Digne, with the Frenchman switching to left-back and Seamus Coleman and Yerry Mina returning to the starting XI.
James Rodriguez and the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin should also keep their places, but Ancelotti could rotate his midfield options, with Fabian Delph or Gylfi Sigurdsson both possibly starting their first league game of 2020/21.
Richarlison and Allan were both substituted in the second half against the Hammers and could miss out if they fail to recover from minor knocks, with Ancelotti expected to provide an update on the pair later today.
