Here are your Everton morning headlines for Thursday, July 9.
Ancelotti comments on Rodriguez link
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he likes James Rodriguez ‘a lot’ but has downplayed the chances of the Colombian joining the Toffees.
Rodriguez, who played under the Italian at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, has been mentioned as an Everton transfer target with the 28-year-old's future at Madrid appearing uncertain.
However, while insisting Everton need to add quality during the summer transfer window, Ancelotti does not envisage a reunion with the South American.
"James Rodriguez? I like, I like a lot as a player,” said Ancelotti.
“When I left Madrid, James Rodriguez followed me to Munich. He came to play. But he followed me as a rumour to Napoli and now he is following me to here Everton as a rumour. I have to be honest, I like him a lot. But he is a Real Madrid player. I think he will still be a Real Madrid player."
How Ancelotti will improve Toffees squad
Ancelotti will improve the Everton squad through a mix of transfers and using his prowess as a top-level coach.
Speaking after Monday’s defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, Ancelotti insisted he will “100%” improve the playing personnel at Goodison Park.
However, as ECHO Everton reporter Phil Kirkbride notes, that does not merely mean signing players.
Instead of pursuing dramatic changes, the three-time Champions League-winning tactician will retain the spine of his team while making tweaks and additions.
“While a clutch of new faces will be added, shifting a lot of unwanted players in one summer will be difficult and he will try to improve many of the players he has inherited,” writes Kirkbride.
“It's part of the Everton job description, but he sounds ready for the challenge.”
Ancelotti stance on subs
Ancelotti is not in favour of extending the period in which teams can use five substitutes in one game as it adds to time-wasting.
Managers have been able to make up to five subs since the league’s resumption, with The Athletic reporting that it may be implemented throughout the 2020/21 season.
However, Ancelotti - who used five subs against Spurs - admits he would prefer to see a return to the traditional three substitutes.
"I'm not a big fan of the five substitutions because most of the subs, I think, are done to lose time and break the game,” he said. "Three is enough.”
