Here are the Everton morning headlines for Tuesday, July 21.
Ancelotti makes scouting claim
Jarrad Branthwaite turned in a fine performance on his first Premier League start as Everton beat Sheffield United 1-0 on Monday.
The 18-year-old partnered Michael Keane at centre-back and helped the Blues keep their first clean sheet in six matches.
Everton signed the youngster from Carlisle in 2018 and Carlo Ancelotti has praised the club’s scouting department for uncovering him.
"It was a good performance, focused,” he said . What surprised me is the fact that, when he makes a mistake, he never loses confidence. He's always there focused, concentrating, calm.
"I have to say that our scouting department did a fantastic job finding him in a lower division."
Everton’s victory at Bramall Lane moved them up to 11th place in the Premier League.
Everton given Hojbjerg warning
Everton have been strongly linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.
The former Bayern Munich man is expected to leave St Mary’s before the start of next season, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs interested.
However, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has sent the Blues a warning over their pursuit of the 24-year-old.
"I just feel we had really high hopes at Southampton for Pierre and I just feel the last 18 months, he doesn't seem to have kicked on and improved in the way that the club hoped that he would have done,” Le Tissier told Sky Sports.
"I think the point behind that is that he’s been missing for a few games from that Southampton squad, could you tell? Did it make a difference that he wasn’t in the team? No, it didn’t."
Ancelotti issues Kean update
Moise Kean could start against Bournemouth this weekend despite missing the Sheffield United victory, Ancelotti has said.
The striker was expected to be involved at Bramall Lane but a knock he suffered in training ruled him out.
The Blues will conclude their campaign against Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Sunday and Kean is still in contention to feature despite his recent fitness problems.
“I think it's a small injury and he'll be ready for the next game,” Ancelotti said after the 1-0 win .
"If he is in good condition and recovers well then he can start [against Bournemouth]."
Everton can no longer finish in the top half of the table but will be determined to hold on to 11th place.
