Everton will head into this month’s international break with far more positivity than they did in September, given they had lost their opening three games of the season.
What made things even worse was that they seemed set to cruise towards that elusive first win at home to AFC Bournemouth, before they embarked on the most spectacular collapse.
However, having since beaten Crystal Palace, and picked up draws against Leicester City and Newcastle United, their position in the Premier League seems far stronger.
They will hope that this mini hiatus from club action will allow their injured players to return next week fit and raring to make their mark.
Which Everton players are away on international duty?
Although the squad is still injury-hit, there will be a handful of Everton players heading out to international duty in the next week.
Iliman Ndiaye is probably the biggest worry, given he will link up with the Senegal squad, but he is inexplicably not a starter for his national team.
Jordan Pickford is, however, and will hope to gather some momentum with England as they face Greece and Finland this month.
The club’s jovial video of their goalkeeper saving their former player’s penalty from Saturday has drawn some frustration though, with Jamie Carragher fuming with Everton’s treatment of Anthony Gordon.
Orel Mangala will be joining up with Belgium, but there is no place for Nathan Patterson, Jake O’Brien, Seamus Coleman and Armando Broja, who have all struggled this season for form and mainly fitness.
A surprise addition for England’s U20s though is Elijah Campbell, with journalist Matt Smith, who has written: ‘Everton’s Elijah Campbell, on loan at Ross County, has been called up to England men’s Elite League squad.
‘Late call-up with multiple players, including Jobe Bellingham, pulling out due to injury.’
Who is Everton gem Elijah Campbell?
Having joined the club in 2017, it did not take long for the 16-year-old Campbell to quickly establish himself in their U18s setup.
He would later go on to captain them, before making the natural step up into their U21s setup.
Sent out on loan this summer in an effort to further his development, having spent the second half of last season with Fleetwood Town, this 20-year-old centre-back is highly rated, boasting the necessary technical and physical assets to succeed in the modern game.
In fact, after signing a new deal at Everton back in 2022, Kevin Thelwell even noted: ‘Elijah is a talented young player and we are delighted he has committed his future to Everton.
‘He is a composed and athletic defender who is comfortable in possession. We look forward to working with him to continue the encouraging progress he has already made through our Academy.’
Hopefully, with that deal due to expire this summer, he can perform well enough for club and now country to convince Everton to put their faith in him.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
