A round-up of the latest Everton news as the Toffees react to interest from Tottenham Hotspur in Ben Godfrey’s transfer and Chris Sutton predicts their meeting with Spurs.
Everton react to Tottenham’s interest in Ben Godfrey’s transfer
Everton have reacted to interest from Tottenham by opening talks with Godfrey over a new contract. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that the Goodison Park natives want to block Spurs from targeting the 25-year-old. But he is only under contract until June 2025.
The Blues are eager to lock Godfrey down to a new long-term deal and particularly want to stop him from entering the final 12 months of the defender’s existing contract. But Godfrey has attracted an array of interest given Everton may boast a weakened negotiating position.
Tottenham are one of the biggest threats to Everton’s hope of retaining Godfrey as manager Ange Postecoglou targets defensive transfers. Spurs are in dire need of new options for his backline and appreciate Godfrey’s potential. He has also only featured three times this term.
Read more about Everton’s stance on Godfrey amid Tottenham’s interest in a transfer, here.
Chris Sutton predicts Tottenham to beat Everton on Saturday
Sutton predicts Tottenham will beat Everton 3-1 when Sean Dyche takes his Merseyside club to north London this Saturday. The Toffees travel to the capital on a four-match winning run in the Premier League. But Spurs should present a tougher test than their recent opposition.
Everton have had an impressive run of results, having beaten Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Burnley without conceding a single goal. Their results have also moved the Toffees six points clear of the relegation zone. Yet Spurs sit in fifth place after 17 games.
Postecoglou has also got Tottenham’s term back on track after wins against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Spurs had failed to win their previous five Premier League games having lost four. But even with Yves Bissouma banned, Sutton predicts Tottenham will beat Everton.
Sutton wrote in his BBC Sport prediction column: “Spurs can be reckless at times and will be without Yves Bissouma here after his red card against Forest. So, it won’t be straightforward and I do think Everton will score. But I am going to go with Ange to win it [3-1].”
Read more about what Sutton has predicted for Tottenham vs Everton, here.
Joel Waldron leaves his role as the COO of Everton’s academy
Joel Waldron has announced via LinkedIn that he recently left his role as Everton’s academy chief operating officer. It marks a farewell from Goodison Park after over 12 years of service. He first joined the Toffees full-time as their head of academy operations in September 2011.
Everton later promoted Waldron to the role of academy director between March 2017 until September 2020. He then took over the position of COO of Everton’s academy in September 2020 through until this month. Waldron even worked as a young casual scout prior to 2011.
Waldron is yet to confirm his next step after leaving Everton, instead preferring to take time out with his family over Christmas. But he left Goodison Park hugely grateful for the work of everyone he worked with at Everton, who generations of Waldron’s family have supported.
Read more about the departure of Everton’s academy COO Waldron, here.
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