A round-up of the latest Everton news as James Tarkowski issues a big prediction over Jarrad Branthwaite’s future and fresh ‘fears’ appear over 777 Partners’ takeover aims.
James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford ‘fall out all the time’ at Everton
Toffees defender Tarkowski has admitted that he and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ‘fall out all the time’. But the 31-year-old can see why Pickford is England’s No1 ahead of Newcastle ace Nick Pope as he is ‘outstanding’. The 29-year-old also always barks orders to his teammates.
It is through Pickford’s endless yelling during Everton’s games that he frustrates Tarkowski in their matches. But the centre-half lets that slip as the shot-stopper can come to the Toffees’ rescue. Pickford currently ranks in second place for the Golden Glove with five clean sheets.
Only Pope has kept more clean sheets during Premier League fixtures so far this season than Pickford with six. But Tarkowski can see why Gareth Southgate favours Pickford as England’s No1 over his old Burnley teammate. He played 129 top-flight games with Pope at Turf Moor.
“Oh, he’s an outstanding goalkeeper,” Tarkowski told talkSPORT (12/12, 09:20). “We fall out all the time on the pitch. He never shuts up shouting at me but, no, he’s been exceptional.
“I was always playing with Nick Pope and thought he was an excellent goalkeeper. But I can really see why he’s England’s No1 because he’s absolutely top [class].’
Read more about what Tarkowski has had to say about Everton teammate Pickford, here.
777 Partners face fresh ‘fears’ over their takeover of Everton
Miami-based private investment company, 777 Partners, face fresh ‘fears’ for their takeover of Everton. That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that Premier League chiefs are now indicating to the group that their takeover will not be approved before the end of 2023.
The repercussions of a delay in 777 Partners’ bid to pass the Premier League’s fit and proper owners test can be costly for Everton. Fears are high that the Blues may enter administration in January without Farhad Moshiri selling his shares as Everton’s majority owner this month.
But while the Daily Mail cite ‘fears’ surrounding 777 Partners’ takeover of Everton, TEAMtalk has also reported that senior Blues figures expect the group to receive the Premier League’s approval this month. Moshiri may even sell his shares to the US group before December 22.
Read more about the latest ‘fears’ surrounding 777 Partners’ takeover of Everton, here.
James Tarkowski backs Jarrad Branthwaite for his England debut
Tarkowski also backed Everton teammate Jarrad Branthwaite to get his senior England debut ‘sooner rather than later’ while the defender spoke with talkSPORT on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has become an integral part of manager Sean Dyche’s side at Goodison Park this season.
Branthwaite has started in each of Everton’s last 14 Premier League games after starting the term on Dyche’s bench. He also spent the summer as a back-up player for England’s U21s as they won the European Championship. Yet he even captained the Young Lions in November.
Lee Carsley handed Branthwaite his England U21 debut in June and has now established the centre-back as a key part of his plans. Yet Southgate is yet to include the Everton enforcer in a single senior side. But Tarkowski now expects Branthwaite to earn his England debut soon.
“Oh, comfortably, comfortably and I want it to happen sooner rather than later,” Tarkowski added while speaking to talkSPORT on Tuesday. “[He is] some player who’s got everything.
“He’s got everything you need. I said, ‘he’s playing with such experience already at such a young age’. So, it won’t be long until he’s in that squad.”
Read more about what Tarkowski has had to say about Branthwaite and England, here.
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