A round-up of the latest Everton news as Sean Dyche gives an update on the injury to Abdoulaye Doucoure and Barcelona rival Manchester United for a Blues transfer raid.
Danny Murphy slams Sean Dyche for not preparing Everton
Danny Murphy has torn into Everton coach Dyche for not preparing his players for a penalty shootout following their Carabao Cup exit to Fulham. The Toffees lost 7-6 in a shootout this Tuesday night after a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in the quarter-finals of the EFL tournament.
Fulham took the lead shortly before half-time when Michael Keane (41’) scored an own goal from Antonee Robinson’s cross. Beto (82’) would get Everton level as full-time neared with a close-range header. But Fulham still beat Everton after Idrissa Gueye missed from the spot.
Bernd Leno also saved Amadou Onana’s woeful attempt from 12 yards out when the Belgian rolled a tame effort towards the German shot-stopper. It would have won Everton the match after Jordan Pickford denied Bobby De Cordova-Reid. But the moment got to the midfielder.
But Murphy thinks the responsibility for Everton’s shootout failure falls on Dyche’s shoulders as the Blues were not ready for one. The former Fulham midfielder has also slammed Onana for his ‘joke’ of a penalty. The 22-year-old is yet to ever score a penalty during regular time.
“Everton must be fuming because they had the chance to win it off Pickford’s save and Onana’s penalty was a joke,” Murphy told talkSPORT. He added: “It didn’t look like any prep had gone into those pens.
“And some people say you can’t prep and I get the pressure and all that. I’ve been there but you can prep players who aren’t used to taking pens to stick with what they’re gonna do.”
Read more about what Murphy has had to say about Everton’s defeat to Fulham, here.
Sean Dyche issues a bleak update about Abdoulaye Doucoure’s injury
Dyche has issued a bleak update about the injury status of Doucoure ahead of Everton’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur. The Toffees travel to north London on Saturday looking to maintain a brilliant run of form in the Premier League. But Dyche is very doubtful of Doucoure’s fitness.
Everton have won each of their last four Premier League games without conceding a goal, as well. But Dyche had to remove Doucoure at half-time during the 2-0 win away to Burnley on Saturday. The 30-year-old suffered a hamstring injury and is now a doubt to visit Tottenham.
“Probably not,” Dyche has told Everton’s in-house media about Doucoure returning from an injury for their trip to Tottenham. “But going forward, we’re hopeful it’ll settle down quickly. He’s super fit and in his experience and mine, he’s a good healer.”
Read more about what Dyche has had to say about Doucoure’s hamstring injury, here.
Barcelona and Manchester United target Amadou Onana’s transfer
Barcelona and Manchester United are both targeting a transfer from Everton for Onana next year. That is according to Foot Mercato, which reports that the Red Devils have maintained a firm affection for the midfielder. But the Blaugrana have stepped up their pursuit of a move.
Camp Nou chiefs have recently opened discussions with representatives of Onana about the Everton star’s transfer to Barcelona. The Catalan giants must wait until the summer window to chase his signature, however, as the Toffees are demanding €55m (£47.5m) to let him go.
Further European clubs are also monitoring Onana’s situation at Goodison Park in view of a potential transfer in the future. Everton’s asking price does not scare the clubs interested in his services. But it is likely to see Onana stay on Merseyside for at least the rest of this term.
Read more about Barcelona and Manchester United’s interest in Onana’s transfer, here.
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