|
Post by Everton News. on May 21, 2021 13:30:02 GMT
James Rodriguez and Seamus Coleman will miss Everton's final match of the 2020/21 season at champions Manchester City on Sunday.
James did not feature in the Blues' 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, and manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Colombian's calf problem means he will sit out the clash at the Etihad.
The Everton manager also revealed skipper Coleman will not be available after sustaining a minor niggle in the victory against Wolves at Goodison.
Ancelotti said: "James Rodriguez is unfortunately not available for this game. He has not recovered from the problem with his calf. Unfortunately he did not finish the season well. Now he will be focused to prepare for the Copa America with his national team. I hope to have him back next season at his best.
"I think the Copa America is in his mind now [his season is over] but he was really disappointed not to be able to help the team in the final part of the season. But he has to be ready for the start of next season and to try to avoid the problem that he's had."
"Also, Coleman had a problem during the game against Wolves and will not be available for the game but he will support the team as a captain."
Everton FC
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on May 21, 2021 14:23:31 GMT
EVERTON BOSS SAVOURING 'MOST IMPORTANT' GAME
Carlo Ancelotti says Everton are “mentally and physically” primed for the “most important” game of their season at Manchester City on Sunday.
Everton’s hopes of playing European football next term hinge on securing a positive result against the Premier League champions – while keeping their fingers crossed for favourable outcomes elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola’s City wrapped up their third title in four seasons 10 days ago and will host Everton six days before the club’s first Champions League final.
Ancelotti expects a fully tuned-in home team, regardless.
But the Italian is convinced Everton – who will be missing James Rodriguez and captain Seamus Coleman at the Etihad Stadium – can secure a Club record-equalling 12th away win of the campaign.
“I said we wanted to fight until the last minute of the last game and we are there to fight… with all our motivation and all our energy ,” said Ancelotti.
“We know it will be, maybe, the most difficult game [of the season] against the champions but we are confident because we did really well away.
“We had fantastic results against strong teams.
“The motivation is really high, the pressure also, but this is absolutely normal.
“This is the most important game of the season but mentally and physically we are ready.
“It doesn’t matter who plays for Manchester City, they have a fantastic squad and fantastic idea of football.
“We expect the best Manchester City possible.
“I don’t think they will be thinking about the [Champions League] final, it is in one week.
“They will play this game at their best.”
Ancelotti insisted James was “sad and disappointed” his calf problem – which kept the Colombian out of Wednesday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers – had drawn his campaign to a premature conclusion.
Coleman sustained a niggle during that Goodison Park meeting with Wolves, settled by a Richarlison goal that extended Everton’s fight for European football to the season’s final day.
If Everton leap above Tottenham Hotspur into seventh they will compete in the inaugural Europa Conference League next term.
Spurs, level on points with Ancelotti’s team but owning a much-superior goal difference, visit Leicester City on Sunday.
“I was sure the reaction would be there [against Wolves]," said Ancelotti, whose side were beaten by Sheffield United in their previous match.
“The game against City is a bit different, we don’t need to react but the motivation has to be really high.
“The target is really close, only one game, it doesn’t depend only on us, we have to be lucky with other results but we have to do our job, which is to try to win.
“I am really pleased [with progress this season], we were more competitive and won a lot of difficult away games.
“That was the best part of this season, then the worst part was, of course, the home run, which was not good enough.
“For next season, we have to put more quality in the squad and play more attractive football.”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ancelotti reiterated European qualification will have no bearing on summer recruitment plans.
“We have time to talk in the next few weeks about how to improve the squad,” continued Ancelotti, who revealed earlier this week he would prioritise the acquisition of a wide player.
"We have to prepare next season with a better team and squad to be more competitive than this season.
“The plan is clear, the profile of player we need is clear for everyone and we have to work on it.
“The profile [specifically for this position] is a winger who scores goals and is able to defend and sacrifice and put in crosses.
“They are not easy to find but if you look in the market there are a lot of good players around the world.”
Ben Godfrey was among Ancelotti’s first wave of additions and following a tremendous debut season is broadly considered a contender for England’s European Championship squad, due to be announced on Tuesday.
“If he is selected it will be a fantastic gift for his season, which was absolutely outstanding,” said Ancelotti.
“The competition in the England squad is really high.
“But he did his best and, for me, it is enough.”
Paul McNamara / Everton FC
|
|
|
Post by rugbytoffee on May 22, 2021 16:17:23 GMT
Team News: Pep Guardiola announced on Friday that he has fully fit squad for the final game of the Premier League season with both Kyle Walker and Sergio Agüero in contention to feature.
Despite initial concerns on Tuesday, Ilkay Gundogan is also in-line to play - though Joao Cancelo will be unavailable, after being sent off in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Brighton.
Carlo Ancelotti will be without James Rodriguez and Seamus Coleman this weekend as his Everton side continue their pursuit of finishing in the European places.
Form Guide Manchester City threw away a two goal lead at the AMEX on Tuesday as they suffered sixth league defeat of the season to Brighton. It means the Blues have won just one of their last three matches, although twelve points separates them from second placed United, going into the final day.
Everton find themselves situated in 8th place going into the last game, although just four points separates 9th from 5th as several teams compete to finish in the final European places.
Ancelotti’s side have had an inconsistent finish to the campaign however, with a 1-0 win at Wolves being just their second victory in their last five matches.
The Last Meeting The two sides met on Merseyside in March in the FA Cup quarter-final, but City also came out 3-1 winners in February, in the league meeting - which was controversially rescheduled following a COVID outbreak in the City camp at Christmas.
Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva were all on the scoresheet that evening as City moved ten points clear at the top of the table, with a stunning second-half showing at Goodison Park.
After winning just one of six games against Everton between 2016 and 2017, City have won the last seven matches in all competitions, with Gabriel Jesus having scored seven goals in his eight appearances against the Toffees. The Brazilian scored twice when the two sides last met at the Etihad in January 2020.
Match Officials European Championship bound Michael Oliver will be in-charge of the Champions’ meeting with the Toffees on Sunday. The official has shown 121 yellow cards and four red cards in his previous 40 matches this season and last took charge of City in March, coincidentally when they played Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Assistant referees Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett will be alongside Oliver at the Etihad, along with fourth official Michael Salisbury. Meanwhile, Darren England (VAR) and Andy Halliday (AVAR) will be assisting in proceedings from Stockley Park.
.
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on May 23, 2021 14:05:33 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on May 23, 2021 14:06:00 GMT
Tom Davies and Mason Holgate return to Everton’s team as manager Carlo Ancelotti makes two changes for the final-day visit to Manchester City.
Holgate, who appeared off the bench in Wednesday’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, is poised to play at right-back in place of Seamus Coleman, who is fit enough only for a place on the bench.
The English pair of Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey are Everton’s centre-backs and Lucas Digne, making his 100th Premier League appearance, continues on the left of defence.
Academy graduate Davies last began a game a fortnight ago when Everton won 1-0 at West Ham United and this is the 22-year-old’s 17th Premier League start of the campaign.
Davies is accompanied in midfield by Abdoulaye Doucoure, playing a fourth straight game after recovering from a foot problem, Brazilian Allan and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who captains Everton in the absence of Coleman.
Midweek matchwinner Richarlison will combine with 16-goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.
Jordan Pickford starts in goal.
Coleman is named among Everton’s substitutes with Andre Gomes, Bernard and Alex Iwobi.
Ancelotti also has defenders Niels Nknoukou and Kyle John and the goalkeeper duo of Robin Olsen and Joao Virginia among his replacements.
Everton FC
|
|