Everton travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this weekend, and a positive result for the Toffees would keep David Moyes’ side in and around the European places.
Everton team news
Everton will be without Jack Grealish as he is unavailable against his parent club.
The Everton boss did, however, confirm that Merlin Rohl and Jarrad Branthwaite are back in first-team training following their respective injuries.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is also available for selection again after serving a suspension, but Nathan Patterson is out due to an injury he picked up in the Under-23s’ defeat to Bradford in midweek.
Pickford’s new deal
Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford signed a new contract at the club, keeping him at the Hill Dickinson Stadium until 2029.
Moyes gave his succinct reaction to the news: “Really pleased.”
He then added: “Good news that we got James Tarkowski signed as well and Jarrad in the summer.
“Three players who have made a big difference to the team, certainly since I came in. I think they’ve done a great job. We’re really pleased to get Jordan tied up.”
The gaffer also gave his thoughts on recent criticism of Pickford: “Jordan is the best goalkeeper in England or somebody else would be playing instead of him.
“He’s been England’s number one for 80 caps, so I think if you’re doing that, you are showing longevity as well.
“I always laugh about Jordan and say, ‘there’s always some mad moments with him’, but I must say there are always some brilliant moments as well because of how good his goalkeeping has been.”
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Reflections on Sunderland
The Everton boss further reflected on their time together at Sunderland: “I had him at Sunderland, and I always thought he was going to be a top goalkeeper. He was very, very good as a young goalkeeper.”
Moyes went on: “He’s continued to develop throughout his career.
“Unfortunately, at Sunderland we got relegated, but if it had not been for Jordan, we would have been relegated a lot earlier.”
Interestingly, Moyes revealed that he initally recommended Pickford to Everton in 2017:
“I was very close with Bill Kenwright and people at the club, and when I’d left [Sunderland], he’d [Kenwright] asked me about him [Pickford], and I said he’s an outstanding goalkeeper and Everton got him that summer.
“25 million at the time was a good price for Sunderland at the time. They wouldn’t want to lose their goalkeeper, but getting relegated meant he would probably have to move on.”
The Everton then boss spoke about Pickford’s qualities on and off the pitch: “He’s always been a great shot stopper and kicker and those actions in modern football, and he’s improved on his general play as well.
“I think his clean sheet numbers over the years have been fantastic, so great credit to him and hopefully the good times are still to come for him.”
On Pickford’s leadership qualities, Moyes said: “He certainly is [a leader], he’s a big voice and an important player.
“He is one of the senior players here that’s for sure.”
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Etihad line-up considerations
Due to the absence of Grealish, there may be a reshuffle on the cards for the game against Man City.
In that, Moyes highlighted the performances of Beto and Charly Alcaraz in Everton’s win over Crystal Palace last time out.
“Substitutes came on [against Palace] and made it part of the job,” he pointed out.
“We need people to come off the bench and make a difference, and thankfully they did.”
Beto has only scored one goal in the league, but Moyes praised the striker’s work rate: “I think every Evertonian has seen as much as I have, and we’re working with him every day.”
The manager added: “The boy is mad to do the work. He is a brilliant lad and his dedication to try and prove himself is second to none.
“We want him to get back to running away from people and scoring goals.”
Dwight McNeil has been playing second fiddle to Everton’s wingers this season, and Moyes took a moment to offer him some advice: “He has to keep pushing to get in the side.
“We’ve changed a few players in the attacking areas, and we’re trying to improve there.
“Dwight can create goals, but he’s got competition now, and I think this time last year he was probably Everton’s best player, so he has to get back to that, but he has stiff competition.”
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City’s improving form
Moyes praised Man City and the good form they are in, with Pep Guardiola’s side now unbeaten since August.
“I have to say, I think Pep has probably been in the last couple of decades as good as anyone else in any country,” Moyes said.
“His teams have been excellent and a blueprint for a lot of other clubs and young coaches to look to.
“Over the years, his teams have been unstoppable. I think at the moment there is more of a chance to get a result, but still very difficult to go and do so.
“[Other] teams have gone and done it, so we have to try and do it as well.”
Moyes also gave his thoughts on Guardiola’s change of style and adaptability, saying: “I don’t think I have seen any big changes. All he’s done is be a bit more adaptable.
“Sometimes he has to change as well and do things differently, and I think that is important for young managers to see.
“I think when you’ve got the top players like he has, you probably don’t need to change very often, but he did show at times that he felt like he needed to do so.”
He added: “Man City have changed their squad around [and are] looking to rebuild, and in that period, you can get some strange results.”
Tarkowski’s ongoing influence
As mentioned, Tarkowski signed a new deal during the international break to keep him at the club until 2028.
Moyes spoke glowingly about Everton’s vice-captain: “It’s important we secure the parts of the team that have been really good. He’s done really well and been a big leader for us and takes responsibility.
“He had a small injury [at the end of last season], but in the main, always fit and very rarely injured.
“So from that point of view, you’re adding someone who you’re getting good value for. We know we’ve got someone who we can rely on.”
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