Hello and welcome to the Liverpool ECHO's Tuesday live blog for all your very latest Everton news, rumours and transfer gossip.
The ECHO will provide breaking stories, reaction and comment to all the big talking points from Goodison Park as well as keeping tabs on transfer market gossip from around the world.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a shock move to Real Madrid, while the Blues are being credited with an interest in Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
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Dan Meis makes shock Everton stadium return
Dan Meis, the designer of Everton’s new stadium being built at Bramley-Moore Dock, says that he will soon be “re-engaged” on the project.
The US architect, whose stunning rendering for the Mersey waterfront site were revealed in July 2019, made the shock announcement 11 months later that he was “not currently engaged” in the scheme and that it was one of the biggest disappointments of his career.
However, in an interview with Liverpool-born former professional footballer Neil Danns on BBC World Service, Meis claimed that he will soon be back on board and that it’s a “happy ending.”
To read the full story, click here.
Baningime credits Everton 'winning mentality'
Former Everton midfielder Beni Baningime has praised the Blues for providing him with a “winning mentality”.
The 23-year-old made 12 appearances for the Toffees in the 2017-18 season, but subsequently struggled to find a place in the Blues midfield.
Though he left for Hearts this summer, Baningime has credited the club for the grounding that the academy provided him with.
"It's about working hard and having that character, and I think that's probably why I've fitted in so well here because what you get taught about at Everton is having character,” the Ealing Times reports.
"Of course, you've got to have the ability, and they teach you how to develop that ability, but it's more about that winning mentality that a lot of the boys from there have.
"Even when I came here, the gaffer said the same thing to me, he said it's about winning, it's about becoming a man and understanding who you are, so I think that's one of the biggest things we get taught at Everton.”
Doucoure injury proves what Everton need in the transfer market
"It never rains but it pours," so goes the saying and on Tuesday morning it is a phrase likely uttered by many Evertonians, writes Elliott Bretland.
After seeing the Blues falter in front of goal in the absence of key forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by West Ham, news then came that influential midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure faces an extended period on the sidelines.
The Frenchman has damaged a metatarsal in a huge blow to Rafa Benitez and his team.
Nobody in the Blues midfield possesses the energy, legs or drive of Doucoure. He has been a machine this season, patrolling the pitch with authority and aiding attacks with skill and efficiency.
To read the full story, click here.
Abdoulaye Doucoure injury shows Rafa Benitez truth about four Everton players
Just when you get something good, it’s snatched away from you, writes Chris Beesley.
Perhaps Rafa Benitez is now really learning what it feels like to be an Evertonian?
The Blues boss was delivered a crushing injury blow when it was announced that Abdoulaye Doucoure faces an extended period on the sidelines.
Just four days before Everton face his previous club Watford, the midfielder has damaged a metatarsal and is looking at a prolonged spell out of the team.
It would be a sickener at any point but talk about bad timing.
Doucoure has been like a man reborn under Benitez during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Campbell shares Souttar verdict
Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell believes Stoke City defender Harry Souttar is a 'really good player' and is 'destined' for a successful career.
The Australian international has been linked to Everton, among other top sides, in recent weeks and could be targeted by clubs in the January window.
Providing his view on Souttar as an individual, Campbell told Goodison News: “Good player. Real good player.
“Australian international, big, I’ve watched him quite a bit because of my son down there, I know the kid really well – I think he’s destined, there’s quite a few teams watching him.
“Harry Souttar has made a difference at the back for Stoke, I’ll tell you that much, really good player.”
Godfrey opens up on Covid battle
Everton defender Ben Godfrey has explained how contracting coronavirus left him feeling like he was playing matches in 'someone elses body'.
The former Norwich City defender returned a positive coronavirus test two days prior to the beginning of the 2021/22 season and consequently missed the opening four games of the campaign.
Godfrey returned to the starting line-up for the 3-1 win over Burnley last month, but has admitted he is only now getting back to his best.
"It was horrendous," he told evertontv.
"The timing of it was frustrating, especially knowing the fans were back in the stadium as well.
"For me, the recovery side of it was tough.
"The first couple of games back were awful - my breathing and I found myself fatiguing really early on in games, even after a single sprint when normally I'd back myself to be up and down.
"It was like you had someone else's body. I'd make a sprint and it'd feel like I'd played 88 minutes, even though it was five minutes into a game."
Doucoure blow
Abdoulaye Doucoure is due to undergo an operation on a foot injury and faces an extended period on the sidelines.
The Everton midfielder has damaged a metatarsal and is looking at a prolonged spell out of the team, in a blow to Rafa Benitez.
Doucoure has been one of the Blues' most influential players this season and has responded to Benitez moving him into a more advanced position, with two goals and four assists in eight Premier League games.
But Everton are now braced to be without the 28-year-old for some time as he goes under the knife to repair his damaged foot.
To read the full story, click here.
Blues backed for more bargain buys
Everton have been backed to pick up a 'couple of bargains' in the January transfer window on the back of the club's cut-price deals for Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.
Rafa Benitez spent a combined total of £1.7million on the two players, who have hit the ground the running since arriving in the summer.
Further additions may well on the horizon in January, and former Manchester City defender Danny Mills can see the Toffees replicating their success in the transfer window once again.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Everton’s recruitment, Marcel Brands, goes far and wide all over Europe.
“Their due diligence is good, they look at the types of characters as well as them being quality players. We’ve seen that’s absolutely vital in what they do.
“If they can pick up a couple of bargains that can drop into that first-team environment then I wouldn’t be surprised if they can get that done.”
DCL 'liked' by Real Madrid
Real Madrid are considering a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin next summer, it has been claimed.
The Everton forward is 'liked' by Carlo Ancelotti, according to Calciomercato, as he plots a potential reunion.
Arsenal have also been linked with the England international in recent weeks as they look to replace Alexandre Lacazette, who will become a free agent in the summer.
Calvert-Lewin is under contract until 2025 having agreed an extension last year.
Lacazette linked
Everton are said to have made contact over the possible signing of Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The French forward, who scored for the Gunners after coming off the bench last night against Crystal Palace, has fallen out of favour at the club and looks lilkely to move on in January or the summer.
The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of June, and will then become a free agent.
Jeunes Footeux have claimed that the Blues are 'closely following' the situation of Lacazette, with West Ham United also said to be interested in a deal.
