Everton FC In Focus: Out With The Old, In With The New – Everton’s Pre-Season Roundup
As we all sit in desperation for the season to start up again, Everton have been ramping up their pre-season preparations. Here is an overview of what has happened since the sun set on Goodison Park, and what you’ve got to look forward to before it rises on Bramley Moore.
Fond farewells:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – after joining the Toffee’s from Sheffield United in 2016, Dominic Calvert-Lewin became an iconic Everton striker. Perhaps most know for the 85th minute header against Crystal Palace (circa. 2022), the goal that kept us in top-flight football. His services to Everton over the years have been massive, contributing 57 Premier League goals in 239 appearances. Everton shaped Dominic, and Dominic shaped Everton. While it is difficult to watch such an influential player leave, I think deep down we all know it is time to move on. What’s the point of praying for change if we’re getting so hung up on the past?
Abdoulaye Doucouré – Joining from Watford in 2020, known affectionately as Doucs to fans, Abdoulaye Doucoure provided plenty crucial results for the Blues. None more so than in 2023, when his final day of the season goal against Bournemouth, kept the Toffees in top-flight football much like Calvert-Lewin’s did the previous season. As well as his influence on the pitch, he has been a great advocative as a Muslim athlete and has documented his time training and playing during Ramadan on Everton’s digital channels.
Ashley Young – while only being with the Blues since 2023, and perhaps best known as a Manchester United player, Ashley Young provided the squad with plethora of experience on and off the pitch. While his time with Everton has been short, his impact, mentality and wisdom will be long-lasting, I am sure.
Asmir Begović – Asmir played for the Toffee’s between 2021 and 2023, before returning for the 24/25 season, within which he only made a combined 4 appearances. Despite not being our first choice goalkeeper, Asmir understood what it meant to be a Toffee and for his services to the club and its fans, we can only thank him!
João Virginia – Portuguese international goalkeeper, Virginia was involved in Everton’s youth system in 2018, before becoming a senior team member in 2019. Although he spent much of his time with Everton being loaned-out, João embraced life as a Toffee, and upon his departure staff and fans alike praised his mentality and passion when training and playing as a Blue.
Returning to their parent club following loan spells at Everton:
It was previously confirmed that the following players will return to their parent club after spells at Everton during the 24/25 season. Armando Broja will return to Chelsea, Jack Harrison to Leeds, Jesper Lindstrøm to Napoli, and Orel Mangala to Olympique Lyonnais.
Loanee’s released, following season’s away:
While these players had dropped off many fans’ radars as Everton players, they were still under contract until the end of the 24/25 season and have subsequently been let go. After a season at West Bromwich Albion, Mason Holgate is no longer a Toffee. While Neal Maupay, perhaps most recently remembered as slating Everton on social media platform X while being under contract at the club, come the 25/26 season he is now no longer an Everton player.
Signings and contract extensions:
With this being the first summer transfer window under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, fans are hopeful for a prosperous and exciting set of signings. This is how we’ve got on so far…
Firstly, captain Seamus Coleman has signed a new one year deal, keeping him at the club as a player until summer 2026. While huge news for Evertonian’s everywhere, Jarrad Branthwaite is tied down to the club until 2030 (doesn’t that make you feel old!). More recently, defender Michael Keane will begin his 9th year in royal blue, as he signs a new one year contract. While everyone’s favourite engine of a player Idrissa Gana Gueye has committed to life as a Toffee for another year (with an option to extend until summer 2027).
The first appointment of the window was much anticipated, under-21 striker, Theirno Barry from Villarreal. Joining the Toffee’s to play as a forward alongside the likes of Beto and Iliman Ndiaye, the Frenchman is an exciting prospect and Everton fans are keen to see what he is all about as he makes his Premier League debut.
Injury updates:
It is good news for fans, as we see James Tarkowski back in pre-season training, after his season was cut short with a hamstring injury back in April. It is currently unclear whether he is participating in individual or group training. Seamus Coleman has also been pictured in training, and despite his contract extension he is expected to be on light duty all season. It’s common knowledge that Seamus bleeds blue and so while he may not play as a Toffee this season, his motivation and character around the team will continue to be a blessing. Finally, Jarrad Branthwaite has also returned to team training, after finishing the season with a slight hamstring injury.
Everton women:
It has been quite the window so far for Sørensen’s Toffees. While a total of 7 players departed, and 2 more went back to their parent clubs, business is nothing short of thriving for the girls in Blue.
Arrivals: An influx of players is music to the ears of Everton fans everywhere. After a few seasons of major injury crises and a small senior squad, Sørensen’s Blues have already acquired five new signings; Rosa Van Gool (Ajaz), Ornella Vignola (Granada AFC), Rion Ishikawa (Urawa Red), Hikaru Kitagawa (BK Häcken), Yuka Momiki (Leicester City).
Contract renewal: Five fan favourites have already renewed their contracts with Everton. Midfield maestro Clare Wheeler extended her stay at Everton, following her previous three years at the club, Clare has been immense for the Blues and even donned the captain’s armband at the end of the 24/25 season. Daughter of Everton legend David Weir, 21 year old Kenzie Weir has committed to another year as a Toffee. Kenzie came through the youth ranks of Everton and made her senior debut for the club in 2022. Aurora Galli stays for another year after rupturing her ACL on the first game of the 24/25 season, while Lucy Hope is committed to being a Toffee on the sidelines while she gives birth to her first baby (Congrats Lucy!). In Kelly Gago‘s case, we have tied the French international down to 3 more years as a Blue, following her impressive spell at the club since joining in January.
Returning from injury: Three star players are likely to make a full return come the start of the new season. Young Spaniard, Inma Gabarro is likely to be involved with the Blues as soon as the start of the season, after rupturing her ACL on her first appearance at Walton Hall Park. While lifelong Evertonian Kenzie Weir is more than likely returning to action after light duty at the end of the 24/25 season, following surgery on her ACL and meniscus while out on loan with Glasgow FC. Lastly, lifelong Everton player and Everton Women’s captain Megan Finnigan is hopeful to return soon into the 25/26 season following her spell on the sidelines after rupturing her ACL last year. As a team, we thrive off Meg and we are hoping to have her back as soon as possible!
Loaned out: Bought in 2024, Inês Pereira will continue her journey at RC Deportivo in Portugal, where she has been competing as first choice goalkeeper since last season.
Where to catch Everton in action before the Premier League returns:
The blues are competing in two away, domestic, pre-season games; Accrington Stanley (15 July) and Blackburn Rovers (19 July) before flying out the USA to undertake the Premier League Summer Series.
The blues last competed in the North America in 2022, perhaps more notably played in the 2021 Florida Cup, and it seems Moyes’ Blues are excited to play across the US in the upcoming fixtures.
Fans can expect the following:
Sat 26 July, New Jersey: AFC Bournemouth
Wed 30 July, Chicago: West Ham United
Sun 03 August, Atlanta: Manchester United
The final pre-season event comes a week later as the Toffee’s host AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium for a pre-season friendly, followed by a Legends game. This fixture acts as the last game before the 25/26 season, a legends game (sporting the likes of Gareth Barry and Yakubu, managed by Peter Reid – let the chaos commence), while also the final test event for the new stadium prior to the beginning of the season. Giving stadium officials, fans, and players alike a sense of what to expect come the first home fixture.
It’s exciting to look back and remember how far we’ve come and thank the players that got us there, upon the termination of their contracts. But it is important for us now, as fans, to look forward and start getting what we deserve from the club we love. Let this blog be the first of many positive scriptures about Everton. Until next time…
Signing off.
Lauren Briscoe
