Everton

Everton ace Jordan Pickford has insisted that no shot-stopper would have saved Harry Kane’s penalties for England, given the power and accuracy behind his efforts. Kane converted two penalties en route to a hat-trick against Panama and the 6-1 victory ensured that the Three Lions qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Speaking after the game, Pickford was asked whether Kane’s efforts are unstoppable to which he replied: “Pretty much. You have got to do a lot of guessing but the power behind it and the accuracy… both pens were the same and when Harry is finishing like that there is no chance. He is a top forward for starters, that is his main game – finishing. I was watching him from my end of the pitch and his two penalties were top drawer.”

PSV Eindhoven striker Kevin Lozano has stressed that he is completely focused on the summer World Cup and he is not interested in a move to Everton. Marcel Brands recently quit PSV to join the Toffees as the new director of football and this has spread speculation that Lozano could be on his way to Goodison Park.

Everton sporting director Marcel Brands has revealed that he is looking for sustainable success with the Toffees following an extended spell with PSV Eindhoven. The 56-year-old arrived at Goodison Park last month after working as the director of football for more than 21 years in Holland and he most-recently witnessed PSV secured their third league title in four seasons.

Speaking on EvertonTV, Brands highlighted that he is aiming for a long-term relationship with the Everton’s hierarchy and believes Marco Silva is the right man to take the club forward, he said: “I have worked with three clubs over nearly 21 years, eight years at Waalwijk, five at AZ and another eight at PSV. So I am a guy that is not a ‘club-hopper’. I want to work here for a long time and build a structure that Everton can work with for a long time, and which fans can be proud of. "We also wanted a coach with some Premier League experience, because the Premier League is something special. Marco has that and, for me, it makes him a good coach to work with.”

West Ham United manager David Moyes believes Everton will be losing the last of the ‘street footballers’, should Wayne Rooney decide to pursue a fresh challenge in the MLS. The 32-year-old only re-joined his boyhood club from Manchester United last summer but there are already talks of him considering a switch to Washington DC with DC United.

As such, Moyes was keen to praise Rooney in his press conference with the marksman currently possessing the highest goal tally for both England and Manchester United, he said: “He has been an incredible player. I don’t think you break the record at Manchester United as a top goalscorer and break the record for England if you haven’t contributed enormous amounts.

Everton coach Duncan Ferguson is pleased with Cenk Tosun’s adaptability following his move from Besiktas during the winter transfer window. The Turkey international joined the Toffees in a £27m deal in January, but struggled to make immediate progress as he failed to score in the first four matches for the club.

Everton will have to cope without the services of Gylfi Sigurdsson for a minimum of six weeks after he sustained a knee injury during the Toffees’ 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. The Iceland international sustained the problem during the game, but he managed to compete the entire 90 minutes after taking treatment from the club’s medical staff.

Shortly after the game, reports from Iceland claimed that the midfielder had suffered a severe knee problem which could see him miss the summer World Cup finals in Russia, but Everton have seemingly dismissed this situation, by citing that he could return to action before the end of the season.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce has heaped praise on the hold-up play and work-rate of Oumar Niasse, who has become the Toffees' first-choice striker in the past three matches.

The Senegal international has been picked ahead of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun in the pecking order, and he popped up with a goal during the 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace last weekend.

The Toffees are due to travel for warm winter training to Dubai with no game in the upcoming weekend, and speaking ahead of the trip, Allardyce talked up the importance of Niasse upfront, he said: "The one thing he did, that he should have done against Leicester, was score. It was a very good header at an important time.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has asked José Mourinho to 'get realistic' after he claimed the Toffees should at least finish in the top-four having spent £140m in the transfer window.

Koeman's side have now lost their last four games across all competitions, and the Dutchman's frustration was evident when discussing Mourinho's comments, he said: "I read the United programme and my colleague told me about Everton spending £140m and so they need to go for the top four. If there’s anybody in this room and outside and sees this as something realistic for us, please comment. Be realistic. I’m not happy how we started the season, but please be a bit realistic about Everton. We need time, but it’s difficult in football."

Premier League side Everton have snapped up midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson just as the this season kicks into flow, with Swansea now looking to use the money to step up their chase of Joe Allen of Stoke City. The Swans value Allen £20 million but have money in place to go higher having already lost Gylfi Sigurdsson for a record fee.

It was widely known that the player was keen on joining the Toffees this summer so manager Paul Clement took steps to plan his replacement. The coach refused to confirm reports flying around that Stoke City are refusing to sell the former Liverpool man but he opened up on the Sigurdsson situation ahead of the transfer.

Everton's new signing Wayne Rooney has urged Ross Barkley to stay put at Goodison Park this summer.