Sean Dyche has confirmed that Jordan Pickford is close to committing to Everton by signing a new deal.
Dyche has won two of his first three games since taking over from Frank Lampard as manager at Goodison Park, defeating Premier League leaders Arsenal and relegation rivals Leeds United, both 1-0 at home either side of a 2-0 loss to Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Reports Pickford is close to agreeing a new deal with Everton seemed to be confirmed by Dyche at a press conference on Thursday.
The former Burnley boss was asked about the contract, along with suggestions it does not contain a relegation release clause despite the team's precarious position in the Premier League table, just one point outside the relegation zone.
"I'm not really bothered about release clauses, that's nothing to do with me," he said.
"It's more to do with the fact he's a very, very good player, we know that. A good servant to this club so far as well and going to continue to be that I'm sure.
"I think it's a sign he's enjoying our new regime – if you like – I think he's accepted what we're looking to offer and I know he's been a fantastic player, so I want him to continue doing that.
"Any way we can rub off on him and help him to continue his development will be great if he feels there is more, and I think there is."
Pickford has had a good season for his club despite their overall struggles, conceding 28 goals from an expected goals from on-target shots (xGOT) rate of 29.8, meaning he has prevented almost two goals that he would normally have been expected to concede (excluding penalties).
Dyche has previously worked with Pickford's rival for the England number one spot Nick Pope at Burnley, and he hopes Pickford's experience can help his Everton team-mates.
"And [I worked with] Tom Heaton, who played for England," Dyche added. "A good list of goalkeepers there – different characters, different types of 'keeper.
"I'm learning about Jordan, he's been very open about himself, how he sees himself here, signed a new deal, quite obviously – or looking to.
"It's just about working with those players, continuing their development. It's a strange word to use with older players as he's done a lot in his career, but there's different ways you can rub off on people.
"I look to do it myself, I've asked every player regardless of age – Seamus [Coleman], I've been speaking to him. You can learn in different ways."
New York Red Bulls v Vancouver Whitecaps: Facing Eastern Conference teams ‘like going to the casino’
Vanni Sartini is anticipating a tight encounter when his Vancouver Whitecaps team face the New York Red Bulls.
Vancouver have enjoyed a fine start to the MLS season and sit second in the Western Conference.
The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are in second place in the East.
This game will be the first meeting of the teams since 2019, and Sartini joked that facing sides from a different Conference is akin to a trip to a casino.
He said: “It’s going to be hard. It’s like going to the casino when you play the Eastern teams – you never know!
“Maybe you’ll face the team in last, the team that’s in first place. Unfortunately this season we’re going to play the Red Bulls, who are doing very well.”
Explaining what he expects to see from the Red Bulls, Sartini added: “They’re a team with a very distinct and particular style of play, like we have, to be honest.
“We need to be very intense, because that’s what they are, they are very intense in pressing, counter-pressing, counter-attacks and we need to be very well organised. It’s a game that will be decided in the second half, it’s going to be tight until the end – that’s what I feel.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan
Morgan is enjoying a fine campaign, and he leads the Red Bulls’ scoring efforts with six goals in MLS.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
White joined the ‘Caps from the Red Bulls in 2021. He has scored four goals in MLS this season, making him Vancouver’s leading scorer.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
Ryan Gauld and White have each contributed to at least one goal in their last five MLS appearances, equalling the longest streak in Whitecaps’ history. Prior to them, only three players in team history had recorded a goal contribution in five straight matches.
With 16 points through eight matches, the Whitecaps are off to the joint-best eight-match start in club history (also 2015). Vancouver have never had more than 17 points (2012) after nine matches of a season before.
The Red Bulls have lost only one of their first nine matches this season (W4 D4), the second time in club history they have had fewer than two losses at this stage of a season, along with their Supporters’ Shield winning 2015 campaign (also W4 D4 L1).
Six of the 12 all-time meetings between the Red Bulls and Whitecaps have been drawn (Whitecaps W4, Red Bulls W2), but New York are anticipated to win this one.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYRB – 48.9%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 23.3%
Draw – 27.8%
Brazil legend Marta to retire from international football
Brazil star Marta has announced she will retire from international football at the end of 2024.
The 38-year-old is the all-time highest scorer for Brazil, netting 116 goals in 175 matches for the national team.
She is also the top-scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals, finishing as a runner-up in 2007 when Brazil lost in the final to Germany.
The forward has won three Copa America Femenina titles and was part of the Brazil team that won silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Marta could make her sixth appearance for Brazil at this year's Games if she is selected in the squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team," Marta told CNN in an interview on Thursday.
"There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete.
"I am very calm about this because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes."
Al Hilal 3-1 Al Fateh: Neves on target as Saudi giants close in on title
Al Hilal moved 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League as Ruben Neves scored in a 3-1 win over Al Fateh on Friday.
Former Wolves star Neves slotted in from the penalty spot in the 74th minute, as Al Hilal completed a rapid comeback.
Having fallen behind to Lucas Zelarayan's 57th-minute opener, Al Hilal responded swiftly through Micheal before Salem Al Najdi fouled Mohammed Al Qahtani in the penalty area.
Ex-Barcelona winger Cristian Trello and Al Fateh coach Slaven Bilic were booked for their complaints, with Neves making no mistake, paving the way for Ali Al Bulayhi to seal victory in the 15th minute of an extended period of stoppage time.
Data Debrief
Al Hilal have now won 21 games on the spin in the league. They have scored 86 goals across their 28 matches this season, winning 26 in total.
They had 19 shots on Friday, accumulating 2.34 xG to Al Fateh's 0.25, with pass-master Neves creating three chances to go along with his goal.
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