Will New Owner Bounce Help Everton Overcome Title Contending Chelsea?

After Everton’s announcement of the takeover by The Friedkin Group, there will definitely be some bounce across Goodison Park as high hopes for the future and a new era begins.

Now in charge, TFG has a lot of work to do. A huge number of players are out of contract come the end of the 2024/25 season, as well as doubt on Sean Dyche’s future and his backroom staff. As the Toffees move into their new 52,888-capacity stadium at the end of the campaign, the future is looking brighter for Everton, and after a few uncomfortable years under the leadership of Frank Lampard, Rafa Benitez, and Sean Dyche, all lingering just above the relegation zone, Everton fans will be more than pleased.

Awful finance records causing point deductions from the Premier League will all come to a stop as TFG has covered all the debt stacked up over the years, leaving Everton moving into Bramley Moore-Dock with no money owed to anyone. It’s looking bright for Everton, and it all commenced on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side, who, although the manager has said frequently they are not ready for a title challenge, are in second place in the Premier League table, just behind current leaders Liverpool, and as they travel to face the Blues, who forced an impressive 0-0 draw against Arsenal away last weekend, there is speculation about which way the result will go.

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Last Time Out:

Arsenal 0-0 Everton

Emirates Stadium

14th December

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Chelsea 2-1 Brentford

Stamford Bridge

15th December

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Chelsea won midweek in the UEFA Champions League, facing Shamrock Rovers at home and winning 5-1, with one man, Marc Cucurella, getting on the score sheet. Unfortunately for Chelsea, the fullback cannot feature against Everton, as the Spaniard was sent off after the final whistle was blown in their victory over Brentford last weekend. The two replacements that will be likely to fill in for Cucurella consist of Renato Veiga, Malo Gusto, and Levi Colwill, so it isn’t like they are short on backups.

Also, the London side will be making a touch-and-go decision on the injury situation with Romeo Lavia, but Reece James and Wesley Fofana remain on the sidelines.

For the Toffees, Sean Dyche has confirmed that James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are slowly recovering and are both back on the training pitch; however, they both remain out. As well as this, Englishman Dwight McNeil has picked up a knock, and similar to Lavia for Chelsea, a decision will be made on the day whether he will feature.

Some other news regarding Everton was revealed this week: the keys to the new stadium have been handed over by the main contractors and constructionists, Laing O’Rourke, for the club to fully customise their facilities for its opening to the fans next season!

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Matchday 17:

Saturday 21st December:

Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City

Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest

Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle

West Ham 1-1 Brighton

Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal

Sunday 22nd December:

Everton 14:00 Chelsea

Fulham 14:00 Southampton

Leicester 14:00 Wolves

Manchester United 14:00 Bournemouth

Tottenham Hotspur 16:30 Liverpool

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