💬 “I think it’s the right thing. I think it hasn’t worked out for Dele here for different reasons and he can go there now hopefully, play games, have success.”
🗣 Frank Lampard has been discussing Dele Alli’s season-long loan move to Besiktas
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
New forward at Everton 'will happen' - and doesn't hinge on Gordonpublished at 10:55
10:55
Frank Lampard said Everton will sign a new forward before deadline day regardless of whether or not Anthony Gordon leaves, adding that no bids have yet been made for the winger.
When asked on Friday about the latest on Gordon, the Toffees boss said: "He’s our player and remains so. He’s in the squad for tomorrow.
"He’s a huge player for us. Not only is there big value for the club financially but, more importantly, a big value for the squad and the team.
"I’ve been fortunate enough to work with fantastic young players in my time at Derby and in my time at Chelsea. I’ve seen them develop, seen them now become England internationals, Champions League winners - worth maybe triple figures in terms of some of their personal values. Anthony is in that bracket.
"He has been a pleasure to work with and he is an Everton boy. He plays for us. The crowd relate to him. It’s understandable people will be interested in him because of the level of player he is - but the facts remain the same."
Lampard insisted incoming deals for attackers at Everton don't depend on Gordon.
He said: "We know it’s an area we want to improve and we will improve it. We will improve it in this window.
"It will happen. And we have Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming back. The last thing we should do is bring a player in on a whim or in a rush - that isn’t going to improve the squad now and generally.
"If there have been any mistakes previously we don’t want to make those again."
💬 “He’s our player and remains so. He’s in the squad for tomorrow, he’s a huge player for us.”
🗣 Frank Lampard has been talking about how #EFC will strengthen their forward line, plus, Anthony Gordon, saying the club are yet to receive a £60m bid from #CFC for the player pic.twitter.com/qZv6bCZQzL
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Everton closing in on Brighton's Maupaypublished at 10:22
10:22
Image source, Getty Images
Alistair Magowan, BBC Sport
Everton are close to signing Brighton forward Neal Maupay.
Toffees boss Frank Lampard is keen on bringing in attacking reinforcements after losing Richarlison to Tottenham in the summer and an early-season injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
In his Friday news conference, Lampard would not confirm if Maupay was due to arrive at Goodison Park.
But when asked if there would be signings in attack by the end of the window, he told BBC Sport: "It will happen."
Lampard on Gordon, potential signings and Calvert-Lewin's returnpublished at 10:10
10:10
Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Everton's Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday.
Here are the key lines from the Toffees boss:
No bid has come in yet from Chelsea for Anthony Gordon and Lampard insisted "he's our player and remains so - he is in the squad for tomorrow".
He added that Gordon "has been a pleasure to work with and it’s understandable people will be interested in him because of the level of player he is".
The door is still open for Dele Alli at Everton, but his loan move to Besiktas "is the right thing".
Lampard said he is short on attacking options and said bringing in a new striker before deadline day "will happen".
Tom Davies is in contention to face Brentford, though Abdoulaye Doucoure is out.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is "slightly ahead of schedule and will train next week".
Lampard said: "I’m pleased with performances, I’m pleased with the way the lads are training, I’m pleased with the spirit of the group. The next thing is results."
Everton must have patience with Amadou Onana because he is a player "for now and the future".
'Everton need two strikers at least'published at 08:46
08:46
Image source, Getty Images
Former Everton captain Alan Stubbs says the club need to sign at least two strikers to "lift" the fans.
Demarai Gray's late equaliser against Nottingham Forest last weekend earned their first point of the season.
With Richarlison leaving for Tottenham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, Everton have only Salomon Rondon as a recognised senior striker.
Stubbs, speaking after a celebrity golf event at Formby, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's all about building confidence. Forest were pretty average. A half-decent Everton could have won comfortably.
"It's always difficult when you haven't got a striker. They need to address that situation as soon as possible.
"It's the fourth week since Calvert-Lewin was injured and still no one is in the door. Everton fans are rightly asking questions.
"The manager needs two strikers in at least, a playmaker, a number 10 to link it up. They have to have a really strong end to the window.
"I'd like a new striker to have Premier League experience because they need to hit the ground running. We can't wait for someone to take a month or two to get up to speed. If you don't get some momentum going, the Premier League takes no prisoners. They don't want to be embroiled in the position they were last season.
"Defensively they're not far away. In midfield Alex Iwobi has been a revelation. It's just the forward areas. The fans need a lift. It was a bit flat on Saturday. The board need to up their game in the final days of the window."
Ivan Toney definitely deserves to be on the plane to Qatar in November - but whether or not he will be is a different story.
The Brentford striker made the step up from the Championship to the Premier League with ease in his first top-flight season and has continued his good form going into this campaign. He scored 12 times and produced five assists in 2021-22 - figures few other England-qualified players matched - and already has two goals and three assists from four league and cup games this season.
He is a penalty-box predator, with all of his 49 Bees goals coming from inside the 18-yard box.
Toney's critics argue that 11 of those goals were penalties, but that is one of his strengths - an ice-cool temperament however big the match. He has only missed one spot-kick in his entire career.
He also plays a crucial part defending set-pieces for Brentford, while he is a leader both on and off the pitch.
Toney also has an impressive fitness record, missing fewer than a dozen league games over the past four seasons.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin cannot match these appearances or goal figures, and while I don't foresee a shock World Cup selection, if it happened, Toney is in pole position.
Yes, it was the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea, but let's not forget that he's matured rapidly these past few years into a near-complete international striker.
After injury woes, he'll be even more hungry for that World Cup spot, especially given how close he was to a Euros winners' medal.
In form, Calvert-Lewin has an excellent attitude and the work-rate to go with it, as well as strength, dominance in front of goal and pace. England boss Gareth Southgate needs all these qualities to back up captain Harry Kane and there's no doubt, with Everton's attacking injury problems this season, Frank Lampard will be willing to give Calvert-Lewin all the game time possible to bring him back to his best.
Strikers aren't happy unless they're on the pitch getting their name on the scoresheet - and Calvert-Lewin will want his on it in Qatar.
Southgate will undoubtedly consider him again - and he's right to. His first senior England goal was even against Wales. How about another?
Meanwhile, the Toffees have launched a formal move for Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz and are understood to be prepared to pay £12m. (Times - subscription required), external
'Another glimpse of how talented Gray is'published at 16:36 24 August
16:36 24 August
Ian Kennedy, BBC Radio Merseyside
If there was one memorable moment on Saturday it was Demarai Gray’s late equaliser – not just because it salvaged a point, but because it gave us another glimpse of just how talented Gray really is. His first touch from Jordan Pickford’s long clearance was sublime, and then to finish the chance off in such a clinical way was the icing on the cake.
If Gray can take some inspiration from that, he’ll score a lot more goals, just as he did at the start of his Everton career when he really hit the ground running.
He’s got bags of ability, and could be a key figure, especially in this early phase of the season when Everton are still looking for reinforcements up front. Every little helps.
Gray will appreciate – and hopefully soon – a chance to ping in some crosses to Dominic Calvert-Lewin or maybe a new striker if one can be found because his threat will mainly come from wide areas.
He’ll want to create the chances as well as score them, which would be the ideal long-term scenario for manager Frank Lampard.
Brentford v Everton: Head-to-head recordpublished at 12:02 24 August
12:02 24 August
Everton have won just one of their nine away league games against Brentford.
Brentford have kept a clean sheet in five of their past six Premier League home games, and no top-flight side has had more shutouts at home since the start of February.
Everton are yet to win a league game this season - only in 1994-95 and 2010-11 have they ever failed to win their opening four matches of a campaign in the competition.
'If that means sacrificing Gordon, I think they'll do it'published at 11:09 24 August
11:09 24 August
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards believes Everton will accept what he describes as "silly money" from Chelsea for winger Anthony Gordon.
The Toffees are reported to have turned down two offers for the 21-year-old but Edwards expects a deal to be done, especially if Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja are included.
"A month ago I'd have said there is no chance they'd sell," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"He was the only bright spark in a dismal season last year and symbolised a happier future.
"Now there's rumour he says he wants to join Chelsea who, quite frankly, are offering silly money for a 21-year-old who had a decent-to-good half season in a struggling team.
"From a business perspective, Everton need to freshen their team so if that means sacrificing Gordon, I think they'll do it."
Transfer news: Everton ready to sell Gordon if replacement readypublished at 10:21 24 August
10:21 24 August
Everton are finally ready to sell Anthony Gordon if they can find a suitable replacement. Watford's Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, 20, and Southampton and Scotland international Che Adams, 26, are among the players the club has made inquiries over. (Mirror), external
Gordon has told Everton he wants to sign for Chelsea to play Champions League football and boost his chances of being selected for England's World Cup squad. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Everton have asked the Blues to include either England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 22, or Albania international Armando Broja, 20, on loan as part of the deal to sign Gordon. (talkSPORT), external
Do Everton have a spending plan?published at 09:00 24 August
09:00 24 August
BBC Sport chief football writer, Phil McNulty:
At the price being touted Everton must seriously consider selling Anthony Gordon. The problem, however, comes with how much Everton spend, who they spend it on and whether they actually have a plan in place for their next move should they sell. Did they have one when Richarlison was sold?
A wider question for Everton’s owner and board of directors is the scale of their failures over the last few years means clubs they wanted to believe might be their rivals feel they can come and pick off their better players, who also feel prospects are better elsewhere.
Lampard sees room for improvement after Fleetwood winpublished at 08:01 24 August
08:01 24 August
Image source, Getty Images
Frank Lampard says Everton's Carabao Cup win over Fleetwood was "a good indicator of where we are at".
Demarai Gray scored the only goal against the League One side as the Toffees reached the third round.
Gray had not even been set to start the game but came in as a late replacement for Tom Davies, who pulled out after the warm-up.
Lampard said: "I was really pleased with the attitude but the intensity and quality at times wasn't as good as it should have been and we should have controlled the game better.
"It was a good indicator of where we are at the moment because we know we have to improve but it was good to get through."
Everton join race to sign Magpies target Pedropublished at 13:26 23 August
13:26 23 August
Image source, Getty Images
Phil McNulty, BBC chief football writer
Everton have made an enquiry to Watford about £30m-rated Newcastle target Joao Pedro - though the Magpies remain favourites to sign the forward.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is an admirer of the 20-year-old Brazilian, and while the St James' Park club's initial bid was rejected by Watford, negotiations are continuing.
The Toffees have now shown interest, but it remains to be seen whether the Merseysiders are prepared to match any offer.
'It looks like Gordon doesn't want to move - but every player has their price'published at 12:51 23 August
The last week has been somewhat of a whirlwind for Anthony Gordon, as he appears to be top of a fairly long list of Chelsea transfer targets.
The 21-year-old was integral to Everton's survival last season. However, the current high level of big-money interest has left the club and player in a difficult position.
All indications from the player’s side suggest he doesn’t want to move. Having become a regular in the starting line-up and been given the number 10 shirt, Gordon is highly thought of by the manager.
From the club’s perspective, every player has a price and a potential £50m deal for one who only broke into the side last season will be almost impossible to turn down.
There is always a concern regarding how rumours will impact a player. It was evident on Saturday that any potential move was on the mind of both player and fans, especially as the game wore on. It’s an easy stick to beat Gordon with after a stray pass or mistake.
As fans, it’s our responsibility to understand how this can and clearly has impacted the player. He’s young and only human.
Regardless of the outcome, he’s a player who has epitomised what it means to play for Everton Football Club.
This week's live football commentariespublished at 08:55 23 August
08:55 23 August
It's another busy week of commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, with live coverage of games across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
