Everton are hard at work on their summer transfer plans, despite the ongoing World Cup and the cloud of £35m they were ordered to pay Burnley, and are currently battling Newcastle United for the promising forward.
Pickford backs Tuchel to deliver his best performance for England
Jordan Pickford expects Thomas Tuchel to “step up even more” as he talks about this summer’s World Cup squad.
The German is known for his passion and fans got a glimpse of his passionate speech when he addressed his players for the first time in March 2025, comparing winning the World Cup to climbing Mount Everest.
Pickford, who is preparing for his fifth major as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, believes Tuchel will step up the intensity as he tries to inspire his players towards North American glory.
“The manager, the passion he brings out, the team discussions, I think he’ll step up even more,” the Toffees keeper told talkSPORT.
“To be fair, they are very good and of high quality.
“He’s great. He works hard during training, he listens and concentrates during meetings, and typically the coach leads the meetings and that’s pushed into training and games. I have to say he’s the best draw.”
Pickford said the competition was not “plain sailing” by any means, but insisted there was “unity” in the Three Lions squad.
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Everton are facing a battle of their own after being ordered to pay more than £35m in compensation to Burnley for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Code.
The Toffees have lodged an immediate appeal and are proceeding with their summer business regardless, primarily in the search for a new striker.
Parma’s Matteo Pellegrino is thought to be a target and multiple clubs have been offered the chance to sign Reus Openda, but the Blues are also shopping closer to home.
Everton set to battle Newcastle over Premier League striker
In fact, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Everton are one of three English top-flight clubs eyeing a move for Chelsea forward Liam Delap.
The Toffees’ interest dates back more than a year, with iNews reporting last summer that the Toffees were “fully on board” for the Englishman, with David Moyes personally saying he was a “huge fan” of the player.
However, the Magpies are in need of reinforcements in attack following the departure of Anthony Gordon and the disappointing first season on Tyneside for Yoan Wissa, and now face the prospect of losing their long-term target to either Newcastle or Tottenham.
Jacobs said on Spurs’ Last Word podcast that once Delap finds his place in new manager Xabi Alonso’s pecking order, contention will ensure his achievement.
“If all goes well and Delap is available on the market, I’m told Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham will be the three Premier League clubs.”
Delap had a similar season with Wissa last season, suffering from injuries and only starting 12 games in the top flight and one in the Champions League, but scoring one goal in each competition.
But the former Ipswich star is only 23 years old, so his 12 goals for the relegated Tractor Boys side before moving to Chelsea will be a long-term investment.
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