Everton are hard at work on their summer transfer planning despite the ongoing World Cup and cloud of the £35million they have been ordered to pay Burnley, and are now battling Newcastle United for the services of a promising forward.
Pickford backs Tuchel to get the best out of England
Jordan Pickford expects Thomas Tuchel to “step it up” when delivering his World Cup team talks this summer.
The German is renowned for his passion and fans got a glimpse of a rousing speech he gave the players when he first addressed them in March 2025, likening winning the World Cup to climbing Mount Everest.
Pickford, preparing for his fifth major tournament as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, believes Tuchel will raise the intensity even further as he attempts to inspire his players towards North American glory.
“I think the manager, the passion he’ll bring out, the team talks, I think he’ll step it up,” the Toffees keeper told talkSPORT.
“They’re very good, they’re quality, to be fair.
“He’s brilliant. It’s typical where, when we’re training, you work hard, when you’re in meetings, you listen, you focus, and the manager drives the meetings, and that kind of pushes into the training, or into the game. I’ve got to say, he’s top drawer.”
Pickford said it is never “smooth sailing” at a tournament, but insisted there is a “togetherness” in the Three Lions squad.
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Everton are facing a battle of their own after being ordered to pay Burnley more than £35million in compensation over Premier League profitability and sustainability breaches.
The Toffees have lodged an immediate appeal and are pressing ahead with their summer business regardless, primarily in search of a new striker.
Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino is thought to be a target while several clubs have been offered the chance to sign Lois Openda, but the Blues are also shopping closer to home.
Everton face battle from Newcastle for Premier League striker
Indeed, Everton are one of three English top flight clubs eyeing a move for Chelsea forward Liam Delap, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Toffees interest dates back over a year, with a report from iNews last summer claiming they were ‘all in’ on the Englishman and David Moyes is personally a ‘huge fan’ of the player.
However, they now face the prospect of losing the long-term target to either Newcastle or Tottenham, with the Magpies seeking to reinforce their attack after the departure of Anthony Gordon and a disappointing first season on Tyneside for Yoane Wissa.
Jacobs told the Last Word on Spurs podcast that once Delap finds out where he lands in the pecking order of new manager Xabi Alonso, a tussle will ensure for his services.
“Once all that falls into place, if Delap is available on the market, Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham are the three Premier League clubs I’m hearing.”
Delap suffered a similar season to Wissa last term, dealing with injuries and starting just 12 times in the top flight and once in the Champions League, scoring a goal apiece in each competition.
The former Ipswich star is still just 23 years of age however, so would represent a long-term investment having bagged 12 goals for a relegated Tractor Boys side before his move to Chelsea.
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