Season 2021-22 Opinion Talking Points

How Everton’s players did over the international break

Everton visit defending champions Manchester City this weekend in their toughest fixture this season and if you want to bet on the game, visit Openchange.org to get the latest betting odds. However, before you jump on predicting this weekend’s game, it’s worth looking at how the international break went for our players.

Only four Everton players were involved in November's international break, including the up-and-coming winger Anthony Gordon, who featured for England's U-21 team. Given the growing injury list at Goodison Park, it comes as no surprise that the Merseysiders had only a handful of players representing their countries in the last international window.

Let's take a quick look at how those involved performed for their respective national teams.

Jordan Pickford

Despite his patchy form in the Premier League this term, Jordan Pickford has retained the starting berth in Gareth Southgate's set-up.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper was between the sticks on Friday as England thrashed Albania 5-0 at Wembley to book a ticket for the Qatar showpiece.

The Albanians barely put the Everton stalwart to the test, though he pulled off an impressive save to thwart Myrto Uzuni's close-range attempt in the opening stage of the game.

Pickford, though, surrendered his place in the starting line-up to his Arsenal counterpart Aaron Ramsdale in the Three Lions' 10-0 demolition of Mediterranean minnows San Marino last time out.

Seamus Coleman

Ireland were already out of the World Cup qualification race ahead of November's international break, which came as a pressure reliever going into their final two Group A matches.

Everton skipper Seamus Coleman, who also captains the Boys in Green, was part of Stephen Kenny's team that played a significant role in switching heavyweights Portugal to the dreaded play-offs.

The stress-free Ireland held Cristiano Ronaldo and co to a scoreless draw in Dublin in the penultimate round of fixtures, softening them up for their 'make-or-break' clash against Serbia on the final matchday.

Coleman played a decisive role in keeping Fernando Santos' star-studded side to just two shots on target, making several notable clearances while playing as a right centre-back in a three-man backline.

The 33-year-old right-back returned to his natural position in Ireland's last World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg, captaining his side to a comprehensive 3-0 win on the road to sign off in style.

Lucas Digne

Lucas Digne, who has been one of Everton's most consistent performers this season, remains a permanent fixture in the French national team under Didier Deschamps.

However, the former Barcelona left-back has lost his place in Les Bleus' starting XI to AC Milan standout defender Theo Hernandez.

Hernandez has established himself as an indispensable first-team player for France since making his international debut in September, shifting Digne to the bench.

The Rossoneri star was handed all 90 minutes in the reigning world champions' 8-0 hammering of Kazakhstan in the penultimate qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Digne returned to action on the final matchday as France cruised to a 2-0 away win over Finland but failed to impress going forward.

Anthony Gordon

Of all Everton players to have featured in this international break, the 20-year-old Anthony Gordon is the only one who has made his appearance stand out.

After making his Premier League breakthrough under Rafael Benitez this season, the versatile forward has gone from strength to strength at England U-21.

Gordon bagged a quick-fire first-half brace to pave the way for the Young Lions' all-important 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in a European Championship qualifier.

The highly-rated youngster put on a dazzling performance as Lee Carsley's men whittled down the gap on the top-placed Czechs to three points.

Gordon nearly inspired England's comeback in a 3-2 loss to Georgia in a friendly contest last time out, having joined the fray as a second-half substitute.

His teammates were already three goals down when he came on, but his introduction saw them pull two goals back to avoid humiliation against sub-par opposition.

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