Everton players return for pre-season training

Excerpts:

“I've been working my bollocks off,” he smiles. “I only had a week off after the season, then I was back to it. I'm looking forward to it.”

He knows, deep down, that it is unlikely that he will dislodge Jordan Pickford as No.1 at Goodison Park, and that the likeliest scenario will see him leave in this window – either permanently or on loan.

“Things will be resolved in pre-season,” he says. “Everton is like a family to me, so whatever they want me to do, I will do.

“Whatever happens I will be there fighting to be that No.1. I know that I am ready to play games and I think I have shown that, especially in the last two years.”

On the challenge of competing with Pickford – England's No.1, no less – he adds: “I have to believe in my own ability first and foremost, and I do.

“I see it every day in training, I feel I am at the same level and I don't see any reason to believe otherwise. I work hard, I dedicate myself and I know I'm more than capable of doing it."

“I'm still young and I still have a lot of time, but I will always be eager to play because that's who I am. I'll always give my best, every single day, to be a starter for whichever team.”

I'd love the formation plan too, but I reckon it'll be 3-4-1-2 with one of Gordon, Gray or Dele sitting behind two strikers.

If the system can work, and it will largely depend on the success of the likes of Dele or Gordon in that free-role creative position, along with a more combative midfield. If it does click, not many defences will enjoy lining up against Broja and Calvert-Lewin working together.

Blues return for Pre-Season

I thought Tom Davies's Tom-foolery had put Calvert-Lewin out for the season there …looked like his leg was trapped under the weight bench. Someone have a word!