The international break is finally over for Everton, and Wednesday has provided plenty to digest before attention turns fully towards Sunday’s Premier League trip to Hull City.
There has been encouragement for Jordan Pickford and several of the club’s younger internationals, two intriguing transfer stories and a fresh concern surrounding Vitalii Mykolenko.
Here’s our 7pm round-up of the main Everton news and talking points from 7 October.
Six Everton players share England stage
Everton began the day with three players having finished England’s 3-0 victory over Czechia together at Wembley.
Pickford completed another clean sheet, while James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite were both introduced after 63 minutes. All three Everton players therefore shared the pitch for the closing stages.
The pattern was repeated at Under-21 level. Tyler Dibling scored against the Republic of Ireland before Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George joined him on the pitch after the hour.
It meant six Everton players featured across England’s senior and Under-21 sides on Tuesday, with three Blues on the pitch together in both games.
Our final Everton international break review brings together the appearances and minutes accumulated by Moyes’ players before their return to Finch Farm.
Pickford also received a significant vote of confidence later in the day. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson backed the Everton No.1 to retain his place through to Euro 2028.
Mykolenko situation raises questions
Mykolenko is one returning player whose condition will require particular attention before Hull.
Ukrainian journalist Ihor Burbas has questioned the way the defender’s fitness problem was handled while he was away with his country.
Burbas claims Mykolenko initially reported leg pain and was cleared to train before the problem worsened and he was released back to Everton. He further claims an examination after his return to the club found that he shouldn’t have been training in that condition and needed a break.
That account hasn’t been publicly confirmed by Everton or Ukraine, while the precise nature and severity of Mykolenko’s problem remain unclear.
Alcaraz future and teenage transfer prospect
There were also two very different transfer stories during the day.
Everton could reportedly open the door to a Carlos Alcaraz departure in January, with Fenerbahce linked with the Argentine.
The important condition is that Everton are said to want a replacement secured before considering allowing Alcaraz to leave. He has played only five Premier League minutes this season and is out of contract next summer.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old William Mirwasser visited Everton during the international break.
The French defender, who plays for Hong Kong FC, also visited Blackburn Rovers and is expected to look at other options before making any decision. Nothing has been agreed, but Everton have made sure they are part of the conversation surrounding an intriguing young prospect.
Friedkin question and familiar Man City debate
Roma’s €1bn-plus stadium project has also prompted fresh discussion over Everton’s place within TFG’s plans.
A View From The Bullens contributor Steve Kelly questioned whether Roma are effectively the number one club within the Friedkins’ football operation.
The circumstances are different, not least because Everton moved into Hill Dickinson Stadium last year, with the vast majority of the project completed before TFG’s takeover. Comparisons between the group’s investment in its two major European clubs are nevertheless unlikely to disappear.
Finally, Everton’s previous points deductions returned to the conversation surrounding Manchester City.
In the slightly unusual position of finding talkSPORT on their side, Evertonians heard presenter Max Scott cite the Blues and Nottingham Forest while explaining why he has little sympathy for City.
Everton did, of course, successfully appeal their original 10-point deduction before ultimately serving eight points of penalties across two PSR cases, so the situations aren’t directly comparable.
That brings another busy day to a close and, more importantly, draws a line under the international break.
For Moyes and Everton, Hull City is now the focus.
