Return of Max Walter

Post by **Soapy** » Yesterday, 09:05

Grealish

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » Yesterday, 09:59

RMJH4 wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 05:00
Beat the teams below you and around you and you'll have a good season. Nice wins over Brentford and Wolves. Let's hope Heaven works out for you.

Through two games, Heaven has been terrific. Not tested as much but still an improvement on how Tarkowski was.

Caesar wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 08:34
Crazy to think you're not far off the European places with that win.

Yea the league is crazy this year, so open. If we can beat the teams we should beat and get one or two upsets, we have a shot at Europe.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » Yesterday, 10:00

Soapy wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 09:05
Grealish

Grealish is a weird one. With the ball, he's fun to play with. His dribbling is good and he can pass. Without the ball, he's useless. Too slow to press and never intercepts passes.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » Today, 10:36

Everton humiliated in FA Cup after rotating starting XI

Sunderland scored three in the first half to show the talent gap with the Blues (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
January 10, 2026 | Hill Dickson Stadium

If Max Walter was trying to prove a point that he needed transfer business, then job well done on Saturday afternoon. After a morning of snow fall, Eveton fans watched their players slip around the pitch and put on a show that would make any fan embarrassed to support. Toffees were 3-0 down at the half and barely registered a shot for 45 minutes.

The second half did not show any improvement, giving up two more goals and finishing the 5-0 defeat with only two shots on target and barely 40% of the possession.

How the game was won

Sunderland started with urgency from the opening kick-off. Booting the ball out of play to press Everton on a throw-in, the Black Cats did not let up for the entire half. Pressing Everton like this was a Champions League final and not just a FA Cup third-round tie. The breakthrough came on a corner piece when Dan Neil headed home the cross, minutes later, Traore doubled the lead, and the game felt over already at that point.

From Everton's point of view, this seemed more like a message from the manager than an off-day by the players. With players out of position, tactics not suited for the players, and barely any subs used, it looked like a clear message being sent to the top that January better be a busy month.

"This is the reality. More bad news is coming, and we must suffer through that as fans of the club and know this is building to something." Walter said after the game when talking to ESPN. The bad news being referred to is the rumors of multiple first-team players already agreeing to leave on a free at the end of this season.

"The situation I came into was not clean. David [Moyes] is doing what he can to fix it, but early signs will be a struggle. I just ask the fans to stay with us, keep the support, and try seeing the bigger picture coming."

The loss for Everton eliminates them from the FA Cup, leaving only the Premier League fixtures left in their season. That can be viewed as a positive for now with how thin the squad is and the transitional period taking place. Everton will be traveling to 5th-place Aston Villa in mid-week for their next Premier League fixture.

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » Today, 11:09

January begins with a trio of Toffees planning to leave at the end of the season.

Michael Keane quickly fell out of favor with Walter and is now exiting Merseyside (ShireNiner Network Images)

By: Marco Venturi
January 10, 2026 | Everton Transfer Talk

The January transfer window may have just opened, but the future planning never stops, especially when it comes to free agents. With summer 2026 just over the horizon, several Premier League clubs are already positioning themselves for some shrewd business, and it appears Everton could be facing a significant exodus of experienced talent on expiring contracts.

While the Toffees have been battling to maintain their Premier League status and navigate financial fair play challenges, the upcoming summer could see three familiar faces depart the Merseyside Blues without a penny exchanging hands.

Tottenham's Astute Mykolenko Move
The Ukrainian international, who joined Everton in January 2022, has quietly established himself as a reliable and defensively solid operator in the Premier League.

With his contract set to expire in June 2026, Mykolenko has agreed to a contract with Tottenham instead of giving Max Walter a chance to extend his starting left-back. Tottenham have often found success with free transfers, and Mykolenko's consistent performances, coupled with his versatility to play as a traditional full-back or a wing-back, make him an appealing prospect for Thomas Frank. Mykolenko provides solid cover for Destiny Udogie who is often battling injuries and not able to keep up with the busy England schedule.

Gueye Set for Sporting CP
A move that feels like a natural progression for a player entering the twilight of his career, Idrissa Gueye appears destined for a new chapter in Portugal with Sporting CP. The tenacious midfielder, now 36, has been a fantastic servant for Everton across two spells, bringing invaluable experience and bite to their engine room.

While his Premier League pace may have waned slightly, Gueye's tactical intelligence, ball-winning ability, and leadership qualities remain highly regarded. A move to the Primeira Liga, a technically strong but slightly less physically demanding league, seems a perfect fit. Sporting, known for developing young talent, would surely value Gueye's vast experience in European football and his ability to dictate play from a deeper role.

It's a bittersweet departure for Everton fans, who adore 'Gana', but the opportunity for him to secure a multi-year deal and potentially compete for titles in Portugal is an understandable draw. He'll leave Everton as a legend in many eyes.

Keane to Brentford
Finally, a move that makes perfect sense for all parties involved: Michael Keane to Brentford. The towering centre-back, who has been with Everton since 2017, is set to leave the club after his contract concludes in June 2026. Keane is said to have fallen out with the new manager and did not even discuss a new contract with the club.

Brentford has built a reputation for picking up experienced Premier League players on favorable terms. Keane, 33, still possesses some aerial ability and leadership, making him an ideal addition to the Bees' defensive ranks. He would provide crucial depth and competition in a squad that values defensive solidity above all else.

For Keane, it's an opportunity to continue playing at the highest level, likely as a key squad member, in a well-drilled team where his attributes would be well-utilised. He’d bring a wealth of Premier League experience to a club that consistently punches above its weight. It's a classic Brentford signing that could pay dividends.

The moves are not surprising to Walter or Everton; all three players expressed interest in moving as soon as the new manager arrived. Not wanting to go through another club rebuild at their ages, the moves make sense for all parties. For Everton, the roster spots opening give Walter a chance to bring in his own talent, allowing for more flexibility in squad restrictions.

What did you think of this story?

Marco Venturi is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering European Football. He previously covered Italian Football for Football Italia. He is based in Milan. Follow Marco on Twitter @Marcosfake

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