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LONG-TERM SIGNING: EVERTON SNAP UP ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL TALENT

Everton's Jordan Pickford agrees to a new four-year contract, a major statement of intent. The deal secures the England goalkeeper's future, aligning with the club's new era under fresh ownership and ambition.

Long-Term Signing: Everton Snap Up England International Talent
Photo Credit: Getty Images

The signing of Jordan Pickford to a new, long-term contract with Everton is more than just a standard contract renewal. It is a declaration of intent from a team keen to persuade the football community that ambition and stability are at last lining up at Goodison Park.

Pickford "has agreed terms on a new four-year agreement," according to Sky Sports News, and is anticipated to sign it before Everton's next match against Manchester City. Everton's wish for him "to stay for the rest of his career" was emphasised in earlier September rumours, and it now seems to be coming true. The new contract extension might retain him past the age of thirty-six, as his present one expires in 2027.

Despite Everton's recent struggles against relegation, Pickford, who is in his ninth season at the club, is still Thomas Tuchel's go-to first-choice custodian for England. It shows mutual trust between the player and the team to keep a goalie of his calibre in those conditions.

"Happy, settled, and receptive to the thought of dedicating the bulk (perhaps all) of his future years at the top level to the club," according to Everton, is how they describe Pickford. Unless there is confidence behind the scenes, that type of phrase is rarely employed.

Propulsion both on and off the pitch

The broader context of this rejuvenation is also noteworthy. The team is relying on "the positivism of the new stadium; new ownership; the encouraging upturn in form under David Moyes; and a successful summer transfer window in which the arrival of Jack Grealish has been a real indication of the club's intentions," according to research from Sky Sports News.

These elements signify a change from fighting fires to making plans for the future. Everton wants Pickford as a leader for the future as well as a custodian.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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