Everton vs Chelsea: Match Preview | The Friedkin era begins against high-flying Blues
Yesterday at 06:46 PM
Buoyant Toffees face tough challenge against Londoners
After one of the most positive weeks in a long time, a renewed and revived Everton face Chelsea in the first match of the Friedkin Group era.
The takeover by the US Group has brought a sense of relief after a tortuous few years. When Farhad Moshiri took over there was excitement, near delirium about what might happen. After eight turbulent years expectations are lower, with the hope that the club will just be operated like a normal business again.
To add to a memorable few days the club were also given the keys to Bramley-Moore. For so long the stadium's construction felt like a financial millstone around the club's neck. But now there is genuine excitement about the historic move this summer.
Of course, all this off-pitch progress does nothing to improve things on the pitch. The limitations of the squad will remain until at least January, but even then PSR restrains mean they will not be splashing out too much cash. But last weekend's battling draw at Arsenal may be the template for Sunday's game against one of the best sides in the league at present.
Despite that, the atmosphere at Goodison should be as optimistic as it has been for a very long time. This is only the first step in a long journey, but it feels like the club is finally moving forward again.
The opposition
In contrast to Everton's years of austerity, Chelsea's spending spree over the last three years is remarkable, especially given PSR regulations are supposed to limit such sums being splashed out (hough it helps if you can sell hotels to yourself).
All those new players failed to reap immediate dividends, but new manager Enzo Maresca seems to have whittled down the bulging squad to a manageable group that is flourishing.
They head to Goodison second in the table and could even leapfrog Liverpool with a win for a few hours at least. Central to their success is the incredible Cole Palmer, with City's decision to sell him looking more baffling by the week.
Palmer smashed four goals including a 16-minute hat-trick the last time the two sides met at Stamford Bridge in April, a particularly grim night. Everton though have won five of their last six games at home to the Blues, including a 2-0 victory last season.
Previous meeting
Chelsea 6-0 Everton, 16 April 2024
An utterly disastrous night for everyone involved. James Tarkowski said it was "the most embarrassed I have felt as an individual". That about sums it up.
Team news
Dwight McNeil is rated as "touch and go" as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
James Garner (back) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) are still out, whole Armando Broja is ineligible against his parent club.
What they said
Everton boss Sean Dyche: "The manager's done a great job this season so far. He's created a team atmosphere and a dynamic which is working well for them.
"We know they spent so much money over the years, but you've still got to combine it. There's no exact shortcut.
"I think it [the takeover] brings a stability and a way forwards. I would hope [it brings a positive feel on Sunday]. We're trying to that through the results and the team, of course, but it's a nice backdrop if the club seemingly is in a stable position."
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca: "'It will be a tough game for sure but we will try to prepare the game in the best way we can and the target is always to win the game.
"Everton's stadium is not only tough for Chelsea, it's tough for any club. So we are going to see."
Final word
The sweeping optimism following the takeover shouldn't detract from the fact Everton face a really stiff test against fine opposition. But if they can get a result it would complete one of the most enjoyable weeks for Evertonians in a long time.
