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<p>A disgruntled Christian Pulisic could use Everton as an opportunity to <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/31/us-star-pulisic-wants-more-game-time-at-chelsea/">boost his play time in the Premier League</a>.</p>
<p>Rumors suggest that Christian Pulisic could want out in search of more play time, particularly as Chelsea target Everton forward Richarlison.</p>
<p>The American international already has a relationship with Everton manager Frank Lampard, dating back to their time together at Stamford Bridge. Lampard provided Pulisic with his Premier League debut, and regarded the forward highly.</p>
<p>There are differing opinions on how Lampard thought of Christian Pulisic while the player adjusted to the Premier League. Then-RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch said <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea/story/4212928/chelseas-lampard-did-not-rate-pulisic-because-he-was-american-marsch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lampard did not rate Pulisic</a> because he was American. Marsch claimed that Pulisic showed Lampard that the Hershey, PA, native had talent that rivaled the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Joshua Kimmich. However, <a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12117615/christian-pulisic-frank-lampard-dismisses-claims-he-doubted-usa-international-because-of-his-nationality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lampard dismissed these claims</a> and mentioned how Pulisic found his feet quickly in England.</p>
<p>Fact of the matter is, Chelsea ousted Lampard due to poor results, and he eventually landed at Everton. After barely keeping the Toffees afloat in the Premier League a season ago, Pulisic could be a potential option to put on the flank.</p>
<h3>Christian Pulisic linked with Everton</h3>
<p>While Pulisic represents the most-expensive transfer for an American in history at just over $70 million, he did not pan out as planned. When he played, he performed well. However, injuries damaged his consistency. In the 2021/22 campaign, the American amounted to just 13 goal contributions in 38 games. However, game time is something of a concern for Pulisic.</p>
<p>In those 38 games, Pulisic started 22 times in all competitions. Some substitute appearances lasted just a handful of minutes. Christian Pulisic’s dad even mentioned how disgruntled the American is with the play time in a <a href="https:\/\/www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/06/christian-pulisic-thomas-tuchel-chelsea-dad-tweet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">now-deleted tweet</a>.</p>
<p>Chelsea would want someone to replace the probable departure of Romelu Lukaku, and Richarlison could be that man. Pulisic is more of a dynamic player on the wing who relies on dribbling. Richarlison fits the services of Mason Mount or Kai Havertz in terms of clinical finishing.</p>
<p>Pulisic’s current market value hovers around $45 million. Richarlison would cost Chelsea somewhere in the region of $50 million, but Everton wants in excess of $75 million for the Brazilian.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images</em></p>


Christian Pulisic, who appears to be unhappy with his play time at Stamford Bridge, could see Everton as a potential suitor at the top level.

Christian Pulisic linked with Everton amidst desire for more playing time - World Soccer Talk

Christian Pulisic linked with Everton amidst desire for more playing time

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<p>Everton’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Thursday clinched Premier League safety. The club’s almost 70-year run in England’s top flight continues into the 2022/23 season.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, it would likely be over without Frank Lampard being appointed as manager. Lampard faced constant critiques for his job performance at Chelsea. At Everton, he showed an ability to dig in and perform under adverse circumstances. Now, a platform for further growth exists.</p>
<p>After five years of disastrous management, Everton are back on track. Critics derided Lampard for his work at Chelsea. Pundits claimed he was not ready for a managerial role at a ‘big-time’ club. Nearing the conclusion of the 2021/22 season, Lampard provided the Toffees something to build on. It is the first time that sentiment rolled into Goodison park since the big-spending Fareed Moshiri era started in 2017.</p>
<p>Under David Moyes, Everton consistently did more with less. It established itself as the “biggest” side outside the extremely wealthy sides. Everton’s history holds more seasons of top flight soccer than any other club in a top European league. A new transfusion of cash arrived to transform the club. It accomplished that task, only for the worse.</p>
<p>The UK media loved to point out <a href="https:\/\/talksport.com/football/1022636/everton-news-transfer-farhad-moshiri-net-worth-premier-league/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Everton’s high net spend</a> over the last few seasons. In fact, it surpassed local rivals Liverpool.</p>
<h3>Bad Business</h3>
<h5>Players</h5>
<p>Precious little of the above-referenced spending has been made with a philosophy in mind. Marcel Brands ran Everton’s football side. He made personnel decisions. Oftentimes, he hired head coaches for vanity purposes who used players as they saw fit. Sometimes, coaches did have an impact on transfers. For example, Marco Silva had a say on the transfer of Richarlison to Everton. This was actually one of the few good pieces of business from Everton. Still, more often than not, Everton’s dealings were a mess.</p>
<p>Brands’s strategy seemed to be to find the sexiest name possible on the transfer market and overpay for that player. It did not matter what the club needed. Everton made a business of buying former Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Spurs players.</p>
<p>The same applied to managers.</p>
<h5>Managers</h5>
<p>Marco Silva was an intriguing hire in 2018. Ultimately, he didn’t improve the squad. Following Silva’s sacking in November 2019, Everton failed to pursue former player Mikel Arteta. He could be there to build a project, but instead Arsenal signed the former midfielder. Rather, Everton wanted a big-name hire.</p>
<p>Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez may both be UEFA Champions League-winning managers. However, they were not good fits for Everton’s aims. Instead, Ancelotti and Benitez fit the philosophy of the club for a visible name. This is irrespective of style or long-term build.</p>
<p>Ancelotti had some successes last season, highlighted by a win at Anfield. Yet, by the end of the campaign, Everton played some of the most dire soccer in the division. Conservatism and safety reigned even under a perceived elite manager.</p>
<p>That situation worsened under Benitez. He inherited an expensively assembled side but immediately ran off James Rodriguez.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On repeat. All night. 💙 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/jrX4JFkBPp">pic.twitter.com/jrX4JFkBPp</a></p>
<p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/Everton/status/1527393159046647811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The season started decently enough. By November, it was clear Benitez was the wrong guy for the job. A change was imminent with injuries mounting and young players not developing. Even worse, Benitez ran off Lucas Digne, the club’s best player whom Aston Villa gladly took off the Toffees’ hands.</p>
<p>Brands left the club in December after a dispute with Benitez. Yet, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/01/16/benitez-sacked-as-everton-manager/">Everton sacked the former Liverpool manager</a> weeks later. This is a further representation of the dysfunction at Goodison Park. The replacement, Lampard, took flack from the UK media. A legendary player who managed Chelsea, on surface level he got the job based on his name.</p>
<p>In fact, he proved to be the right choice.</p>
<h5>Arrival of Frank Lampard</h5>
<p>Lampard’s tactical acumen still may not be there. However, his man management and eye for talent is superb. At Chelsea, Lampard fast-tracked the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James. He also ensured playing time for Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori. All four of these players are important to their current clubs.</p>
<p>Similarly, he made the right calls at Everton.</p>
<p>Even more significantly perhaps, he assembled a top backroom staff led by Paul Clement. Perhaps this contributed to his ill-fated Chelsea tenure.</p>
<p>Let’s have a closer look at Lampard’s biggest calls and successes.</p>
<h3>How Lampard managed Everton to Premier League safety</h3>
<h5>Alex Iwobi</h5>
<p>The change in Iwobi’s game has been discernible. Employed as an attacking midfielder and oddly a right wing-back in recent weeks, Iwobi shows an ability to cut inside in possession and play a more dynamic role.</p>
<p>Iwobi had always been seen as a pacy winger by the likes of Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti. Lampard identified more in the player and transformed his role accordingly. This change allowed Iwobi to thrive in a way not seen as possible by his former managers. Moreover, Iwobi’s success gave Lampard the confidence to be tactically flexible in how he deploys Iwobi.</p>
<h5>Anthony Gordon</h5>
<p>Gordon did get a lot of time toward the end of Benitez’s tenure. His ability to pick a pass and make timely runs were not evident under the Spaniard. Lampard provided Gordon the same level of freedom as more experienced players. Plus, Gordon had the same commitment from his manager to get a run of matches just like Mount at Chelsea.</p>
<p>On one hand, both Gordon and Mount were both clear-cut prodigal-level talents. Still, it takes a nurturing hand and superior man management to get the best out of young players. More often than not, highly touted young English players fail to reach the heights Mount has and Gordon appears headed for.</p>
<h5>Three midfielders at all times</h5>
<p>A key to Lampard providing Everton with Premier League safety is the tactical difference.</p>
<p>Lampard made some odd formation decisions in the first month after taking the Everton job. When the Toffees went to a three-at-the-back formation with two midfielders in a 3-4-3, opposition routinely carved Everton open. The 4-4-2 did not work much better. A reversion to the 4-3-3 and at times during matches a unique 3-2-2-2-1 (or 3-6-1 if you prefer) has given the side the stability to minimize goal opportunities the other way even if the goal threat is not always potent up top.</p>
<h5>A real fighting spirit</h5>
<p>In Lampard’s Chelsea tenure, he often looked angry or distant on the touchline when things went wrong. Backed by a ruckus Goodison crowd or loud traveling contingent, this changed with Everton. Lampard seemingly fed off his club’s supporters and imparted a fighting spirit in his players.</p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="z683NKQVLv"><p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/11/everton-schedules-two-games-on-usa-summer-tour/">Everton schedules two games on USA summer tour</a></p></blockquote>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“Everton schedules two games on USA summer tour” — World Soccer Talk" src="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/11/everton-schedules-two-games-on-usa-summer-tour/embed/#?secret=yuQpN3PNbV#?secret=z683NKQVLv" data-secret="z683NKQVLv" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<p>Previously, Everton got down because of the malaise around Goodison. Now, the players and coaches use energy to their advantage. In the end, the crowd and support lifted the Toffees over the line. That passion and change in attitude of the fans was largely down to Lampard’s management.</p>
<h5>Confidence in Pickford</h5>
<p>Previous Everton managers have toyed with the idea of pressuring, or even sitting, England’s number one.&nbsp; Not Frank Lampard. As a result, Pickford has, in the last two months, turned in some of the best shot-stopping performances of his distinguished career.</p>
<h5>Playing Mykolenko at Left back</h5>
<p>Ukranian Vitaliy Mykolenko arrived from Dynamo Kyiv in Janaury as a direct replacement for Digne.</p>
<p>Between Everton’s relegation fight and the <a href="https:\/\/www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/ukraine-invasion-evertons-mykolenko-criticises-silence-of-russian-players/">war in his homeland</a>, Mykolenko starting was a risky call for Lampard. In fact, he did not start the Ukrainian until his second month in charge.</p>
<p>However, the young player showed more than capable of excelling in the Premier League. Again, this man management decision by Lampard was spot on.</p>
<h5>The Takeaway</h5>
<p>As the relegation fight intensified, much of the media decried Everton’s reckless spending and the Lampard hire.</p>
<p>The media is correct on the former. They were dead-wrong on the latter. Everton finding safety in this Premier League campaign was all about strong management from Lampard. Making difficult, but correct, calls in terms of player selection and tactics guaranteed another year in the English Premier League.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Gareth Copley/Getty Images</em></p>


Frank Lampard, maligned as a hire early on rescued Everton with Premier League safety. He provided the Toffees with a spring board to build.

How Frank Lampard rescued Everton to Premier League safety - World Soccer Talk

How Frank Lampard rescued Everton to Premier League safety

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<p>Manchester City looks to be humming along in the league. With just two games remaining, the Sky Blues are well on their way to a fourth EPL crown in the last five seasons.</p>
<p>Liverpool, the other dog in the race, is off in the league this weekend. Rather, the Reds take on Chelsea in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup Final</a> on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p>To open space for the FA Cup and Eurovision Song Contest, all of the Premier League games on the weekend are set for Sunday and Monday. Plus, there are midweek games to get set for decision day on Sunday, May 22.</p>
<p>This weekend, the best games to watch in the Premier League revolve around the relegation battle. Sure, the West Ham game against Manchester City has implications on the top half of the table. However, Manchester City’s torrent pace looks insurmountable for most sides.</p>
<p>Everton, which is nearing safety in the Premier League, hosts Brentford. Everton is on a roll of three games unbeaten, and the light of survival in the league is in sight. Burnley takes on a desperate Tottenham side coming off of the North London Derby. Meanwhile, Leeds faces Brighton in need of points to maintain hope of staying up.</p>
<p>Midweek, there are more great games to make time for. The Everton-Crystal Palace game could very well be Everton’s shining moment of survival. That game is set for Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>At the same time, Chelsea hosts Leicester City in a rematch of last season’s FA Cup Final. Neither side is in need of anything too dramatic based on current standings. Still, it is a good game between interesting teams that perhaps failed to meet expectations this season, however lofty those were.</p>
<h5>NBC coverage of the Premier League</h5>
<p>Rebecca Lowe is in charge of Sunday’s Premier League coverage. However, there is no pregame coverage for the 7 a.m. kickoff or the 9 a.m. window. Rather, a lone Premier League Live at 11 a.m. gets viewers prepared for Newcastle against Arsenal.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Goal Rush is not on the schedule for Sunday. There are five games in the 9 a.m. window that day, which would shape up perfectly for the whip-around show.</p>
<p>Also, there are no games scheduled in 4K for May 15 through 19.</p>
<p>For the midweek games, it is business as usual for NBC. Premier League Live and Goal Zone precede and succeed game coverage on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.</p>
<h3>EPL commentators on NBC: May 15 to May 19</h3>
<h5>Sunday, May 15</h5>
<p>7 a.m. — Tottenham vs. Burnley. USA Network, <a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Jim Proudfoot and Efan Ekoku</p>
<p>9 a.m. — West Ham vs. Manchester City. USA Network, <a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Arlo White and Graeme Le Saux</p>
<p>9 a.m. — Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— Pien Meulensteen and Lee Hendrie</p>
<p>9 a.m. — Leeds United vs. Brighton and Hove Albion. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— David Stowell and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk</p>
<p>9 a.m. — Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Norwich City. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— Jacqui Oatley and Garry Birtles</p>
<p>9 a.m. — Watford vs. Leicester City. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— Gary Taphouse and David Phillips</p>
<p>11:30 a.m. — Everton vs. Brentford. USA Network, Telemundo, <a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Daniel Mann and David Prutton</p>
<h5>Monday, May 16</h5>
<p>3 p.m. — Newcastle vs. Arsenal. USA Network, Universo,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Martin Tyler and Rob Green</p>
<h5>Tuesday, May 17</h5>
<p>2:45 p.m. — Southampton vs. Liverpool. USA Network, Universo,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Arlo White, Graeme Le Saux and Lee Dixon</p>
<h5>Thursday, May 19</h5>
<p>2:45 p.m. — Everton vs. Crystal Palace. USA Network, Universo,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" aria-label="Watch on fubo TV">fubo TV</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" aria-label="Watch on DirecTV Stream">DirecTV Stream</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-12685078?sid=homepage" aria-label="Watch on Sling Blue">Sling Blue</a>&nbsp;— Seb Hutchinson and Leon Osman</p>
<p>3 p.m. — Chelsea vs. Leicester City. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— Gary Taphouse and Efan Ekoku</p>
<p>3 p.m. — Aston Villa vs. Burnley. <a href="https:\/\/imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1301777/11640?utm_campaign=2201affiliateevgn&amp;cid=2201affiliateevgnpkpdaff4393" aria-label="Watch on Peacock Premium">Peacock Premium</a>&nbsp;— Conor McNamara and Andy Townsend</p>


There are basically two games left in the Premier League. Some have those fixtures this weekend, others midweek, and some play twice before decision day.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Everton" - Page 12

Chelsea

Christian Pulisic linked with Everton amidst desire for more playing time

Everton

How Frank Lampard rescued Everton to Premier League safety

EPL Commentator Schedule

EPL commentators on NBC: May 15 to May 19