Wait, we are playing tiki-taka, not gegenpressing?

Wait, we are playing tiki-taka, not gegenpressing?

I think it’s the same situation (as van Dijk). When he (VVD) came in I decided in the morning why not (play him) - let’s give it a try and it was a good decision. Takumi is here and had three sessions with the team. That’s not so much but it’s football. He kind of a time off when Salzburg had a winter break. We were not allowed to bring him here to train so he was back in Japan. He came here in good shape - let’s see.

We have to see, I couldn’t make a line-up in this moment even if I want to. I have to make sensible decisions about these things. Can I force anybody in this game. If it’s not the last game of the season you have always the same things to think about.

“He’s been training four, five days, or six, wasn’t out for long, it was only a little thing but enough that he was not available,” he explained.

“Now he’s back in training, and he will be involved in the squad.”

Clyne is still doing the recovery and rehab - he is a naturally fit player, he will be 100% fine after that.

He (Keita) will have a scan today. Shaqiri looks good but will not be available tomorrow. Oxlade looks good, Dejan Lovren looks good. Fabinho is out on the pitch doing running stuff. Our only problem is the games come so quick Most of them will not be available tomorrow night. We will see the next game what is possible.

“There are plenty of biographies about him, read them, but right now it will take too long to speak of all the qualities of Carlo Ancelotti.

“We lost that game in Napoli there was a penalty that was not a penalty. We didn't play that bad, you can lose a game. It was not that they outplayed us constantly.”

“That's management. It doesn't say anything bad about Marco Silva, it's just that things are like this from time to time.

“Carlo Ancelotti is one of the smartest people I have ever met and he would not have taken the job if he didn't think the squad was any good.

“We are convinced that the Everton squad is really, really good. They have invested a lot in the transfer market over a few years. It didn't work out for some reasons but the combination of a good manager and a good squad helps from time to time in football.

“Carlo is obviously someone who can lift a group in a moment when he enters a room.

“You heard his press conference this morning I'm pretty sure and you entered in a better mood than when you went in.

“That's a proper combination, they will do well, 100%, especially over the season, but it's a big challenge in the Premier League as there are other teams doing not too bad as well.

“I'm happy to see him again. Without meeting constantly, we always have a good time.”

"It is not surprise. Because of his age there is still space for improvement but what a player. He got injured and thank god other players stepped up. We have four sensational centre halves, unfortunately they are not always fit at the same time. That was the only reason he did not play, now he plays. He’s exactly the type of player I expect to see, an outstanding centre half. The future is bright for him because he is that much of a talent. The whole dressing room adores Joe because he’s such a nice fella so that’s good."

I told UEFA all I had to say personally. I told FIFA sometimes in interview there because I don’t know anybody there really. I don’t think that the Premier League or the FA are in any doubt about my opinion. It’s not because of me because I think somebody has to speak for the players. It’s not for one second about me.

We throw football at the people. I don’t know how many games there were on Boxing Day. That’s it, I really think that all these plus TV come together and speak and try to think one time in all these negotiations about the players. Of course without the money it doesn’t work but without the players it doesn’t work. The problem is that the real football people (managers) are not involved in these talks. If there is a meeting , other people are sitting there.

After playing Everton in FA Cup, we have Spurs. Mourinho will be prepared to put a bus.

Yup. The below quote is yesterday, before the Sheffield game.

—New signing Takumi Minamino is ineligible to make his debut due to transfer registration regulations.

Meanwhile, despite making steady progress in their recoveries, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri, Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip remain absent. —

Tak is eligible for this Everton game.

Is the match on astro?