Everton team news ahead of their pre-season friendly against AS Roma. Everton play their final pre-season game of the summer against AS Roma at Goodison Park today (17.00 BST). The Toffees have one more dress rehearsal before the 2024-25 Premier League season begins next week against Brighton & Hove Albion. It will also be Goodison’s penultimate friendly, as Everton prepares for their final season at the Grand Old Lady before moving to their new stadium the following year.
However, Sean Dyche is unlikely to be unsentimental. The Everton manager would want to see a good performance from his players to ensure they are in top shape moving into the season. Despite the Brighton game on the horizon, the Blues have had some injury difficulties, and several could be out again for the visit of Serie A club Roma.
Youssef Chermiti will undoubtedly miss the game and the start of the campaign. The striker had a foot injury in training, necessitating surgery. Chermiti looked sharp over the summer, scoring twice in a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers, but now faces a spell on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Nathan Patterson is working on his recovery from a hamstring injury that required surgery back in April. Youngster Stanley Mills prospered on loan at Oxford United last season before sustaining a knee injury in January, and he is yet to return to training.
Everton fans will be hopeful that Jarrad Branthwaite can return for Brighton. The centre-back had a fantastic 2023-24 season, helping him break into England’s senior squad. Manchester United has also expressed interest in Branthwaite, although the Toffees have rejected two approaches. The 22-year-old underwent minor groin surgery earlier this summer and is still expected to play.
James Garner was missed from last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Preston North End due to a calf injury. Dyche was not too concerned about the midfielder’s fitness, but much will depend on his recuperation. It will be interesting to watch if Dele Alli makes a comeback. The former Tottenham Hotspur player is out of contract after his Blues deal expired in June. Dele hasn’t played since April 2023, when he was on loan at Besiktas, but Everton has brought him back to L4 to become fit, with the possibility of gaining new terms if he performs well.
Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure missed Preston’s victory, but they did play in a 6-0 win over Motherwell earlier this week. Michael Keane, on the other hand, was unable to play due to a knock. Jordan Pickford will play in his first game of the summer, having returned to training earlier this week. The goalie received a belated break after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final. Everton fans who have not watched the friendly fixtures on the road will get the opportunity to see new arrivals Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye, Jake O’Brien, and Jesper Lindstrom for the first time.
