Everton pre-season stance confirmed amid United States summer tournament claims
A report claims that Everton are in advanced talks to take part in a pre-season tournament in the USA with Manchester United, West Ham United and Bournemouth
A report has claimed that Everton are set to play pre-season matches in the USA this summer as part of the Premier League Summer Series. The Athletic states the Blues are in advanced talks to participate in the competition in late July alongside Manchester United, West Ham United and Bournemouth, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The article adds that it will be the second edition of the pre-season tournament and the games are expected to take place in Atlanta, New Jersey and Chicago and although this year’s line-up is not yet finalised, partly down to the need for all clubs to maintain their Premier League status come the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Manchester United, West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton are all set to take part.
It remarks that although this year’s line-up is not yet finalised, partly down to the need for all clubs to maintain their Premier League status come the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Manchester United, West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton are all set to take part. West Ham are ten points clear of the relegation zone, while Manchester United are 12 clear and Everton have a 13-point cushion following their resurgence under David Moyes.
When asked for comment by the ECHO, a senior Everton insider insisted that the report is just speculation and the club’s pre-season plans are not finalised yet. Previous Blues boss Sean Dyche was not a fan of long-haul summer trips and the only non-UK games he took the squad to while at the helm were in Switzerland in 2023 and the Republic of Ireland last year.
However, Everton went to the USA on six separate occasions during Moyes’ first spell in charge (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). The Blues now also have American owners with the takeover by The Friedkin Group (based in Houston, Texas) have been completed in December.
I never wanted to leave Goodison but one thing at Bramley-Moore Dock took my breath away
ECHO reporter Dan Haygarth was among the Toffees at the first game at Bramley-Moore
Everton leaving Goodison Park will break my heart. For such a long time I’ve been unwilling to accept that it’s happening. Without getting too mawkish, the Toffees’ home of 133 years means so much to every Evertonian – the heritage, memories and atmosphere that Goodison boasts will be very hard to leave behind.
It is everything an English football ground should be – loud, intimidating, compact and – most importantly – rooted in the heart of its community. The walk through Walton’s terraced streets to the Grand Old Lady, stopping at the pubs and chippies, is how a footballing Saturday should feel.
Then, no matter how many times you’ve been, emerging from the concourse into the ground is special. You can feel the history and glory of bygone days as anticipation builds before kick off.
