Newcastle could boycott Liam Delap and Everton ‘all in’ in Chelsea player deal

Everton are working hard to organize summer transfers despite the ongoing World Cup and the cloud of £35million ordered to pay Burnley, and are now battling Newcastle United for the services of a promising player.

Pickford backs Tuchel to get the best out of England

Jordan Pickford expects Thomas Tuchel to “step it up” when he launches his World Cup squad talks this summer.

The German is famous for his passion and fans caught glimpses of the rousing speech he gave to the players when he spoke to them for the first time in March 2025, likening winning the World Cup to climbing Mount Everest.

Pickford, who is preparing for his fifth major tournament as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, believes Tuchel will up the ante even more as he tries to inspire his players to North American glory.

“I think the manager, the love he will show, the team is talking, I think he will raise the level,” the Toffees goalkeeper told talkSPORT.

“They are very good, they are at a high level, to be fair to me.

“He’s smart. It’s normal when, when we train, you work hard, when you’re in meetings, you listen, you concentrate, and the manager conducts the meetings, and that kind of push in training, or in the game. I have to say, he draws high.”

Pickford said it had not been “smooth sailing” in the competition, but insisted there was “come-togetherness” in the Three Lions squad.

Everton are facing a battle of their own after being ordered to pay Burnley more than £35million in compensation for breaching Premier League profitability and sustainability.

The Toffees immediately lodged an appeal and are pushing ahead with their summer business regardless, mainly looking for a new striker.

Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino is thought to be a target while several clubs have been offered the chance to sign Lois Openda, but the Blues are also shopping closer to home.

Everton will face Newcastle and the Premier League striker

Indeed, Everton are one of three top-flight clubs in England looking for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Toffees’ interest dates back a year, with a report from iNews last summer claiming they were ‘all in’ for the Englishman and David Moyes himself a ‘big fan’ of the player.

However, they now face the prospect of losing long-term targets to Newcastle or Tottenham, with the Magpies looking to bolster their attack following the departure of Anthony Gordon and a disappointing first season on Tyneside for Yoane Wissa.

Jacobs told the Last Word on Spurs podcast that if Delap finds out where he is staying as new boss Xabi Alonso, the draw will confirm his job.

Delap endured a similar season to Wissa last term, battling injuries and starting just 12 times in the top flight and in the Champions League, scoring one goal in each competition.

The former Ipswich star is still only 23-years-old, so would represent a long-term investment as he scored 12 goals for the side that were relegated by the Tractor Boys before moving to Chelsea.