Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Travis Declares interest in Griezmann

Joe Travis is going all-out to lure Antoine Griezmann to the club, in a reported deal that could cost as much as £8 million.

The French winger 22, currently at Real Sociedad, has been unhappy at the Spanish side but his move away is being scuppered by Sociedad's asking price of £18+ million. Travis, who is reportedly attempting to sell Royson Drenthe, is madly keen on Griezmann, and is willing to move players around to get his man.

Drenthe becomes Cottager

Royson Drenthe has signed for Fulham from Everton for 3 million pound

Everton confirm Pedro Leon capture

Everton have today announced the 8 million pound signature of Real Madrid winger Pedro Leon.

Leon, known as being a set piece expert and a crossing master, has been frozen out at the Bernabeu over a 3 year period, being sent on loan to Getafe continuously over that time.

This seems to signal an end if Travis' immediate interest in Antoine Griezmann, because of Sociedad's heightened asking price.

Everton 2013/14 Season Preview

Following last season's impressive start to his tenure at Goodison Park, Toffees boss Joe Travis will be hoping for more of the same this season.

Last year, Everton finished 5th, 3 points of a Champions League Place, despite having to sell key players Merouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines. Whilst Travis admits that financially the club is never going to be brilliant, he says that last season's key performers, such as Darron Gibson, Phil Jagielka, Ryan Shawcross and Kevin Mirallas, will not be being sold this time around.

"We're secure financially" Said Travis, who recently spent £8 million on Pedro Leon from Real Madrid. "If we weren't financially secure then Pedro (Leon), wouldn't have joined, and we would have to be selling last season's stars, but fortunately, for now at least we look good."

Everton qualified for the Europa League this season but Travis, who's Everton side only played 3 cup games last season, says non-league games will still be games for the younger players to be tested.

"Look at last season." He said "Granted we only played 3 games but it opened the door for the likes of Greeny, Mason, Gauldy and Barkley. I debuted Adryan against Colchester in round 1 and he played 30 times for us last season, and was impressive. This means these players who will be starting 1/2 games in the Premier League will get to play at least 10/11 starts in cups this year."

Everton Season Prediction: 7th

Two youth Prospects announced, Oviedo Exit, and Europa League Beginnings

Everton today announced the signings of Bernard Musta, and Anniello Accurso. The combined age of these two is just 32, with Musta being 17 and Accurso being just 15, but the 1.9 million combined fee for the pair, from Bayern Munchen and Mexican side Benevento respectively, shows how highly rated they are.

Also, Bryan Oviedo has left the club, he is joining Real Betis for 4.5 million pounds. This all comes as the Draw for the Europa League play-off draws, with Everton facing Odense Boldklub, the first leg taking place at Goodison Park.

Travis Delighted with Cut-Price McCarthur deal.

Everton today unveiled the signing of James McCarthur from Wigan Athletic.

With Wigan having been relegated last season, and their financial position already weak, Everton have managed to complete the deal for a measly £1.8 million. Travis is delighted.

"We had to beat off competition from the likes of Villa, Reading and co." Travis beamed, "and it is some fantastic business, involving a talented technical footballer who will be involved in ensuring the progression of this football club."

Dominant Toffees Destroy Hammers: Everton 3-0 West Ham

A 15 minute wonder spell from Everton ensured a victory which was thoroughly deserved over West Ham today.

The season started frustratingly for the Blues, as Joe Travis watched his side try and try to carve openings against a resilient Hammer's side, only for the half-time score to be goalless.

Vladimir Weiss was brought on for the lacklustre Pedro Leon at half-time and it was his set pieces that caused the early chaos. Weiss' first corner was half-cleared by Kevin Nolan, only for Jelavic to tee up Mattia Destro to fire home a debut goal on the volley from 18 yards. Weiss' second corner 4 minutes later, found Phil Jagielka 4 yards out, who assuredly made it 2.

The third saw Weiss cut inside and feed Destro, who slipped the ball to Jelavic. The big Croat skipped past James Tomkins before firing home to make the score on 62 minutes 3-0 to Everton.

Everton kids triumph: Everton 2-1 Odense

Everton's young guns were triumphant with assistance from Phil Jagielka.

Mason Bennett's first goal of the season was cancelled out by Jacobssen's equaliser only for jagielka to convert a penalty when George Green was felled.

Everton capture Cresswell

Everton have today confirmed the signing of Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich, for 6 million.

Travis has been a long time admirer of Cresswell, having chased him since the beginning of his reign as Everton boss back in July 2012. The English left-back is seen by Travis as ideal competition for Paolo Di Ceglie, following the sales of Drenthe and Oviedo.

Arsenal 3-2 Everton

5 minutes of madness cost Everton this game. After being 2 up with 4 minutes of the first half left, Everton entered the changing room 3-2 down and Arsenal controlled the game thereafter.
Goals: Destro, Leon

Odense 0-2 Everton

Ryan Gauld's first goal in Professional football put Everton on their way to progression, along with an own goal.

Everton 3-2 Fulham

The Toffees were pegged back twice, first after Destro's strike was cancelled out by Berbatov's, and Rhys Williams re-levelling following Jelavic's header, before Destro struck his 4th in 3 games in the 89th minute to seal the victory.

Coleman out and Ivanovic: Deadline Day

Seamus Coleman left Everton today, whilst Branoslav Ivanovic joined.

Coleman, a graduate of Everton's famous youth system, had been looking to leave as early as May following restricted opportunities, and newly promoted Blackburn have won the battle, bidding 4 million pounds for the Irishman's services.

However, Travis has replaced Coleman with Branislav Ivanovic, who joins from Chelsea in a 5.5 million pound deal. Ivanovic has a wealth of experience at the highest point of the Premier League, with League Titles, Cups and a Champions League Medal to his name.

Everton go top following Jelavic Masterclass: Blackburn 1-3 Everton

A Nikica Jelavic hattrick sent Everton top at Ewood Park.

Jelavic, scoring three rifled drives following excellent link-up play with the persistent Mattia Destro. Destro and Jelavic look formidable going forward at the moment and Travis was full of praise for his players.

"They're looking very good together" Said Travis. "Niki looks a lot more comfortable and under less pressure when he has another man who can score goals alongside him, and when you've got Jon and Mason on the bench you have competition for places, which is something we didn't have last season."

Bordeaux 1-0 Everton

Everton's young prospects succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in France, thanks to a thumping Nouha Dicko header that left Butland with no chance.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City (Capital One Cup 3rd Round)
The Toffees Youth prospects ensured progression in impressive style against a star studded Ciy team. Gauld and Butland in particular were superb until substitute Mattia Destro was on hand to scramble in a winner.

Agbonlahor denies Everton victory: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton

Everton could not hold on to the victory as Gabriel Agbonlahor drove home to ensure a share of the points.

Everton had taken the lead 12 minutes from time when Jelavic, fed of Jon Daly's flick to power home, a result which looked like it would send Everton up to 2nd. It was however not to be as 6 minutes later, Agbonlahor, fed through by Ireland, drove past Howard and into the far corner for a share of the points.

Travis Butland Bust-up?

Jack Butland seems to have been the latest player to fall foul of Joe Travis at Goodison Park following Everton's 4-1 victory over Feyernoord.

Despite the result, Butland was unhappy with Travis' half-time team talk, so much so he felt need to inform the press. Whatever Travis said can't have been completely bad, as Everton eventually won the game 4-1, moving top of their Europa League group in the process.

The last 2 players to fall out with Travis, Steven Pienaar and Seamus Coleman, have both been shown the exit door and the English Goalkeeper, 21, could be the next on the list.