Buildup, news and discussion before Sunday’s games This weekend’s fixtures | Mail us with your thoughts How will Everton react to their disappointments in the transfer window? David Moyes has been very open about his non-relationship with the ownership. Moyes exposed an astonishing disconnect at the club when confirming he has had no contact with Friedkin, founder and chief executive of The Friedkin Group, since replacing Sean Dyche as manager in January 2025. TFG president, Marc Watts, is Everton’s executive chair and Rishi Majithia, Friedkin’s son-in-law, is the owner’s day-to-day representative at the club. But with TFG’s ambition for Everton under scrutiny after the transfer window, and amid claims they are looking for fresh investment or even to sell the club, Moyes’s revelation raises further questions over the company’s commitment. Chelsea were decisive. They were tracking Rogers before he left Middlesbrough for Villa in February 2024. Joe Shields, one of Chelsea’s five sporting directors, worked with Rogers at Manchester City’s academy. The signing was not done on a whim. Chelsea have a good relationship with Villa’s owners and moved quickly after opening club-to-club talks a day after Rogers played in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina. The fee was £117m and Chelsea did not struggle to convince Rogers. Alonso wooed him and the deal was confirmed five days after negotiations began. Continue reading...