Everton’s planned takeover by Daniel Friedkin is likely to provide the under-pressure Sean Dyche with some respite, at least in the short term.
Dyche could be forgiven for fearing sacking after current owner Farhad Moshiri agreed to sell his shares to Friedkin on Monday following the American’s brutal sacking of Roma legend Daniele De Rossi.
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The Italian’s dismissal at the Stadio Olimpico only took place on the fourth matchday of the season and sparked fierce criticism from former players such as Paolo Di Canio.
But The Pitch Prospect has learned that Friedkin wants to follow Sir Jim Ractliffe’s example and thoroughly examine the Toffees’ performance.
This includes coach Dyche, although Friedkin is keen not to make hasty decisions after Everton’s poor start to the season.
If Dyche is not convinced he can turn the Toffees’ fortunes around after they picked up just one point from their opening five games, former Everton manager David Moyes is expected to be considered for a return to the Toffees’ hot seat.
The Scot is keen to get back to work after leaving West Ham
at the end of last season.
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter and recently retired England manager Gareth Southgate are other potential targets.
He is our man
Manchester United are ready to increase their interest in Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.
United are one of a number of Premier League clubs tracking the development of the 17-year-old, who is widely regarded as the best young player in the Championship since Jude Bellingham.
The Tyneside-born midfielder cemented his reputation by scoring a stunning solo goal in the derby win over Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Sources close to Rigg have told The Pitch Prospect that United could push for Rigg as early as the January transfer window in order to fend off competition from rivals such as Newcastle.
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He perfectly fits the profile of the young player around whom INEOS wants to build the rebuild of Old Trafford.
In your face
Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface made headlines after he helped set up a goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League win over Feyenoord last week with an incredible one-two and subsequent no-look pass.
The Nigerian could have shown off his refined skills in a Tottenham shirt if the transfer window had turned out differently this summer.
The Pitch Prospect has learned that Spurs contacted Leverkusen about Boniface’s availability before signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a club-record fee of £65 million.
If the 23-year-old continues to produce the kind of magic we saw in Rotterdam, Tottenham won’t be the only Premier League club hot on his heels – especially given the global shortage of strikers.
Leverkusen are likely to be interested and estimate Boniface’s value at around £50 million.
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Stuck in the mud
Mykhailo Mudryk is determined to fight for his future at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old is in danger of becoming the Blues’ forgotten man following the summer signings of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho.
But the Ukrainian, who only started one Premier League game under new coach Enzo Maresca, still believes in his success at Stamford Bridge.
The Pitch Prospect has learned that Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali is keen to land Mudryk after taking the initiative to sign him in a deal worth up to £88.5million from Shakhtar Donetsk.
If Chelsea were indeed considering capitalising on Mudryk, then his former Shakhtar boss, now at Marseille, Roberto De Zerbi, remained a huge admirer, having touted him as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
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