Everton v Lille | Match Preview | Preseason 2026

Welcome to the Toffee TV. It is the match preview for the final pre-season game of the season. Everton face Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium. With David Ancelotti returning to the club as his role as the Lille head coach, manager, whatever I don't know what his title is exactly. Who knows. But the final game of the season which means only a week later Everton start the Premier League season. And where are uh Jacob how how do you feel? Where are we? >> Um we are in a good place, I think. >> Okay. >> Uh I think this last season ended with a bit of a sour taste, but I think this season the recruitments were smart. Exciting is another question, but it's been smart. I think all the signings have been good good signings. Um just beat Newcastle. Yeah? Pretty well and convincing win, so and then now as you said final test. It at Hill Dickinson which would be nice. So I think yeah overall it's looking quite good. Yeah, pleased. >> Yeah, I think it's I think I've never really had that I think it's just Do you know what? I think this is the first pre-season for a very long time where I've been completely detached from the results. I've completely sort of just not looked at results whatsoever cuz really you shouldn't. I mean you shouldn't because obviously you have games where you'd be happy because of a last last minute winner and they've made loads of changes and then you play Stuttgart a week later and then you've made loads of changes or you haven't started with the strongest team and it it doesn't ultimately really matter. You know, it's all preparation for for the first game of the season. And not even for the first game of the season. It's preparation for the season. You know, it's not the first game of the season isn't the be-all and end-all. Of course, you want to get off to a good start. And I just think I think I'm a I'm I'm I think Everton as a as a squad in the terms of the players we've got physically and getting to the point, you know, where they're the right place for the for the first game of the season. I I I think we're all right. I think I think we've we've established that there's a few positions especially we need to fill, but there's positions where players have sort of come up a little bit and you're like, you know what? They He used to do all right. He used to do all right. They're doing all right. Um, you know, we'll we'll come on to a bit more detail in a moment, but from that point of view, I've been quite satisfied with the preseason so far. >> Definitely. I think the players um have minutes in their legs. What one thing I I've said that I'm really pleased about is from top of my mind that there have been no injuries in preseason. So, if like you know, players haven't gotten injuries, you know, they've been playing >> a few. I think Abdoulaye Doucouré picked up an injury. Yeah. James Garner was already injured. >> before? >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. He was already injured. He hasn't really taken part in preseason. Uh, Hackney had a bit of a slow start. Branthwaite's being managed. >> Yeah. No, definitely have some of those cases, but there's no one that's like gone through preseason from the beginning and then something's come like too much too early or let's say what bad tackle and has been sidelined. So, I think that that's another positive. Um I just think overall, I think things are looking really good and the last test against Lille, I I I get what you mean with preseason results don't matter and you know, lineups don't matter, but you would for this game, I'm hoping to see the team that's going to play against Palace. Unless you know, someone comes off the bench and does really well. You know, all the positions up for grabs. But, um I think this will be a real sign of what's to come for the start of the season. Whereas, the previous games, it's just been more about, um getting minutes in the legs and you know, getting back that match fitness. >> Yeah, and I think I think you always go into your last your last game. Traditionally, we always play at home on our before the season starts. And obviously, season we played Roma and it was a big event. It was the first It was the first game at at Hill Dickinson for the first team. And >> Yeah. >> we had the the legends game as well. You know, seeing the ass Um the legends game was there and it was a big thing. I think obviously this year it's a bit different because we've got the hot we've got We're all used to it now. We've got our first game the week after. I don't know whether that'll have an impact on the crowd. I can't imagine it being um I can't imagine it being a full house like it was last season. >> Mhm. >> As everyone just gets their last little sort of cuz you you do feel like when the when the season starts, that's it. That's your weekends. But then do you know what I mean? As a football fan. And everyone's trying to get the last bit of the summer. So, I don't know what the But I mean, you know, I hope I hope I hope it's a decent crowd. But you're right, you you expect to see as close to the team >> Mhm. >> uh that starts the following week. And I think it's going to be interesting because I do believe there are a lot of positions still for grabs. I still think because of Because obviously it's Issaga Gay won't be going out. And cuz James Garner James Garner uh Jimmy Garner uh is is is is not a very probably not available. There's no point rushing him back. No guard hasn't kicked a ball for us yet. And I don't know whether he'll play in this game. >> Yeah. >> So, will he be ready for the first team season? That leaves That leaves big opportunities for the likes of Harrison who I think has had a a preseason for himself. They're like, you know, Hayden Hackney who we've brought in, he's he's he's improved game on game. >> Mhm. >> Maelen Roll, who's been playing pre-season, we don't know where he's going to be starting. The wide players I >> As well. >> I I think And obviously the right-back situation so I do I do think it will be interesting to see who starts on Saturday. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. It it will be the as you said, there are some which are I think they're really close calls. >> Mhm. >> Hackney, Roll, and um Harrison Armstrong, they're like I think two of the I mean, Dewsbury Hall >> Yeah, he'll >> Dewsbury Hall will play. He'll start. But then it's two positions for three players. >> Mhm. >> And that's that's that's completely like disregarding Nørgaard if he plays. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if he'll I don't know how much he played um in Arsenal's pre-season, but I'm sure he would have trained. >> anything. >> No, but he probably not, but he probably trained. So, then he must be there must be some kind of fitness level there. So, he might get You know, it's competition for places, which is what it's all about, even in pre-season. Cuz if you win your you know, the intensity might not be it, but the players will be thinking if I I can win my position even though it's pre-season. You know, if they perform now, like we're talking uh Harrison Armstrong had a good pre-season, he's probably thinking you know, if I if I I do well now, if I kick on now, I that game that spot for the first game of the season is mine. So, which is what it's looking like so far. So, um yeah. I mean, I don't know how how how Lille have done in their pre-season. I don't know how how fit they are. I don't know. I think their league starts a week later. It might be this I'm not sure, but it will be a good test, and I think uh yeah, as you said, you know, last last preseason game. Until Dickinson it will be an interesting >> Yeah, I mean Leo Leo finished third last year in in Leo and I know people might go it's only it's only the French League but the winners are back-to-back Champions League winners so So they've done all right. They've obviously brought David Ancelotti in as the new coach and obviously we know that that we had David David Moyes as our coach obviously under his father um and they've always they've always well not always but for the last few years they've they've they've done well. They've they've like you know, they've obviously they've had a lot of decent players play for them in that time. Obviously a decent decent players have gone through the club so it's it's not going to be an easy game and I think they're just coming off a 2-2 draw with with with Hamburg so you obviously we beat but obviously Hamburg is very long in their preseason also. It won't be an easy game and up front they've got a a 39 year old Olivier Giroud who obviously has upset Evertonians many times not just with his football but with his devastatingly good looks. Oh, let me just say that. And nearly becoming an Everton player. Oh yeah, yeah he nearly become an Everton player but yeah there's reasons why he never become a Ronald Koeman really wanted to make him Everton striker. Um but there was one or two reasons why it never happened. >> He does strike me as a you know, you could see him being Everton striker in another world but no Leo is a is a is a very good team. I think I think this whole thing about League I is I think it's not all true because the top teams can be really good but I think it's a I think there's a huge gap between the top teams and the bottom teams. Like the it's almost like a league of two halves. >> Yeah. >> You have the top teams, PSG, Marseille, all of them playing against each other. Then you have the bottom teams who are just trying to stay within in the mix of of staying up. So, and they they finished third. I think that's a Champions League spot for them. I'm not sure, but you know, they definitely have quality. They have They have some really good players. They have a really good um academy. So, >> Yeah. >> and they bring through good quality. So, I think it's a good test. I think it's a different test. We played Newcastle um who are Premier League team. So, you can kind of compare yourself with that and this will be a This will be a different kind of test. So, >> Yeah. Well, let's just have a look at one of their brighter players, uh left winger Fernandez Pardo. Played 29 games, 27 starts, xG of 8.82. Scoring eight goals, got five assists, his average rating is 7.16, chances created 36. So, Everton are going to have to keep an eye on him cuz he looks a very dangerous player. And as you can see his heat map. Well, you could see his heat map. Um his heat map there you can see how much he loves to attack, you know, in the in the opposition half and get into uh get into the into the corner there of the box. So, one player to keep an eye out for. And as I said, Olivier Giroud um I imagine will be involved as well. I I think it's a I think it's going to be a really good test for for Everton um the week before the season. Now, what he said there, that I'm multiple positions um but for Gardner, Jordan Pickford we know he's back now. So, I imagine he will he will start the game. He'll go straight into it. The manager won't have any issues with that. >> Mhm. >> It It the back four, I think he'll be in I think Tarky starts, no issue. >> Yeah. >> Mykolenko will start. I'm not 100% on Branthwaite. >> Mhm. >> I think he probably will start. But I find it I just think for Branthwaite so far preseason, I think he really has played with his slippers on. >> Yeah. >> I just think he's been going It's more about just getting through games and building that fitness up in his body gradually. And obviously, he didn't take part in the game against Newcastle. So, I think he probably will take part in this in this game. But I'm not 100% sure that will mean he'll start the season as just because I think they just they will make sure 100% >> Mhm. >> that he's okay. And they want to manage his minutes and manage his everything he does. >> Yeah. >> So, the right back, I think if Moyes was going Moyes, he'd just put James Garner in there. >> Yeah. >> But I do wonder whether there's some pushback from James Garner and whether he's doesn't want to play there and has made that known to the manager and therefore the manager will have to cuz the manager's got to start thinking more long term. Michael Keane has to be fourth choice this season. James Garner has to be there. And if there's any issues with Branthwaite, then it should be James Garner. >> Yeah. Yeah, no, definitely. I also think um like you got to I mean, Branthwaite's been playing right back for like 18 months now. >> James Garner? >> Yeah, yeah. Sorry, James Garner. When I think when Moyes came in in January, that's when it started. And at first, it was like he came in, did a good job. It was nice to see him play cuz I remember when he signed, he he didn't get a sniff under Dyche. But you'd he's played 18 months. You know >> Yeah. >> now what it's like him playing there. And no fault to his own. That's like, >> Mhm. >> you know, he's playing out of position that and he was and he's a center back. So, it's it's a hard place to play. But uh no, I think uh I think he'll be Man United. >> Okay. >> And then I hope for And then I hope for um the Palace game or at least uh I mean, I don't want to look too far ahead. This is the little match preview, but uh >> No, no, but that's fine. Okay, what you're saying, yeah. >> Yeah. I think to me it makes more sense if we're going to get a right back, it makes more sense to have someone at right back who is a standing right back and not Jake O'Brien. If you're looking for the future, you go, "Well, okay." Jake will come on and this cuz I felt really good cuz I felt Jake when he played against Stoke at he starts the game. >> Yeah. >> he ends up going I just you know, he ends up going at right back for the rest of and you're like, "How's that helping his development?" But I'm sure for that game it was more to do with the fitness and getting people on at certain times. So, I think Me and Allen Row could start. I think if you're moving into midfield, I think I think I do think Addison Armstrong's in to start. I really do. I've been really impressed. I think it'll be him and Jules Be all. >> Yeah. >> Nogard hasn't really trained properly yet, so I don't I don't know whether >> It'll be a bit early. >> I think it might be the maybe be happening for this game. I think I think George has done has been getting better and better and better and I think he'll probably start the game as well cuz I I think the manager will look to start the season with an imaginary issue. >> Yeah. >> Um and then I think it'll be Bodyau front cuz I think Bodyau's been really good pre-season and shown that he is out of the two center forwards he he is the better one. >> Yeah. >> He's been scoring goals. He's been getting on the ball deep there. He's been very lively. He's been building, running. And he's got he's still got a lot to prove cuz he's got to do week in, week in, week out. But I think I think for me that will be that's that will be our we line up. >> Yeah. >> Maybe it won't. Maybe maybe there'll be different scenarios, but what is nicest Tyler Dibling starts to show a little bit more about himself. As new has started to show the manager that he's he can be trusted. >> Mhm. Um in midfield there's you know, there will be other options. Brennan Johnson we haven't even talked about a player who's literally just signed and the game against Newcastle comes too early for him. I'm sure he'll be involved in this game. And and that's that'll be that's that is what is exciting this year is is the likes of Brennan Johnson, Hackney, you know, we haven't got to see them play Hill Dickinson. They haven't played the Hill Dickinson yet. They'll be they'll be looking forward to getting that opportunity. Maybe you know, I don't as I said I don't know where Nørgaard is, but those players getting to get play Hill Dickinson for the first time will be brilliant for them. >> Yeah, and what's also nice is these players aren't coming in and they're they're expected to start straight away and and and you know, hit the ground running straight away and if they don't there's this huge, you know, what's nice is the people that can cover and the people that play in their position who have been with us for the whole of preseason. And these players can in some ways take their time. But you but they'll want to and everyone will want them to just, you know, be in there and and and win their win their spot, but there's not that pressure. There's not that oh Brennan Johnson has to play and he has to score straight, you know. >> I think that's a really good I think that what's a good point is is that the players that we've bought who needed to be better than straight away, which were Hayden Hackney, Zack George, Mæhle and Bola are different, but I think those two needed to be with the squad straight away. I think Nørgaard and a Brennan Johnson, they don't need they they can come in at any point. They're Premier League proven players. They don't need to have that. I think those are the players there. I think Hackney could it would have been if Hackney had come in at the same stage as say Tyler Diabate last season, it he would have always been playing catch-up. I think now he's been able to show the manager in three or four games what he's got. And I think Terry George is similar. He's been able to play, get involved, and show the manager. And I think So, I think I think signing with the players we've we've bought a little bit later haven't kicked a ball. That's not an issue for me. I think Nørgaard once fit will come straight into our team. You know, I think he'll come straight in. I think Brennan Johnson, the manager will know straight away he's a Premier League player and he can go in. I think it'll probably be the same for a right back when we buy a right back. It'll be somebody who the manager will go you can go into right back straight away. So, I think from the balance, I think it's worked out okay. So, obviously We're being really positive here. Um >> That's a good thing. >> No, no, it is good. We've got We've got a lot And And it And what it What it does is it gives everybody else a kick up the backside, you know? People like Charlie Alcaraz, where do they in the pecking order now? You know, Tim Iroegbunam. And he's got an injury, but there's obviously rumors that he's going to that Hull are coming in for him. These players got to look at themselves now and say, "You know, if I get an opportunity, I've got to really shine." Because that midfield has got so many players in it, you know? >> Players of quality as well. >> Play decent players, young players, the wide players. Nicey, as I said, Tyler Dibling starting to show something. And the prospect of maybe Jack Grealish coming back probably. If it do If it does come back, it'll be around deadline day. But that's got to say to someone like Tyler George, "You start the season well, we mightn't even go after Jack Grealish." So, Yeah, looking forward to it. Should be decent occasion. Hopefully it's a decent decent crowd. I understand if it's if it's not cuz everyone still wants that last bit of summer before the season start and all the headaches start. So, looking forward to watching Do you got any kind of score prediction for the game? >> Uh I'll go for a one nil I'll go for two one Everton. >> I'm going for four two Everton. So, who's going to score? Who always scores? >> Yeah. There you go. Let us know your thoughts in the comments on Everton's final pre-season game this summer ahead of Crystal Palace next week. What are your thoughts and how do you think the the squad is shaping up? Where do we need to get players in? What players do you need to get out? Let us know. Give this video a like. Subscribe if you haven't already and you want more videos. Join us over on Toffee TV Premier. The link is in the description. QR code is on the screen now. See you later.