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New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Lessons from Everton's pre-season so far after defeat at Blackburn
The train back from Ewood Park after Everton's 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers is crammed. The away fans are in good voice. Their songs are for players old and new; for Jordan Pickford, absent for this game, the late Kevin Campbell, Yakubu and Barry Horne. Around 4,500 Everton fans made the short trip into neighbouring Lancashire for Saturday's match. At this stage, it does not seem to matter too much that their Premier League team has just lost to one from the second-tier Championship. Advertisement That is the nature of pre-season sometimes. For fans, these are summer days out to be enjoyed. For players and coaching staff, it is an opportunity to try things and get minutes in their legs. Results are not everything. Where Everton are concerned, though, plenty of questions remain. David Moyes' side started their summer friendlies with a 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley, of England's fourth tier, in midweek and followed it up with this loss. The squad still looks threadbare, with obvious gaps to fill. The Athletic takes a look at some of the key talking points from Everton's start to pre-season. There is always a temptation to read too much into pre-season games. Particularly in the early stages, they are, ultimately, glorified fitness exercises, often played off the back of a heavy week of double training sessions. Nor would Everton be expected to be ready just yet, with their season not starting until August 18. But there quite clearly remains a lot of work to do. This was as strong a team as Moyes could feasibly pick from those available, yet the 1-0 defeat again highlighted a lack of quality and depth. At best, only a couple of those on the bench at Ewood Park on Saturday could be considered first-teamers, and even that small list contained 18-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong. More experienced players will return. James Tarkowski and Seamus Coleman are now back to running after their injuries, with the aim of featuring later this summer. Pickford should be back even sooner. New £27.5million striker Thierno Barry, currently on holiday after his participation in the Under-21 European Championship with France, is expected to be part of the group that travels to the United States in midweek to start a three-game tour. Tim Iroegbunam, meanwhile, was originally listed in the squad for the Blackburn game, but was then not on the official team sheet and ended up playing no role. Tarkowski may help with defensive solidity, Barry with finishing and Iroegbunam with midfield depth, but there are still glaring deficiencies in the squad that need addressing. Chief among them is the lack of pace and dynamism on the flanks. With last season's loanees Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom having returned to their parent clubs, Everton lack a genuine right-winger. Advertisement Dwight McNeil filled in there against both Accrington and Blackburn, but is a partial fit at best. The former Burnley wide man brings industry and consistent delivery, but lacks speed. He can also be predictable, due to his desire to manipulate the ball onto his favoured left foot. McNeil has been keen to play a central role, while he also seems more suited to the left flank than the right. There were times at Ewood Park where Everton had the chance to counter but did so only sluggishly. Youngsters Isaac Heath and Justin Clarke, substitutes in both games so far, may not possess McNeil's quality yet, but they at least showed the importance of having genuine width in the team. Moyes and chief executive Angus Kinnear were deep in conversation in the tunnel after the game, perhaps pondering next steps. The need for more in several key areas is clear, but the right wing will be top of their list. New signing Mark Travers has been recruited with a simple brief: to compete with long-term No 1 Pickford. On Saturday's evidence, the Irishman, a £4million arrival from Bournemouth, is likely to do just that. Travers only had a week of training with his new team-mates in preparation for this game. He was shown around the new stadium last week while completing his move and is still acclimatising after starting pre-season with Andoni Iraola's south-coast side. But this was a positive first outing. The highlight was a sprawling save to keep out a Harry Pickering free kick that looked destined for the top corner, one where his 6ft 3in (191cm) height came in useful. There was also another late low save from Augustus Kargbo that stopped the Championship side inflicting further damage. Superb save from Mark Travers on his first appearance! 👏 [1-0] — Everton (@Everton) July 19, 2025 'Everton was definitely the right step for me,' the 26-year-old said afterwards. 'For a Premier League club to come in with the ambition and the way they're going is just a huge thing. With the size of the club and passion of the fans, it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. 'This will be the best opportunity to bring my game on. I really want to test myself and repay that belief they've shown in me. 'I'm new to the group, but I've seen a lot of good stuff so far.' As with that draw up the road at Accrington in midweek, Everton clicked only sporadically at Ewood Park. Moments of Premier League quality were in short supply and, perhaps unsurprisingly with their season proper starting due to start nine days earlier, Blackburn looked fitter and sharper. Questions remain in key positions: on the wing, as noted above, at full-back and in central midfield. There were also moments of uncertainty and indecision on the pitch, with assistant manager Billy McKinlay having to explain to his wide midfielders where he wanted them to be. On more than one occasion, defender Jarrad Branthwaite stopped in possession and questioned why there was not more movement in front of him. Advertisement At least until more signings are made and some of the absentees return, the club's youngsters will be given an opportunity to impress. Midfielder Armstrong has been the pick of the bunch so far. Known for his versatility and all-round skill set, the academy graduate has looked assured. Armstrong has clearly benefited from his loan at Championship side Derby County for the second half of last season and looks by far the most likely of the youngsters to push for a first-team place. It would be a surprise if any other academy players were part of Moyes' plans for the coming season, though Heath and Clarke have both shown promise. At 20, the former seems ready for a loan, and 16-year-old Clarke, signed from fourth division AFC Wimbledon's academy early last season, should push into the under-21 setup. For now, at least, Armstrong will be needed with the senior squad. He is making a good fist of forcing his way permanently into Moyes' plans and has been one of the bright spots of Everton's pre-season so far.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Everton's season became an ongoing tribute to Kevin Campbell as club mark anniversary
Everton led the tributes to former striker Kevin Campbell as the world of football marked the anniversary of his death. The 54-year-old passed away in June 2024 after becoming seriously unwell with heart and kidney failure . His death sparked an outpouring of grief, with his former clubs, teammates and the supporters who fell in love with him marking his life and career up and down the country. Advertisement Twelve months on, Everton shared a compilation of his goals for the club along with the message: 'Today marks one year since the sad passing of one of our most popular strikers, Kevin Campbell – an incredible man and the Blues' first black captain. Always in our hearts, Super Kev.' READ MORE: Jack Grealish sends message after brutal Man City decision and Everton transfer links READ MORE: New Everton stadium is like the Colosseum - supporters will see similarities at iconic summer venue Arsenal, whose academy he graduated from and where he went on to clinch domestic and European silverware, posted on social media images of his time with the club and the words: 'Forever Arsenal. Today we're remembering Kevin Campbell on the one-year anniversary of his passing.' Advertisement The meeting between the two clubs at the Emirates in December, the first game between the sides for which Campbell had the greatest impact, was an emotional affair and prefaced by a billboard outside the stadium entrance displaying images of him celebrating goals for both clubs , split by the words: 'He's one of our own.' Everton's season became an ongoing tribute to Campbell, who made 164 appearances for the club and was a popular guest on his regular returns. The club's first black captain, he was also the scorer of a Merseyside derby winner at Anfield back in 1999. His 'Super Kev' chant was a soundtrack to the campaign and often dominated the airwaves at away games. -Credit:Liverpool Echo Following his death, Everton held a memorial service for him at St Luke's Church and the home match with Bournemouth in August. Advertisement Supporter organisation the 1878s also marked his legacy with a display in the stands at Goodison Park. Campbell, who also played for Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion and Trabzonspor in Turkey, had been well until around January 2024 but then needed hospital treatment for heart and kidney issues. His death at the Manchester Royal Infirmary came after he was readmitted to the hospital in May of that year.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Everton remember Kevin Campbell on anniversary of his passing
Footballing heroes come and go, but some names will forever remain woven in the fabric of a fanbase. Kevin Campbell is one of those players. Today marks the one-year anniversary of Campbell's passing, and there is not a single Evertonian who did not feel his loss. Advertisement Born in South London, Campbell came through the ranks at Arsenal before starring for the Gunners across five seasons, ultimately finding his way to Goodison Park after stints with Nottingham Forest and Trabzonspor, arriving on the blue half of Merseyside initially on loan in 1998. Almost immediately, Campbell endeared himself to the Everton faithful, bagging nine goals in just eight Premier League appearances. From there on, that same presence in North London was felt in the northwest of the country, which would see him become a Toffee cult hero and the club's first-ever Black captain. A hugely popular pundit during his retirement years, Campbell brought passion and support to many across multiple fanbases; a testament to who he was as a professional and a person. Advertisement Never to be forgotten. 📸 Michael Steele - 2002 Getty Images
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He wanted me to go on' – Son of Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell trying to follow his footsteps and reach Premier League
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TYRESE CAMPBELL grew up idolising his legendary football dad Kevin Campbell. And now he wants to follow his father into the Premier League by winning promotion with Sheffield United. 8 Tyrese Campbell wants to follow in his fathers footsteps Credit: Getty 8 Dad, Kevin Campbell, tragically died last June after illness and complication following a heart and kidney failure Credit: PA 8 Tyrese told SunSport he is working hard 'to be the player he knows I can be' Credit: supplied 8 Tyrese wants to win promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United like his dad did with Nottingham Forest Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Former Arsenal, Everton, West Brom and Cardiff star Kevin Campbell tragically died last June aged 54 after illness and complications following a heart and kidney failure. And although the loss of his role-model was difficult Campbell has thrown himself at the very thing his dad gave him… football. The striker has been in good form for the Blades — scoring 10 and adding an assist in his 19 starts since signing in the summer from Stoke. His brilliant form in March in particular — scoring four goals in five games — won him the SkyBet Championship player of the month award. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL HOW RUUD! Fans shocked at what Ruud Van Nistelrooy did after Leicester relegated He told SunSport: 'My brothers and I are very much his sons. We're strong minded and strong willed. 'For me I had a day away from football when my dad passed and it was back to work. I didn't have a club at the time and was training with a personal trainer and a few other lads. 'As sad as it was, life does go on and he'd have liked me to do that. He wanted me to go on, work hard and play football and be the player he knows I can be. 'For me football helped me take my mind off stuff and softened the blow. I had a great support network around me and I have to give them a lot of credit.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Campbell was born in 1999 so caught the tail-end of his dad's glittering career with his earliest memories watching him turn out for Everton at Goodison Park. Kevin Campbell had all his major success with Arsenal before Tyrese was born — winning the title in 1991, the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Ian Wright fights back tears as Arsenal legend reveals tragic death of brother days after Kevin Campbell's passing In total he played 213 games for the Gunners, scoring 59 goals. He won promotion with Nottingham Forest to the Prem in 1998 and, after a short spell playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor, went on to play 160 times for Everton, scoring 48 goals. He then had two seasons with West Brom in the Prem before winding down his career in the Championship with Cardiff. Campbell said: 'As soon as I could walk, I was kicking a ball. From then on there was no doubt in my mind I was going to be a footballer. It was when not if. 'I never even contemplated doing anything else. When you grow up and see your dad play football that is all you want to do. You want to be like your dad, don't you? 'He was the reason I picked football. I'm grateful for that because I'm certain I'd not be able to do anything else! 'My earlier memories were at Goodison, watching him from the box, although I'd mainly be playing football in the corridor! 'I've some good memories of him playing for Everton and going into the changing room afterwards, going on the pitch with him. There are memories I'll cherish forever.' Campbell says his dad's biggest asset was his personality — his ability to make people happy and to engage. The Sheffield United ace even laughed that his own loudness as a person comes from his father. He said: "Dad's personality was just great. He as loud and bubbly. If you were in a room with him, everyone was included. 8 Tyrese recalled memories of when his dad was at Everton Credit: supplied 8 Tyrese said he chose to be a footballer because of his dad Credit: supplied 8 Campbell won four trophies with Arsenal Credit: Getty 8 "Whether you were a little shy or nervous he was always getting everyone up and dancing. He got the party going. You couldn't miss him. You'd always see or hear him. I've taken that trait from him!" Although Campbell has dedicated himself to football these past 10 months, the one thing he misses is not having his dad around to talk to. And during the Blades' recent three-game losing run which has seen the team slip outside the two automatic promotion spots his dad would have been giving his son the pearls of wisdom he garnered during his great career. Campbell said: 'When times were tough in football he was normally the first person I'd speak to. He'd give me the harsh truth and tell me if he thought I was good enough. He'd tell me how it was. 'Sometimes I didn't like what he was saying but then you'd think, 'Oh actually he was probably right.' 'So the two things I miss most is his advice and him.' The Blades travel to Turf Moor today to take on Burnley in a huge win-or-bust game in the race for the two automatic spots. Chris Wilder's men sit five points behind the Clarets and Leeds with three games left. United lost three games on the spin — their first real dip in form all season — before bouncing back to beat Cardiff 2-0 on Good Friday. And Campbell said: 'We cannot be too disheartened. We've had a great season and everything is still to play for. 'As a kid I wanted the Premier League, watched my dad play at that level and I've come off the bench four times for Stoke seven years ago before they got relegated. 'It's always been my goal to be an established Premier League player. I want to get there with Stoke. 'And I will see my dad again one day — and I just want to make him proud of me.' Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘He wanted me to go on' – Son of Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell trying to follow his footsteps and reach Premier League
TYRESE CAMPBELL grew up idolising his legendary football dad Kevin Campbell. And now he wants to follow his father into the Premier League by winning promotion with 8 Tyrese Campbell wants to follow in his fathers footsteps Credit: Getty 8 Dad, Kevin Campbell, tragically died last June after illness and complication following a heart and kidney failure Credit: PA 8 Tyrese told SunSport he is working hard 'to be the player he knows I can be' Credit: supplied 8 Tyrese wants to win promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United like his dad did with Nottingham Forest Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Former And although the loss of his role-model was difficult Campbell has thrown himself at the very thing his dad gave him… football. The striker has been in good form for the Blades — scoring 10 and adding an assist in his 19 starts since signing in the summer from Stoke. His brilliant form in March in particular — scoring four goals in five games — won him the SkyBet Championship player of the month award. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He told SunSport: 'My brothers and I are very much his sons. We're strong minded and strong willed. 'For me I had a day away from football when my dad passed and it was back to work. I didn't have a club at the time and was training with a personal trainer and a few other lads. 'As sad as it was, life does go on and he'd have liked me to do that. He wanted me to go on, work hard and play football and be the player he knows I can be. 'For me football helped me take my mind off stuff and softened the blow. I had a great support network around me and I have to give them a lot of credit.' Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Campbell was born in 1999 so caught the tail-end of his dad's glittering career with his earliest memories watching him turn out for Everton at Goodison Park. Kevin Campbell had all his major success with Arsenal before Tyrese was born — winning the title in 1991, the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Ian Wright fights back tears as Arsenal legend reveals tragic death of brother days after Kevin Campbell's passing In total he played 213 games for the Gunners, scoring 59 goals. He won promotion with He then had two seasons with West Brom in the Prem before winding down his career in the Championship with Cardiff. Campbell said: 'As soon as I could walk, I was kicking a ball. From then on there was no doubt in my mind I was going to be a footballer. It was when not if. 'I never even contemplated doing anything else. When you grow up and see your dad play football that is all you want to do. You want to be like your dad, don't you? 'He was the reason I picked football. I'm grateful for that because I'm certain I'd not be able to do anything else! 'My earlier memories were at Goodison, watching him from the box, although I'd mainly be playing football in the corridor! 'I've some good memories of him playing for Everton and going into the changing room afterwards, going on the pitch with him. There are memories I'll cherish forever.' Campbell says his dad's biggest asset was his personality — his ability to make people happy and to engage. The Sheffield United ace even laughed that his own loudness as a person comes from his father. He said: "Dad's personality was just great. He as loud and bubbly. If you were in a room with him, everyone was included. 8 Tyrese recalled memories of when his dad was at Everton Credit: supplied 8 Tyrese said he chose to be a footballer because of his dad Credit: supplied 8 Campbell won four trophies with Arsenal Credit: Getty 8 "Whether you were a little shy or nervous he was always getting everyone up and dancing. He got the party going. You couldn't miss him. You'd always see or hear him. I've taken that trait from him!" Although Campbell has dedicated himself to football these past 10 months, the one thing he misses is not having his dad around to talk to. And during the Blades' recent three-game losing run which has seen the team slip outside the two automatic promotion spots his dad would have been giving his son the pearls of wisdom he garnered during his great career. Campbell said: 'When times were tough in football he was normally the first person I'd speak to. He'd give me the harsh truth and tell me if he thought I was good enough. He'd tell me how it was. 'Sometimes I didn't like what he was saying but then you'd think, 'Oh actually he was probably right.' 'So the two things I miss most is his advice and him.' The Blades travel to Turf Moor today to take on United lost three games on the spin — their first real dip in form all season — before bouncing back to beat Cardiff 2-0 on Good Friday. And Campbell said: 'We cannot be too disheartened. We've had a great season and everything is still to play for. 'As a kid I wanted the Premier League, watched my dad play at that level and I've come off the bench four times for Stoke seven years ago before they got relegated. 'It's always been my goal to be an established Premier League player. I want to get there with Stoke. 'And I will see my dad again one day — and I just want to make him proud of me.' Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
