Everton round-up: McAteer tips ‘relegation battle’, Schneiderlin inclusion explained and French youngster to pen pro deal

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Ex-Liverpool man sticks the boot into the boss

Former Liverpool and Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer has been critical of Toffees boss Marco Silva.

Ahead of Sunday’s big derby contest, McAteer didn’t rule out Everton facing a relegation battle.

He told beinSPORTS: “You look at his previous record. Prior to the Cardiff game, he’s had 69 Premier League games and he’s only won 22.

“He’s come in and spent money. They’ve signed Digne from Barcelona, Walcott from Arsenal. These players were fighting for titles and now they could be in a relegation battle.”

Everton did run out 3-0 winners in the Welsh capital to leave McAteer eating his words somewhat.

Silva explains Cardiff team selection

One surprise inclusion in Everton’s team to face the Bluebirds was Morgan Schneiderlin.

The Frenchman hasn’t featured at all since a 6-2 thrashing against Spurs back in December but started at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “Morgan never gives up.  Of course, in some moments he has not been happy or with the same confidence.

“In the last month he was doing well and showing to me he deserved the chance and so I gave it to him.”

French youngster to pen his first pro deal

Everton are set to sign Paris Saint-Germain youngster Maxen Kapo, according to Sport Witness.

The 17-year-old is yet to pen professional terms with the Parisians are now the Toffees look set to pounce.

The report suggests that Manchester City were keen on Kapo back in 2017 but nothing came to fruition.

The defensive midfielder has contributed two goals in six appearances to PSG’s academy side in the UEFA Youth League this season.