Major Everton FC news broke ahead of their friendly with Newcastle United. Toffees winger Dwight McNeil, according to multiple reports, is headed to Crystal Palace in exchange for fellow winger Brennan Johnson. This is going to be a very rare “swap deal” of two Premier League players. Swap deals, which are straight up player for player, with no monetary fees being transfered either way, are pretty rare, but they occasionally do happen.
McNeil and Johnson are both set to undergo medicals with their new clubs today, before signing their new contracts.
Preseason Friendly FYIs
Everton FC vs Newcastle United
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
Wednesday Aug. 12, 5:15pm BST
Preview Material for Both Sides: Team News Predicted Starting XIs
So with that said, we can scratch McNeil from our predicted starting XI for the midweek friendly then. As he’s been working towards regaining match fitness levels anyway, he was likely a doubt for this clash anyway.
In terms of picking the Newcastle XI, well, their roster is certainly getting picked pretty clean this summer transfer window.
As their ownership group works towards complying with financial fair play regulations, the roster now has a new look of younger players.
Newcastle is definitely in serious danger of getting the drop once this upcoming season is in the books. Everton meanwhile are mid-table, but hoping to improve enough this season, so that they could secure a UEFA competition slot for the next campaign.
Predicted Starting XI for Both Sides
Everton FC
Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Vitalii Mykolenko; Hayden Hackney, Merlin Rohl, Cristian Norgaard; Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry, Charly Alcaraz
Newcastle United
Lukasz Hornicek; Lewis Miley, Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Leo Shahar; Miodrag Pivas, Aladji Bamba, Joelinton; Harvey Barnes, Nick Woltemade, William Osula
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.