Starting with the hosts, while Everton might have their sights set on mounting a famous European charge over the coming months, David Moyes' men are desperately searching for some recent stability. Last seen suffering a dramatic collapse on home soil as they eventually slumped to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Bournemouth, the former Manchester United boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their eight appearances across all competitions since opening 2026.
"Cristiano, inside the box, continues to be a very high-level player," Fernandes said. "He draws defenders and creates space for other players. "If Cristiano doesn't play and Goncalo does, Goncalo is strong in pressing and good at diagonal runs. "When I'm not playing and Bernardo [Silva] is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass.
If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go. From the club's side, I felt a bit like, if you leave, it's not so bad for us.' It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad because I'm a player who has nothing to criticize. I'm always available, I always play, good or bad.
