Return of Max Walter

Post by **Captain Canada** » 12 Dec 2025, 17:02

Oh, we here. I'm definitely going to follow along.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 12 Dec 2025, 17:12

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
12 Dec 2025, 17:02
Oh, we here. I'm definitely going to follow along.

thank you, appreciate it.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 13 Dec 2025, 22:39

Everton show promise under Max Walter despite narrow defeat at Chelsea, 2-1.

Walter and Enzo Maresca shake hands after a back-and-forth game on Saturday afternoon/ShireNiner PS5 Images

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
December 13, 2025 | Stamford Bridge

On a snowy Saturday afternoon in London, Chelsea brushed off an early Everton goal to come back and win 2-1 in Max Walter’s return match. Hired just three days earlier, Walter oversaw a noticeably sharper Everton performance, with the visitors controlling 53 percent of possession and pushing Chelsea until the final moments. However, clinical finishing from the hosts proved the difference in a match that hinted at what was to come under Everton’s new head coach.

The match started nearly perfectly for Everton, with a goal in the first three minutes by the emerging midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, facing his former club for the first time since being sold last summer. Dewsbury-Hall almost doubled the lead minutes later but saw his shot go just wide of the post.

Chelsea grew into the game, starting slow and not registering a shot until Everton already had four attempts on target. As Chelsea began to create more chances, Everton's press became harder to break down. A side not used to playing out from the back showed hesitation and mistakes throughout the game. Minutes before the break, midfielder James Garner made the biggest mistake for Everton when trying to pass back out of a press. His backward pass was intercepted by Joao Pedro right in front of James Tarkowski. Pedro was able to finish the one-on-one chance, making it level at the break.

The second half saw Everton almost take the lead within minutes of kick-off. Jack Grealish cut down the side, crossing a low ball into Barry, but his shot was directly into the arms of Robert Sanchez.

Another Everton mistake led to the final and winning goal. After a Chelsea corner, Everton wasted too much time trying to clear the ball, giving it away at the edge of their own box and giving Andrey Santos a chance that he could not miss, putting Chelsea ahead 2-1.

Speaking after the match, Walter acknowledged the disappointment of the result but was encouraged by the early signs from his squad. The Everton manager was particularly pleased with his side’s control of the ball against a possession-heavy Chelsea team.

“We had three days together. Three days,” Walter said. “So, I am not interested in panic or frustration. I am interested in attitude, courage, and understanding — and I saw those things tonight. We came here and had more of the ball against a side that loves to control the tempo. That tells me the base is there. Now we need to be more aggressive in the final third and more ruthless when we have momentum.”

Walter added that the performance matched his expectations given the short turnaround. “You don’t change everything in 72 hours. But you can change how brave the team is. I saw bravery. A few mistakes from us when we tried playing too hesitantly on the ball, but for 90 minutes I saw a team competing and knowing we can win.”

Chelsea’s Maresca praised his side’s ability to manage the game after a week of turmoil at the club following three straight games of poor results.

“It was not easy,” he said. “Last week was the worst week for me at the club. A few poor results, and people turned on us. This club has a history of quickly moving on from managers. The fans need to change their mindset; we are building something here."

Maresca was especially happy with Andrey Santos scoring his first goal for the club. "I am very pleased for Andrey, he has worked very hard since returning from loan last season. He deserves this moment."

Next: Premier League match against Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, December 20th.

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 14 Dec 2025, 18:29

needs more scoring tbh

that's the extent of my soccer evaluation process

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 14 Dec 2025, 19:38

redsox907 wrote: ↑
14 Dec 2025, 18:29
needs more scoring tbh

that's the extent of my soccer evaluation process

if we score more, we will win.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 15 Dec 2025, 09:53

4-0 defeat to Arsenal...I went to copy the template for the Burnley match and somehow deleted the Arsenal post.

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 15 Dec 2025, 10:05

Ahh, got smoked in that last one.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 15 Dec 2025, 12:22

Fabrizio Romano: Bruno Fernandes in Talks With Real Madrid, Amorim trying to halt deal before January

Bruno Fernandes working out while rumors of his departure swirl (ShireNiner PS5 Images)

By: Léa Morel
December 22, 2025 | Premier League

In what would be one of the most seismic midseason transfers in recent memory, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is in advanced talks to join Real Madrid this upcoming January transfer window. Sources close to Romano’s reporting indicate negotiations between Madrid and United are progressing, with the possibility of the Portuguese midfielder heading to LaLiga as early as next month.

Manchester United are 7th in the Premier League table, sitting comfortably in the top half but outside the Champions League spots, a reflection of an up-and-down campaign that has seen United hold their own against strong opposition but lack the elite consistency required.

Fernandes himself has been a bright spark through the first half of the season. In 15 appearances, he’s contributed 4 goals and 6 assists in the league, underlining his role as one of United’s chief creators and most influential performers. Losing him midseason would be a significant blow to Ruben Amorim’s tactical structure and attacking identity, especially considering how central Fernandes has been to United’s transition play and goal involvement.

Amorim has been vocal about keeping his captain in the past. Publicly dismissing transfer links and emphasizing Bruno’s central role in the club's ambitions. Earlier this year, Amorim insisted Fernandes was not going anywhere and that United were determined to build around him.

A January exit would force United to revisit their tactical blueprint. With Bruno gone, greater creative responsibility would likely fall on players like Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, while United may be pushed into the market for a No. 8 with similar attacking instincts. It could accelerate a restructuring of the midfield core and potentially signal a shift toward long-term financial balance, as United looks to reset after several seasons of heavy outlay.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, this move would inject a seasoned playmaker into Real’s engine room during a pivotal phase of the season. While Madrid already boasts a star-studded frontline, questions about control and creativity between the lines have lingered.

His arrival would offer manager Xabi Alonso another dimension when navigating congested schedules and formidable continental competition. It would also signal Madrid’s intent to evolve their midfield as they balance aging stars and future planning.

With January fast approaching, talk is intensifying. A deal this winter would likely involve a significant fee, one that might be needed for Amorim to continue building the squad he needs at Old Trafford.

What did you think of this story?

Léa Morel is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering the Premier League. She previously covered women’s football for SkySports. She is based in London, UK. Follow Léa on Twitter @Léasfake

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ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 15 Dec 2025, 12:22

The Sauce wrote: ↑
15 Dec 2025, 10:05
Ahh, got smoked in that last one.

For sure, this is the first FIFA that set pieces or having tall players is actually working. I was not expecting that.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 15 Dec 2025, 13:00

Everton’s Defensive Dilemma: Injuries, Pace, and a System Ahead of the Club Schedule

Tarkowski and Keane too slow to react to a through ball against Arsenal (ShireNiner PS5 Images)

By: Callum Ridgeway
December 22, 2025 | Everton Reporter

When Max Walter accepted the Everton job, he knew the transition would be demanding. Two matches into his Premier League return, the issues are already glaring, and they start at the back.

With Jarrad Branthwaite ruled out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury, Everton’s defensive foundation has been stripped away at the worst possible moment. “He is the type of defender you build around,” one club source told ShireNiner Network. “Without him, everything becomes more difficult.”

What remains is a center-back group built for survival football, now being asked to execute one of the league’s most aggressive high-press systems. The result, as Arsenal exposed mercilessly last weekend, is a structural mismatch that will shape Everton's winter plans.

Due to Branthwaite's injury and poor financial management last season, Everton are left with two healthy centerbacks; Michael Keane and James Tarkowski.

Both defenders are past their prime and suited for a style built on defending deep and playing on the counter. But Walter’s system demands something else entirely. Walter's system requires the fullbacks to push up and the centerbacks to step into midfield to win the ball back quickly. Against Chelsea and Arsenal, both defenders were repeatedly exposed when Everton attempted to press high and compress the field.

As shown above, a simple ball through the middle of the defense was all it took to break the line. Saka was able to outrun both Tarkowski and Keane to win the ball and have a counterattacking opportunity.

One Premier League analyst put it bluntly: “You can’t ask Tarkowski and Keane to play on the halfway line for 90 minutes. That’s not who they are. They sit back, defend deep, and head crosses away.”

Walter is not naive. He understands the trade-offs of his system. But the problem Everton faces is one of timing. Until the January transfer window comes, Tarkowski and Keane are the only options for Walter to use.

Walter has already hinted at pragmatic adjustments in recent press conferences, but dialing back the press risks undermining the very identity he was hired to establish.

“This isn’t about blame,” one board member said. “It’s about reality.”

Walter summed it up after the Arsenal defeat:

“You do not stop believing in the idea because the road is difficult. But you must be intelligent about how you walk it.”

Everton’s defensive crisis is not a sign the new manager or system is not working. It's a sign that David Moyes and Max Walter cannot afford to make any mistakes this upcoming transfer window.

What did you think of this story?

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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