Marco Silva continues to wield the axe ahead of first campaign in charge of Toffees
The futures of four Everton first-teamers have had fresh doubt poured on them after Marco Silva reportedly told them to train away from the senior squad.
Ashley Williams, Kevin Mirallas, Nikola Vlasic and Cuco Martina have all been told to train away from the rest of first-team squad ahead of the new campaign.
The rumour comes courtesy of Paul Joyce, who took to his personal Twitter account to relay the news to Evertonians.
Joyce is usually on the money when it comes to stories about the Blues, so for him to tweet this out means that the story must have some legs to it.
The quartet appear to be part of the next phase of Silva and Marcel Brands’ squad culling that has already seen five other senior players leave either permanently or on loan.
Brands spoke earlier in the summer about him and Silva having to sit down with certain players for “not nice conversations” regarding their Goodison Park futures.
And it seems that the four named above could be forced to look for new clubs if they aren’t part of Silva’s plans heading into the 2018/19 campaign.
Veteran centre-back Williams has already been linked with a season-long loan move to Championship outfit Stoke City.
The 33-year-old apparently wants to fight for his place in Silva’s squad, but appears surplus to requirements under the Portuguese gaffer.
Mirallas and Vlasic, meanwhile, could be the victims of Richarlison’s £40m arrival from Watford and Silva’s desire to play Ademola Lookman in the Toffees’ side this term.
The forward pair have had their chances to impress in pre-season but could be on their way out now.
Mirallas has form for being a bit of a trouble maker and won’t be missed by sections of the club’s fanbase.
Vlasic, however, was only bought for £11m last summer and will be disappointed to not be offered the chance to prove his worth – if Joyce’s claim is right.
Martina was a fellow summer acquisition 12 months ago too but, with the full-back positions well stocked with the £18m signing of Lucas Digne on Wednesday, may have to look for a new team to join before the window shuts next Thursday.