Athletic journalist: Everton held talks with Leeds over potential friendly before PL restart
Talks between Leeds United and Everton have collapsed over a potential friendly match before next week’s Premier League restart.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has detailed talks between the two didn’t work out with both sides yet to play another side in a friendly.
Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park a week on Sunday, the same day in which Leeds travel to Cardiff City.
Hay commented on Leeds’ plans on Saturday afternoon, as the Whites played a friendly among their own squad.
“They did discuss one with Everton but it didn’t work out,” he wrote on his personal Twitter account.
It was confirmed by the Liverpool Echo that Everton did exactly the same at Goodison Park, as Carlo Ancelotti’s squad continue their preparation.
It would have been great preparations for Everton if they could have faced the Championship leaders who are in great form.
Other sides such as West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United have all played friendlies against near-rivals and it could be the difference between hitting the ground running and not.
Everton obviously welcome Liverpool, and that is the hardest game that they could have had, let’s hope this decision doesn’t come back to haunt the Toffees.
In other Everton news, Joleon Lescott details ‘worst possible outcome’ for Blues with Merseyside derby up first