Marco Silva provides Everton transfer updates

Everton manager Marco Silva has admitted Chelsea’s transfer ban being upheld could hinder negotations between the two clubs over the permanent signing of Kurt Zouma this summer.

FIFA rejected the London club’s appeal against the ban, which prohibits them from signing players in the next two transfer windows, on Wednesday.

And, speaking at his pre-match press conference before Everton’s final game of the season at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Silva said it could make Zouma’s signature harder to secure:

“Maybe it’s not the best thing for us, but now it’s up to the clubs to speak to each other and deal with the situation. Let’s see what we can do.

“The player’s decision is important in this situation, of course. It’s up to us to deal with their club and try to do everything. Of course, the situation with Chelsea is possibly not the best thing.”

Silva was also keen to praise the recent form of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who has started Everton’s last three games in the absence of the suspended André Gomes.

Schneiderlin has had a difficult season, often performing well when being called upon but finding opportunities hard to come by, as well as suffering the tragic loss of his father in September.

But the Blues boss said he is happy to see the Frenchman back in the side and playing as well as he knows he can:

“Morgan started the season well; he did well in the first three, four or five games. Of course, afterwards he had a personal issue, and some games were not so good - not just him, the team - and afterwards André came in and did really well.

“We had some moments not seeing Morgan, but I said to you all during the season when you asked me about him that it’s a matter of confidence. I never had doubts about his quality and his value because I said to you every time you ask about him how I believe in him.

“He’s performing well. He took his chance and he did well and, of course, I’m happy not just because he’s performing well and helping the team, but Morgan deserves this good moment.”

Silva also confirmed the club are in discussions with defenders Phil Jagielka, 36, and Leighton Baines, 34, over their futures.

Both players’ contracts expires at the end of June and some perceived Jagielka’s late substitute appearance in Everton’s final home game of the season against Burnley last Friday as his Goodison Park farewell.

But Silva said he expects an announcement in the near future:

“We will keep talking with them. We talked again yesterday with jags. It’s something for us and them to decide and let’s see what the news will be in the next few days.”

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, whose incredible comeback against Ajax saw them reach the Champions League final on Wednesday night, Silva said he does not expect Everton’s opponents to take the game at all lightly.

He expects a difficult game but believes a win away at the top six, something Everton have not managed since December 2013, would be the perfect way to sign off his first season at Goodison:

“They did well; they are living their dream. But they are professionals and the Premier League is not done yet. They have one game to play like us and even if they have enjoyed the last few days, I think today and tomorrow they will be ready and with full confidence and the fans will welcome them into the stadium. The atmosphere will be fantastic.

“It will be a good game, a tough game for us, but a good game for us to finish well. It’s everything we want; to finish well in our way, to play good football, to enjoy the game and do everything to achieve three points.”