Another week, and another clean sheet, but unfortunately without the win. Keeping Crystal Palace at bay, however, meant we have now kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, with seven coming in our past nine outings.
Ten of those 13 have also come when Chelsea-loanee Kurt Zouma has been on the field, and the Frenchman has not been short of admirers since moving to Merseyside in the summer, with Marco Silva among his many plaudits.
The Portuguese is very much keen on retaining his services for next year, providing the Pensioners are open to selling amid their potential transfer ban. The boss is not alone, either, with Seamus Coleman very much a part of Zouma’s Toffees fan club.
In quotes reported by the Liverpool Echo, our £13.5million-rated right-back has joked that he told Zouma over the weekend that he had an Everton contract in his bag, ready for the Les Bleus centre-half to sign.
Our Republic of Ireland captain also shared that he is confident Marcel Brands and Silva will do all they can to keep the Chelsea-owned defender and Richarlison, after growing speculation linking our Brazilian attacker with the likes of AC Milan and Manchester United.
“I just told him [Zouma] I’ve got a contract for him in my bag and will he sign it,” Coleman joked. “He’s been brilliant.
“[Against Crystal Palace], they looked like they were going to get away on the break, but he’s a strong boy who gets his body in the way. He’s quite happy to take the ball out from the back, and he’s been a great signing.
“I don’t know any inside information, but I’m sure the likes of Marcel and the manager will be doing all they can to keep him, but I’m sure equally Chelsea will want to keep him, so it’s quite difficult.
“Playing with Richy has been great,” Coleman added. “He’s a young lad, but he’s very strong and very willing. He’s a proper Everton player and has got that quality we’ve all seen, and the goals we’ve all seen.
“He’s got that work-rate and desire to help that any full-back needs in front of him. That’s been good, and I’ve really enjoyed linking up with him.
“Richarlison won’t be going anywhere. He’s been great, and I’m sure he appreciates the manager’s trust and loyalty. He spent a lot of money to bring him from Watford and I seen him celebrating his Man United goal last week. He’s very happy to be here and we’re happy to have him.”