News about Leighton Baines

Chelsea and Manchester City are all interested in Everton's promising young left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith. Odin, the 17-year-old boy whose brother is also on Everton's books, has been named 'the next Leighton Baines' and has been part of the first team squad since September. Chelsea, City, and Tottenham have been keeping an eye on his form over the past year, with the Stamford Bridge club weighing up a bid. Everton has had bids from Swansea City and Ipswich Town for striker Ellis Simms. Swansea discussed a potential trade with Joel Piroe.

DOMINIC KING: At Finch Farm on Thursday afternoon, there is the opportunity to get a look at the ones whose futures are all in the works. In a friendly against Blackburn Rovers, Everton's Under-18s took center stage, and as you might imagine, the match was fiercely fought. Halid Djankpata, an Italian midfielder descended on Togolese descent, and Issac Heath, another midfielder who has played on Merseyside since he was 13, both played well. Everton had the edge after defeating Blackburn 2-1 eight weeks ago in a Premier League Under-18 match. At halftime, the teams were 1-1, but Everton's were up to their mark after the break, and Jack Butler's 3-1 victory was recorded.

Andy Robertson has tied for the most assists for a defender in Premier League history after assisting Mohamed Salah for Liverpool's opening goal against Aston Villa on Monday. With 53 top-flight assists to his name, the Scottish full-back entered the match, bringing him right up to former Everton and Wigan defender Leighton Baines. As he latched onto Trent Alexander-Arnold's through ball and played a square ball into Salah's path, he took him only five minutes to get past the former England international.