Everton Lunchtime Round-Up, Saturday 17th October 2026: Moyes Rallies Fans Amid Ownership Uncertainty as Chelsea Clash Looms

David Moyes has told supporters it will be "business as usual" at Everton and called on fans to get behind the team against Chelsea despite the uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership following the Friedkin Group's announcement last week (Read Everton).

That uncertainty hasn't stopped transfer talk, with reports suggesting Chelsea could target a £60m move for Jarrad Branthwaite, with the timing notable given the two sides meet at the Hill Dickinson today (Read Everton). Branthwaite is also a doubt for the match itself after picking up a problem against Hull City (Read Everton).

It's a big early kick-off, with fifth-placed Everton hosting sixth-placed Chelsea at 12.30pm, the sides separated only by goal difference going into the game (Royal Blue Mersey) (Liverpool Echo) (The Guardian). Moyes's Everton remain unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season (ToffeeWeb). Team news suggests Moyes has selection calls to make, including whether Vitalii Mykolenko is fit enough to return, and whether Ben George could come in ahead of Jack Grealish (Read Everton).

Away from team news, loanee Merlin Rohl has been reflecting on life at Everton, admitting he's "starting to realise" just how big the club is after finding himself describing its history and expectations to people back home in Germany (Read Everton). The German has also been settling into life on Merseyside, revealing his fondness for Lark Lane and speaking about being recognised in the street by Evertonians, as detailed in an exclusive interview (Liverpool Echo).

This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.