July

Pre-season officially got underway as David Moyes’ men travelled north for a training camp in Scotland, where they were joined by new signing – 17-year-old Shkodran Mustafi from Hamburg.
 
Brazilian striker Jo rejoined the Club on loan and began the friendly against Bury on the bench. Unfortunately though, his second introduction couldn't prevent the Blues going down 2-1 after Louis Saha had give the side a 23rd minute lead.
 
Better was to come in the next friendly though, against The Shakers' fellow Lancashire side, Rochdale as Shane Duffy, an own goal and a brace from Jo gave David Moyes' side a 4-1 victory.
 
Just a couple of days after that win, the squad jetted out to the USA to prepare for two more friendly games against Argentinians River Plate and an US MLS Allstar side.
 
Despite going close on a couple of occasions against River, a brilliant finish from Ariel Ortega separated the sides, but Everton became the first club to beat the MLS Allstars, by claiming a dramatic penalty shootout win, after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
 
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was the hero back in his homeland as he thwarted three US players in the sudden death penalties - with the crucial spot-kick from Freddie Ljungberg saved.
 
In between those two games, Dan Gosling's England Under-19s cruised safely into the Semi-finals of the European Championships as they defeated Slovenia 7-1 and then consequently, the final.
 
They beat their French counterparts 3-1 and would face the tournament hosts, Ukraine.

July also saw the emergence of Everton’s youngster onto the international scene as Jake Bidwell was called-up for the England Under-17s for the first time.