What The Papers Say – 16 June

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Iliman Ndiaye has told SPORTbible Senegal “are there to win it” at this summer’s World Cup.

Ndiaye and Everton teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye begin their tournament campaign for the Lions of Teranga this evening, taking on France in an 8pm (BST) kick-off in New Jersey. 

Ahead of the clash, Ndiaye revealed: “In my opinion, we are going to win the World Cup.

"If I didn’t think that, then what's the point of going? What's the point of packing your suitcase? I don't want to be a tourist. I’m going there to win it. If I thought differently, then I’d give my place in the team to someone else." 

On his close ties with France, he added: "France is a big part of my life. I was born there. My family live there. My friends live there.

"My mum is French, too, so as much as I'm playing for Senegal and I love Senegal, I'm also French.

"A lot of us (in the squad) were born in France. We are mostly a squad of French heritage, so it's going to mean everything. We have a strong team. I hope they'll come up against us and be scared."

Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford – another Everton World Cup representative – has had a bus route named after him.

The Sunderland ECHO reports: “Stagecoach North East is marking England's World Cup campaign by temporarily renaming its popular E1 bus service the 'Jordan Pick-Up' in honour of local hero and Washington lad Jordan Pickford.

"To celebrate the now 32-year-old’s journey from Washington to the World Cup, the Jordan Pick-up service will run throughout the duration of the tournament."

Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach North East, said: "We operate right at the heart of the city and we understand how excited our customers are about England's participation in the World Cup.