Everton boss rules out selling stars

Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell are currently in contract talks with the Toffees.

“We are speaking to Steven and things are ongoing,” he told the Daily Star Sunday. “He’s at a club which really suits him and Everton have been very good to him.

“There’s something ongoing with Jack Rodwell at the moment, too. He’s got about four years to go I think. But he’s in talks now about a new contract.

“I don’t feel I need to sell anyone. They’re all under contract. Yeah, there will be some with contracts a bit lower than you want but every club has got the same scenario. I think some of them will look and say, ‘Everton is right for me’.

“It’s a good club. It’s a progressive club and the manager is ambitious to take the club forward.

“I’m not sitting here with any worries. I’m laid back about it. I’m quite comfortable. Some people know when clubs suit them. I could name a couple of players who have left and who might now regret it.

“We have done well to keep our players and I think in the main the players who have stayed will say it’s been the right decision.”

“If I went into next season with the same group of players, all fit, I wouldn’t be too disappointed,” he continued in the Sunday Mirror.

“I’d like to add a couple to keep things going, but I don’t think we need many changes. We’re all excited about what we’ve got here.

“I’m actually relaxed about the whole situation with players because if anybody wanted to leave it would only be poorer for them. It’s tended not to work for people who left.

“I think the players here recognise we’re very close to being a top side and if I was them I’d be saying there’s no need to go.”