Interest in Man Utd’s Donny van de Beek and other takeaways Everton fans must know from Rafa Benitez’s presser

Rafa Benitez has been speaking to the media ahead of Everton’s Premier League clash against Burnley at Goodison Park on Monday (20.00 BST).

Here’s the key talking points from the Toffees boss’ pre-match press conference.

Van de Beek interest

News emerged after the transfer window closed last Tuesday that Everton almost signed Donny van de Beek from Manchester United.

The Dutchman’s agent revealed that Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pulled the plug at the last minute, however.

Benitez confirmed the Blues were in talks with van de Beek but he was never that hopeful a deal would come to fruition.

He said: “Van de Beek was at the end of the window. It was not easy for us.

“It was a name in the last couple of days when all of the agents throw a lot of names out.

“He was one of these names and he’s a good player for sure but I don’t think we had too many chances.”

James challenge issued

There was much speculation surrounding James Rodriguez’s future throughout the summer, having been told he could leave Everton.

The playmaker rejected a move to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday, though, along with a potential switch to Porto on deadline day as a makeweight for Luis Diaz.

Now that Rodriguez is remaining at Goodison, he’s been challenged to show the sort of commitment and intensity to dovetail with his mercurial talent.

Benitez said: “I was not in the conversations. I know there were some clubs that had interest. That’t it.

“The offer was good. You know financial fair play rules, the problems with salaries and to bring players in, so it was important for us to create some space. We couldn’t do it and now we have to manage that.

“Obviously, the team is doing well. The players understand what we want and he has to understand that. He has to adapt to the team and we’ll try to get the best from everyone.

“I have seen what was going on at the end of the season, what’s been going this season on with some social media comments from the fans and him.

“It was not easy for him because he was available in the transfer window. It’s not easy and I think he realised he has to focus and show his commitment.

That’s good news for us because he can give us something more. We don’t have any doubt about his quality but for me, as a manager, we need someone who can play 90 minutes with intensity and the quality they have.

“Each player has characteristics and some games he can make the difference.

“If James stays with us, we need to find the right games for him and he has to show commitment and desire. That’s something team-mates, fans and staff are expecting from him.”

FFP “killing us”

Everton’s recruitment throughout the summer was hamstrung by financial fair play rules looming large.

Benitez was frank about how much they did impact bringing fresh faces.

But he was still satisfied with the business the Blues conducted after signing the likes of Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Salomon Rondon on deadline day.

“I’m really happy with the players we brought because they’re the players we need and know what we’re looking for,” the ex-Chelsea chief said.

“The commitment is very clear for everyone to see. They know what the fans want and how hard we have to work to be successful.

“We didn’t spend a lot of money. We had some good signings, it could be better because if you have more money, you can do it. Financial fair play rules were killing us in this window - hopefully, the next will be different.

“The players we brought in are the ones we needed. Maybe we needed more in some positions but this is what we could do and we did quite well.”

Failed right-back search

Everton had also looked at bringing in a right-back towards the end of the window to provide cover and competition for Seamus Coleman.

They had bids for Rangers’ Nathan Patterson rejected while Arsenal blocked a loan move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Benitez said: “In terms of the right-back position, we were looking for different options. It was clear from day one that we couldn’t find what we were looking for.

“Jonjoe Kenny (currently second choice) is an option and we were in the market signing some players.

“I wanted to make sure we had back-up, they had experience in the Premier League and could perform in the majority of the games.”

Long-term ambitions

Everton face a Burnley side whose manager, Sean Dyche, has been in charge of Turfmoor for more than 10 years. That makes him the longest-serving boss in the Premier League.

Benitez confessed he’d love to still be in the Goodison hot seat in a decade.

That’s because it would mean he’s successful and the Blues’ long wait for silverware might finally be over.

The Spaniard said: “Why not? That means we are successful and I will be happy.

“I’m sure if I stay here 10 years it’s because the owners will be happy, so will the fans be happy and the press too.

“Normally if you stay a long time, it means you’re doing something right. If I stay for a long, long time, maybe it means we are winning trophies and will be fine for everyone.”