Everton manager Ronald Koeman on being ruthless, Ross Barkley, smoking and moving to Barcelona: 'No! No, no, no, no, no. No. I don't think so, no.'

First comes an apology. Ronald Koeman has arrived on time for our early evening meeting but explains he is not yet ready to talk.

It has been a hectic day at Finch Farm, Everton’s training base, and, at 5pm, Koeman is still in his dark blue training kit.

We should be sitting down to talk now, but the Dutchman wants to delay things by a further 20 minutes so he can freshen up.

Already this feels different.