In his first press conference of the new season, Sean Dyche spoke about pre-season, transfers and the Toffees chances against Fulham.
The manager praised Everton’s “solid” pre-season, stressing that he is confident that the chance to spend more time working with squad will yield dividends in the coming weeks: “We want that work to pay us back.” He also stressed the need to be ready for the challenge posed by Marco Silva’s Fulham side. “Anybody can beat anybody” he commented “we’ve learned that in the last seasons”. Dyche went on to outline the club’s goals for the season as “Progress… Improving our mentality, getting a more rounded squad. Being better.”
At this time of year, the headline questions in any press conference are all about recruitment. The manager was cagey about the prospect of signing Wilfred Gnoto from Leeds citing “challenges in the transfer market”, but somewhat more expansive on Sporting talent Youssef Chermiti.
Playing down comparisons to Dominic Calvert Lewin, Dyche praised the strikers “raw talent” stating that he saw the building blocks for a player who can contribute in the Premier League. He also stated that any players currently at the club are still “very much part of the squad” namechecking Andre Gomes, Mason Holgate and the seemingly Fulham-bound Demari Gray.
Dyche also took time out to praise new signing Ashley Young’s professionalism stating that working with a player who made his debut alongside the manager provided a stark reminder of his own age!
Fitness Updates
Dyche also gave an update on the injury issues in the squad. James Tarkowski will start having shrugged off a knee injury sustained in the friendly against Stoke. Dominic Calvert Lewin has “just run out of pre-season” and may not even make the bench on Saturday. Dwight McNeil, meanwhile, will be out for “weeks, but not a lot of weeks.”
The manager also revealed Dele has suffered a “setback” in his recovery from a hip injury he underwent surgery for in the close season.
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