Everton Manager Sean Dyche Discusses Player Fitness, Transfer Window Strategy, and Club Stability

Everton manager Sean Dyche addressed the media ahead of Boxing Day’s Premier League match against Manchester City, scheduled for 12:30 GMT. The following are the main points from his news conference. Regarding player fitness, Dyche stated that Ashley Young’s neck injury “should settle down quite quickly,” though he is suspended for Saturday’s game. Dwight McNeil remains “touch and go,” with Dyche suggesting he is “probably not for this one.” Tim Iroegbunam and James Tarkowski are “still a little bit away” from returning but are “getting back on the grass.” Dyche believes the club’s takeover last week has already positively influenced the atmosphere around the club. He remarked, “There was a good atmosphere before the game against Chelsea around the stadium. When things are uncertain people don’t like that. The Friedkin Group have bought some stability. That is a start point.” He further clarified his previous comments regarding Profit and Sustainability Rules in the context of the January transfer window. Dyche explained, “What I mean is there is still guidelines. It doesn’t mean there is any trouble there. There are rules every club have to stay inside of. It is not specific, there is no trouble or anything like that. There just will not be endless money for every situation. There is no problem.” When asked about potential new player additions, Dyche commented, “It is still going to be tough. The guidelines and what the club are suggesting – we will still have to be quite guarded. We can’t throw money but I don’t think this group will do that anyway. They want to build something. Their words are stability.” On the topic of upcoming opponents Manchester City and their recent challenging form, Dyche observed, “When the details are not right, things don’t work even for the top teams. It’s unlikely Pep [Guardiola] has had many spells like this and it happens even to the best and he is the best ever. For him to have a testing period shows how tough the game is and for the top sides to stay at the very top.”