Sean Dyche Addresses Player Fitness, Club Takeover, and January Transfer Plans

Everton manager Sean Dyche addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea, scheduled for 14:00 GMT at home. The following are the principal points from his press conference: Regarding player fitness, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam were described as “still a bit behind the curve” and “making progress but not quick progress” in their recovery. Dwight McNeil’s status is “touch and go” due to a “niggly knee,” though Dyche expressed being “hopeful” he could participate. Dyche confirmed a meeting with the new executive chairman, Marc Watts. He stated, “It was about the format moving forward. They are fully supportive of me, the staff and the team going forward. They were asking questions about what I have learnt in my time and the overall feel of the club.” Addressing the club’s takeover, Dyche commented, “It is not an immediate change but it would be good if it is a little bit more stable than it has been since I got here. The possible change of owners is now sorted. I hope it [the takeover] brings a positive mood to the team.” Dyche extended his best wishes to Dele Alli following the player’s confirmation of his departure from the club earlier on Friday. Dyche remarked, “The major point that we agreed as a collective was to get him back to a good place and I think he is there. He has been nothing but an ease for me to work with. Onto a new challenge but we certainly wish him well.” Regarding the January transfer window, Dyche does not anticipate the takeover will influence it. He explained, “There’s only so much that can be done with immediacy, which they know. The immediate [situation] in January is going to dominated by the PSR [Profit and Sustainability] position of years gone by of what the club had been doing.”