“Over the coming weeks we will analyse it in more detail but all the players know their situation.”
That is what Sean Dyche said when asked about players whose contracts were coming to an end at Everton. The reality is that Dyche has a bigger issue at the forefront of his mind - keeping Everton in the Premier League. And despite the impact he has had so far, it is key to remember he has only been the Blues boss for six weeks.
So Dyche and his backroom staff are still developing their knowledge of the first-team squad and, essential for the new boss, his "feel" about each of his players. But it would be naïve to think he has not started to formulate his opinions on individual situations, while others around him will be quite advanced in their thoughts on who should go, and who should have the opportunity to remain at the club into next season.
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With just over three months to go on their contracts, and with themes of Dyche's rule starting to emerge, the ECHO looked at the decisions to be made and which way the club may currently be leaning on them.
Yerry Mina
Yerry Mina has had limited influence this season. He did start the first game, suggesting Frank Lampard wanted to make him a key part of what he hoped would be a new-look side after the relegation fight of the previous year. Yet once again Mina's vulnerability to injury hurt him. He lasted just 70 minutes against Chelsea before suffering an injury that would keep him out until the Carabao Cup defeat at Bournemouth in November. The 28-year-old then started the first match after the World Cup break, stepping in against Wolves for Conor Coady, who could not play his parent club. The former Barcelona man scored in that game but did not return until Lampard's final game, at West Ham United.
Mina is yet to make an appearance under Dyche - the only one of Everton's six first-team centre-backs not to get minutes somewhere on the pitch, with Mason Holgate being tested in midfield and Ben Godfrey at full-back. With Dyche having broken up the Coady and James Tarkowski partnership but choosing Michael Keane as the successor, the chances of Mina being offered a new deal are diminishing with every game he is not involved in. Mina is a fan favourite and has been relatively successful when fit. However, high wages and persistent injury worries may mean the Blues allow his contract to run out this summer.
Tom Davies
Tom Davies is yet to start for Everton under Sean Dyche, but has been brought on from the bench in six of his seven games in charge. Dyche is likely still assessing Davies, who did well when he came on in the later stages of the win over Brentford. An academy product, Davies burst onto the scene with an iconic goal against Manchester City in 2016. Expectations heightened amongst fans and Davies was a key figure in the following seasons. But bad luck with injuries has stifled his opportunities over the last two seasons. His setbacks have often come when his side needed him most - the relegation run-in last season and the start of this campaign as Lampard was forced into a makeshift Alex Iwobi and Abdoulaye Doucoure partnership in the middle. He did well when he was called upon earlier this season but how Davies fits into Dyche's plans will become clearer when he starts to use James Garner, now back in the matchday squad after a long-term back injury. Dyche appears to have settled on a midfield three and if Garner becomes his go-to next player in that position then Davies' 13 year stint as a Blue may be nearing an end, particularly with him keen for first=team football.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
The 30-year-old recently returned to the side under Dyche after being frozen out under Lampard. No-one has had a better upturn in fortune since the managerial change - though Keane pushes him close. Dyche is clearly a fan of the Mali international, who has played a key role in helping Everton provide an attacking threat with his bursts from the middle - and he even bagged a goal at Nottingham Forest. Dyche has refused to be drawn on his position in relation to Doucoure, other than to say he would need more than a run of bright performances to decide his next step. Doucoure is keen to stay on Merseyside and was pushing for an extension last summer. Everton do have an option to extend his contract by a further year and, while his wages are substantial, he has made the most compelling case for a new deal of anyone during Dyche's reign.
Andros Townsend
After initially impressing at Goodison Park with goals against Burnley and a strike at Old Trafford, Andros Townsend was a regular in the starting line-up. He then sustained an horrific cruciate ligament injury during the FA Cup tie against his former club Crystal Palace last March and is yet to return to action. When asked about his progress, Dyche has suggested his comeback is not imminent and any role he might be able to play in this season is now looking to be very limited. The injury has been terrible luck for the England international and the timing and extent of his return will be among the factors that will influence his and the club's next step.
Seamus Coleman
A cult hero around Goodison Park, Coleman is as tenacious as ever and still producing solid performances and exceptional moments - from his stunning winner against Leeds United to that passionate celebration as he helped carry his side to three points against Brentford. Coleman’s experience is important around the group, as was so clear during last season's escape from relegation. Even with a returning Nathan Patterson likely to put pressure on his place, Coleman has shown he has value within this squad. Lampard was essentially happy to let Coleman decide his own future at the Everton, with the 35-year-old having started his coaching journey with a series of qualifications already. How Dyche views the situation remains to be seen but Coleman is clearly an asset at Finch Farm and it is hard not to see him in some role there next season - so long as he wants one.
Asmir Begovic
The former Stoke, Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth keeper has featured three times this season in all competitions and is a handy back-up to number one Jordan Pickford. Begovic’s experience and know how may help the younger players in the group so keeping him at the club would make sense for the Blues. Begovic is a vital part of the first-team squad and a key component of Pickford's success. He has just launched a Liverpool branch of his goalkeeping coaching sessions for youngsters, so appears settled, and it is hard to see Everton having a more able number two.
Andy Lonergan
Everton’s third choice, Lonergan has not featured in a competitive game at all this season and provides back-up to Pickford and Begovic. He helps with the home-grown quota of having no more than 17 players who are not home grown and is also seen as a positive character at the club and there was widespread pleasure internally when he was given his first outing for Everton in the Sydney Super Cup game with Western Sydney Wanderers in November. Everton's goalkeeping unit is strong and Dyche may seek to retain its experience and balance going forward.
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