Everton are returning for Sean Dyche’s first pre-season in charge later this week as the Blues boss looks to improve upon the narrow escape from relegation in 2022/23.
The team were joint bottom of the Premier League when the former long-serving Burnley gaffer took charge at the end of January but Dyche successfully steered them to safety as they secured the victory they needed to stay up on the final day thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s spectacular strike against Bournemouth. Despite narrowly avoiding their first relegation in 72 years, it was still the lowest equivalent points total in Everton’s 135-year history in the Football League/Premier League and everyone at the club realises there must be major improvements in the months ahead.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after beating the Cherries, Dyche said: “Work on next season started the day I got in here. Don’t think I thought this was an easy fix because it is not, far from it. There is a massive amount of work to be done. The thing I've learned about Everton is the fans have been amazing, they want the club to be in the top end of the market but the club currently is not at the top end of the market.
“It’s a big club, make no mistake. Big history, big club but we are not performing like a big club. We have to find a way of changing that. This is two seasons now. I've played my little part in this but there is massive amount of change to build to a new dawn, a new future, a bigger future if you like. I think the Evertonians, as remarkable as they have been, have to remember that.
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“This is a bigger project than just; ‘Oh well, it’s all right now.’ It’s not because there is a lot of work required as this has been going on for two years. I don't have magic dust, I can only make things happen I think are believable. There is massive amounts of work to be done, not just from me but from everyone at the club.”
For the players, after a month off, the hard yards are about to begin again and here’s a timetable of how Everton’s pre-season for 2023/24 will map out.
Week commencing Monday July 3: Everton’s player report back to Finch Farm this week with most returning on Thursday. Before returning to the training field, squad members undergo a series of physical examinations, encompassing medical checks and gym work with their programme including strength and joint exercises plus body fat, blood and heart tests.
Week commencing Monday July 10: Everton’s squad embark on their pre-season training camp in the Alps. Dyche took his Burnley players to the region in back-to-back summers in 2015 and 2016, basing themselves at the Stade Camille Fournier complex used by then reigning world champions Germany for the 2016 European Championships.
Ahead of the Clarets’ first visit, Dyche told the Lancashire Telegraph: “We’re always trying to push the margins in training with not only the physical side but the mental side of the game. It’s a lovely place, a real good setting to work hard – and there will be hard work being done.
“It’s well documented now about how hard our players work. That’s a given, the way we train, the way we look after them.”
Friday July 14: Everton play their first pre-season friendly against Stade Nyonnais at their Colovay Sports Centre ground (6pm kick-off local time, 5pm UK). Their opponents finished runners-up in the Swiss Promotion League (third tier) last season and have gone up into the Swiss Challenge League.
Saturday July 22: Everton’s squad split into two to play two consecutive friendlies at 2pm. The senior side go to the DW Stadium to face League One Wigan Athletic while an Everton XI, consisting of some of Paul Tait’s Under-21 players ‘cross the water’ to face League Two Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Tuesday July 25: Another game against English third tier opposition for the Blues as they travel to the University of Bolton Stadium to tackle League One Bolton Wanderers (kick-off 7.45pm).
Saturday July 29: Everton step things up to face Championship Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium (kick-off 3pm).
Saturday August 5: A week before the start of the Premier League season begins with a visit from Marco Silva’s Fulham, the Blues round-off their summer friendlies back at Goodison Park as they entertain Lisbon giants Sporting CP.
