Sean Dyche is so focused on Everton’s fight to avoid relegation that all talk about new contracts with his squad has been parked.
Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Andros Townsend are all out of contract this summer, while Conor Coady and Ruben Vinagre are on loan from other clubs. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s current deal is also up, but the club has an option to extend that by a further year.
Everton ended last season four points clear of the relegation zone, but they have once again found themselves embroiled in another battle to stay in the top-flight this term. Although under the stewardship of Dyche, the Blues have managed to give themselves more than a fighting chance of beating the drop.
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And speaking ahead of his side’s return to Premier League action against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, Dyche explained that their number one priority at the minute is picking up points to ensure they avoid relegation to the Championship.
“Priorities not to do with contracts, but to do with what the team are doing,” he said. “Getting the job done. That is going to be the main priority. We still have to look at the business behind that, of course, planning and preparation is always important, but there are certain things that go ahead quicker.
“The players are aware and in due course we will have chats. There has been some loose stuff but nothing heavy."
Asked when he plans to have talks with his squad, Dyche said: “It is just as the weeks unfold. Get more wins, getting more points on the board and players want to know as well, by the way.
"People sometimes think it is directional from a club or a manager; it is not always like that players want to know what is going on. It is a two-way situation.
“I can talk as confidently as you like about what we do, but they might see it differently, it is always a two-way situation, or three or four-way one with the amount of agents involved these days.”
Dyche has also described Coady as a "thorough professional" as he awaits his next Everton chance. The defender, who is on loan at Wolves, has been on the bench for the past four games after starting every match he was available for following his summer arrival.
Michael Keane has been preferred to Coady in central defence alongside James Tarkowski in recent weeks. But despite dropping out of the team, Dyche can’t fault the England international's attitude and application.
He said: “Going back to your point about Conor, he’s been terrific. He’s a top pro and similar to when we have just been talking about Seamus, everyone will tell you from a very young age he was like that, every bit of feedback is the same from everyone I have spoken to in the game and he has shown it.
“The way he has dealt with coming out the side, the way he deals with his training, the way he gets on with his busines - he is certainly a very thorough professional."
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