Sean Dyche is so focused on Everton’s fight to avoid relegation that all talk about new contracts with his squad has been parked, writes the LiverpoolEcho.
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.
Prior to their upcoming Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, Sean Dyche stated that his main focus at the moment is to secure points to ensure that they avoid relegation to the Championship. The priority is not about contracts, but rather about the team’s performance and achieving their goals. Planning and preparation are still important, but certain things need to take priority. While there have been some discussions with the players about contracts, nothing significant has been decided yet.
Dyche added that the talks with the squad will take place as the weeks go by, and as they continue to rack up more points and wins. The players are also aware of the situation and are interested in hearing updates regarding their contracts.
“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.”