New Everton Signings Face Tough Challenge as Sean Dyche Sets Pre-Season Rules
Most of Everton's squad will return to Finch Farm on Monday, kicking off a demanding pre-season.
Everton’s players will return to Finch Farm for pre-season on Monday, beginning a rigorous training program designed to prepare them for the new campaign.
The squad, many of whom have continued fitness work during the off-season, will spend the first week training in Halewood before heading to a camp in Ireland ahead of a friendly match with Sligo Rovers.
Most players have already experienced a summer under Sean Dyche, but those who haven’t are in for a tough initiation, including the infamous Gaffer’s Day. As the countdown to the new season begins, here are a few things to look out for on Monday.
Two players new to Dyche’s regime are the early summer signings. Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam joined from Aston Villa last month, and forward Iliman Ndiaye was confirmed as a new Everton player last week. This will be their first opportunity to meet their new teammates and the staff overseeing their progress.
In addition to the new signings, some familiar faces will return. Everton have secured three arrivals this summer, but Jack Harrison’s presence will be particularly noteworthy after his successful loan spell from Leeds United last season. He won’t be the only returning player. Mason Holgate spent last season on loan at Southampton and Sheffield United, while Neal Maupay started the campaign in Dyche’s first XI but later moved on loan to Brentford. Despite a positive spell in London, Brentford did not make his move permanent, so both Holgate and Maupay will be reacquainted with their old teammates.
Upon arrival at Finch Farm, everyone will undergo a series of tests and examinations as medical and fitness staff assess their health after the summer break. Last summer, these initial checks included baseline measurements for body fat and muscle mass, general medical tests, and assessments of reaction times and the condition of individual muscles and joints. Gaffer’s Day—when footballs are set aside for a day of intense physical tests set by Dyche—will come later.
Overall, the return to Finch Farm marks the beginning of a demanding pre-season aimed at ensuring the squad is in peak condition for the challenges of the upcoming season.
