Jesper Lindstrom may be struggling to make an attacking impact but his desire, discipline and determination has been clear in recent games
Jesper Lindstrom earned the praise of his manager after a battling defensive display that proved important in Everton’s draw with Chelsea.
The winger earned the plaudits of teammate Seamus Coleman and the Park End crowd as he twice thwarted Jadon Sancho in the final minutes at Goodison Park.
His interventions at the back were a marked contrast to his initial performances in Royal Blue, including at home to Crystal Palace when he was withdrawn at half-time with his side trailing.
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As he continues to search for his attacking form, his workrate on Sunday, and as a substitute in the draw at Arsenal eight days earlier, was key to Everton picking up valuable cleans sheets against title-challenging outfits.
His aggression and dedication has pleased Sean Dyche, who detailed his efforts to build resilience and responsibility into his players during his near-two years on Merseyside. That impact is starting to show in summer signing Lindstrom.
Dyche, speaking ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Manchester City, said: “When I got here I did say that it was about respecting the past and building for the future.
“With respect to the past, there have been teams here that gave their lot. I know that from being a youngster watching, and then during the [David] Moyes era, they always had a team that had an edge to them, a hardy edge to work for each other and for the badge and for the club.
“I’ve been trying to instill that and it is good for me to see someone as technically strong as Jesper doing a shift, doing the job that’s needed. That’s a job that he needs because he’s a technical player, he wants to try and create things and score goals and cross it and whatever, and yet he’s doing the hard yards in front of Seamus.”
Coleman was exuberant in his praise for Lindstrom as the two of them managed the dangerous Sancho at the end of the game. Both players, and Beto, had been part of a triple substitution made by Dyche midway through the second half. Lindstrom and Beto also combined in a move that almost saw Iliman Ndiaye find the breakthrough only to be denied by a superb block from Tosin Adarabioyo.
After the match, Dyche praised all three substitutions while also applauding the application of wingers Ndiaye and Jack Harrison.
He said: “We had to make a call on [Ashley] Young and it’s a tough game to go into. And I thought the three of them, Beto being a nuisance and awkward up front, Jesper doing a shift, defending properly for his teammates. And then Seamus [who came on for Young] holding the fort like he does with his understanding.
“It’s pleasing to see. Ili [Ndiaye] put in a great shift. I know he can wriggle, I know he catches the eye. I know all of that. But what about the work that fans don’t see? What about the work that we see and that your teammates see? That’s a really powerful thing in-house. It’s good to see them guys coming up and going ‘right. I’m ready to do the shift’.
“Jack Harrison has his question marks, he does an enormous shift. His tactical understanding is excellent. He’s up with the best. Put him in the number 10 and he knows the role. Put him out wide and he knows the role, without shadow of a doubt.”
