Everton delay decision on England defender Conor Coady and others – with boss Sean Dyche keen to secure Premier League status before committing on players’ futures
Everton are putting long-term decisions on England defender Conor Coady and other players on hold until it becomes clearer what division they will be in next season.
Coady, part of Gareth Southgate’s squad at the World Cup, joined Everton on loan from Wolves at the start of the season with a view to turning it into a £5million permanent move.
But since then Sean Dyche has replaced Frank Lampard as manager and recently Everton were charged with an alleged breach of Premier League financial fairplay rules.
The Merseysiders face Tottenham on Monday night with their top-flight status in jeopardy and Dyche says climbing to safety has to be the priority.
The former Burnley boss also stressed Coady has been a model professional despite being replaced in the starting line-up by Michael Keane.
Everton are putting long-term decisions on England defender Conor Coady and others on hold
Coady is on loan from Wolves and the club have a £5million option to buy him this summer
But the centre half has recently lost his place in the Toffees starting line-up to Michael Keane
Sean Dyche is putting decisions on hold until it is clear what division they will be in next season
‘Apart from the contract situations that were already in progress, like Jordan Pickford, the other ones there is a sense of ‘let’s get the job done first’.
‘The players are aware in due course we will have chats with them,’ said Dyche.
‘Conor has been terrific. He is a top professional. Everyone will tell you he and Seamus (Coleman) were like that from a very young age and he has shown it by the way he’s dealt with coming out the side and getting on with his business.
‘We will take it (his future) on in due course. The main priority (now) is obviously to do with the team. Planning and preparation for the future is important but there are certain things that need to happen quicker, concentrating on the pitch and getting points on the board.’
Dyche also admitted it can’t be assumed every player will want to stay at Goodison Park if the team go down.
‘People sometimes think it’s directional from a club or a manager. It’s not always like that. Players want to know what is going on regarding how they are looked after, staying in the Premier League and all these things,’ he explained.
‘I can talk about what we do but they might see it differently. It is always a two-way situation.
‘Sometimes three or four ways with the amount of agents involved nowadays!’
