Everton boss Sean Dyche hits back at Demarai Gray after being accused of ‘not respecting him as a person’, as he claims the winger refused to train to push through a move to Al-Ettifaq
- Demarai Gray appeared to criticise Sean Dyche on social media on Sunday
- Dyche has hit back at Gray as he edges closer to a move to Al-Ettifaq
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Sean Dyche has hit back at Demarai Gray after the Everton winger aimed a swipe at him on social media ahead of his proposed move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Gray is yet to play for Everton this season and has been linked with a move to the Middle East in recent days, but took to Instagram over the weekend to hit out at the way the potential transfer was being handled.
‘Everton fans have always been great with me,’ he wrote. ‘But it’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person.’
The social media post appeared to be a clear dig at Dyche, but the Everton boss has refused to take Gray’s comments lying down, and has now questioned his conduct in trying to force through a move away from Goodison Park.
‘Demarai made it clear he thought he was getting a move (away from Everton), and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player,’ Dyche told Everton’s official website.
Demarai Gray appeared to hit out at Everton boss Sean Dyche on social media on Sunday
Gray posted on Instagram that ‘it’s so difficult to play for someone who don’t show you respect as a person’
Dyche has hit back, claiming Gray downed tools to push through a move to Saudi Arabia
‘We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club’s say so. That’s the truth of it.
‘We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them. Mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical. We look at all that for all these players and we look after them.
‘When it comes to a time like that then you go, “Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn’t want to train, you didn’t want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal”.
‘We said it’s not a done deal because this club is the most important. This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around. I think it’s right to let our fans know that’s the truth.’
Dyche’s explanation of the situation highlights his displeasure at Gray’s behaviour but the 27-year-old Jamaican international does look set to get his wish to leave the Toffees.
With the Saudi transfer window set to close on Thursday, Everton are now close to reaching an agreement with Al-Ettifaq over an £8m deal for Gray that will bring an end to his two-year stay on Merseyside.
Al-Ettifaq have already signed former Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, while they are also managed by Reds legend Steven Gerrard.
