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Sean Dyche shares what he said to Michael Keane before Everton clash v Arsenal
Sean Dyche has shared that he spoke to Everton defender Michael Keane before their Premier League clash against Arsenal, a game they won 1-0 on Saturday (4 February).
Keane, 30, has hardly played for the Toffees this season, and he was linked with an exit in January as well. Dyche has hailed him as a “terrific” player and revealed that he told him that the defender is not in proper physical shape at the moment, but the club will work on it.
The former Burnley defender has managed just one appearance in the Premier League this season, and he was frozen out by Frank Lampard.
“There are a few players I have spoken to, there are a few players horse whispering as I call it,” said Dyche, as quoted by Liverpool Echo.
“I spoke to Michael Keane before the Arsenal game, a player I think is a terrific player, and said I don’t think you are there yet physically, we will get you there because I believe he is a very, very good player.”
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Keane joined the Toffees in 2017 and has made over 185 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
He made 38 appearances in all competitions last season, and it came as a big surprise that Lampard chose to completely ignore him this season.
The former Toffees boss signed James Tarkowski and Conor Coady to the ranks and both proved to be quality additions. However, he failed to get rid of Yerry Mina, and as a result, the Toffees are left with a plethora of centre-backs at the moment.
Keane has got loads of Premier League experience and he is a very good defender. On his day, he can be as good as anybody, but he lacks concentration at times and is very inconsistent.
At his age, it’s hard to cure that problem, and Everton will have to deal with it. He can still be a squad player for the club, and make valuable contributions.
It’s clear he is in Dyche’s plans, and let’s hope he can make important contributions this season as the club to avoid relegation.