Jeff Stelling shares ‘huge’ Everton reaction live on Sky Sports amid financial developments
Jeff Stelling has praised Sean Dyche for not letting the “huge” off-field financial issues at Everton affect his team on the pitch in their fight against Premier League relegation.
The Toffees were referred to an independent commission last Friday (24 March) over an alleged breach of the Premier League’s financial fair play rules, with the investigation potentially resulting in a points deduction for the club.
Speaking live on Soccer Saturday (1 April, 1:51pm), Stelling heaped praise on Dyche for ignoring the off-field distractions at Everton in recent weeks, with the club recording an impressive three-match unbeaten run prior to the international break.
“Let’s talk a little bit about Everton, who have got huge off-field issues with charges over Profit and Sustainability,” he said.
“But it’s not affecting them on the pitch and one of the great things I like was that Sean Dyche, with the same material as previous managers, has changed things around and is getting the outcome.
“For example, he’s restored Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure to the side. And none of them were playing before he arrived.”
Stabilising
Prior to Dyche’s arrival at Goodison Park, Everton were letting their turmoil off the pitch affect their performances on it.
Toxic home encounters against the like of Southampton were full of controversy under the reign of Frank Lampard, with players looking like they were playing within their shells for the large part.
However, since Dyche took the reins in the dugout, Everton have stabilised proceedings and gone back to the basics on the pitch.
Considering the financial fair play issues that the Toffees now find themselves in, the job of Dyche is only going to get harder in the coming weeks.
Distractions don’t come much bigger than potential points deductions, and the news that the result of the investigation could be revealed before the end of the season adds an even darker cloud over the Merseyside club.
Despite facing an extremely tough game on paper against Spurs on Monday (3 April), Dyche will more than fancy his chances following the departure of Antonio Conte, and managing director Fabio Parratici stepping down from his role.