Sean Dyche shares Pep Guardiola comparison in new Everton admission
Everton boss Sean Dyche has issued another plea for new signings, while admitting that the “reality of the club” makes it unlikely, comparing his situation to that of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Dyche used Guardiola as an example to show how even the best sides need reinforcements, because of how important it is to provide competition for places in the first team rather than only relying on developing the current crop of understudies.
He admitted his side needs to adopt a collective mentality of “I will score today” if they are to break their current duck while stating they have to accept the reality of the club is that they won’t just be able to spend mega fees on players.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo on 29 August, Dyche stated: “You go ‘right, two out of three when the real stuff starts and pre-season was pretty solid,’ we’ve done exactly what the team should be doing.
“So now the next part of that is go and score a goal – not just one player, everyone, the collective mentality of ‘I will score a goal today. We have to keep working at that.
“That’s just the reality of the club because the reality of spending £200million quid is obviously not there so therefore we have to work on all those things until we do score goals, unless we manage to bring other players in who can pressure on each other.
“Pep Guardiola won everything last year. Look at how many players he signed because he knows in a competition it’s important. He develops teams and players but guess what, he still brings players in even when he’s just won everything, that’s the nature of the job.”
Dyche is right, competition for places is key
The Everton boss is correct in his claims that having plenty of competition for starting places is the key to consistent performances. If a player is aware that a poor showing may see him lose his place in the side, he’ll be that much more determined to prove his worth.
Not to mention, when players do have poor performances, it is good to be able to know you can swap them for an alternative option without greatly weakening the overall quality of the side or the style of play.
Against Wolves, Dyche was forced to start youngster Lewis Dobbin, who spent last season on loan with Derby County in League One, due to the lack of depth both upfront and on the wings. While he is by no means a bad option, it shows the lack of experienced quality in the squad.
It should also be noted that the Everton squad as things stand has been hampered by injuries. Jack Harrison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi are just four of the key names missing. The side will see a notable improvement upon their return.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has shared the latest update on Che Adams.