Sean Dyche ‘keeps it real’ as Everton spurn overseas tours for closer tests
While 10 Premier League clubs have toured the US in pre-season, the Merseysiders have stayed much closer to home
Ten Premier League clubs have chased the dollar this summer and included the US on their pre-season schedule. Three have headed east to Japan and, in Tottenham’s case, also to South Korea to satisfy demand to see Son Heung-min in the flesh. Six are utilising the altitude and training camps of Europe for their preparations, which leaves one doing it differently. Or, as Sean Dyche would put it, keeping things real.
Coventry’s Building Society Arena was the latest stop on Everton’s pre-season “tour” on Tuesday night, where Dyche’s team toiled badly in a 3-0 loss to the Championship club. It is three games without a win against lower league sides so far this summer. Their programme commenced with a 3-3 draw at Sligo Rovers that, after a training camp just outside Dublin, was primarily held to celebrate the career of Séamus Coleman – who cost £60,000 in 2009 – and raise funds for the full-back’s former club.
