Joe Thomas: Dyche maybe making 'Statement' with Everton v Roma XI decision

Sean Dyche may have been making a “statement” to Iliman Ndiaye by only naming him among the substitutes for the friendly fixture between Everton and Roma, Joe Thomas has said.

The journalist was commenting on the decision for the Liverpool Echo’s live blog for the clash at Goodison Park on Saturday (10 August).

Ndiaye has featured heavily in pre-season for the Toffees since joining from Marseille but Abdoulaye Doucoure was selected to play off lone striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Reacting to the team news, Thomas wrote: “Doucoure gets the nod over Harrison and Ndiaye, who during pre-season have each played in the support striker role Doucoure has made his own under Dyche.

“That may be a defensive move, with Doucoure offering more support to Iroegbunam and Gueye behind him, or it may be a statement to Ndiaye to say he needs to earn his place.”

Ndiaye has to work hard to earn Everton place under Dyche

Sean Dyche is a creature of familiarity and if you play well for the boss then he will always reward you.

And that is certainly the case with attacking midfielder Doucoure, who has been one of the best performers of the Dyche era at Goodison Park.

So, it stands to reason that if he is fit and available then he is going to be a starter. It doesn’t mean that Ndiaye will be a perennial bench warm, though.

It just means that the former Sheffield United forward might have to show a bit of patience, might have to take his opportunities to impress off the bench initially, and just bide his time.

Or maybe Dyche is just taking a look at a few different options in pre-season, let’s be honest only the boss himself knows the answer to that.

But either way, it is good to have these options, and hopefully before the end of August Dyche will have even more headaches to contend with.

In other Everton news, the Toffees are ready to give up one deal as they want a transfer now.

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