'You're nervous...' - Everton ace makes 'Brutal' Sean Dyche pre-season admission

Tim Iroegbunam admitted his Everton pre-season was “brutal” under manager Sean Dyche.

The Toffees midfielder told the Liverpool Echo (11 September) that he was “nervous” for pre-season as he was aware the Toffees boss would demand a lot from the players.

Iroegbunam has earned plaudits for the way he has started life at Everton since joining from Aston Villa, even though the club are yet to earn a point in the Premier League from three matches.

Talking to news outlet, he said: “The pre-season was the hardest but best one I’ve done. I could see myself that I was getting better fitness-wise and that helped me transfer into the Premier League game because you’ve got to be fit.

“It was brutal to be fair. You hear everyone talking about ‘Gaffer’s Day, Gaffer’s Day’, but you don’t know when it’s going to come so you’re nervous.

“Once you’ve got it out of the way it’s done but there are good reasons behind it, and it benefits you. It’s also a mental exercise because it’s about pushing yourself to the limit.”

Can Iroegbunam be the Onana replacement Everton need?

The 21-year-old arrived at Goodison Park in the summer, signing from Aston Villa for a £9 million fee, according to Transfermarkt.

Leaving the club in the other direction was Amadou Onana, who cost Villa £50million, with both players occupying the same position, the two will be facing their old clubs this weekend.

Capped in the England U20s side, the midfielder has already provided an assist in his first four domestic matches on Merseyside, albeit against League Two opposition.

In Onana’s two seasons at the Toffees, the Belgian managed four goals and three assists, meaning the new Everton ace is a third of his way to succeeding his predecessor in assists.

It’s been a poor start to the Premier League season for the Blue side of Merseyside, with pressure already on the Everton boss, and Iroegbunam will be desperate to impress if he is to help his club retain their top-flight status this term.

In other Everton news, Everton takeover talks continue to blossom.

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