Spirits were high as most of Everton’s first team returned to Finch Farm this week. The players shared stories of their summer breaks as they gathered at the training base to undergo a series of condition tests before work towards next season begins.
Jarrad Branthwaite Back on the Pitch
One of the big highlights was the sight of Jarrad Branthwaite out running on the pitches after his season ended on a stretcher during the Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson. The centre-back's return from a hamstring injury marks a positive start to pre-season for Everton.
Hayden Hackney’s First Day in His New Job
The big change was the new addition to the Everton squad. Hayden Hackney was present for his first day of work at Finch Farm following his move from Middlesbrough in an initial £16.5m deal. The Championship player of the year is one of three signings already confirmed for David Moyes this summer, but is the first new face given Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl spent portions of last season on loan with the Blues.
Can Tyrique George Spark a Tyler Dibling Breakthrough?
George’s move in an initial £18m deal was confirmed at the start of the week, marking his return to the club he ended last season with. His spell earlier this year was not the most fruitful, featuring just one start and no goals or assists. Those who watched him saw how close he came to a defining role in Everton’s push for Europe though - his problem was not creating chances but in his teammates’ struggles to finish them. George also impressed behind-the-scenes at a club where he settled in quickly. One of the hopes for him this summer is that he can not only grow into an influential Everton player but that he can also help his friend Tyler Dibling emerge after a tough first season at the club. The two know each other well from the England youth ranks and were captured back together on Friday. That reunion continued online, with Dibling one of the first to comment on George’s Instagram post celebrating his move to Everton, simply posting: “My boy.”
David Moyes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the Same Page
Another special relationship rekindled in Halewood was that of Moyes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Dewsbury-Hall was a high profile signing last summer and central to Everton’s growth in potential last year. The former Chelsea man emerged as a talisman for players and supporters and provided eight Premier League goals despite a lengthy lay-off with a hamstring issue over Christmas and new year, the highlight being his match-winner in the battling success at Manchester United. Moyes waxed lyrical about Dewsbury-Hall at every opportunity after quickly coming to trust him. He’ll need the 27-year-old’s quality again this season and the pair were engaged in several little chats around the fringes of Friday’s return. That was not the only link up between the players and the coaching staff, with Merlin Rohl and Leighton Baines - now friends away from Finch Farm - embracing in the canteen.
Finch Farm’s Most Popular?
Beto is gearing up for another season in Royal Blue after ending last year well. The striker struggled for the first half of the campaign but then hit form towards the end of winter, a goal-scoring streak that took him to nine in the league beginning with a late equaliser at Brighton. His work rate has never been in question, even in the tougher times and his personality is often highly spoken about. Beto made his arrival at Finch Farm an occasion on Friday - everyone got a big hug, from teammates to the support staff. Also popular was a player who, like Dibling, faces an intriguing summer at Everton. One of the youngest players in the squad, Adam Aznou was the only senior outfield player not to see a minute of Premier League action last season. That backdrop to the summer suggests he may well be a candidate for a loan move, but he was a popular returnee to the training ground judging by his reception.
A Debut for the New Training Gear
The return to Finch Farm represented the first outing of the new trainingwear collection, one sponsored by watchmaker Christopher Ward. That deal, the latest between the club and the organisation, was announced earlier this week and the players were greeted with their new-look and newly-sponsored gear as they reported for duty.
