By JOE BERNSTEIN
Published: 19:21 EST, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 19:27 EST, 12 December 2024
Sean Dyche is hoping to benefit from Everton's out-of-contract stars using Saturday's big game at Arsenal as a shop window.
A dozen of Dyche's players will come to the end of their current deals at Goodison in the summer including striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and loaners Jack Harrison and Orel Mangala.
But instead of being worried by the mass uncertainty - heightened with Dan Friedkin's takeover expected before Christmas - Dyche thinks the individuals concerned will be extra fired up.
'Whether you’re in or out of contract, your aim should be to play well,' he stated.
'That shouldn’t change and you could even argue that if their contract is up, there is that extra bit of incentive.
'If your contract is up and nothing is happening or not a lot of noise about you, you need to create noise.
Sean Dyche is hoping to benefit from Everton's out-of-contract stars using Saturday's big game at Arsenal as a shop window
12 players - including Dominic Calvert-Lewin (middle) - are on expiring deals in Merseyside
'It’s not a terrible situation by any means or a questionable situation. It’s just the reality at the moment.'
Besides Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure, six other Everton players are into their final year - Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Young and goalkeepers Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic.
Jesper Lindstrom is on loan from Napoli and Armando Broja from Chelsea in addition to Harrison (Leeds) and Mangala (Lyon). Calvert-Lewin is waiting to see what happens with the takeover before deciding his next move.
Ironically, several out of contract players are more likely to leave if Friedkin comes in and wants to invest in what he believes are upgrades.
On Calvert-Lewin's future, Dyche added: 'The situation is an ongoing one. Like with most players, we will have to wait and see. He has got his things to think about, the club have.
'Obviously, possibly, new ownership [is] still not there yet, we’ll wait and see. That might play its part.
'I have been down the road many times with players and I’m sure the club have as well. We are managing the best we can and will see what comes next.'