Everton manager David Moyes answered questions on summer transfer plans plus the futures of Jack Grealish and Idrissa Gueye in his pre-match press conference for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace
Everton manager David Moyes speaks to the media
Everton manager David Moyes speaks to the media
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Everton manager David Moyes has spoken about his summer recruitment plans and the futures of both Jack Grealish and Idrissa Gueye ahead of Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
The Blues go into the fixture in 10th place in the Premier League table, but they are just two points adrift of eighth spot, which could potentially bring Conference League football, and a further point off seventh, which could also bring Conference League qualification or even Europa League depending on results elsewhere. Sixth, meanwhile, could potentially even be enough to secure a Champions League berth.
After winning the FA Cup last season – the first major trophy in their history – Crystal Palace have been playing in the Conference League this term and have reached the final after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk in Thursday’s semi-final second leg at Selhurst Park.
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Asked whether the outcome of Everton’s final three games of the season could affect how he recruits this summer, Moyes said: “No, I don’t think so. I think I’m pretty set in my mind over what I’d like to do and what we should be doing.
“Obviously, if things went our way and we found ourselves with more games like Crystal Palace have had all year then we might need to think slightly different, but I don’t think so.
“I think the one thing you do want when you do get into situations is that you really need young players who you can go to and have on the bench and in some games bring them through.
“We probably don’t quite have that yet coming through enough. It’s something that we have to try and rebuild again.”
One player the ECHO understands there is an appetite to bring back next season is Jack Grealish currently on loan from Manchester City.
But Moyes insisted those talks are for another day despite the 30-year-old’s popularity at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He said: “There are no talks at the moment because we’re waiting to see but his foot is improving greatly. He’s out now of the boot that he’s been wearing and he’s doing a lot more training.
“There’s no further news on Jack at the moment, but I think everybody knows Jack – he’s loved wherever he goes and he’s certainly loved here.”
Moyes confirmed that Tim Iroegbunam went off in stoppage time against Manchester City with cramp but having taken the place of Idrissa Gueye in central midfield for the game, he insisted the Senegal international is still definitely out for the visit to Selhurst Park.
Moyes said: “He’s fine. He’s not training yet but he’s fine, it’s not a serious injury, so we hope he’ll be back soon.”
Gueye, who turns 37 in September, signed a one-year contract with Everton last summer with an option for a further 12 months but his boss remained tight-lipped on the player’s future.
Moyes said: “We’re not really discussing too much at the moment regarding any of the players’ contracts. We’ve been tending to do our work behind the scenes quite quietly and nudge things along and when we’ve got something to tell you, we’ll certainly let you know.”