Demarai Gray is keen to leave Everton (Picture: Getty Images)
Sean Dyche has spoken out on Demarai Gray’s attempts to push through a move away from Everton this summer, making it clear to the forward that he cannot just do whatever he wants.
Gray was a key figure for the Toffees last season, making 33 Premier League appearances, but he is yet to play at all during this campaign.
The 27-year-old has been linked with Premier League clubs, teams across Europe and a big-money switch to Saudi Arabia, which he was keen to make the most of.
Posting on Instagram, Gray wrote: ‘Everton fans have always been great with me. But it’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person.’
Dyche has made a blistering response, though, revealing that Gray refused to train and informed the Everton hierarchy that he had secured a deal elsewhere, which ruffled a few feathers to say the least.
Speaking to EvertonTV, Dyche said: ‘It’s an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house. I think on this occasion, it’s right to reply.
‘Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move [away from Everton], and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player.
‘We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club’s say so. That’s the truth of it.
‘We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them. Mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical. We look at all of that for all these players, and we look after them.
‘When it comes to a time like that, then you go, “Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn’t want to train, you didn’t want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal”.
‘We said it’s not a done deal because this club is the most important. This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around. I think it’s right to let our fans know that’s the truth.’
Sean Dyche is winless in four Premier League games at the start of the season (Picture: Getty Images)
Dyche continued, explaining that he knows he has work to do at Everton to prove himself and the club is the most important thing, more so than anyone employed at Goodison Park.
‘The one thing I know for sure, is I need to earn my spurs here,’ he said. ‘We all took a step forward with getting it over the line last season. This season I’m still earning my spurs. We haven’t got a win yet. I think we’ve played well but we haven’t got a win. There’s always question marks.
‘But one thing I know from a lifetime in football is that I’m a custodian. While I’m a manager I’m a custodian. So while I’m here, the badge, the people and the club will always be above everyone.
‘Players, staff, myself. The badge, the people and the club will always be above everyone. So that’s why I just have to just make sure we’re clear on this point.’
MORE : Everton fan working on new stadium ‘died after getting head caught in machinery’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.