£10m player who Everton sold last year says Sean Dyche froze him out and he had to leave

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Everton have been forced to sell plenty of players in recent years, in a desperate scramble to adhere to PSR.

Having just suffered through the most recent Premier League season, it’s fair to say that they were too little too late.

Two points deductions in just one campaign made for a really worrying year for the fanbase, but Sean Dyche was masterful in seeing them through such a tough spell.

His methods might not please everyone, but they have been mightily effective.

Although, they did leave one former player feeling rather frustrated and with no other choice but to leave.

Demarai Gray opens up on Everton exit

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Demarai Gray has opened up on his Everton exit, just shy of a year after he departed in September 2023.

The Jamaica international was rather coy upon first explaining his departure back then, but with time comes comfort, and the ability for him to open up about his experiences.

And, it does not make for great viewing for Dyche, who is accused of freezing the 28-year-old out in an effort to get him to move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq for £10m.

Gray revealed: ‘It was a difficult decision, but I had to leave Everton. I was totally out of the picture. There was strong interest from Fulham, but it didn’t quite happen. 

‘Then I got a call from Jordan Henderson, had a nice conversation with the gaffer, Steven Gerrard, and thought: ‘I’m 27 and I’ve experienced two relegation battles, won the Premier League title and played in Germany. I have one career, so let’s see what this is saying.’ It was a decent deal and the club sold me their ambitions. 

‘So far, they’ve stuck to everything they said they’ll do. The speed and dedication the club has put into trying to make the facilities elite is ridiculous.’

Sean Dyche takes no prisoners

It has taken no time at all for Everton, players and fans, to realise that Dyche takes no prisoners.

The former Burnley boss joined during a period of real peril at Goodison Park, yet stabilised the ship and was uncompromising in his approach.

Instantly, he got the players in line, forcing them to undergo rigorous fitness training to get them up to the requisite standards to play his system.

And if players didn’t fit in, or weren’t fit enough, they simply did not play.

Neal Maupay has just given an update on his Everton future, and was one example of someone who fell foul of this regime.

Gray was clearly another, and whilst clearly talented, his work rate was not nearly as relentless as Dwight McNeil or Jack Harrison’s are today.

The philosophy is far more structured and successful nowadays, and that is because of this no-nonsense approach from the manager.

It may upset some, but long may it continue.