The key hurdle that has ‘delayed’ new Everton contract talks with Sean Dyche

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Although he has his doubters, Everton’s progress under Sean Dyche’s stewardship is impossible to deny.

Having taken over after Frank Lampard’s toothless spell in charge, in which he had done little to repair the devastation caused by Rafa Benitez, the 52-year-old assumed control of a club completely devoid of any hope or unity.

He would somehow steer them to safety, albeit on the final game of the campaign, and has since transformed them over the summer.

Before their ten-point deduction, the Toffees sat in 14th, eight points clear of the drop and seemingly cruising towards a season of safety. However, they have since been plunged back into a perilous position.

Dyche will have to battle once again it seems, with his willingness to roll with the punches so admirable given how many he has taken now. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Everton are seeking to extend his contract, although have hit a major snag in doing so.

As reported by the Daily Mail, formal talks have been ‘delayed’ amid uncertainty caused by their ten-point deduction.

It is thought that, despite many seeing the former Burnley man as central to a new era at the Merseyside club, their financial woes take priority as they seek to battle a punishment that would have relegated them were it administered in either of the last two campaigns.

Has Sean Dyche improved Everton?

Although he was hardly the finest manager, comparing Everton under Lampard with the current manager is more than enough to outline just how far they have come under Dyche, who earned praise from a fellow Premier League boss earlier this week.

Having endured a horrid campaign 2022/23, they would finish just two points from 18th spot, having scored a mere 34 goals from 38 games. They could not finish, and yet lacked the solidity to still grind out results despite such profligacy.

As such, their current manager has gone about curing both of those issues, and whilst the former still lingers, they are producing results they certainly would not have under previous leadership.

To truly emphasise the progress, it is worth comparing his half of a season with Lampard’s.

The Chelsea legend had led them to safety the year prior, but was averaging just 0.75 points per game before his dismissal. Dyche would come in and raise that number to 1.17, effectively saving the club.

His importance is unquantifiable, and the progress made with him in charge stark. Tying him down must be a matter of priority, as there are few figures in the game who would have stuck by a club shrouded in such misery.