'Until the second goal' - Sean Dyche defends Michael Keane as Everton problems build

The Everton boss has defended the performances of the England international despite some recent poor performances

14:50, 04 May 2023Updated 14:55, 04 May 2023

Keane and Dyche during the Newcastle clash (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Sean Dyche has hit back at criticism for his continued selection of defender Michael Keane - insisting he has faith in all of the players within the Everton ranks.

Keane has endured a difficult season on Merseyside, having been frozen out of the starting line-up by manager Frank Lampard prior to Dyche's arrival at Goodison Park in the final week of January.

‌

However, despite scoring a stunning last-gasp equaliser to earn a valuable point against Tottenham Hotspur last month, Keane has come in for some heavy criticism from some quarters of the fanbase - with the Blues having conceded 11 goals in their last five Premier League games.

‌

Asked about his continued selection of the 30-year-old, who he worked with during his spell as Burnley manager, Dyche insisted he has faith in all of the players he has at his disposal.

Article continues below

"I have faith in all of the players," Dyche told reporters at Finch Farm ahead of the Blues' trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday. "I can only pick 11 though.

"At the end of the day, the ups and downs of a footballer, the ups and downs of a team, the ups and downs of careers all go into the melting pot. These are things players have to work through and have to handle; good, bad and indifferent.

"I mean a lot of noise grew after the Newcastle game, but I thought he was probably our best player until the second goal. So that's how it can change very quickly.

‌

"He's a very good player - amongst many good players here. Sorting the best 11 at any given time, form-related, to go and perform is the key to it. That's what we're looking to do.

Dyche was then asked about Conor Coady's continued omission from the starting line-up, with the 30-year-old England international having started just one of the Blues' last 11 Premier League fixtures.

"All the players need to keep doing what they're doing until we pick them and I make that clear to them," added Dyche. "You can only pick 11 players. Everyone has got to stay fit, everyone has to stay sharp and everyone has to stay committed to the cause.

Article continues below

"That's what we're looking to do until the team has to change, or does change."

READ NEXT