Tim Iroegbunam has impressed Everton’s coaching staff in the opening weeks of his Everton career. The midfielder was signed from Aston Villa in June, the 20-year-old a relatively unknown player – albeit one who had received plaudits from high profile former managers Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery.
The player acknowledged he was yet to make a name for himself when he sat down with the ECHO during Everton’s pre-season training camp in Ireland – adding he saw this as the opportunity to do so. That plan has started well with the youngster making a solid case for involvement when the Premier League campaign gets underway.
Iroegbunam has been involved in all four of Everton’s friendlies this summer and was one of few players to emerge from the heavy defeat at Coventry City with credit. He received further good reviews after starting the 3-0 win over Preston North End.
After that win at Deepdale, Dyche stressed the importance of being patient as he continues his progress but said of the first of Everton’s five summer signings: “He is doing well, he has adapted quickly to what we expect and his body is changing to the demands we put on him physically. I spoke to him about that when he got here and I think he is enjoying it. He has worked very hard the last two games. I thought he played very well, it was a tough performance the other night (against Coventry) but I thought he played well and stuck to task. [Against Preston] he played well as well.”
Whether Iroegbunam is in contention to start when Everton begin their Premier League campaign at home to Brighton and Hove Albion will largely be dependent on the condition of his teammates. Idrissa Gueye started at Preston but both Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner were absent with injury concerns. Gueye returned after having also been absent for part of pre-season. Should any of those injury issues persist it could open the door for Iroegbunam, with Everton having already sold fellow centre midfielder Amadou Onana and allowed Andre Gomes to depart when his contract expired. Of his chances of a starting place when the campaign kicks off, Dyche said: “We will see. We have brought him here to find out about him and learn about him and he is certainly giving a good account of himself at the moment.”
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