Everton boss Sean Dyche has explained why he has selected Ellis Simms over Neal Maupay for tonight’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool.
Simms has been selected to lead the line against the Reds after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out of the game due to injury. Dyche had revealed on Friday that the forward was touch and go to feature at Anfield.
Simms will be making only his second Premier League start for the Blues, after featuring twice since he returned from a successful loan spell at Sunderland last month. And speaking ahead of the match, Dyche revealed the call to start the 22-year-old over Maupay was a tight one to make.
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“Ellis has got a physical presence and good energy to his game,” the Blues boss told Sky Sports ahead of the game. “Neal, it’s a tight decision, Neal’s slightly more experienced, we know that, but see how he fares. Young lad, great occasion for him and go out there and play with freedom.”
Speaking of his first two weeks at the club, Dyche said: “I’ve been very pleased with them. I spoke to them about the big brother cameras being on us if you like, we’ve got to make sure that consistent feel, the energy, the desire to get to what we’re doing, that’s got to stay.
“They’ve been terrific. Very receptive, very open with me and that’s important, we’ve built an honest communication about them, what they feel like going forwards, and so far it’s been very good.”
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