Sean Dyche has hit back at Demarai Gray in Everton’s latest stand-off.
The Everton winger took a swipe at his manager on social media by claiming it is difficult to play for ‘someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person’.
Gray’s comments emerged as he continued to attract interest from Al Ettifaq, who are pushing for a transfer before Thursday’s Saudi Pro League deadline.
But Dyche addressed the Jamaica international’s thinly-veiled remarks by revealing the current state of play around the player’s Goodison Park future.
He said: “It’s an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house. I think on this occasion, it’s right to reply.
“Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move [away], and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player.
“We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club’s say so. That’s the truth of it.
“We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them.
“Mental [health] and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical. We look at all of that for all these players, and we look after them.
“When it comes to a time like that, then you go, ‘Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn’t want to train, you didn’t want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal’.
“We said it’s not a done deal because this club is the most important. This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around.
“I think it’s right to let our fans know that’s the truth.”