Koeman: Players Will Return Refreshed

Ronald Koeman says his pre-season plans are helped by there not being a major senior international tournament this summer.

The Blues manager will have the vast majority of his players reporting back for training at the start of July - a contrast to last year when commitments at the European Championships and Copa America delayed the return of several members of his first-team squad.

The likes of Ramiro Funes Mori, Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley were all given an extended break and, in some cases, began pre-season training with the Blues just a fortnight before Premier League action commenced.

But after six weeks of rest this summer, Koeman expects his squad to reconvene at Finch Farm on July 3, ready and refreshed.

Everton’s first confirmed friendly of the summer is in Tanzania against Gor Mahia on Thursday 13 July.

It is set to be a busy month of preparation for the new season, with the Toffees also set to play Europa League qualifiers on 27 July and 3 August.

“Most of the players will get a good holiday,” said Koeman.

“Of course, we know the international players continued playing until the 12 or 13 June but they will have at least three-and-a-half weeks of holiday. That’s really good because they need it.

“Only Mason Holgate is away with England Under-21s [at the European Championships].

“The five players at Under-20s World Cup came back at the beginning of June, which means they will get a good rest and come back [for training] with good fitness.”

Everton