Sylvain Distin is feeling the new season excitement – and he predicts a bright future at Goodison Park following the off-the-field business conducted by the Club this summer.
The Blues begin the campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
It will be the first competitive game since manager Roberto Martinez, Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert, Ross Barkley and John Stones all signed new long-term contracts with the Blues.
The close-season has also seen Everton recruit Gareth Barry and Muhamed Besic, as well as smashing the Club record transfer fee to land last season’s on-loan hero Romelu Lukaku.
“We are excited to start the games,” Distin told evertontv. “Pre-season is not the most enjoyable moment in a football career, so we are ready to start.
“The team is a little bit young and lacks a little bit of experience in some positions but long-term it is going to be great for the Club.
“I won’t be here forever and you want to see the Club heading in the right direction and with the players who have signed long-term contracts – Ross, Romelu and Stonesy - and the age they are, the Club is going to have a great future.
“For me, it’s not just how well you play on the pitch, it’s the personality off it. I live with these players every day and they are good guys, which is really important.”
Distin is about to begin his 14th season in the Premier League and his sixth at Everton.
The defender has spent longer with the Toffees than any of his other three English clubs – Newcastle United, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
And he believes the camaraderie around Finch Farm remains as strong as he has known in the time since he joined from the latter in 2009.
“In terms of passion and commitment, it is exactly the same,” Distin declared. “We’ve got a great dressing room with a great mentality and attitude.
“It has felt like home since the first second I was here. It helped that I came back to an area I knew – I had played for Manchester City as well – and a few players around here.
The dressing room is so easy to fit into and the guys like Ossie, Hibbo and Bainesy – I could name them all! – make it easy for any player. That helps to feels comfortable.
“I do feel at home here, feel comfortable and it’s not a place which I will look forward to leaving.”
Distin is feeling in good physical shape ahead of the big kick-off at the King Power Stadium, though he admits he has had to put in the hard yards over the last five weeks to ensure he is ready for the demands of another season.
“I’m getting older and there is no magic – you have to work hard to keep up with the youngsters,” added the veteran centre-half.
“The players now are a lot more physically stronger and faster. Technically as well, we have some amazing players and young talents [in the Premier League] so it is getting tougher.”
Video interview:
www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2014/08/12/distin-eager-for-kick-off
