Everton: What to expect on the first day of pre-season training

Everton are back at Finch Farm for pre-season training, but what will they be doing and which players will be in attendance?

It really does feel like Everton only just completed their 2016/17 campaign. And yet here they are again, returning for the first day of pre-season training.

With all the transfer activity and talks the Blues have been involved in recently, the excitement is already close to a frenzy among Evertonians. Returning for the pre-season will only increase the anticipation.

So what can the players expect on their first day back at Finch Farm? First things first, they must undergo a series of tests, designed to get an idea of their respective fitness levels.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo‘s Phil Kirkbride, the tests will be performed by fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg and the sport science team. Once this has been completed, the players will join manager Ronald Koeman, for their first full training session.

The question is, who will be present at Everton’s training complex on Monday? There will actually be quite a few players missing, but this should be seen as a good sign.

That’s because the absentees will consists of those who took part in the under-21s European Championships, under-20s World Cup, senior-level World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies.

Here is the full list of players expected at Finch Farm on Monday:

GK. Joel Robles
MF. Morgan Schneiderlin
DF. Leighton Baines
DF. Phil Jagielka
MF. Ross Barkley
FW. Kevin Mirallas
MF. James McCarthy
MF. Gareth Barry
MF. Muhamed Besic
FW. Shani Tarashaj
DF. Ramiro Funes Mori
MF. Tom Davies
DF. Tyias Browning
DF. Brendan Galloway
DF. Matthew Pennington
DF. Luke Garbutt
FW. Oumar Niasse

They will be joined by Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie, who are both still recovering from injury. Everton and their fans will be hoping Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane are also in attendance on Monday.

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Ramirez is expected to be officially announced as the Blues’ latest signing. Meanwhile, as reported by the BBC Sport‘s Phil McNulty, Keane should be attending to undergo his medical and complete the formalities of his move.

The rest of the players — including new signings Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen — are expected to return some time next week ahead of the trip to Tanzania, to play Gor Mahia FC on July 13. The squad will then head to Holland to continue training camp and prepare for their next friendly, versus FC Twente on July 19.

Everton will complete their friendly schedule with matches against KRC Genk and Sevilla. Then, the countdown will be on to their opening Premier League fixture on August 12, at home to Stoke City.

Next: Sandro Ramirez has a lot to live up to

Which player or players are you most intrigued about, heading into pre-season training? Further, how much stock do you put into how the squad performs during friendly games, ahead of the new season? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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