David Unsworth reviewed how Everton’s preseason plans for children under 23 were formed through post-coronavirus pandemic cases, and revealed the positive initial impression generated through new recruit Niels Nkounkou.
The Unsworth team returned to USM Finch Farm on Monday, nearly five months after their last competitive game.
Young Blues have trained in small teams, led by Unsworth, assistant manager John Ebbrell, coach Francis Jeffers and goalkeeper coach Kevin O’Brien, but will face each other for the first time in a full team on Thursday.
The head of the U-23 says his players have shown an impressive app after returning to education “in very good condition”.
He explained how his reduced time on the education floor due to the restrictions in the position requires the consultation to be conducted at a maximum level of intensity.
“It’s a pre-season this year,” Unsworth told evertonfc.com.
“We don’t have afternoon sessions and there will be fewer pre-season friendly.
“We can exercise in the morning for a limited time.
“In the first two days we focused a lot on strategy and implementing a fundamental fitness in players as they run with the ball; everything is done with the ball.
“We tried to get a little more out of it than we normally would, because we regularly supplemented this morning consultation with an afternoon consultation and a third consultation.
“The time and part we paint with them in the morning is going to be difficult.
“We do a little bit of everything, really. We do technique, with ball, everything incorporated.
“We spent 3 wonderful days, although we were only allowed in small teams of 4 players.
“I was 4, John [Ebbrell] was 4, Franny [Jeffers] was 4 and Kev [O’Brien] took the guards
“In two pitches, we had part of one box each, so we do all our workouts in this space. And then we turn.
“We went to the level on Thursday, when the whole team can work out together.
“It will be less difficult as we go through this process, when we can make more 11v11 paintings.”
Unsworth explained how research into first-team education after his return to USM Finch Farm in May and the upcoming resumption of the Premier League gave him valuable learning experience.
“I love spending time with the first team and looking for the main points they’ve been through and the kind of education they’ve received,” he added.
“The first team temporarily returned to the paintings in 11-on-11 and on general-sized courts, rather than the usual [in a general pre-season program].
“I was able to see Carlo Ancelotti and all his staff, who are a wonderful organization of boys, and I enjoyed it.
Unsworth had the opportunity to paint with a newcomer from Everton this week, with French under-19s Nkounkou joining under-23s at USM Finch Farm.
The left-back signed for Les Bleus month from Ligue 1 Olympique de Marseille, signing a three-year contract.
Unsworth, who played a portion of his 350 senior games at Everton in Nkounkou position, said the 19-year-old had already shown his abundant promise.
“Looks like a prospect,” he said.
“He worked very, very hard the first few days.
“There are many things to paint on, but he seems like a wonderful athlete.
“I look forward to perfecting his position, it’s a position I know very well, and I look at him with tactical understanding and the needs of what is needed at the highest level.
“I think it’s anything we do very well here: show our young players what they want to be Everton players.”
Unsworth says meeting with the under-23 team and staff at Everton’s educational complex has been “brilliant,” though the physical progression of its players has taken some time to get used to.
“The boys are back in shape,” he added.
“I didn’t expect less because they were absent with all their individual programs.
“What surprises you every time young players come back this summer is the way they grow up and how they grew up.
“I haven’t noticed the maximum of them for about 4 months, but they’re all bigger than me now!
“I was inspired by the attitude and application of the players in what we have done in the last 3 days. It’s very good.”