Sean Dyche attributes Andros Townsend’s departure to Everton’s financial exit.

Andros Townsend, 32, signed with Luton on a free transfer in October and is showing he still has what it takes to compete in the Premier League as he makes his FA Cup return to Goodison Park on Saturday.

Sean Dyche says Everton’s financial woes prevented him from extending a contract to Andros Townsend.

When Dyche took over a year ago, he was instructed to reduce Everton’s pay cost. Dyche claims he was unable to provide Townsend with fresh terms while he was still recovering from a catastrophic knee injury.

Townsend, 32, returned to Goodison Park for the FA Cup today, showing that he still has what it takes to play in the top division. Townsend signed with Luton on a free transfer in October.

“He had worked so hard to overcome that and had taken excellent care of himself,” the Everton manager added. “He was coming off such a long-term injury.”

However, it was a difficult scenario to go on a maybe when we were attempting to acquire a definite. You are aware that the players on this team have solid contracts, so it was clear that in order to attempt and undermine everything, we would need to lose guys.

He wasn’t really available to us, wasn’t fully fit, and hadn’t really played the full amount of minutes on the field due to circumstances beyond his control.

Nevertheless, he was a terrific guy, very skilled, and a pleasure to work with. We had several wonderful conversations regarding his thoughts on the organization and what he thought was necessary. I respect him for his honesty and forthrightness, which went beyond his personal circumstances.

Following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in March 2022, Townsend is now lighting up the Premier League stage with the Hatters, and Dyche is overjoyed about it.

“I’m very happy for Andros,” he remarked. He had a lot going through, and I got along well with him. We endeavored to cultivate a mutual respect for his injuries and circumstances, and I believe he sensed our presence. He had the perfect attitude toward the club and us. I’m happy that he has a second opportunity and that things are going well.

After outlasting both Frank Lampard and Rafa Benitez, Dyche celebrates his first year in charge on Tuesday. He says he will always remember Everton’s thrilling victory over Bournemouth on the final day of the season, which sealed Premier League survival.