Phil Jagielka believes Everton’s pre-season timetable will serve as perfect preparation for the new Premier League campaign.
The Blues report back to Finch Farm next Monday and will play seven matches before opening up against Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday 8 August.
Jagielka is particularly looking forward to the trip to the Barclays Asia Trophy, where Everton will play Stoke City and either Arsenal or a Singapore Select XI.
The potential for two ‘all-Premier League’ fixtures in Singapore will also aid the players’ conditioning, according to the captain.
Jagielka told evertontv: “I’m sure they won’t be the intensity of a Premier League game, with substitutions and things like that, but it will be nice to play some good opposition.
“The conditions will be tough but that’s what you want in pre-season - I’m not sure exactly how the manager is going to play the games.
“Two games is nice and we will be over there for a week. Hopefully we will get plenty out of it fitness-wise.
“Then we have got a nice little trip up to Scotland, so pre-season looks good. We just need to make sure everybody stays fit and healthy, and gives the manager a headache when it comes to picking that team against Watford.”
Jagielka will link-up with his teammates on day one of pre-season, unlike last year when he was allowed extra time off following his involvement with England at the World Cup.
“It was tough last season with players coming back at different times,” added the centre-back. “When you were speaking to some of the lads, some were joining up for the friendly in Thailand and others were coming back later.
“It was disruptive last year so it’s always nice that everyone is back at once and all of us will travel together. The travelling will be long but everyone is good friends in and around the squad so it will be nice to bond that way.
“It will bring us together early on in pre-season because it is a tough time physically. It’s nice that everyone will be together at the same time and it doesn’t feel like anyone is missing out on doing the hard work, so I’m sure that’s why the manager wants us all in at the same time.”
The Blues report back to Finch Farm next Monday and will play seven matches before opening up against Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday 8 August.
Jagielka is particularly looking forward to the trip to the Barclays Asia Trophy, where Everton will play Stoke City and either Arsenal or a Singapore Select XI.
The potential for two ‘all-Premier League’ fixtures in Singapore will also aid the players’ conditioning, according to the captain.
Jagielka told evertontv: “I’m sure they won’t be the intensity of a Premier League game, with substitutions and things like that, but it will be nice to play some good opposition.
“The conditions will be tough but that’s what you want in pre-season - I’m not sure exactly how the manager is going to play the games.
“Two games is nice and we will be over there for a week. Hopefully we will get plenty out of it fitness-wise.
“Then we have got a nice little trip up to Scotland, so pre-season looks good. We just need to make sure everybody stays fit and healthy, and gives the manager a headache when it comes to picking that team against Watford.”
Jagielka will link-up with his teammates on day one of pre-season, unlike last year when he was allowed extra time off following his involvement with England at the World Cup.
“It was tough last season with players coming back at different times,” added the centre-back. “When you were speaking to some of the lads, some were joining up for the friendly in Thailand and others were coming back later.
“It was disruptive last year so it’s always nice that everyone is back at once and all of us will travel together. The travelling will be long but everyone is good friends in and around the squad so it will be nice to bond that way.
“It will bring us together early on in pre-season because it is a tough time physically. It’s nice that everyone will be together at the same time and it doesn’t feel like anyone is missing out on doing the hard work, so I’m sure that’s why the manager wants us all in at the same time.”
