Leon Osman back in early for training

, Liverpool Echo , 4 July, 20comments | Jump to most recent

Stepping up the pace for his Testimonial

Leon Osman knows a gruelling pre-season programme is essential if he is to play a major role for Everton FC this term. The 33-year-old midfielder featured in all 38 Premier League games for the Blues in the last campaign and has kick-started his fitness regime early.

Everton are not due back at Finch Farm until late next week but Osman, who will enjoy a testimonial match against FC Porto in pre-season, has been working with the Blues coaches already.

Osman admits to disliking the rigours of the summer regime but knows that, if he is last the pace this term, then he needs to get his body back in fighting shape.

Roberto Martinez will take the Blues to Austria on a training camp at the end of next week as their preparations are ramped up with Osman ready to grit his teeth.

“I don't think you ever look forward to coming back for pre-season,” Osman said, “You might miss football but you just want the season to get up and running.

“Pre-season is a difficult time but it's important to get through, to get your body through the five or six weeks and condition yourself for what's ahead. You have to spend the first couple of weeks of summer not doing much, you have to let the body calm down, relax and rejuvenate. After that, you start to tick over gradually.

“We've probably had a longer summer than in previous years, so it's important you don't let stiffness build up and you keep ticking over. Now you get close to a return to training you have got to start stepping it up.”

Osman admits Roberto Martinez could spring a few surprises this summer: “Who is to say the manager won't change it all this year?” Osman said, “He may change things this year and throw me off guard.”

Read the full article at Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (20)

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Sam Morrison
1 Posted 04/07/2014 at 18:54:34

He has plenty of critics on here but played a big role in a very good season and is obviously not resting on his laurels.

Keith Glazzard
2 Posted 04/07/2014 at 19:04:22

Life begins at 33. Have a great season Ozzie.

Mark Tanton
3 Posted 04/07/2014 at 19:13:28

Who's going to be the first to say the words 'new signing'?

Duncan McDine
4 Posted 04/07/2014 at 19:15:52

That prize goes to you, Mark... not one to be proud of I'm afraid, but I'm glad to see Ossie's commitment is still unquestionable. I for one love the wee lightbulb-headed fella.

Paul Andrews
5 Posted 04/07/2014 at 19:34:27

Typical of the player.

100% Blue

Patrick Murphy
6 Posted 04/07/2014 at 19:42:12

Roberto - "Hi Ossie - any sign of activity at Finch Farm?"

Ossie - "Errrr ! No Boss! apart from the mower man replacing the blades and throwing out the old ones."

Roberto "Are you sure Ossie - you're eyes aren't quite as good as they were a few years ago you know."

Ossie - "Errr! Well there is a strange vehicle in the car-park boss!"

Roberto impatiently "Well check it out man - find out who it belongs to"

Ossie after a few minutes delay "Boss I've checked it out - its some bearded Scottish bloke who stinks a bit - said he was supposed to start a new job but got let down and had parked up to have a bit of a think about his future - looks to me like he's been there for days - I'm sure I've seen him before but I can't for the life of me think where."

Roberto "OK Ossie but if he's still there tomorrow call security - I'll call back tomorrow to check up on stuff."

Mike Gaynes
7 Posted 04/07/2014 at 20:56:01

Way to go, Ossie. We old guys have to work out extra hard to keep up with those young guns.

And speaking of guns, hit that gym a little extra hard!

Stephen Grady
8 Posted 04/07/2014 at 22:08:51

Great that he is going to put in the extra! He will be a key player, especially in the Europa League. I can see him captaining that side.

Although he probably won't be a regular starter in the Premier League, we need the lads who know the place and what the club means and stands for!

It would be nice if a signing or four joined him for preseason though...

Jay Richo
10 Posted 05/07/2014 at 07:17:09

Get in the weights room, Leon; it would be nice to see you start pushing/leaning back with opponents.

David Harrison
11 Posted 05/07/2014 at 08:15:37

Stephen, you have just nailed the dilemma of the Europa League. If Ossie should be captain then we're obviously not in it to win it so what's the point. On the other hand, we could play a full strength team & go for it but that might mean us dropping a couple of places in the Prem, which financially probably doesn't make sense.

It is a huge sand trap for those with the temerity to challenge for a Champions League spot

Tony Abrahams
12 Posted 05/07/2014 at 10:19:15

I think all players need to keep in shape this day and age because the game is now played mostly by athletes. Leon unfortunately is not an athlete but, on his day, heÂ’s a very good footballer.

I thought he took a while to get going last season but wasnÂ’t surprised because I thought the season before he was flogged like a dead horse. I always thought his best position was playing off the forward but, with Barkley, and now Naismith, both playing there, I donÂ’t think it will happen very often for Leon.

He is still a very good squad player and if we can keep him refreshed he will be an important player next season.

Ant Dwyer
13 Posted 06/07/2014 at 00:07:48

Brilliant attitude, Leon, mate, almost as loyal to Everton as us fans. Good luck, mate, I hope it works out well for you. I also hope ya get a fair few new team-mates training with you soon too.

Paul Dark
14 Posted 06/07/2014 at 09:26:53

He isn't good enough.

Richard O'Shea
15 Posted 06/07/2014 at 10:25:30

I think you have to think of the Europa League in two parts:

Group stage, where we pick a weaker side with Ossie, Hibbert and a mixture of fringe players and kids; this should be good enough to get to the knockout stage.

In the knockout stage, play the first team; that way, the league form won't suffer with the extra Europa League games until February, when there are only eight knockout games till the final anyway.

David Harrison
16 Posted 06/07/2014 at 15:52:59

That hasn't really worked for us in the FA Cup in recent seasons though.

Jackie Barry
17 Posted 06/07/2014 at 16:12:26

If we are going to move forward he is a good squad player but shouldn't be starting games, Great attitude though.

Christopher Kelly
18 Posted 06/07/2014 at 17:25:23

Any player that is getting a testimonial should not be considered an "integral player" for the team anymore. Pray this holds true here as well as he's just not good enough to ever get a team to 4th... Especially at 33.. It hasn't happened and will never...

With that said, he deserves credit for being a true blue and will go down in history as one of the good guys. Can we please bring in some quality midfielders so we don't have to rely on a 33-year-old to play so many games?

Paul Walker
19 Posted 07/07/2014 at 00:33:56

For me, he is my favorite player, as he epitomizes Everton, hugely loyal and hardworking, all I ask of all our players. Him back in training early just backs that up.

I also think he is and has been hugely underrated, he’s maybe not what we want as a starter anymore (if we’re serious about European ambitions). But certainly a very valuable squad member, particularly as backup to Barkley’s position.

He’s earned every minute of that testimonial in my book. Fair play to him.

Tony J Williams
20 Posted 07/07/2014 at 12:16:55

It's funny how many posters keep on saying he isn't good enough, yet our manager seems to think he is, as he played in every league game last season.

The only time in his Everton career he had done that.

Christopher Kelly
21 Posted 07/07/2014 at 18:57:48

What's he helped us win, Tony? 4th?

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