Sean Dyche makes Amadou Onana future prediction and reveals Jarrad Branthwaite Everton contract latest

Sean Dyche has tipped Amadou Onana for a "massive future" but remained coy over Everton contract talks with Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Blues pair continue to have strong campaigns under the former Burnley manager with Onana enjoying one of his best showings of the season during the Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa.

Onana deputised alongside James Garner as they ended Villa's 10-match unbeaten run at Villa Park. The Belgian featured in a system change from Everton that saw Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson deployed as wing-backs.

Dyche admitted that they have tinkered with the 22-year-old in various positions in midfield but dropped a hint that he could spend time further back after enjoying success deeper in the Blues' system.

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"We've flexed that since I've been at the club. They've been the mainstay, mostly, of the three in midfield. We've looked at it, flexed it, one and a two, two and a one, and a flat three at times," he told reporters.

"More often than not, they've delivered. Amadou's young, he's learning, we want him to be open-minded about the difference in three roles.

"He's certainly got the physical capabilities to go into the 10 spot and crash the box from wide areas but his history suggests he's slightly better deeper.

"I thought him and Jimmy were excellent last night, had good games at the weekend in slightly different roles and yet again, open-mindedness from two different players who are growing and maturing in the Premier League.

"It's the way the game has gone, people were remarking about it a few weeks ago," he noted, discussing the perception of Onana - who only turned 22 in