Everton Football Club finds itself navigating turbulent waters both on and off the pitch. Barely escaping relegation last season, the Merseyside club now faces a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Owner Farhad Moshiri’s decision to put the club up for sale amidst financial woes underscores the severity of Everton’s predicament.
Moshiri’s arrival in 2016 promised a return to Everton’s glory days, with ambitions of competing for top honors. However, the club’s expenditure of over £500 million on transfers has yielded little progress.
Neal Maupay’s signing from Brighton & Hove Albion for £15 million in August 2022 epitomizes Everton’s haphazard recruitment strategy. Despite being brought in as a replacement for the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Maupay’s struggles at Goodison Park, scoring just once in 25 appearances, highlight a costly misstep.
Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s Director of Football since February 2022, faces the daunting task of restructuring the club’s operations to enhance competitiveness and financial stability.
Thelwell, previously lauded for his roles at Wolves and the New York Red Bulls, aims to support the first team while devising a long-term strategy for Everton.
Thelwell’s tenure coincided with Sean Dyche’s appointment as manager in January 2023, a crucial decision made to steer Everton clear of relegation.
Dyche’s pragmatic approach was deemed essential for the club’s survival in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Thelwell has focused on trimming Everton’s bloated squad and wage bill, offloading high-earning fringe players to alleviate financial strain.
The emphasis has shifted towards strategic acquisitions, with minimal investment in the last transfer window and a focus on loans and free transfers to address immediate needs. Thelwell’s efforts reflect a concerted attempt to rectify the consequences of years of aimless spending under Moshiri’s ownership, leaving Everton with an imbalanced squad and unsustainable wage structure.
The road to redemption will be arduous, with Everton’s hopes resting on Dyche’s ability to secure results in the short term while Thelwell executes his long-term vision. Thelwell aims to implement a cohesive football strategy centered on nurturing young talent and making astute signings. While challenges lie ahead, Thelwell’s appointment offers Everton a beacon of hope amidst past mismanagement.
The failed Maupay transfer serves as a stark reminder of Everton’s past mistakes, but Thelwell’s leadership signals a potential turning point for the club. The journey back to prominence will be lengthy, yet Evertonians can glimpse the faint outlines of a brighter future under Thelwell’s guidance.