Everton’s financial malpractice across the last half a decade has finally reared its ugly head in recent yeras.
However, it feels like many different issues have come home to roost all at once, compounding a truly miserable period for the Toffees in which they have been deducted ten points, thrown into the relegation zone and told they can no longer afford to spend anymore.
It is that latter point which is particularly frustrating, given the weak and threadbare nature of Sean Dyche’s squad.
He is arguably the biggest victim of this situation, having inherited an almighty mess at Goodison Park, but has proven himself the perfect man to lead them into a hopefully brighter future.
However, speaking exclusively to finance expert and Chartered Global Management Accountant Dan Plumley, he offered up a grave prediction which suggests further restrictions could be just around the corner.
What finance expert Dan Plumley said about Everton’s transfer business
Having failed to make a single first-team signing across the past two January windows now, despite staring down the barrel of a relegation battle in both of those seasons, Everton’s financial restrictions are only emphasised.
That is despite the huge recent sales of Anthony Gordon and Richarlison within that timeframe, neither of whom were particularly well replaced.
Evertonians crave the ability to strengthen their side once again, but speaking to Everton News, Dr Plumley has suggested that is a dream which will not come to fruition anytime soon.
Naturally, moving into the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will help, but he then claimed: ‘So they’ve not been in a position to grow the revenue, and if that’s the case then still got to pay these costs, but you can’t do anything else at the minute. I think then, as you say, the reality of that is you can’t then spend in the market because you can’t keep pushing yourself into the position where it’s going to be breach after breach.
‘And the stadium had some financial challenges as well and the takeover, so when you factor all that in, I mean never say never in football right because clubs make decisions that kind of defy business logic, I just think looking at those numbers if they really are in that financial hole that we think they’re in, then it’s unlikely you see any spending the summer.
‘It is unlikely you see any big spend for two or three years because you’ve got to get yourself out of that position.’
Where do Everton need to strengthen?
The frustration that emerges from this unofficial transfer ban is that there are so many areas that need improving at Everton.
Whilst they are blessed with a solid defensive core, with Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko all mainstays, the right-back spot remains an area of immense contention.
Preferably a first-choice option would be brought in to star instantly and act as an heir to the ageing Seamus Coleman.
Another body in the centre of midfield wouldn’t go amiss either, given just two weeks ago James Garner was the only fit and starting central midfielder in their trip to Fulham.
Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison are also forced into action relentlessly, so a foil for either of them would be welcomed, whilst an alternative for Abdoulaye Doucoure is desperately needed given how much they have suffered in his recent absence.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto should be good enough for now, but it’d be helpful if one of them could find their scoring boots sooner rather than later.
