Everton have a history of muddled recruitment over the past three years that has contributed to a financial position, which could cost them a 12 points in the Premier League
12:35, 26 Oct 2023Updated 14:28, 26 Oct 2023
Everton are in a worrying position, facing a 12-point deduction in the Premier League for allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
The club recorded financial losses of £304million over a three-year period, which is well over the £105m amount allowed by the Premier League. Their case is currently being heard by an independent commission, but their proud record of never being relegated from the Premier League could come under threat. Sean Dyche’s side would drop from 16th on seven points to 20th on -5 points were the punishment to be dished out now.
In a statement back in March, Everton said they “strongly contest the allegation of non-compliance” and promised to “robustly defend its position” to the commission. Whether they are found guilty or cleared of the charges, there can be no doubt that Everton have wasted a lot of money in the transfer market in recent years.
Under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri, the club have frittered away millions on ineffective players. Their reported losses of £44.7m in 2022, £121.3m in 2021 and £139.9m in 2020 are not all down to transfer business, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic significant, but a look over their moves in the past three years shows a muddled approach.
Jarrad Branthwaite
£1m, Carlisle United, January 2020
He’s still only 21 years old and is already a key player for Dyche in central defence. One of few good value for money buys.
Ben Godfrey
£20m, Norwich, October 2020
Godfrey missed a lot of football with a fractured fibula and damaged ankle ligaments and is still working his way back.
Allan
£21m, Napoli, September 2020
Allan made 57 appearances for Everton after joining from Napoli. Left for Emirati club Al-Wahda in September 2022.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
£20m, Watford, September 2020
Doucoure has established himself as a key player under Dyche, his all-action box-to-box style fitting the direct style of football. He’s got three goals this season in the Premier League, which makes him their joint top-scorer.
Niels Nkounkou
Free transfer, Marseille, July 2020
Made just seven appearances after signing a three-year contract. The 22-year-old Frenchman left for Eintracht Frankfurt in September after loan spells at Saint-Etienne , Standard Liege and Cardiff.
James Rodriguez
£20m, Real Madrid, September 2020
It was fun while it lasted. Rodriguez joined Carlo Ancelotti’s side and shone bright for a short period, contributing six goals and nine assists in 26 games.
Joshua King
Nominal fee, Bournemouth, January 2021
Eleven games, zero goals. King came on deadline day but had no impact whatsoever. He’s now playing for Fenerbahce.
Robin Olsen
Loan, Roma, October 2020
The veteran goalkeeper did a fine job of standing in for Pickford on 11 occasions during the 2020/21 season.
Demarai Gray
£1.7m, Bayer Leverkusen, July 2021
Gray often provided a bright spark for Everton, but only contributed 12 goals and six assists in 75 games before making a contentious exit to Al-Ettifaq in the summer window.
Andros Townsend
Free transfer, Crystal Palace, July 2021
The experienced winger was a Rafa Benitez signing. He recorded seven goals and four assists in 27 games over two seasons.
Salomon Rondon
Free transfer, Dalian Professional, August 2021
Another Benitez signing. The big striker scored just three goals in 31 appearances and saw his contract terminated in December. He’s now playing for River Plate.
Asmir Begovic
Free transfer, Bournemouth, July 2021
Has done what he was signed for as a back-up goalkeeper but only made 10 appearances before leaving for QPR in the summer.
Andy Lonergan
Free transfer, West Brom, August 2021
The 39-year-old veteran goalkeeper hasn’t played a game, but is still with the club.
Vitaliy Mykolenko
£17m, Dynamo Kiev, January 2022
Mykolenko has made 58 appearances at left-back so far. He’s no Leighton Baines and is yet to provide a single assist, having got 20 at his previous club.
Nathan Patterson
£16m, Rangers, January 2022
The 22-year-old right-back arrived with a good reputation but hasn’t made much of an impact in 32 appearances so far.
Dele Alli
£40m, Tottenham, January 2022
The £40m is dependent on various performance-related clauses and, given he’s barely played so far, Everton won’t have paid nearly that amount. Dele is yet to feature this season, having returned from a loan spell with Besiktas and bravely opened up about his personal life.
Donny van de Beek
Loan, Manchester United, January 2022
Van de Veek played just seven times in the second half of the 2021/22 season before returning to United.
Anwar El Ghazi
Loan, Aston Villa, January 2022
Two appearances were the extent of his Everton career.
Amadou Onana
£33m, Lille, August 2022
The towering midfielder has impressed since signing a five-year contract. Onana has attracted interest from rival Premier League sides with his combative and physical style.
Dwight McNeil
£20m, Burnley, July 2022
McNeil came with plenty of excitement, but has seven goals and four assists in 46 games so far. Playing under his old Burnley boss Dyche means he has his manager’s backing.
Neal Maupay
£20m, Brighton, August 2022
It was hoped the Frenchman would be the answer to Everton’s chronic lack of goals. He returned one goal and two assists in 32 appearances before heading to Brentford on loan.
James Garner
£15m, Manchester United, September 2022
Garner made a splash on loan with Nottingham Forest, but hasn’t done the same at Goodison yet with two goals and two assists in 28 games so far.
Idrissa Gueye
Undisclosed fee, PSG, September 2022
He’s back for a second spell, but hasn’t made the same impact as before.
James Tarkowski
Free transfer, Burnley, July 2022
Tarkowski has become a leader at the back for Everton and is currently in great form.
Conor Coady
Loan, Wolves, July 2022
The Scouse defender returned to Merseyside for the season but it didn’t last. He’s now playing for Leicester in the Championship.
Ruben Vinagre
Loan, Sporting Lisbon, July 2022
Vinagre made just four appearances last season.
Jack Harrison
Loan, Leeds, August 2023
Looks an astute piece of business. The winger scored and assisted in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth this month.
Ashley Young
Free transfer, Aston Villa, July 2023
The veteran defender signed after his Villa deal expired. The 38-year-old was sent off in the 2-0 derby defeat against Liverpool.
Arnaut Danjuma
Loan, Villarreal, July 2023
After snubbing Everton to join Spurs on loan in January, Danjuma arrived on Merseyside again this summer. The 26-year-old winger has two goals in 10 appearances so far.
Youssef Chermiti
£15m, Sporting Lisbon, August 2023
The 19-year-old forward was signed on his potential after a breakthrough campaign in Portugal. He’s only played five times so far.
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Beto
£25m, Udinese, August 2023
The big-money signing for Everton this summer was the 6ft 4in striker from Udinese. He comes with a lot of pressure on his shoulders following a succession of poor strikers at Goodison. He has scored once in eight games so far.
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