Everton are something of an anomaly. Whilst many of the other traditionally big English clubs have been bought by new investors over the last decade, they remain unsold. Although Bill Kenwright has publicly stated several times he is looking for a buyer, there is an element of uncertainty over how determined he actually is to let the club go. Indeed, Everton supporters’ group The Blue Union have staged peaceful protests to voice their concerns. There have been interested parties, yet no significant bids have materialised, which is surprising even if Kenwright is proving problematic. Historically, they are one of the biggest clubs in England with nine top flight titles and five FA Cup victories. They have a large and loyal fan base and although they will need a new stadium in time, Goodison Park generates a great atmosphere and is one of my favourite old school English grounds.
The failure to secure new ownership leaves David Moyes caught somewhere between the proverbial rock and hard place. You can simultaneously feel his ambition and sense his frustration at the inability to compete financially with those around him, yet he has undoubtedly grown attached to the club. And whereas some would consider only the short term, he has proven capable of managing a long term project, taking into consideration the future stability of the football club. His achievements as the Toffees’ boss have been remarkable with the budget available, and can be regarded as one of the best domestic managerial performances of recent times. The concerning element for the fans is that you suspect his patience will eventually wear out and he will move on to pastures new. I would imagine that he would have been interested in the Spurs job (he was a realistic candidate) if offered and, had they not been such inevitable, bitter rivals, the Liverpool job would also have suited him.
Fortunately for Evertonians, Moyes remains in charge at Goodison and will continue in his attempts to make progress. However, as each year goes by the difficulty of moving forwards increases. The effect of investment in rival clubs is two-fold for Everton; not only do his rivals have greater spending power to improve their squads, but the extra finance in circulation has the effect of artificially inflating market values. As an example look across Stanley Park at the pursuit of Joe Allen – a decent player but nothing more, yet one who is being touted at a staggering £15m fee. If players such as Allen are commanding such valuations then Moyes has to look even harder to find the bargains which have proven so necessary.
Additionally there is very little fat to trim within Moyes’ squad as it is already one of the smallest in the top flight, so raising funds via that method is only a limited option. Joseph Yobo has been sold to Fenerbahçe, whilst one of his most influential signings, Tim Cahill, has departed for the New York Red Bulls. Cahill’s departure highlights the problem that Moyes has in building and managing his squad to an extent. Although no longer the player he was, you suspect Moyes would prefer to retain his experience and he still could have played an important role next season. Yet the club cannot afford to allow a player earning his salary to only be a bit-part player, and so he was allowed to leave. His and Yobo’s departure has at least allowed for the return of Steven Pienaar, a fine footballer who shone as Everton’s best player during his loan spell last season.
Frustrating as it may seem for the fans, the best option may be to allow another of their prized assets to go. Wayne Rooney, Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta have all been sold in recent years and the funds used to further improve the squad, with Moyes proving very capable at using his limited resources wisely. There have been errors; Diniyar Bilyaletdinov being one, but all managers make mistakes and he has certainly accumulated sufficient goodwill to allow him to retain full trust, despite the odd misjudgement.
Leighton Baines has been subject of rumoured interest from Manchester United, amongst others. Although no formal bids have been confirmed, there seems to be some weight behind the story as United look to provide competition or find a replacement for Patrice Evra (depending on your viewpoint), who has been on a downward slide. Baines is a very good player, but any bids in the region of £12-15m should be seriously considered. Everton have a very good core to the team, however that level of funding could allow Moyes to bring in three or four reinforcements who would be collectively worth more to the squad together than the left-back currently is. He seems like one of the genuine nice guys in football and is highly unlikely to force a move against the club’s wishes, however this may be one situation where a transfer would be mutually beneficial to club and player.
Standing still should be seen as moving forwards for Everton – at least until they can secure new investment. It may speak volumes for the real competitiveness of the Premier League but that is the situation they are currently in. Another top eight finish and a decent cup run should be regarded as another success for Moyes and, as perverse as it may seem, losing their prized asset may be the best strategy for achieving this.
Can’t argue with much of that. But the problem with selling Baines is that there is no ready replacement within the current squad so at the very least half of any sale fee would go straight out on a new left back (and probably most of the other half would go to the bank – so the squad would end up having been weakened).
An interesting point. Everton would certainly have to buy a replacement for Baines as there is ready made alternative in the squad.
But should they get £12-15m I’d back Moyes to find a replacement for roughly a quarter of that, based on his track record. That should leave enough for another 2 signings to supplement the squad.
Obviously it relies upon Moyes and the scouting network continuing to spot bargains, but I’d have faith in him doing so.
That should obviously read “no ready made replacement”
Evertonian here. Why did you center the premise around Baines going to ManU? It’s not ManCbraterman is it?
Where do you see Everton “moving forward” by selling one of the 2 best (if not the best) LBs in the league and bringing in players a quarter his worth (playing worth, not financial)? The better way “moving forward” is to move up the Table.
I’m sure you noticed how well EFC finished up last season and how the press has completely ignored this in touting EPL positioning this next one. A Moyes side with a true predator, Jelavic, added.
By some miracle, we look to be keeping our best players and have brought back Piennar. Come November, the press will be gushing over the team that “punches above its weight” and running out the “little engine that could” analogies when we come out fast this season.
But we Evertonians know what’s coming. No surprise to us.
COYB!
No I’m not Manc in the slightest, although nice attempt at the bias angle.
You’ve rather missed the point in summing up my opinion as simply to sell Baines and buy a replacement for a quarter of his value. That would be foolish. My argument is that whilst he is a very good player, £12-£15m would be sufficient to bring in at least three, based upon the budget Moyes tends to operate with.
Whilst you have a good side, your squad seriously lacks strength in depth. And as clubs around you have deeper resources, the challenge for Everton to keep up becomes harder each year. Having to sell one to buy three or four has been Moyes’ strategy and this would simply follow it. Rooney and Lescott are the obvious examples as their sales funded the majority of your recent transfer activity.
And why assume I write off Everton? In no way have I been critical of the club, quite the opposite. For the record, and my praise of David Moyes is quite evident, I think you had an excellent season last time around and would expect you to be in a similar position again. And in your current state financially, compared with your rivals, I would deem that to be relative success.
The manC thing was just kidding around. I understood what you were getting at.
Certainly, given EFC ownership’s refusal to reach into their own deep pockets, “sell to buy” is the Everton way. But players Baines’ calibre aren’t just sitting around somewhere for a 3rd of Baines’ value (if we accept 12 mil as his value, which I don’t). And what message is sent to the other players who are depending on having Baines in the side this season? What will Fellaini and Jelavic think about ownership’s ambition? I believe selling Baines would only amount to the first domino falling.
Against the EPL financial odds, Moyes has put together an excellent team for this next season. There’s real opportunity to move up the Table and into the money. After all, finishing 2-3 places higher is a good way to generate revenue too.
Wanting everyone to stay and see how we do this season. Plenty of time to revert to sell to buy next close season. Just not this one.
I do get your point, and I do understand why you want to keep your best players – I feel the same way about my club.
I just feel sometimes the idea that you must keep your best players can be a bit of a myth, especially for clubs with financial difficulties.
Baines is a very good left-back, one of the best in the league, and would be difficult to replace. But he was signed for around £5m (excuse me if I’m wrong but that’s from memory) and Moyes has a track record of bringing players of his stature in and developing them. Would Everton have a better squad with a slightly worse left-back and two extra players? Possibly with Moyes, although I do understand your concerns.
Your domino effect idea is also valid, but again I think can be a myth at times. Players have their own minds and the world carries on. Rooney, Lescott and Arteta have gone yet you seem stronger than ever.
As a neutral I’d love to see Everton be able to keep their best players and bring in more to move forwards, but unfortunately can’t see it with the current ownership.
Very good article and raises some good points.
As an Evertonian it has been taken for granted that we currenty operate a ‘sell-to-buy’ phillosophy. This year though has so far seen us comlete some shrewed business as we have held onto the main core of our players also. Realisticallt the only players who would raise money for us at the minute would be Fellaini, Baines and at a push Jagieka perhaps. For me though, it is vital we have so far reatined their services as in an efort to see where this team can go, and without the investment we all crave, we need to stop becoming a ‘selling club’ somehow.
Our youth sqaud is second to none at present and the latest production line includes Barkley, Duffy, Rodwell, Hope, McAleney & Garbutt. This is where perhaps we can look to steal a march on our rivals and in the process save the milions we dont have?
Also, of the clubs that have attracted investment, the majority of them have done as newly promoted clubs or Championship clubs or even clubs inside a new stadium which makes a significant difference to the buyer as either the club has just received a massive windfall for promotion or the price is at a reduced rate compared to top tier clubs. Anybody wishing to buy Everton immidately has to for out a decent price for the club, clear the debt, invest in the squad and also look to move into a new stadium…only the super wealthy could achieve this!
Some very good points in there, thanks for adding to the debate.
Your point about the Everton youth squad is a very good one. There does seem to be a good flow of promising players coming through, with Barkley and Rodwell the standout two.
Certainly if you hope to compete then players such as them will need to be an important part of the clubs future. My fear would be that under the current ownership structure, the ‘sell to buy’ model will continue and they will become part of that. Hopefully not though.
Good piece but would point out that Yobo hasn’t actually gone, the deal has fallen through at the moment. The problems at Everton go very deep; the owners, the board, haven’t invested a penny and the club as a business isn’t particularly attractive yet the same owners are expecting a lucrative return on their initial investment of £20m for the shares of the previous owner. The result is stalemate; stagnation for one of England’s greatest clubs.
Thanks for the comments. At the time of writing the Yobo deal was being reported as complete, but obviously the situation has changed now.
I agree with you. I think Moyes has done remarkably well to ensure Everton have stagnated and not fallen backwards.
“Everton have stagnated and not fallen backwards.”
“standing still should be considered moving forwards ”
just about sums up the folly of following everton – nothing really changes, everything remains the same
I’d rather do the gardening