Everton’s football director has reassured supporters that the club’s currently challenging…
Everton’s football director, Kevin Thelwell, has reassured supporters that the club’s currently challenging short-term situation will not impact their long-term objectives. The team awaits the outcome of an appeal against a 10-point deduction for violating profit and sustainability rules (PSR), with another charge pending before the season concludes.
Despite extensive cost-cutting efforts over several months, Everton faced their initial breach, contesting the calculation methodology. This led to a substantial reduction in transfer spending, resulting in no new signings in January.
Thelwell, in a statement on Everton’s website, explained that they approached the January transfer window pragmatically, anticipating limited activity. He emphasized the priority of operating in a manner that safeguards the club’s future, a commitment since his first day at Everton.
Acknowledging the constraints of PSR, Thelwell mentioned the difficulty of swift directional changes but highlighted their ongoing efforts over four transfer windows to enhance the club’s sustainability. He pointed out achievements, including a net receipt of over £60 million from player trading, a gradually decreasing wage bill, and a significant reduction in agent fees, as evidence that their plan is being adhered to.
Thelwell concluded by affirming their commitment to the long-term football strategy, even amidst the current challenging circumstances.
Despite the 10-point deduction placing Everton in the relegation zone with 19 points, Thelwell expressed confidence in manager Sean Dyche’s ability to guide the team to safety for the second consecutive year. He emphasized the noticeable progress under Dyche, comparing the current season’s statistics favorably to the same point in the previous campaign.
Thelwell concluded optimistically, expressing confidence in the work at Finch Farm and looking forward positively to the remaining games and the team’s future.