Paradise Lost: Why Everton Need a Clear Direction This Summer

After another abject performance, Everton look lost. There are questions over the managerial team, questions over the director of football and no-one knows who Everton’s best 11 is. We take a look at the issues that Everton face ahead of a pivotal summer for the toffees future.

Paradise Lost

Evertonians could be forgiven for having big dreams with the arrival of Farhad Moshiri 2 years ago. The Iranian businessman was the investor that the club had been looking for since John Moores fell into ill health in the late 1980’s. Everton had been affected most by the European ban after the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985. Their place at the top of English football was lost as players left to play in Europe. Peter Johnson had almost brought the club to it’s knees in the 90’s before Bill Kenwright stabilised the club. Kenwright wasn’t rich by football standards and although David Moyes and Roberto Martinez came close, Everton couldn’t break the glass ceiling. Everton needed investment to break into the top 4. It came in the form of Farhad Moshiri.

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Moshiri has pumped a lot of money into Everton. Everton are debt free, have secured a site for the new stadium and spent more on transfers than ever before. According to transfermarket.co.uk, our net spend is £126 million net since 2015-2016. This figure takes into account the money we have received for players like Romelu Lukaku and John Stones. They were both young players with the potential to be world class in their position.

After the sale of Ross Barkley, the cupboard is bare with only Tom Davies and Jordan Pickford likely to bring in a large figure in future. Roberto Martinez had a vision to create a side with the best young prospects in the game. With his departure, love’s labour was lost. Everton moved away from that dream and shifted their attention to 25 to 27 year olds who were ‘in their prime.’ The results have been a nightmare.

Money For Nothing

The American multi billionaire, Warren Buffet said “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” Everton have spent a ridiculous amount of money but have received little value in return. Moshiri has made his money with astute investments. Everton cannot say the same however. Look at the players they have bought who have not worked out. Oumar Niasse, Davey Klaassen, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Williams, Michael Keane and Sandro Ramirez were all signed with big reputations and wages to match. Everton have not received value for money for these players. Their value has depreciated. Money for nothing.

There is Nothing Certain But Uncertainty

Other purchases have question marks also. Cenk Tosun, Ademola Lookman, Nicola Vlasic and Yannick Bolasie have not performed consistently for various reasons. Vlasic and Lookman have been a victim to the change in management and their lack of tactical awareness. Tosun is still settling in and shows flashes of promise. Bolasie suffered an awful injury just 4 months into his Everton career and has never recovered. We may not see the best of him until next season when he turns 29. He has lost 2 years from the prime of his career.

The 2017-2018 season has been a complete disaster for Everton. A lot of work needs to be done to prevent the 2018-2019 season from becoming the same. Everton’s future has not been as uncertain as this since the dark days of Peter Johnson. Farhad Moshiri has big decisions to make before end of the season. There is nothing certain but uncertainty at Everton.

Rip It Up and Start Again

There are 2 major areas that Farhad Moshiri has to make decisions on: the management structure and the management team. Before the Iranian arrived, sole power over transfers had been the responsibility of the manager. Steve Walsh was appointed as the clubs first director of football. Initially, there seemed to be confusion between Walsh and Koeman was to who was responsible for what. Walsh was briefed with Everton’s future whilst Koeman saw himself as responsible for Everton’s present. This led to the disastrous situation we see today.

Everton have a disjointed group of footballers without a defined style of play. They are a group, not a team. Everton have smashed their wage structure with these transfers which may have contributed to the fractured squad. Many of the players who are surplus to requirements are on high wages and will be difficult to get rid of. So much money has been lost. Moshiri must either rip it up and start again or look to restructure the club.

It’s Never Too Late Until It’s Too Late

Everton have 2 months to decide on the future of their management team. Everton have to clear out their squad this summer. Whether Allardyce and Walsh will get that opportunity is uncertain. Allardyce was given a short term contract. He was booed off the pitch after the defeat at Burnley. He has admitted that the players are not responding to his methods. They look lost on the pitch. This simply cannot continue. Steve Walsh’s position is also in doubt. Marcel Brands has been linked with Everton and Moshiri is said to be unhappy with Walsh’s profligacy.

Whoever comes in inherits a bloated, unbalanced squad and will need to make decisions quickly. If Allardyce and Walsh stay, they will need to move quickly in the summer which will be difficult. Players don’t tend to move until after a world cup. This may be the time a new team can use to assess the squad. With the amount we have spent under FFP, this will be very difficult. The club needs a clear direction on the pitch. Whatever he decides, Moshiri needs to act before it is too late.

Who do you want to see in charge at Everton next season? Would you like a director of football or a traditional manager? Let us know in the comments section below.