Everton Are Finally Set For A Period Of Stability – Surely?

Everton Are Finally Set For A Period Of Stability – Surely?

It is fair to say that it has been a tumultuous few years for Everton who have been engulfed in a number of tight relegation battles – lucky to survive in the Premier League, though could the tide be set to turn at last?

Following the completion of their much anticipated takeover in December by the Friedkin Group for 99.5 percent, who also own AS Roma, it means that they have become the 10th club in the English top tier to be under American owners, with the Texas-based group, led by Dan Friedkin, whose net worth is £6.16 billion according to Forbes.

When previous owner Farhad Moshiri took over the club there was initial optimism that the club would be able to push on, however, this soon turned sour among fans amid reports of financial mismanagement which essentially plunged the club into a long-term relegation struggle.

However, already it appears that confidence has been restored among fans, with the new regime quick to install former manager David Moyes – arguably the club’s most successful manager of the last 20 years.

Moyes rejoins the club after a mixed decade. His stint at Manchester United when he took over from Sir Alex Ferguson flattered to deceive with the club in a period of transition, though the job he did while in charge of West Ham United was admirable, with the Hammers winning the Europa Conference League, going undefeated in the tournament with 11 wins and one draw. His previous two seasons with the club, he guided them to a sixth and seventh placed finish, which also included a Europa League semi-final (the campaign before their Conference League triumph).

Will Moyes Be The Catalyst?

david moyes everton 2011
David Moyes Everton 2011 – BohemianFC, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arguably the common denominator, as we have seen on multiple occasions, for any relatively successful club, is a good manager. While Moyes has been criticised by some for having a ‘boring’ style of football, many eagle-eyed among you would suggest that this is rather harsh.

Every club he has been at, including Everton during his first stint, has been based on a solid, well-drilled defence, encompassing talented, attacking full-backs. His ability in the transfer market for finding the right player for the right price has also paid dividends. He likes to have a couple of solid central midfielders, skillful wingers, a prolific striker and a tricky number 10 with an eye for a pass. Many of these requirements have been fulfilled thanks to his ability in the transfer market.

Take one of his previous Everton squads for example. The club arguably had the two best full-backs in the Premier League (Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman) – acquired for nominal fees. In midfield you had the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta, an effective Leon Osman, Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar and a precocious talent in Ross Barkley. A prolific Yakubu provided the firepower backed up by Louis Saha and James McFadden. Two of Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, Sylvain Distin, Joleon Lescott and Johnny Heitinga were all quality options at centre-back, in front of a near-impenetrable Tim Howard.

Everton fans will be dreaming of a similar squad this time around. While Financial Fair Play (FFP) may hamstring the club in the transfer market, Moyes is undoubtedly one of the best managers in the country when it comes to identifying great players at the right price.

What Other Factors May Aid The Club?

everton fc advertising wrappers around old towers at bramley moore dock new stadium
Radarsmum67, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There is also the exciting prospect of a long-awaited new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, set to (currently) be ready for the 2025/26 season and it could be this that really proves to be the dawn of a new era for Everton. Though, as we have seen with other clubs over the last few years, this doesn’t always mean plain sailing. Tottenham’s form since they moved into their new stadium has been mixed, so it could come down to how Moyes is able to steer the club through this period of transition.

For this season, the aim will be to move as far away from the relegation zone as possible and the remaining few days of the transfer window could have a key influence on this, with the squad needing surgery in a couple of areas, including in attack.

As such, the summer transfer window could prove to be the most fruitful that the club have had in the last few years and, there likely will be cash to spend to aid them on what could well be a new era of stability.