Everton have made a big £30m transfer mistake which is clearly costing them dearly.
Everton has come a long way in attaining greater stability and sustainability since Kevin Thelwell took over.
The former director of football of Wolverhampton Wanderers was given an almost impossible task: trying to right a ship that was half under water. Nevertheless, he has had a significant impact by dumping elite players for high prices, drastically reducing the salary bill, and making smart investments in less expensive players.
An indication of his brilliance is the fact that he was able to keep a team capable of contending for Premier League survival even after having to sell Alex Iwobi, Anthony Gordon, and Richarlison.
Not all of his transfers, though, have worked out; some turned out to be costly mistakes that they were unable to afford to make.
After kicking the can down the road for so long, the largest of them all is about to make an unpleasant appearance this summer.
This summer, Everton has a significant transfer requirement.
Everton’s additions under Thelwell have either had to be for small prices or in installments in an effort to balance the budget.
The latter has shown to be a clever way to push expenses into the following fiscal year, giving them the much-needed flexibility to keep adding to a deteriorating team.
But by acquiring Beto last summer, they may have condemned the team to yet another financial catastrophe.
Ultimately, the Portuguese striker hasn’t exactly made an impression on the field, and concerningly, they will have to pay his £30 million salary this summer.
The Toffees are facing a ten-point deduction as a result of the first of two alleged financial violations, and this requirement comes at a terrible moment for them.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto are also having difficulties.
The irony lies in how quickly the Englishman has recovered to full fitness after they gave in and acquired a striker. He was brought in as a counterbalance to the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Although it is acknowledged that having a different experienced forward has given him more time to heal, neither player is playing at a level that is necessary to get out of the drop zone.
Statistics-wise, Calvert-Lewin is still the Premier League’s worst finisher this year, and his 26-year-old teammate still seems unnatural and clumsy when he comes off the bench.
Despite his many substitution appearances, his three goals in 28 games in all competitions may be diluted, but he is obviously falling short of a striker who has not scored in 19 games.
It feels more like a fight over who would prefer not play than laying a claim to the lead because the two aren’t encouraging one another to get better.
Thelwell would be left regretting his costly transfer bet if Beto doesn’t start scoring goals towards the end of the season to justify his future fee.
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