TalkSport pundit Simon Jordan has given his thoughts on the financial situation facing Everton.
Everton have certainly not been scared to spend money over the years, with Transfermarkt putting their net spend figures over the past five seasons at -£219.34m, among the highest in the Premier League.
However, for all of that spending, they haven’t exactly been rewarded for it, with their highest league finish in that time being eighth place – with no silverware, either. And now it looks as if that spending has caught up to them.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, the Toffees could reportedly face a points deduction over a possible breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
It states: “Everton are preparing to negotiate with the Premier League over their financial accounts amid fears they could become the first club to breach the top flight’s profit and sustainability rules” – breaches that could cost them either a financial penalty or points deduction.
Speaking about the issue on TalkSport, Jordan assessed the situation and stated that whilst he felt punishment would ultimately come Everton’s way, he didn’t see anything serious happening to them this season.
He said: “I think it’s going to be very difficult for the Premier League not to sanction Everton., but I very much doubt they’ll sanction them this season.
“Everton will submit their accounts, then they will be looked at by the Premier League, who will immediately turn towards sanctioning, Everton will appeal it, it will go back into the long grass.
“So I think it’s a very difficult argument to suggest that Everton aren’t going to get sanctioned at some point. If you want me to put money on it, I would be amazed if they get sanctioned this season. I think if they’re going to get sanctioned – which is difficult to see how they don’t – then they’re going to be sanctioned at the beginning of the 22/23 season if they’re in the Premier League.”
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Whilst Jordan’s comments aren’t the most encouraging for Everton fans to be hearing – essentially stating that they are likely to get punished for their breaches, which according to the above report could stand at “over £260m between 2017 and 2020 – £155m more than is allowed over a three-year period” – the idea of sanctions being delayed could be seen as a bit of a relief.
Everton are currently going through a very difficult time right now, as they are in a period of transition after the appointment of Frank Lampard whilst also fighting a relegation battle, so to have their season thrown into further doubt by punishing them in a way that could ultimately send them down could be disastrous.
And as former Toffee, Wayne Rooney is showing at Derby County in their battle against relegation after a points deduction that it is still possible to put up a fight despite a points deduction, but you’d much rather have it come ahead of the season when you have more games in order to claw it back, especially if you can plan your summer around it rather than being taken by surprise in the middle of the campaign.
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