Paul Graley Everton departure is first step in Goodison Park restructure
Paul Graley’s departure from Everton is the first indication of a major Goodison Park restructure that needs to take place this summer.
The head of performance insights is to leave the club after 13-years, as revealed by the Liverpool Echo on Monday [6 June].
The departure of Graley should hopefully kickstart a huge restructure at Goodison Park that is long overdue after their horror 2021-22 Premier League campaign.
With Farhad Moshiri, Frank Lampard, and Director of Football Kevin Thelwell looking to change the recruitment structure at the club, the departure of Graley should be the first in a long line of backroom changes at the club.
For too long, the Toffees’ dire recruitment has seen them go for players on a downward trajectory who are on high wages and are severely underperforming.
Anwar El Ghazi and Dele Alli were two January signings that were not wanted by Aston Villa and Tottenham due to their poor performance.
Both have proved to be poor and expensive additions at Goodison Park.
With Everton not choosing to fill the role of Head of Performance insights left by Graley, it demonstrates that not just a change of personal will take place, but also a structural change.
It would be refreshing to see Everton target younger players, potentially from the Championship as Lampard looks to kickstart a new era.
The fee that they paid for Alli could’ve paid for three to four top-class Championship youngsters that could’ve gone on to be assets for Everton.
Even some of the success stories at Goodison will end up providing the Toffees with very little profit.
Richarlison was purchased for £50million in 2018 and it is very unlikely that Everton will make more than a £10million profit on the striker if he was to be sold on.
Lampard and Thelwell need to turn the Toffees into a club that will take a risk on a younger player, much like Watford did with Richarlison.
In other Everton news, one Manchester City ace has already been touted for a major move to Goodison Park this summer
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell