Everton: Journo raises ‘seriously problematic’ Goodison Park transfer issue in ongoing PSR battle
Everton could yet be hit with a transfer ban in what would be a “seriously problematic” development, according to journalist Joe Thomas.
The Toffees were last week charged with breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for a second time.
That is a decision Everton will appeal, as they also wait to hear back on if they have been successful in reducing their previous 10-point penalty.
While a further points deduction is possible this season, Thomas says being blocked from signing players could be an even worse outcome.
“The independent panels commissioned to hear Everton’s appeal and then its defence against a second allegation could consider a transfer ban on the club,” Thomas wrote for the Liverpool Echo [23 January].
“In some ways, that could be more damning than the loss of further points.”
Thomas added: “What will happen with the club’s profit and sustainability cases remain to be seen but most likely outcomes make [Kevin] Thelwell’s job harder.
“Even if the club receives some of the deducted points back, the loss will add time to Everton’s efforts to confirm safety – delaying forward planning and costing the club millions in lost merit payments.
“A transfer ban would be seriously problematic should it come at a time when the club was hoping to transition towards a better, more sustainable, competitive future – particularly with several strong squads competing for promotion from the Championship.”
Surely not
Everton have already showed this season that they can cope with a points deduction, although a second hit of a similar magnitude could prove fatal.
The Toffees will always back themselves to get out of a hole no matter what, and the truth is that this squad has enough quality to finish above the dotted line no matter what.
However, if the club are then hit with a transfer ban – which does seem extreme on the face of it – then that will have a huge impact on next season and possibly beyond.
When you consider the players that are out of contract, those returning back to their parent clubs and those that may well be plucked away by other teams, it would leave Sean Dyche’s squad extremely thin.
Hopefully it does not come to that, but you never know with this commission. If they are hell-bent on throwing the book at Everton, then you should not put a transfer ban past them.
In other Everton news, one of Dyche’s favourites could be sold this month if the right offer is tabled.
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