Everton: Premier League relegation can be positive at Goodison Park
Dean Saunders believes that relegation can “sometimes” be a positive for a club, citing that Everton could get rid of unwanted players if the unthinkable happens.
The Toffees claimed a draw against Crystal Palace on Monday 19 February, climbing out of the Premier League relegation zone and above Luton Town on goal difference.
Referring to Everton’s threat of relegation this season, Natalie Sawyer asked if being relegated can ever be seen as anything but negative for a club.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday (21 February, 7:38am), Saunders replied: “Sometimes. If you’re trying to get players off the wage bill, and they don’t want to play in the Championship, it’s a good way of getting them out.
“They want to leave so you don’t have to pay them off, and they end up taking less money to leave.”
Everton handed hope despite relegation battle
Leicester City and Leeds United are prime examples of Premier League clubs possessing the ability to bounce back from relegation, battling away in the Championship to come straight back up.
It has also highlighted the benefits of being relegated, with the Whites already offloading deadwood before the season has finished.
Many players, who were key to Leeds’ downfall last season, have pushed their way out of Elland Road, with the likes of Marc Roca, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente joining other clubs on loan.
This can show a club which of their players are ready for the fight, and which are just better to get rid of and move onto those who want to be there.
If the unthinkable were to happen at Goodison Park, and Everton were relegated at the end of the season, Sean Dyche and the club would be able to make a fresh start and begin building a new squad, especially if £80million-rated Jarrad Branthwaite or Amadou Onana were sold.
There is, obviously, the possibility that Everton could miss out on promotion back to the Premier League, which would be a serious concern for the Toffees.
Either way, staying in the Premier League is the only goal right now.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit was “shushed” live on air over comments made regarding a Toffees regular.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.