Kevin Thelwell transfer bravery could reap long-term rewards for Everton
It’s still something that should be whispered quietly but there is genuine cause for optimism at Everton right now.
Why whisper it? Well, because the last few years have been, how should this be said in a PC-friendly way?…turbulent.
Spiralling debts, battles with Profit and Sustainability rules, points deductions, relegation battles, managers coming, managers going, takeover uncertainty.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, if the rollercoaster in question was only heading downwards…at least until now.
There were few tears shed when the 777 Partners attempt to acquire the keys at Goodison Park fell by the wayside and, though there is still work to be done, the impending takeover by Dan Friedkin appears a genuinely exciting one for supporters given he has the funds and the nous to make a significant difference.
Kevin Thelwell doing good business at Everton this transfer window
Even accounting for that potential deal, though, there were concerns of a fire sale to cut the cloth this summer but thus far most of the business conducted by Everton has been pretty shrewd and a lot of credit has to go to director of football Kevin Thelwell for that.
Manchester United’s abysmal attempt to shortchange the Toffees with a risible offer for Jarrad Branthwaite has been made to look a little silly.
A couple of sales before the 30 June PSR deadline – which saw Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey depart – should hopefully ease fears of a third breach, while the impending sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa in what is reportedly worth £50million (John Percy, 17 July) means there is renewed hope Branthwaite will stay put.
While it is obviously somewhat of a blow to lose Onana, he has struggled for consistency and looks out of sorts in a Sean Dyche team. Most supporters would gladly accept his exit if it meant Branthwaite staying.
There has been patience too with incomings. Jaden Philogene was heavily linked but the fear of a bidding war meant the Toffees wisely steered clear and other targets are being identified to add to a few canny bits of business that have seen Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye arrive, while Jack Harrison has returned on loan from Leeds United.
In truth, not many expected Everton to be this proactive in the market. Indeed, the fear of more big hitters going was more realistic.
With no exact timeline on the Friedkin deal, and no 100 per cent guarantee it gets complete, all of these murmurs of positivity still carry huge, bellowing screams of caveats.
But, in truth, it’s so far, so good at Goodison and Thelwell deserves a big share of the credit for that. His bravery in the market could reap long-term rewards for Everton.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have been in contact to hurry up one transfer over the past 24 hours.
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