Everton ‘wary’ of new UEFA scenario amid Friedkin developments – Exclusive
This story includes exclusive opinion from football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley.
Everton supporters have every right to feel positive ahead of the new Premier League season.
While parting with Goodison Park was tough, the Merseyside outfit can continue to grow at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Friedkin Group have boosted David Moyes this summer, with Thierno Barry the standout Everton signing so far.
However, there is also reason to be cautious regarding events that have occurred in the capital with Crystal Palace.
Everton have Roma concern amid Crystal Palace developments
John Textor very openly bid to take over from Farhad Moshiri, but the Friedkins ended up acquiring ownership months later.
Crystal Palace have since qualified for the Europa League, but have been demoted to the Europa Conference League due to Textor also owning stakes in Lyon.
Now, football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – has addressed Everton’s situation with AS Roma.
“I think they have to be wary, ultimately, and you know that was part and parcel of it when that particular ownership group took over the club,” he said.
“There were always going to be questions thereafter, particularly in multi-club ownership models, about who is the dominant club within that model, and or where owners are connected to other parties, so it’s something that they will be wary of.
“And the other thing, of course, with the Palace case, that all the other clubs, now that are even thinking they might have half a chance of getting into Europe, will make sure that nobody misses that deadline, which is obviously what happened with Palace, so yes, they’d be wary of it.
“They’ll be planning for it, of course, they’re not quite an issue right now, but it’s certainly something you put into your kind of strategic risk category, when you’re sitting down and thrashing these things out, and they’ll make sure that they’re well ahead of the curve on that one should it occur in the future.”
Toffees have time to prepare for Roma scenario
While it may seem far-fetched that Everton and Roma could both qualify for Europe simultaneously at this stage, it is still a possibility.
In football, it is worth being proactive, rather than reactive, and the Friedkins will have been watching events unfold this summer.
Considering what has transpired, the Toffees’ hierarchy have plenty of time to plan for the same possibility.
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