AliousThe Friedkin Group, poised to acquire Everton before year’s end, is preparing a comprehensive club-wide assessment similar to INEOS’s approach at Manchester United. Their primary focus will be a strategic review of the squad’s composition, with significant decisions looming about player contracts and future roster planning.
A substantial number of first-team players are approaching the end of their current contracts, creating pivotal crossroads for the club. The list of potentially departing players includes prominent names like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Joao Virginia, Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman, and Asmir Begovic. These athletes will become eligible for pre-contract negotiations with international clubs starting in January.
Additionally, several loan players—Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala, and Armando Broja—present further complexity to the squad’s structural planning. Their long-term status remains uncertain and will require careful evaluation.
Calvert-Lewin represents a particularly nuanced situation. Despite Everton’s attempts to secure his long-term commitment with a lucrative contract offer, negotiations remain unresolved. While the player isn’t actively seeking departure and maintains a positive club relationship, external interest is mounting. Notably, Newcastle and other Premier League and European clubs are monitoring his contract status.
The striker’s current season performance complicates matters further. With merely two Premier League goals and the unfortunate distinction of missing the most big chances in the division, his form introduces additional uncertainty. Veteran footballers like Theo Walcott and Alan Shearer have publicly advocated for retaining Calvert-Lewin, highlighting the nuanced decision-making process.
The Friedkin Group’s deliberations are additionally complicated by the club’s precarious Premier League status. Some players are understandably hesitant to commit long-term while potential Championship relegation looms. Currently, Everton sits sixteenth, five points from the relegation zone and maintaining momentum with an unbeaten run in recent matches.
Drawing parallels with their Roma experience, the Friedkin Group brings a track record of strategic club management. At Roma, they’ve demonstrated abilities in financial stabilization, strategic player acquisitions, and navigating complex sporting environments—skills potentially transferable to Everton’s reconstruction.
However, their Roma tenure also reveals potential challenges. Criticisms have emerged regarding communication transparency, decision-making processes, and occasional organizational inconsistencies. These experiences might inform a more measured approach to Everton’s transformation.
The impending ownership transition suggests a potentially radical squad restructuring. With multiple contracts expiring and loan agreements requiring resolution, Everton could witness a substantial roster metamorphosis in the upcoming transfer windows.
Alious
