Pundit and former footballer Tam McManus has claimed he is worried that Everton won’t be able to make signings this January.
The ex-Hibernian striker is worried that Everton’s inability to sell on deadwood and the expenditure on their new stadium will severely impact their January spending and chances of Premier League survival.
The Toffees have endured another miserable campaign to date with them sitting 17th and the third-lowest scoring team in the league with only 12 goals after 16 games.
Their recent descent down the table in previous years has come at exactly the wrong time as they prepare to move into their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock.
As the finances involved in the switch won’t be easily met by playing Championship football, McManus told Football Insider this is a real threat if they don’t move assets on.
He said: “Everton need big-money players who are going to come in and change things.
“Do they have the money for that? I keep going on about this stadium, they must be spending so much money on that.
“Do they have the money to go out and buy the players they need? Can they afford to not go out and sign those players?
“They are in such a difficult position because they need two or three at least. Top-quality players as well. As a minimum.
“You have to worry for them if they don’t sign anyone. I just wonder if the money is there.”
TIF Thoughts on McManus’ comments…
Everton have found themselves in a position where they paid big money for poor players on dear wages, with 11 first-team players featuring in less than 350 minutes of Premier League football.
Of those players, Yerry Mina’s and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s wages of £120k per week are the joint second-highest at the club (as per Salary Sport), showing just how hard it will be for the Toffees to sell players who are surplus to requirements.
We think Everton desperately need to add to their firepower first and foremost, with Anthony Gordon currently their top scorer with three, while injuries have yet again plagued Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is another of those players to feature for less than 350 minutes.
With relegation rivals Wolves already strengthening by signing Matheus Cunha for £44m and beating Everton on Monday, the Toffees’ already tough task of keeping their heads above water will be even tougher if their main competitors continue to splash the cash.