Since Kevin Thelwell’s arrival at Everton, the club has made significant progress towards greater stability and long-term viability.
Appointed as the director of football after his stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thelwell faced the daunting challenge of stabilizing a team that was significantly struggling. His strategy, focused on selling high-value players for substantial sums, slashing the wage bill significantly, and judiciously investing in more affordable talent, has yielded impressive results.
The ability to keep Everton competitive in the Premier League, even after the departures of key players like Richarlison, Anthony Gordon, and Alex Iwobi, speaks volumes of his adeptness.
Yet, not every transaction under his guidance has been successful, with a few missteps along the way.
The most significant error is poised to become a major issue this upcoming summer, having been postponed for too long.
Everton faces a significant financial obligation this summer
In an effort to stabilize finances, Thelwell’s signings have been characterized by minimal upfront fees or staggered payments.
This approach of spreading costs into future financial years has been clever, providing the club with the flexibility needed to strengthen their roster despite limited resources.
However, the acquisition of Beto last summer may have inadvertently set the stage for a financial predicament.
The Portuguese striker’s performance has been underwhelming, and the impending £30m payment due this summer could not come at a worse time for Everton, especially as they grapple with potential financial penalties that have already led to a ten-point deduction.
Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s struggles
Beto was brought in to complement the often injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, yet the return to fitness of the latter since acquiring another striker has been somewhat of an irony.
While the addition of Beto has allowed Calvert-Lewin more time to recuperate, neither striker has managed to perform at a level sufficient to steer clear of relegation threats.
With Calvert-Lewin tagged as the Premier League’s least effective striker this season and Beto appearing ineffective in his role off the bench, their contributions have been minimal. Beto’s three goals in 28 appearances are less than convincing, particularly as he fails to challenge Calvert-Lewin, who himself has not scored in 19 games.
Neither player seems to be driving the other to improve, creating a situation where both seem reluctant to claim a starting spot.
The hope remains that Beto will find his form late in the season to justify his hefty transfer fee, or Thelwell may have to face the consequences of a costly misjudgment.
