Everton

We asked for your views on Everton sporting director Kevin Thelwell's comments on the club selling players in the summer window to improve the financial situation at Goodison Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Tony: As Everton fans, we have to be pragmatic. The club has no money and our proposed buyers look to have even less. We will have to sell some, if not all, of our high value players to ensure we do not incur any further points deductions next season. Just hope we recruit well.

Paul: We've known for ages that Everton finances will dictate that players are sold. There are players out of contract very soon as well. These players will walk anyway simply because they are on high salaries and Everton can't keep the wage bill as high as it is. My concerns are based around the squad eventually getting some self-belief only to break up.

Roy: I am not so blinkered to believe we can keep our more valuable players and stabilise our financial plight. A lot depends on getting the takeover debacle sorted. Players come and go - that's football - they get a better contract, more pay and a better chance to win something, sometimes! If we lose some it will be because of finances.

Paul: I think everyone will agree we knew it was going to happen but as long as the right players are sold for the club and the stability of the team itself

Eagle Everton: Keane should be first out of the door followed by Beto, Onana and Calvert-Lewin. Give Idrissa Gueye a new contract and bring back Cannon and Simms. Get rid of Young as well and give the kids a chance.

We asked for your views on Everton withdrawing their their appeal against a two-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: Receiving two points deductions in one season is grossly unfair and draconian. Yes, the rules are the rules (yawn) but any fans would feel the same if it happened to their club. Having said that, I think the club have made the right decision.

Steve: Considering our initial deduction was a whopping (and disproportionate) 10 points, I was relieved when second time around we were only docked two points. I don’t think we should have challenged this. Having another appeals process hanging over the club surely added to the existing atmosphere of uncertainty brought on by the ongoing 777 saga.

Ron: Definitely the right thing to do. An appeal can go two ways - harder or softer - so why take the risk? Getting two points back wouldn’t affect their relegation prospects because they are already safe.

Denby: Why should they proceed with their future next season secured? They would not gain anything other than a little pride. They are quite right to more or less say forget it let's move on.

Karen: Points appeal is irrelevant now. Premier League status already secured, club need to concentrate on finding a buyer to get rid of Moshiri, and 777, as they bring more trouble.

Everton have withdrawn their appeal against a two-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules.

The appeal was due to take place next week with a verdict announced before the final game of the season against Arsenal on 19 May.

The Toffees have already secured top-flight survival, so do you think this was the right decision Everton fans? Or should they have gone through with the appeal on principle?

And what do you think of Kevin Thelwell's comments regarding players being sold during the summer?

Let us know your thoughts, external

Image source, Getty Images

Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell says players "will be sold" this summer and has asked fans for "patience and understanding" as the club works to improve its financial condition.

The Toffees have had a tumultuous season, losing eight points as a sanction against breaches of financial rules.

Thelwell says the Premier League commission and appeal processes around the deductions have created "anxiety and uncertainty" and that the "impact such matters can have on a club’s footballing operation" should not be underestimated.

In a letter to fans, he said the issues will impact summer plans.

He explained he hopes to keep captain Seamus Coleman as a player at the club beyond his contract expiration this summer, while other out-of-contract players will get "clarity" on their situations. There remains uncertainty over the likes of coveted defender Jarrad Branthwaite, midfielder Amadou Onana and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who are all regularly linked with interested clubs.

And on recruitment or player sales he added: "I also understand that, as with every transfer window, there is a great deal of anticipation around what business may be done. Whilst I cannot go into details, I have been working closely with Sean and our key staff here at Finch Farm, utilising data and insight from our recruitment team, planning for the summer window. As is always the case, there must be multiple plans and strategies in play, and a dynamic approach to planning is key.

"It is also important that I am completely candid with you. The reality is, given the regulations in place and the Club’s current financial position, we have to trade well. Working within such tight financial parameters makes the job extremely difficult. Whilst we want to ensure that the team is as competitive as possible, we cannot lose sight of our central objective to protect the long-term stability of the Club.

"That does mean that players will be sold, and also that every tool at our disposal will be used to secure new additions to the squad, including utilisation of the loan market. Both Sean and I understand the responsibility we have - and that is a responsibility which has to be our priority. That may not be exciting to hear but, under our current circumstances, it is the right thing for Everton.

"Within that context, I ask that you are patient and understanding of the steps we are taking."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been named the Premier League's manager of the month for April.

The Blues took 13 points of a possible 18 and recorded four consecutive wins at home – without conceding a goal – that secured their survival in the top flight. One of those wins was over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

Dyche, who has now won this award three times in career, becomes the first Toffees manager to receive the award since Carlo Ancelotti back in September 2020.

"I’m very pleased," he said. "Obviously on behalf of firstly myself, but of my staff and the players, and the fans who have played their part.

"It was a really good run and a very pleasing and a tough month of fixtures.

"The derby win is the one that stands out, without a doubt."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the latest in the takeover of Everton: "If you were to ask me now if the 777 deal is off, I couldn't say that it is completely off but it is looking like the most likely outcome right now.

"There are so many headlines around 777 and some of the more recent ones in the last 24 hours or so are Standard Liege – where they are the majority shareholders there – the players and the staff are unpaid currently. They have been told they will have to stay unpaid until the summer. It is claimed the bank accounts are empty and the former owner of Standard Liege is now taking legal action to take control back of the club as well.

"Vasco da Gama club in Brazil is another owned by 777 and they are also unhappy with the running of the club. So it does seem there are so many headlines around 777 and none of them are particularly good at all.

"There are also suggestions now that Farhad Moshiri is looking to move on from this deal. A lot of fans will say he should have moved on a lot sooner, but it does seem that is the case. Six or seven months ago it looked like 777 were the likely outcome, they even wrote in the matchday programme to fans in October how they wanted to get involved in the club and were looking forward to it. Right now, I can't see that happening."

On what happens next if the deal falls through: "That is the big question and the big concern for Everton fans.

"What I have to say is, while the club can't speak about it because it is business deals and there are confidentiality clauses, no one inside the club has sat there doing nothing.

"MSP is another consortium that has been around the club, they have already invested in Everton, you would imagine they are still very interested. They haven't gone away and there are others that I am led to believe are taking a look but aren't as far down the road as the MSP situation.

"The club do have some contingency plans in place but all this will take time as we know."

Arsenal are considering making a move for 30-year-old Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the summer transfer window. (Teamtalk), external

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is to pull the plug on a takeover deal with 777 Partners by the end of this week, after holding new crisis talks with the group. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, US firm MSP Sports Capital, who showed an interest in buying Tottenham last year, are said to be waiting in the wings with a bid for the Toffees if the 777 Partners deal collapses. (Football London), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton director Paul Gregg has been reflecting on his time at the club with BBC Radio Merseyside.

The businessman joined forces with the Toffees in 2000 and gained notoriety with fans for his desire to move the club's home to King's Dock, where Liverpool's multi-purpose M&S Bank Arena and convention centre now sits.

Everton meanwhile are set to move to a newly-built ground at Bramley-Moore Dock in 2025.

Gregg says the club would have been "20 years ahead of Spurs" had they made the move when he hoped and explained Liverpool City Council were prepared to fill a funding shortfall as long as Everton leased the stadium back from them, only for the club's late chairman Bill Kenwright to decide against the move.

You can listen to Gregg recall his push to move stadiums and his reflections on time spent at the club here.

Sean Dyche spoke to the media on Thursday and discussed the future of captain Seamus Coleman with the 35-year-old's contract due to expire in the summer.

"He's made it clear at this stage his mindset is to keep playing," says Dyche.

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking about ongoing issues around the club's takeover by 777 Partners.

"There's a lot going on at this club," he stressed.

"New ground, the complexities of the finances have become obvious, staying in the division has been achieved. There's a lot of detail goes into buying this club and that will take some time.

"It's the shifting sands of this football club. You want to put a base in and it's not quite there yet."

Dyche said things are "more tricky" on the transfer side and that things are "very difficult" in terms of planning while the club's ownership remains uncertain.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sean Dyche entered the news conference room on Thursday wiping his brow and commenting how hot it was, perhaps indicating how hard he is still working his players in training despite securing Premier League survival.

But it's off the pitch were developments are reaching boiling point for Everton, with suggestions that the protracted takeover by 777 Partners is close to collapsing.

Dyche admitted there is "a lot going on" and the uncertainty of that is making it difficult to plan for next season.

He had to navigate the free and loans market last summer, so will there be money to spend this time if the takeover situation is resolved?

Fans have been questioning whether prized asset Jarrad Branthwaite will be sold so the club don't fall foul of Profit and Sustainability rules once again. Will internationals such as Jordan Pickford and Amadou Onana remain at the club?

Dyche has been dealt a particularly difficult hand and so it may have been a surprise he wasn't on the shortlist for the Premier League's manager of the year award.

The boss said he doesn't "need an award", adding: "I know my self-reward as a manager from that job and playing my part in how it's come about to get it done. I've been really pleased with that."

Having achieved safety despite being docked eight points for breaching financial rules on a shoe-string budget, Dyche perhaps deserves more than just an award for the job he has done at Everton so far.

Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Everton host Sheffield United on Saturday in the Premier League.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dyche confirmed they have no one "seriously injured" at the moment so "most of the group are ready to go again".

• On selection decisions and picking a team to win: "I always believe in playing a team that can win the game so that'll be the main thing. There might be certain changes but we'll wait and see. We've come through training today unscathed so pretty much a group we can change if we feel it's right but we want to go into the game and win it - that is our mindset."

• He said there is "nothing more [to say] than I have said all along" on the current takeover situation and that "it's not just as simple as 'the club is up and running, buy it'".

• Dyche added: "There is a lot going on. I don't know if all of those points are necessary but I'd imagine there's a lot of detail that goes into buying this football club and that would take some time."

• On the impact it is having on him: "Ever since I got here I have been tying to manage a situation when the goalposts move significantly at any given time so I don't think I am in new waters on that side. That's the shifting sands at this football club, currently. You want to put a base into the football club to build from and it's not quite there yet."

• On the atmosphere at Goodison Park on Saturday: "The last couple of years have been fraught at the end of the season. It's a nice sign off for the players and the fans and hopefully you do that on the back of the win. Overall a really strange season for many reasons yet you end up with a positive feel to it. Certainly I do and I think the players and fans do."

• Dyche said he doesn't "need an award" for what he has done this campaign after not being nominated for manager of the season and added: "I know my self-reward as a manager from that job and playing my part in how it's come about to get it done. I've been really pleased with that."

• On his part in Dominic Calvert-Lewin's recent form: "The risk and reward at the time was heavy because everyone is pushing and wanting me to make decisions and get him out there. It needed buy-in from all parties and it was a challenge. I think slowly but surely he has earned the right to be considered where he is - a really good striker."

• On Seamus Coleman's future: "It's ongoing. I have already spoken to him about his view and at this stage I said reflect on where you're at but I think his thirst is to keep playing so we'll be looking into that."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton deserve better than 777 Partners and the current situation that the majority owners have overseen at Standard Liege is "a complete disgrace", according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Speaking to the BBC's Total Sport Merseyside show, Tavolieri said: "The situation is quite clear - all the employees of the company are not paid.

"It will be a problem where they don't know when it will be solved. They are expecting not to be paid until the end of the season.

"It is the same thing for all the employees who are not involved with the sports stuff - that's the current situation."

The Miami based investment firm agreed to buy Farhad Moshiri's 94% stake of Everton in September but there has been growing uncertainty around the deal.

Tavolieri believes Everton are right to be worried about the potential deal and he said all the clubs involved with 777 Partners are "cracking in front of you, from a sporting point of view and a financial point of view.

"Everton is a big club with big supporters and a massive fan base," he added. "I don't believe that they deserve this."

Listen to Tavolieri's interview here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton Fan Advisory Board member Paul McMonnies believes there has been many "extremely worrying stories since day one" involving 777 Partners so therefore the situation "is becoming completely untenable."

The supporter group made a statement, external on Wednesday and requested an emergency meeting with the club to express their concerns and seek clarification. over the Miami-based investment firm's attempts to buy Farhad Moshiri's 94% stake in Everton.

McMonnies told BBC Radio Merseyside the Fan Advisory Board has been trying to get answers for months now.

"It did all lead to this limbo situation - alongside points deductions and everything else going on alongside that," he said. "It means this season for Evertonians has been a season of worry for a number of reasons.

"It seems quite mad that the takeover of the club hasn't been the number one on most people's agendas.

"Now that we are secure and safe in the Premier League, focus has really strongly come back onto the takeover now. That is why we deliberately wrote to the parties involved - so we can have those answers."

Listen to the full interview here

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Everton and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• Everton have lost five of their past seven home league games against Sheffield United (including the most recent two). The exceptions are a 4-2 win in August 1993 and a 2-0 victory in October 2006.

• Sheffield United have won more Premier League away games against Everton than they have any other opponent (three) and their four wins overall against them in the competition is their joint-most versus one side (also four against Chelsea).

• Everton have lost their final home league game in just one of the last eight campaigns. They have also won their final home game of the season for three years in a row since a 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth in 2019-20.

• The Blades have lost their final away game in each of their past four Premier League campaigns. The last time they won their final Premier League away game actually came at Everton in the 1992-93 season.

• Everton keeper Jordan Pickford has kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - his second-most in a single campaign after 2018-19 (14).

• Despite only joining the club in January, no Sheffield United player has scored more Premier League goals this season than Ben Brereton-Diaz (six). His rate of a goal every 158 minutes is the second best by any Blades player who has managed a minimum of 500 minutes in a single season after Nathan Blake in 1993-94 (one goal every 145 minutes).

Image source, Getty Images

Everton's Fan Advisory Board has called for the Premier League to dismiss 777 Partners takeover bid and to "allow discussions with more suitable owners" to take place.

Miami-based investment firm 777 agreed to buy majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri's 94% stake in the club in September, but the deal remains in limbo as it is yet to be ratified by the Premier League.

The Fan Advisory Board has today stated the "ongoing confusion and lack of transparency cannot continue" and have demanded Moshiri to be open to new bidders for the club.

The statement says, external: "Each party must recognise the role it is playing in sullying the reputation of one of the most storied clubs in English football history and appreciate that all the rumour and speculation is causing extremely high levels of anxiety and concern to the club’s greatest assets: their fans."

They go on to call 777 "unsuitable owners," who are causing "growing reputational damage" to the club, as it is still not known whether they will pass the owners' and directors' test.

The Fan Advisory Board have also requested an emergency meeting with the club to express their concerns and seek clarification on behalf of supporters. This is in addition to the scheduled meeting with Moshiri that will take place towards the end of May.

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Now that Premier League safety has been assured, the focus has quickly turned to the takeover situation and the lack of progress on this vital issue.

The Everton Shareholders' Association has made its feelings clear about 777 Partners as not yet "fit and proper" prospective owners, and branded the whole saga a "farce".

It has been going on since September but until the ownership is sorted out – and to the satisfaction of everyone concerned - the Blues remain in this constant state of uncertainty.

If 777 Partners is not the right fit, then who is ready to step in?

The longer it goes on, the more difficult it is to plan as the summer months approach and deals need to be done - both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

The one thing Sean Dyche and his staff want is a sense of stability and clarity. He has not had much of either since taking the job. The fans want and deserve that too.

Dyche and his players now have just two games left to finish off another hugely difficult season.

They have done what they had to do and will be hoping the final piece of the jigsaw can be found sooner rather than later.

Chelsea have identified 30-year-old Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as a summer target. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column