Everton resolve to be tested in January amid ‘significant interest’ in Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana

The Toffees will once again have to be mindful of financial fair Play restrictions in terms of incomings this winter, with any deals likely to be loans or loans with a view to buy.

Thomas, writing for the Echo (1 January), thinks a bigger issue could be keeping others at bay as they try to cherry-pick the Toffees’ best talent while their hands remain tied financially.

“Where the intrigue could lie this month for the Blues is in the interest in some of those players. Onana and Branthwaite are both standout stars who are attracting significant interest,” Thomas wrote.

“Dyche would be reluctant to lose key players from a threadbare squad – certainly more so than had Everton not been deducted points and were in the more comfortable position the players deserve to be.

“But the club’s financial resolve could be tested by Champions League-chasing outfits who may wonder whether this is the last chance to raid the Blues, still with a lot of questions unanswered off the pitch, for a bargain – even if it is an expensive one.

“How Everton handle any such enquiries will be an indicator of the current state of affairs. The club does hold the cards in the case of any such interest though and is strengthened by progress on the pitch.”

Please hold firm

No one is downplaying the difficulty Everton still face off the pitch. The 777 Partners takeover remains a saga that we still have no idea how it will play out and clarity really is needed on that – it has been needed for months.

So, any huge offer for Branthwaite or Onana is likely to be considered purely because it might be needed to balance the books with FFP still an ugly grey cloud lingering over the club.

But both players have been hugely important for Sean Dyche this season and to lose them now with Everton’s squad already stretched to the absolute limit would be a huge blow to the manager and the rest of the squad.

The 10-point deduction, which Everton have challenged, means they are only one point clear of the drop zone as it stands so there is still a huge amount of work to do in the second half of the season. Having Branthwaite and Onana with them for the challenge is of huge importance.