It will be “impossible” for Everton to begin planning for the summer transfer window with the looming threat of a potential points deduction and relegation, according to Dave Powell.
The Toffees have already been deducted 10 points for an alleged breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and while an appeal against that decision is being heard, Everton have received a further charge for an alleged second breach.
While Sean Dyche didn’t spend a penny in January, Reach’s chief business of football writer Powell has insisted the Toffees will have to continue to cut costs and won’t be able to plan ahead of this summer’s window.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo on Saturday (3 February) he said: “Everton wouldn’t be engaging in the transfer window, and with the uncertainty that exists due to the threat of relegation due to the severity of the punishment, planning for a summer window is nearly impossible.
“Everything has been about cost-cutting for Everton, and it is getting to the point where there isn’t much left to cut away. The club had one fit senior central midfielder at Fulham in midweek, and the battle for survival this season is being fought with one arm tied behind their back and one leg attached to a giant boulder.
“Reducing cost will be the name of the game again for Everton before the summer window opens.”
The profit and sustainability rules have already had a huge impact at Goodison Park, with the Toffees having to attempt to dodge relegation without being able to make a single addition to their squad in January.
While the teams around them have strengthened for the run-in, Dyche has been left with the same group of players and, in reality, the Everton boss was rather fortunate he didn’t lose one of his star men before the end of the transfer window.
Now it seems that even if Everton do manage to stay in the Premier League, they will be a step behind everyone else in the division when it comes to the summer, as they have no idea what they will be able to spend come the end of the season.
The rules and regulations need to be changed sooner rather than later because at the moment, they are making the Premier League far too unbalanced and football should be decided on the pitch, rather than in a boardroom.
