Our Everton jury have their say on the big talking points from Goodison Park after The Friedkin Group takeover was confirmed
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Dan Friedkin will be the chairman of a new board of directors at Everton
Dan Friedkin will be the chairman of a new board of directors at Everton
(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Everton return to Premier League action this weekend against Chelsea - but the big news is that the club have new owners. It has now been confirmed that The Friedkin Group have purchased Farhad Moshiri’s shares.
Completion of the deal marks the end of Moshiri’s turbulent eight years at Goodison Park. During his time at Everton, spending in the transfer market has been chaotic and largely squandered, but the club are set to move into a new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock at the end of the season.
The Blues, who drew 0-0 with Arsenal last time out, return to action against Chelsea on Sunday. And with that game, the takeover in mind, our Everton jury has returned to have their say.
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Alex McMonnies - Friedkins have clear
I think it would be fair to say that grinding out a goalless draw away to a team that was just one win off winning the title last season would be seen as a positive result in almost any instance in Everton's Premier League history.
However, following Saturday afternoon's result down at the Emirates Stadium, there were still many grumblings to be heard from within a fanbase that is clearly feeling very restless at this moment in time. That is understandable given that the long-awaited Friedkin takeover has finally been completed and a new chapter can now begin on the blue half of Merseyside.
But it must be remembered that while this will definitely be a major step in the right direction after years of decline for the Toffees, it will not provide an immediate fix to all of the club's problems, and it is unlikely to see the club instantly fly up the table in the following weeks.
The first major decision the new owners inevitably have to tackle is what to do with manager Sean Dyche, with a seemingly overwhelming majority of the fanbase wanting to see the back of the 53-year-old as soon as possible. However, I'm still not convinced that this is the most practical course of action to take.
Everton are clearly still restricted in how much they can spend in the transfer market, and having to pay off Dyche, when he only has six months left on his contract, seems illogical when that money could potentially be used to bolster this substandard squad. If there was an obvious candidate who could come in and instantly get a tune out of this group of players while also possessing the ability to adapt later down the line, I'd be all for it, but I'm not sure there is.
The Blues still find themselves deeply embroiled in a relegation battle, and we all fear the catastrophic repercussions should they succumb to the drop. With that in mind, it makes sense not to gamble, and I think Dyche has shown in the last two games that he's still got what it takes to keep this club afloat.
Keeping a title-chasing side like Arsenal at bay is the type of achievement that can give a struggling side an edge over their fellow relegation candidates and was an extremely valuable point gained on the road, whatever Dyche's critics might say about our lack of attacking threat. We wait to see if the Friedkins share the same view.
Paul McParlan - Everton’s number one
During the Farhad Moshiri years, money has been squandered like a kid let loose in a sweetshop with a sack of cash. Millions have been blown away on high-earning underachievers such as Yannick Bolasie, Morgan Schneiderlin, Davy Klaassen, Jean Philippe Gbamin and Moise Kean, to name but a few. Ronald Koeman was especially talented at identifying and paying top dollar for underperforming duds. However, the 25 million he paid to Sunderland in June 2017 for Jordan Pickford is arguably the best piece of transfer business the club has done this century.
On Saturday, I sat through endless reels and debates about whether Emi Martinez’s save against Nottingham Forest was the best of the season. Unfortunately, a few minutes later he gifted a goal to the opposition, and Aston Villa lost. The so-called 'save of the season' counted for nothing.
Meanwhile, at the Emirates Stadium in London, Jordan Pickford pulled off his normal range of top-ranking saves that earned Everton a well-deserved point. It was the Everton keeper’s sixth clean sheet in nine games. Pickford’s contribution to Everton’s defensive solidity in our recent run of games has been immense. And it is not just this season; in our last three campaigns, his heroics between the sticks have been the difference between Everton staying up or being relegated.
He sometimes makes the occasional mistake, but which goalkeeper doesn’t? But his consistent level of reliability, especially when playing for a team that has often struggled, is impressive. I have seen many excellent Everton custodians in my time watching the club, and only Jordan comes anywhere near to matching the standards set by Neville Southall.
Once again on Saturday, Everton’s draw received more criticism than praise from many in the media. If Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal prevent the opposition from scoring, it is viewed as a defensive masterclass. When Sean Dyche does it, he is criticised for his negativity. And who didn’t love hearing Arteta moaning about Everton’s tactics in his post-match interviews!
A point at the Emirates was an excellent way to start our tough trio of fixtures. Next up to Goodison on Sunday are the team lying in second place, Chelsea. It will be a difficult game for Everton, but Chelsea do not have the best of records at Goodison Park, having only won twice in their last eleven visits here. Despite the difference in league positions, Everton may fancy themselves, especially if Dwight McNeil is available again for selection with his deadly set piece deliveries.
Everton’s ability to defend and nullify their opponents will be key. If we can stop Chelsea from scoring, then we have a chance. Jordan Pickford has kept Everton in so many games this season, and if his saves play a part in an Everton victory, then it could be a happy Blue Christmas.
And with the news that the Friedkin Group has finally completed their takeover of the club, perhaps for the first time in a long time we can look forward to a Happy New Year?