EXCLUSIVE: There are concerns over Everton owners The Friedkin Group reckons former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips
Everton manager David Moyes and (inset) Dan Friedkin and Ryan Friedkin
Everton manager David Moyes and (inset) Dan Friedkin and Ryan Friedkin
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It’s concerning to hear that The Friedkin Group (TFG) are already looking for new investors in Everton after letting David Moyes down in the transfer market, reckons a former Premier League star.
The Blues’ billionaire owners are now said to be seeking new investors less than two years after buying the club following a summer transfer window in which Premier League rivals drove spending to new records in an arms race for talent.
TFG completed its takeover of Everton on December 19, 2024, in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £400million to acquire 99.5% of the club from Farhad Moshiri. They subsequently appointed Marc Watts as executive chairman although the day-to-day running of the Blues is now done by chief executive Angus Kinnear, who was hired the following May, with the Texas-based Friedkin family continuing to keep a low profile.
Dan Friedkin, who is Everton’s chairman, has never attended a game at either Goodison Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium in contrast to his more hands-on approach with Roma where he has also made personal visits to meet the players and staff. Owner of Gulf States Toyota, the 61-year-old is currently placed at number 286 with an estimated fortune of $12.4billion (approximately £9.38billion) by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s wealthiest people.
Despite the considerable personal wealth of the Friedkins and financial experts calculating that Everton’s move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium would enable them to generate approximately £60million in additional income annually, the Blues’ summer outgoings on transfers was the six lowest in the division at £88million, and they were also one of just half a dozen clubs to finish the window with a negative net spend.
Everton pocketed more than £100million on deadline day with Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson all sold and the late collapse of the signing of USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun from Monaco left manager Moyes with just one recognised striker in a squad comprising just 18 senior outfield players.
Asked if Moyes – who has subsequently steered the Blues to seven games unbeaten in all competitions so far this term – had been let down by the owners in this respect, Kevin Phillips, speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk told the ECHO: “You probably have to say so. We don’t know the ins and outs, but listening to David Moyes, watching his interviews, he’s clearly frustrated that he wasn’t able to bring more players in.
“He knows the squad is light, but in his words, it’s an opportunity for other people to step up and get their opportunity. So, one door closes, others open.
“But yeah, I think he would have loved another three, four signings. They brought Ainsley Maitland-Niles in and they brought Jack Grealish in, but they let good players leave and that’s never ideal.
“So potentially, was there an issue of him not being given the funds? We know that the club are looking for new investors already after two years, which could be slightly concerning.
“But listen, David Moyes will get the best out of that squad. We’ve already seen that this season.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Everton's James Tarkowski (centre) celebrates scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 1-1 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Everton's James Tarkowski (centre) celebrates scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 1-1 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)