Former Premier League goal machine Kevin Phillips has given his reaction to some big Everton news that has now emerged.
The Lowdown: No relegation clauses
Writing in their latest piece for The Athletic, Patrick Boyland and Greg O'Keeffe have revealed that only some of the squad at Goodison Park have relegation clauses in their big-money contracts, with some earning up to six figures in wages per week.
The Merseyside club are currently lurking in 17th place in the Premier League, a mere three points away from the relegation zone, and are now in serious danger of going down to the Championship, where those sorts of massive salaries would be extremely damaging.
The Latest: Phillips reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, Sunderland legend Phillips, who also works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has given his reaction to the news, claiming that it is now a 'huge worry' for the Toffees if they find themselves relegated:
“That is a huge worry for the club.
“I like a lot of people expected Everton to have a good season. I never envisaged this situation.
“The club clearly never envisaged this either otherwise players would have relegation clauses in their contracts. It just goes to show that no club is too big to get relegated. Everton have not been good enough this season.
“The parachute payments would make it a little easier but it would be far from ideal.
“[Frank] Lampard has a huge task in front of him between now and the end of the season with the fixtures they have got coming up. They have to stay up.”
The Verdict: Unthinkable
It is simply unthinkable for a club of the Blues' size, with the brand new stadium being built as well, to be going down from the Premier League this season. Yet, this is now the reality, given their league position as a result of their poor run of results.
The fact that there are no relegation clauses in some of the player's contracts suggests that the club thought that they would never be in this situation, but years of bad recruitment has left them in this position.
Of course, if they were to go down, it would represent a huge financial loss on behalf of the club, and it may take a long time for them to bounce back - just look at Phillips' old club.
In other news, find out what 'massive blow' has now emerged for EFC here!