Everton are a club that have my utmost respect. One of the most successful clubs in British history, they spent much of the early 90s in the bottom half of the Premiership table, and flirted with relegation a couple of times even leaving it till the last day of the season more than once before scrambling clear of the bottom 3.
Since those dark days, Everton have found new life under David Moyes who turned them from Premier League strugglers to serious contenders for European places, in a matter of seasons. To say Moyes’ has been facing an uphill battle from day one would be an understatement. Everton have always had a superb fan base, and under Moyes have become a hard team to beat at home and away. But the one thing which has hindered their progress has been a lack of transfer money.
Around this time of the season, Evertonians traditionally begin to look at their meagre war-chest as the team’s around them begin to recruit furiously. Everton have always seemed to survive on the scraps of other clubs, and have done a terrific job of investing in youth players and poaching from the lower leagues in a bid to keep the team afloat. But this season might see Moyes having to make some hard decisions, as he looks to find his transfer fee from somewhere other than Bill Kenwright’s wallet.
Moyes is apparently interested in signing Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega. The 25 year old Colombian has been one of the stars of Wigan’s season, but with the Latics dangling perilously close to the relegation zone they may be tempted to cash in on the striker at the end of the season. Rodallega could cost Everton £10 million.
Ah, therein lies the problem. If Everton where to get £10 million to put towards Rodallega they’d no doubt be left scraping the bottom of the barrel of their transfer budget. Moyes will probably want to recruit 2-3 players in key positions, not just blow everything on one player. That can only mean one thing. Selling big players.
Marouanne Fellani and Leighton Baines have both been the subject of transfer speculation so far this season, and we all know that midfielder Jack Rodwell is a target for Manchester United as they look to replace Paul Scholes. The sale of these 3 players alone would keep Everton in toffees for the rest of the season. But still….that’s 3 key players to lose….and for Rodallega!?!
It’s unlikely that Wigan will settle for anything less, and possibly Moyes may go elsewhere. Never fear though Evertonians! If anyone can operate on a shoe-string budget, it’s got to be the flame-haired Scot in the navy blue tracksuit!
Follow Peter Turner on Twitter @petermagpie
