EVERTON have just 12 PLAYERS under contract beyond the end of the season.
The Toffees narrowly avoided breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules in the summer having already suffered two separate points deductions last season.
They then missed out on a number of transfer targets including Yankuba Minteh, Wilfried Gnonto, Jaden Philogene and Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Another potential deduction could be on the way this season, a concern exacerbated by their dreadful start to the campaign.
Three successive losses, including spurning a 2-0 lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining against Bournemouth, has heaped pressure on manager Sean Dyche.
But even if Everton do manage to avoid the drop yet again, it is in the summer where the real danger may lie.
According to The Athletic, only 12 of Everton’s senior players have deals running beyond the end of the season.
Among those who could sign a pre-contract agreement elsewhere from January include Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Young and club captain Seamus Coleman.
This has led to some fans labelling them the very antithesis of Chelsea‘s contract model – which has seen the Blues tie 16 players down to deals running until 2030 or later.
Reacting to Everton’s contractual situation, one football fan said: “The reverse Chelsea.”
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While another added: “Wonder how many of them [the 12 under contract] have relegation clauses.”
And a third brutally joked: “Good Championship team though.”
Everton have not been relegated from the top flight since 1951 but have spent the last three seasons fighting for survival.
And Dyche was beside himself on the weekend as he watched his side concede three late goals to lose a remarkable game to Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
He said: “I’ve had a few [defeats] down my years as a player, coach, manager, but this is the most frustrating because to dominate a game for so long and come out of it without something at least is incredibly frustrating.
“These are ones that as a manager you scratch your head at.”
Nottingham Forest
Deducted four points during the 2023-24 season for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Failed in their appeal with decision upheld.
Everton
Initial 10-point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Were deducted a further two points later in the 2023-24 season. Appealed, but since withdrawn following Prem survival.
Sheffield United
Hit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022-23 EFL season. Will begin the 2024-25 Championship season on -2 points following their relegation from the Prem.
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Manchester City
Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.
Chelsea
Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.
Leicester
Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction for the 2024-25 season following their return to the top flight.
Everton (again)
The Toffees are again at risk of breaking PSR rules and are in a race against time to raise funds and balance the books. Not only could that lead to another charge but also administration. That would lead to an automatic nine-point deduction for the 2024/25 season.
