Everton set players free who cost £75 million and millions more in salary. That sounds shocking, but it is a plus for the club.
Releasing Cenk Tosun (seen above seeing Red for Turkey), Fabian Delph and Glyfi Sigurdsson as well as JonJoe Kenny all leave as their contracts finish.
If Delph (32) had been younger, and less injury-prone he might have been offered a new contract. But given his age and injury problems, letting him go was always on the cards, despite his solid performances near the end of last season. He cost £8 million.
Sigurdsson, who cost £40 million from Swansea in 2017, was Ronald Koeman’s big buy. Sadly, despite his obvious talent, the Icelander never lived up to his talent, nor the expectations placed on him. His best season as Blue was 2018 when he scored 13 times and added 2 assists.
Last season, he became the midfielder who shall not be named, after allegedly being involved in some issues with his babysitter. He wasn’t registered for the season and to nobody’s surprise, he was asked to never darken Everton’s doors again.
Tosun, who cost £27 million, never justified his cost as he scored 11 goals in 61 matches for the Blues.
Local product JonJoe Kenny rejected the offer of a new contract and decided to seek his fortune elsewhere.
The quartet’s departure frees up around £13 million in yearly wages. Other high earners are also expected to leave.
The club has taken the one-year option on backup ‘keeper Asmir Begovic and have offered third-string goalie Andy Lonergan a one-year deal.
The moves are designed to free up money for Frank Lampard to improve his squad. The moves come on the heels of majority owner Farhad Moshiri admitting there had been poor transfer decision and money had been wasted (£500 million at least) in what was an I’m sorry letter to supporters.
Many supporters still question the competency of Bill “We’ve had good times” Kenwright, the club’s chairman. Kenwright has fallen short of the club’s motto - “Nothing but the best is good enough.”
Of course, the rumours continue with numerous sources claiming Andre Gomes and Yerri Mina will be allowed to leave if buyers can be found. A certain rag that will not be named reported Richarlison has said he wanted to leave but didn’t see Arsenal as a destination; preferring Chelsea, Real Madrid, or PSG.
The Brazillian was having none of it! He responded to the rumours in a tweet which basically said whoever believes these rumours is crazy.
The transfer window opened today (Friday) and Everton is linked with a number of players with James Tarkowski’s signing soon to be announced. Considering the number of rumours that’s for another story probably on Saturday.
The club confirmed what is reported as a club-record main sponsorship deal with gambling concern Stake.com. Almost half (nine) EPL: clubs have deals with betting agencies. Some fans were upset, but with gambling ads an ever-present at grounds, on television and the internet, it’s hard to argue the name of a company on the front of a jersey is going to increase gambling.
Billy Bingham dies today at 90.
Everton mourned the loss of former player and manager Billy Bingham. On the club’s official website,
The club said: Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Billy Bingham MBE.
A championship winner as a player with the Club and manager at Goodison Park for nearly four years, Billy passed away peacefully on Thursday, at the age of 90.
The thoughts of everybody at Everton Football Club are with Billy’s family and friends. (More to follow.)
A right-sided forward, Bingham ignored interest from Arsenal to join Everton in October 1960, a decade after leaving his native Northern Ireland to pursue a professional football career with Sunderland.
Bingham played 23 matches and scored five goals in Everton’s Harry Catterick-inspired 1962-63 title-winning campaign.