Is Ashley Williams Free to Leave Everton This Summer?
By Tom Power
Ashley Williams’ Everton career could be over after he was tipped to be part of Marco Silva’s huge squad overhaul.
The veteran defender may be informed that he won’t feature under the Portuguese boss next season, according to the Mirror.
Silva and director of football Marcel Brands wish to cut down the senior squad at Goodison Park from 38 players to 25.
Williams is thought to be one of the Toffees’ highest earners and could find his head on the chopping block as a result.
The Wales international has endured a below-par 12 months in L4, and found himself out of the starting XI after he was sent off against Burnley in March.
And with only one year left on his deal on Merseyside, Silva could decide to cash in on Williams as part of his shake up.
Williams is not expected to push for a move away from Goodison but might not have a say in the matter if he is deemed surplus to requirements.
The ex-Swansea City captain joined Everton in a £12m deal in the summer of 2016 after his good performances for Wales at Euro 2016 in France.
He enjoyed a decent start to life under then boss Ronald Koeman, but struggled to replicate his best form as Everton spluttered during the 2016/17 campaign.
Williams could follow the likes of Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ramiro Funes Mori out of the Goodison exit door.
That quartet are the most likely casualties of Silva’s and Brands’ cull as they look to slash the club’s wage bill and freshen up the first-team ranks.
Williams is currently recuperating after he suffered a collapsed lung on international duty with Wales in May.
Everton have club captain Phil Jagielka and youngster Mason Holgate on their books as centre-back options alongside Williams and Funes Mori.
Next: Morgan Schneiderlin Heading for Everton Exit
But, with Silva and Brands identifying centre-half reinforcements as a priority during the summer window, that pair may need to find themselves new clubs soon.