Four Everton players could depart as their contract ends at Everton
Everton have been one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League. Thanks to the very deep pockets of Farhad Moshiri, Everton have paid their players well, offering lucrative contracts to attract them to Merseyside. However, in much of the cases, it has backfired.
In the 2020-21 season, Everton’s wage bill rose to £182 million, up by £17 million as compared to the previous year. Massive losses had to be offset or Everton would have landed in serious financial trouble. Moshiri has had to bail out Everton by increasing his stake and bringing new sponsorships.
With Everton now without the backing of Alisher Usmanov and a new stadium on the horizon, money has to be spent prudently and money needs to be saved in every possible instance. Going into next season, Everton are set to save close to £8 million in player wages through almost guaranteed departures.
The contracts of Fabian Delph, Cenk Tosun, Jonjoe Kenny and Andy Lonergan are expiring at the end of the season. While Asmir Begovic’s contract has been extended until 2023, there have been no indications over the extension of the aforementioned four names.
How much can Everton save from their departures?
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Fabian Delph has failed to make a big impact at Everton in three seasons
1. Fabian Delph
Delph arrived at Goodison Park under the regime of Marco Silva for a fee of £8 million which could rise to £10 million based on add-ons. The Englishman arrived from Manchester City with two Premier League medals to his name and was thought to be the leader who will instil a champion mentality and provide experience that will help Everton in bridging the gap between themselves and the top six.
However, what has ensued in the three years is nothing short of a tragicomedy. Everton and their fans have really struggled to warm up to the name of Delph. The player has missed more games due to injury and illness than he has featured in. When fit, he has proved to be a valuable asset in the midfield but Delph remaining fit is as scarce as a hen’s teeth.
Lately, Delph became an important part of Frank Lampard’s side as the Toffees tested the relegation zone and was exceptional in games which allowed the club to jump back out of the drop zone but as soon as he generated some momentum, the 32 year old picked up another injury and could be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Delph was on an £80,000 per week deal at Everton which amounts to £4.16 million per year. There have been no indications from either camp over an extension and it appears that the nightmare is coming to an end.
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Cenk Tosun has found it difficult to adjust to the Premier League intensity
2. Cenk Tosun
Cenk Tosun arrived in 2018 as Everton searched for a distinct poacher capable of replacing Romelu Lukaku who had left for Manchester United in 2017. Tosun arrived with a reputation of being a tantalizing poacher capable of drilling goals from the box.
However, the failure to settle into the Premier League meant that Everton’s £27 million have been flushed down the drain. In 61 games for the Toffees, Tosun has netted mere 11 goals, which isn’t a convincing number for a striker. Injuries also demolished his confidence and stopped him from getting into any sort of rhythm.
There have been numerous reports emerging from time to time about Besiktas eyeing a reunion with Tosun but so far nothing concrete has been established. There’s no chance for Tosun to extend his stay at Everton as the Toffees are well stocked in the striking department. With Ellis Simms and Nathan Broadhead emerging, Tosun’s time is up.
The Turkey international signed four and a half year deal in 2018, pocketing £60,000 weekly and £3.12 million annually. The Toffees will be able to save that much amount starting next season due to the 30 year old’s departure.
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Jonjoe Kenny’s 16 year association with Everton is coming to an end
3. Jonjoe Kenny
Everton academy product Jonjoe Kenny was never able to reach his full potential. He was never truly considered a part of Everton’s future as the club continued to wander in the transfer market in the search of a Seamus Coleman successor despite Kenny being present at the club.
At best, he was viewed as a squad rotation player. His impressive loan spell at Schalke did spark off a debate over Kenny’s regular inclusion in the side. But soon, it became clear as then manager Carlo Ancelotti preferred to deploy Mason Holgate or Ben Godfrey over Kenny in the right back position when Coleman was injured.
With Nathan Patterson arriving earlier this year, it is certain that Kenny isn’t in Lampard’s plans. Although, Kenny did manage to get adequate game time this season, playing 18 games this season, but hasn’t done anything exemplary to persuade the club hierarchy to offer him a new deal.
Long last, a separation between Kenny and his boyhood club will happen. Kenny’s wages weren’t astronomical as he earned £15,000 per week, amounting to a little under £800,000 yearly.
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Andy Lonergan signed a one year deal with Everton in summer 2021
4. Andy Lonergan
Everton sent Joao Virginia on a loan assignment to Sporting, leaving the role of a third goalkeeper vacant in the first team squad. Everton U-23 goalkeeper Harry Tryer was thought to be the replacement but the Toffees wanted him to continue in the U-23 side where he could play regularly.
The Royal Blues went ahead and signed former Liverpool keeper Andy Lonergan on a free transfer. The Englishman has been Everton’s third choice keeper but his involvement has been limited to just training. The 38 year old has not made a single appearance and been part of the bench for 14 games this season.
With Virginia’s loan deal expiring, it does seem like Everton may let Lonergan go. Even the U-23 side has four keepers and one of them could act as the third choice keeper for the senior side, enabling him to train with the senior squad. Lonergan earns £5,500 per week or £286,000 per year.
Total wages Everton will save = £4.16m + £3.12m + £780k + £286k
= £8.3 million
Will the Toffees manage to sell more players in the summer?