Frank Lampard is planning a major overhaul this summer and one of his priorities is to build a robust Everton squad with better fitness. Injuries were one of the prime reasons why the Toffees were inconsistent in results which ultimately saw them escape relegation by the skin of their teeth.
Everton and Lampard will be hoping to strengthen a number of positions this summer but given the precarious financial situation, the Toffees may be forced to sell in order to make signings. Everton should first push to offload players with a terrible fitness record. Ironically, some of them are the highest earners at the club.
The futures of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin still remains uncertain as the elite teams of Europe could come in any time with mega offers. However, player sales will be key if Everton want to go big in the summer.
Contract expiries of Cenk Tosun, Fabian Delph and Jonjoe Kenny will certainly save some cash in the wage budget. Selling some players who are not producing noteworthy performances will generate cash and also lighten the load on the wage budget.
If certain player sales are made, Everton could end up saving over £15 million in annual salaries and further make money through their sales which can be reinvested.
3 player departures that can save £15 million in wages for Everton
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Yerry Mina has missed 24 Premier League games for Everton due to injury
1. Yerry Mina
Yerry Mina is Everton’s highest wage earner, earning £120,000 per week if Sportac’s estimates are correct. The Colombian arrived from Barcelona in 2018 for a fee of £27 million. In the next four seasons, Mina has earned the title of being unreliable because of his poor fitness record.
When on the pitch, Mina was Everton’s best centre back, tidying up the defence but the number of games he misses because of injury doesn’t aid Everton’s cause. This season, the 27 year old played just 13 Premier League games, missing a big chunk of the season through thigh and hamstring injuries.
There’s no doubt about Mina’s quality, out of the current crop, Mina was arguably the best defender on the pitch, but his presence was so minimal that it felt like a luxury having him. With his contract expiring in 2023, selling him this summer could be the most sensible option.
Mina has always had admirers in Serie A. He’s valued at £18 million by Tranfermarkt, and if his sale can generate cash around that amount, the Toffees shouldn’t think twice before accepting it.
Everton are strongly linked with James Tarkowski who is inclined to leave Burnley as his contract runs out in the summer. Burnley had some hope of keeping the Englishman but Clarets’ relegation has only increased the chances of Tarkowski’s departure.
Aston Villa were in the race to sign Tarkowski but are no longer in the race, leaving the Toffees as the favourites to sign Tarkowski. If Tarkowski arrives, Mina should be sold which will save Everton a big amount of money in the wage bill. His £120,000 per week roughly amounts to £6.25 million per season.
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Andre Gomes has been a squad rotational option for Everton
2. Andre Gomes
Andre Gomes is another player that seems to be an expensive luxury for Everton. The Portuguese arrived from Barcelona on a permanent deal in 2018 for £22.5 million after spending the 2017-18 season on loan with the Toffees and impressing heavily.
However, Gomes’ performances have been on the downtrend since his horrific ankle injury in 2019. It seems that the ghosts of the injury continue to haunt him to date and he struggles on the pitch.
The highly technical player is often given the freedom to roam around and push in the attack but his failure to create an impact in the opposition half invites criticism. His injury record doesn’t support his case either. Constantly a victim to knocks and injuries, the 28 year old has missed 17 Premier League games due to injuries this season.
In 19 games he’s played, Gomes has scored a solitary goal and created only two more for others which is not a convincing endorsement for a midfielder with an attacking flair. There’s a solid player in there but awakening him is a difficult task and to get him fit to play week in and week out is another challenging mission.
Everton are already looking at central midfielder with names of Conor Gallagher, Ederson Silva and others linked with the club. Finding a buyer might also be difficult but if there’s a chance to sell Gomes, Everton should not hesitate.
Gomes earns £112,000 per week which amounts to £5.8 million per season, making him one of the top earners at the club. His sale will help save Everton a good chunk of money.
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Allan has been linked with a return to Italy
3. Allan
Everton midfield is definitely being overhauled as new faces could be seen at Goodison Park soon. Allan was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s revolution, arriving in 2020 and signing a three year deal. Under Ancelotti, the Brazilian sat deep in the midfield, mopping up around him and guarding the backline.
In the final stretch of the season, Lampard trusted the experience and leadership of Fabian Delph over Allan and even when Delph got injured, Gomes came into the lineup as the former Napoli man was nursing a knock.
Allan has been touted for an exit with Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri eyeing a reunion with the Brazilian. The Serie A side were dreaming of signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea but his agent has cooled down any Chelsea exit talks. Lazio are ready to target Allan as an alternative to Loftus-Cheek.
Allan arrived from Napoli for £25 million and the Toffees would like to recoup maximum amount possible. The Merseysiders are transitioning into a new transfer philosophy of signing players who will have future resale value which is why names of Joao Palhinha and Cheick Doucoure have been surfacing in the news feeds every other day for the holding midfield role.
Allan earns £70,000 per week which means he pockets around £3.6 million per season. If Everton does not have plans to renew him before next summer, selling him in this window will be a wise decision.
Amount of wages that can be saved with 3 player departures: £6.25 million (Mina’s wages) + £5.8 million (Gomes’ wages) + £3.6 million (Allan’s wages)
= £15.65 million
Which player should Everton sell this summer?