Everton face final day without drama but problems persist as summer looms

The Toffees travel to London to take on title-chasing Arsenal on Sunday without any last day relegation worries but with plenty still to worry about.

Everton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Everton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

It is at least something that Everton supporters are not going to the Gunners with their team desperately needing something from the game to survive. I earnestly hope that we never have to go through that experience ever again.

However, once the final whistle goes on Sunday afternoon, the Blues problems off the pitch take over fully centre stage.

Everton have a continuing financial crisis and it now looks almost certain that 777 Partners bid to take control of the club from Farhad Moshiri is doomed to failure, leaving the Toffees in limbo as the summer transfer window fast approaches.

But, at least Sean Dyche can afford to relax a little at the Emirates Stadium this weekend without needing to worry every minute of the game or be hanging on the final result.

In fact it is the hosts who have much more riding on the match as they still have an outside chance of claiming the Premier League title.

Dyche also has a further chance to experiment a bit with his side and give a few of the squad fringe players more experience as the season finishes.

For me as I have said several times before since the Blues secured Premier League safety, this situation represents a chance for young centre-forward Youssef Chermiti to play up front and give Dominic Calvert-Lewin a rest.

Maybe Chermiti could partner Beto in a new-look strike partnership to see if that might have some promise for next season, especially as Calvert-Lewin could leave in the summer.

Elsewhere in midfield Jack Harrison is injured and so either Arnaut Danjuma or Lewis Dobbin might play. And why not give Lewis Warrington some needed game time in one of the central positions?

While it is possible Dyche will make one or two changes, his track record suggests wholesale alterations will not be likely.

At any rate Sunday will probably be a final farewell to several players who are coming to the end of contracts or who are likely to be sold in the summer transfer window.

One thing is for sure it will be another summer of uncertainty, upheaval and change at Goodison Park.