Everton have ‘missed opportunity’ as ‘sad reality’ emerges – boardroom source
Everton have played their last-ever FA Cup game at Goodison Park after losing 2-0 at home against Bournemouth on Saturday (9 February).
David Moyes fielded a strong side but failed to progress to the fifth round – where they would have faced Premier League strugglers Wolves.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have already been dumped out of the competition – which Everton last won in 1995.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has lamented the “sad reality” behind the Toffees’ latest cup exit.
Everton ‘miss opportunity’ with ‘sad’ development
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted a cup run would have been “great for morale” on Merseyside in the final season at Goodison Park.
Everton last reached the final of the competition in 2009 but were defeated at Wembley by Chelsea.
Wyness conceded he is not concerned about the financial aspect of exiting the FA Cup – which pays the winner just £2million.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s a missed opportunity, but financially I’m not too concerned.
“The cup isn’t exactly a money-spinner.
“It would’ve been great for morale to have a cup run in the last season at Goodison. The sad reality is that it was the last-ever FA Cup tie at Goodison.
“That’s sad, and I feel sorry about that. Moyes would’ve liked a few more games, because so often we’ve seen that a good cup run can motivate you.
“Then again, the squad is thin – and the silver lining is that there are now less matches. There’s the old cliche – how important really is the cup?
“It’s about staying up in the Premier League right now, and we’re back to that reality.”
Everton ‘have already agreed summer signing’
Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider (11 February) that Everton are set to sign West Brom star Tom Fellows in the summer.
Brown claimed the Toffees have already done the hard work in negotiations and expects summer talks to be a formality before they agree a deal.
Everton are aiming to sign young, British stars as part of a new recruitment focus as new owners The Friedkin Group kick off a new era.
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