Keith Wyness drops ‘unpopular’ Everton verdict as club lay groundwork for ‘summer’ signings
Everton may be best avoiding European qualification this season as David Moyes’ squad requires more reinforcements.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states why Everton “may not be ready for Europe.”
Moyes’ side sit ninth in the Premier League table, eight points off fifth-placed Chelsea, with 11 games remaining.
The Toffees have not qualified for Europe since competing in the Europa League in the 2017-18 season, but their hopes of ending that run were dashed with a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last time out.
No Europe ‘not the worst thing in the world’ for Everton
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 – believes the club need “another season building the squad.”
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Everton could benefit from having no European football next season.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I think the European situation is something that a lot of fans should pause about, because nearly every Everton fan I knew last year and for the last three seasons said this year, if we can just finish mid-table, we’d be happy. No relegation jitters.
“Everybody would have been happy with that. And that’s what basically what we’ve got. Now, I do think we may not be ready for Europe. And I do think another season of building the squad, settling back into this new stadium wouldn’t do us the worst thing in the world if we finished ninth or tenth.
“And so that’s my own view. I know a lot of Evertonians want us to win and go on to Europe, but I think just one more summer building the squad, having a strong season, avoiding the Thursday, Sunday routine, as I say, settling into the stadium wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for me.
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VISIT THE RANGERS MATCH HUB“Then I think the season after, we’d really start to challenge. So that’s something that a lot of people should give some pause about.”
- Read More: Keith Wyness reveals Everton to sign Jack Grealish at ‘reduced rate’ after ‘sensible resolution’
Everton targeting star trio in transfer market
Moyes could continue strengthening his squad in the summer transfer window with a few key additions to aid a European push.
Goals have been a problem for the Toffees this season, and Chelsea striker Liam Delap is being pursued to solve the issue.
Everton want to keep Jack Grealish on Merseyside, whilst they could also make a move for his Manchester City teammate John Stones on a free transfer, who previously played for the club between 2013 and 2016.