Everton will be taking major risks this summer in what is to be an intense period of change under The Friedkin Group.
TFG have been nothing if not bold since taking over from Farhad Moshiri back in December, and alongside iconic Goodison Park hero David Moyes have exciting plans in place.
However, many of the old guard could be on their way out – players who have represented Everton for years – with a multitude of contracts set to end next month.
Dan Friedkin is leading the charge on the blue half of Merseyside (Credit: TIFF Originals on YouTube)
Everton set for ‘huge summer’
Everton supporters are awaiting this summer with expectancy, as the squad prepares to undergo a major overhaul.
The Toffees are aiming to eventually return to the European stage on which they performed four times in Moyes’ first reign in charge between 2002 and 2013.
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They will be vying to do so while playing in their new 52,000-seater arena at Bramley-Moore Dock, with their penultimate match at Goodison Park on Saturday (3 May) ending in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.
Following the Premier League share of the spoils, in which Moyes’ men led by two, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker discussed what a massive summer it is set to be on Merseyside.
Shearer told Lineker on BBC Match of the Day (3 May, 55:00): “You said, new owners, new ground… six or seven regulars out of contract.”
“It’s going to be a huge summer for David Moyes and for Everton.”
“Yeah,” affirmed Lineker.
Everton have three remaining Premier League fixtures this season including just one at the Old Lady, as Southampton make the trip north on 18 May.
Friedkin to deliver on investment ambition?
So far, all the indicators point towards TFG giving things a right good go, and backing Moyes in the transfer market.
Moyes would not have returned to Everton without assurances of not only an improved summer budget, but also a fair degree of autonomy over shaping the squad.
A number of staff will be incorporated under new arrival Angus Kinnear as CEO, in a major boardroom shake-up which sees Kinnear move across the Pennines from Championship champions Leeds United.
