Everton’s financial issues have plagued them across numerous key areas, but none more important than in the transfer market.
Whilst it was their arrogance and overspending across numerous windows that have ultimately resulted in their recent struggles, they must still wade into the unknown at times in an effort to move forward.
That means signing talents who are far from readymade at a cut price, and hopefully nurturing them into future stars. It is clear that, with Youssef Chermiti, that notion is being followed.
After all, signings that might seem good on paper very often fall flat, as the tenures of Ronald Koeman and Marco Silva proved.
It seems that Sean Dyche too has now fallen into that trap, with Arnaut Danjuma a loan acquisition that has thus far failed to live up to expectations.
How good is Arnaut Danjuma?
With a pedigree far above most already in their dressing room, it was expected that the Dutchman would spearhead any safety push they made in the Premier League this season. After all, it was the least he owed them after his last-gasp decision to snub Everton for Tottenham Hotspur back in January.
As recently as the 2021/22 campaign was he starring at the elite level, recording 16 goals and four assists across all competitions for Villarreal, including strikes in the Champions League.
However, chances have been sparse at Merseyside, with the Dutchman making just three league starts.
It seems that, since welcoming Jack Harrison to the club, Dyche has been content sticking with the 26-year-old and Dwight McNeil on the flanks, only allowing Danjuma an opportunity against Burnley in the EFL Cup.
Even then, starting in attacking midfield in the place of Abdoulaye Doucoure, the £52k-per-week dynamo failed to make an impact, with his work ethic nowhere near the level of the Mali international.
It seems that the former Burnley boss was tempted by the same allure that Frank Lampard was, with his impressive figures of old marking a fine reason to invest in his talents.
However, with no place for him out wide, and perhaps lacking the work ethic to fit into a Dyche side, it seems like Danjuma is proving a bad fit for Everton.
Given how he publicly aired his frustrations at a lack of game time in north London, the same could well happen for an outfit playing at a far lower level. He wrote: ‘An indifferent return to the Premier League for me. I’d be lying if I wasn’t disappointed with how the season ended for the club, the fans and me.
‘I have proven and I know I have the ability to influence games and make a big impact, and if I could turn back the clocks and be given a chance to demonstrate that I would without question.’
Should he remain on the sidelines, a big problem could soon form for Dyche.
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