Everton ended up suffering two points deductions under the reign of Farhad Moshiri – largely due to some woeful recruitment which led to financial issues.
The Toffees regularly signed experienced – some may say old – players on large wages. Everton spent £25m on Theo Walcott and gave him £110,000-a-week at the age of 28, while £45m went on Gylfi Sigurdsson when he was 27 along with a £100,000-a-week salary.
Salomon Rondon – even on a free transfer – was another move which made little sense. The Venezuelan arrived in August 2021 at the age of 31 and was handed an £80,000-a-week deal spanning two years, only to score just three goals in 31 appearances.
These deals, which reeked of short-termism and carried no resale value, put Everton in a real mess, and reports of the Toffees wanting to sign Raul Jimenez suggest few lessons have been learned.
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What is the point in signing Raul Jimenez?
Respected journalist Christian Vaquero is claiming that Everton are an option for Jimenez as talks over a new contract at Fulham stutter.
The Mexico international has enjoyed a decent season with nine goals in 34 Premier League appearances, but bringing him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium would simply suggest Everton are happy to keep on kicking the can down the road instead of find a proper, long-term striker.
Jimenez has just turned 35 and earns £100,000-a-week at Craven Cottage. Free agents typically receive a pay rise when joining a new club on a free transfer as well, due to the absence of a transfer fee.
So, Everton are potentially going to make a 35-year-old one of their highest earners should a deal for the Mexican materialise, at a time when fans are crying out for a reliable striker in their prime.
Highest earners at Everton
- Jack Grealish (£225,000-a-week)
- Jordan Pickford (£150,000-a-week)
- Idrissa Gueye (£120,000-a-week)
- Jarrad Branthwaite (£120,000-a-week)
- James Tarkowski (£120,000-a-week)
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£90,000-a-week)
(Figures sourced from Capology)
Supporters want Thierno Barry sold as the 23-year-old struggles, while Beto is nearing his thirties and is also approaching the final 12 months of his contract.
Jimenez is talented, but at his age, there is a risk of him struggling to deliver next season. Should he pen a two-year deal like Rondon did, Everton would therefore be taking the gamble of being stuck with a very high earner who they cannot shift.
Will TFG have to move away from Moyes to achieve their recruitment model? 😬
Deals for players either in their prime, or right on the cusp of their best years, such as James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jake O’Brien, are what Everton need to focus on, rather than stain the squad with short-termism like Moshiri did.
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