Everton have been in limbo for almost three years now as Farhad Moshiri looks to sell his majority share in the football club.
The uncertainty and financial woes have led to two separate points deductions and multiple relegation battles.
Everton are set to be involved in a scrap towards the bottom once again, as they reside in 16th place heading into the festive period.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| 12 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 15 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 12 |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 10 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 10 |
| 17 |  IpswichIpswich | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 8 |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 7 |
| 19 |  WolvesWolves | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 6 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 4 |
Sean Dyche’s future is far from secure as fans begin to grow frustrated with his style of play and team selection.
But, for now, he’s set to remain in charge until the Friedkin Group complete their takeover.
With that said, sporting director Kevin Thelwell has just issued the latest update on where that takeover lies.
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Kevin Thelwell issues update on Friedkin Group’s Everton takeover
Speaking to i News, Kevin Thelwell has revealed that the Friedkin Group are expected to complete their takeover of Everton soon.
“There’s definitely reasons for Everton fans to feel optimistic,” Thelwell says,
“The new stadium [at Bramley-Moore Dock] is incredible, there’s potentially new ownership who feel like the right people to me and it feels like they’re going to take over soon, which I think is a huge positive.”
He also added that behind the scenes, work is being carried out so that the new ownership can hit the ground running when they’re in post.
“And then behind the scenes we’ve been working hard to scaffold up and build something so that when that time comes we are ready to be able to hit the ground running.
“Things can turn around pretty quickly but I think we’ve got a lot of really good people here doing really good work and in due course hopefully we can make that next step.
“We’re not there yet but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re definitely all pushing now to take that final step outside into the sunlight.”
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Thelwell hopes Friedkin Group invest in recruitment team
Thelwell admitted that the biggest issue Everton are currently facing is losing their young talent, so he hopes the Friedkin Group are willing to invest in recruitment – from the ground up.
“The biggest issue we’ve got across the whole building – because we’ve not been able to invest – is recruitment,” Thelwell explained.
“First-team men’s, women’s, losing talent, recruiting at younger ages can be improved hugely.
“I would hope new ownership would be supportive of that process. Once we get that resource that can help us a little bit with programme stuff, a little bit with process stuff, a little bit with recruitment stuff, I think we’re going to be in a really exciting place.”
For supporters, attention will no doubt begin to turn towards the January transfer window and whilst that is evidently an area of focus, the long-term vision is very much on building a quality-littered academy.
And, there is already evidence of that process working, as Everton coaches believe Harrison Armstrong and Roman Dixon are top prospects.
So, there are certainly reasons to be optimistic about the future at Everton.
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