Everton are a side that have regressed massively in recent years, devolving from a solid mid-table side with ambitions of European places into a team perennially battling to avoid the drop.
It has become an exhausting existence for Evertonians, forced to watch their team consistently fail to live up to expectations, but last season showcased the first signs of life in what has felt like an eternity.
Although it may not have always been pretty, the Toffees at last had an identity under Sean Dyche, and for the mostpart, it was doing the job of guiding them to safety quite well.
That was, until disaster struck, which Richard Keys now fears could occur again in the new term.
Richard Keys reviews Everton’s relegation chances
Writing on his blog, the BeIN Sports presenter sought to look ahead to this weekend’s opening round of Premier League fixtures.
And whilst he naturally focuses on the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, his brief note on Everton is actually pretty deep and cutthroat.
After all, having narrowly avoided the drop in two of their last three seasons, and been dealt with two points deductions in the most recent campaign, he fears the worst despite Dyche having improved his squad tenfold. Especially after rumours emerged suggesting Everton could suffer a third points deduction in the coming campaign.
He writes: ‘I think Everton will struggle again, but they won’t go down unless they lose a whole lot of points for FFP infringements. Forest will be at the wrong end again, but should also have enough to stay up. As ever – their home form will be critical.’
It’s ironic that Keys thinks the home form will be the most important factor, given that before April, it was their away fixtures which had proven the most valuable for the Toffees.
Given it is Goodison Park’s final year though, fireworks are expected to send off this Grand Old stadium.
Everton’s squad is far stronger after a summer of transfers
Although potential punishments for PSR are a constant threat for Everton, they can take solace in the fact that they still finished 14 points clear of the bottom three despite accumulating an eight-point deficit across two separate deductions.
Especially when combing over the current squad, which has been bolstered massively in the summer by Kevin Thelwell.
Having made huge strides towards sustainability in recent years, selling star assets and replacing them with cut-price alternatives, this model has made the Toffees one of just two sides to post a net transfer profit across the last three seasons.
So, they were owed some spending, and although it has not been huge, the additions are all of a really high quality.
Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom provide some attacking spark and creativity, whilst Tim Iroegbunam promises to be a surprise standout in the midfield.
Jake O’Brien is another of star quality at the back, with Jack Harrison offering some much-needed depth.
And, most pleasingly it seems that they are far from finished.
This surely cannot be another season of relegation fear. Not with the quality at their disposal at last.
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