Everton owner Dan Friedkin has been urged to fly to Liverpool to ensure the smooth sale of the club, with concerns raised that the process could drag on and affect the team's performance on the pitch.
Christian Purslow, former managing director at Liverpool FC, Chelsea and Aston Villa, expressed his worries on The Football Boardroom podcast with Henry Winter, saying: "He likes his planes and if I was Dan Friedkin, I probably wouldn't do it in my spitfire because it's a long way from Rome to Speke airport, but I'd get on a plane to Liverpool. I'm genuinely concerned about this whole sale situation."
Concerns over the sale process
Purslow compared the situation to Newcastle United's sale under Mike Ashley, which he said dragged on for four or five years. He added: "I've mentioned the Newcastle comparable under Mike Ashley. I think that process dragged on for four or five years, because rich men don't like losing money."
He highlighted the financial challenges facing any potential buyer, saying: "So, it worries me that you're being asked to spend £800m just to give Dan Friedkin his money back, for the right to lose £40-50million every year, which you, the new owner, have to put in on top of your £800million. That isn't a particularly sexy proposition to a very, very rich person who wants to buy a football club and make them better. So, I don't think it's going to be an easy sale."
Risk of on-field drift
Purslow stressed the importance of stabilising the situation, saying: "The one thing you can't afford, when you own a football club, let alone when you're trying to sell a football club, you cannot afford for the on-field to start drifting."
He noted the squad's lack of depth, saying: "They took a real risk in that summer window, leaving themselves thin, leaving themselves exposed to injuries. Just the sheer lack of numbers in that squad. If that team starts to drop down the league, getting this club sold for anything like £800million quickly is not happening. So, turning that on its head I think he needs to stabilise the situation."
Everton's squad has been left shorthanded after the owners pulled the plug on transfer business as the deadline approached, leaving manager David Moyes without sufficient numbers. Moyes, who previously led the Blues to nine top-eight finishes including a fourth-place Premier League finish, has returned believing he is a better all-round manager, but he is not a magician.
Fans' dedication contrasts with owner's absence
Despite the concerns, the article argues that Everton remains an attractive proposition for an owner with vision and ambition. The dedication of the club's travelling supporters was highlighted during a train journey to Arsenal, where a fan was meeting up with a supporter based in Switzerland who flies to games, while another travels from Dundee for every match.
The 2-0 defeat at Arsenal means Everton's points-per-game ratio at that ground drops from 0.35 to 0.34, the lowest at any Premier League rival. The fans continue to travel in numbers, showing the loyalty that makes the club special, even as the owner's visits to Merseyside appear increasingly unlikely.
