Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell breaks silence on club's 'reality'

Everton's director of football, Kevin Thelwell, has reassured fans that the club's "incredibly challenging" short-term situation won't affect their long-term goals. The Toffees are currently waiting for the result of an appeal against a 10-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules (PSR), with another charge pending before the season ends.

Despite months of cost-cutting, Everton couldn't avoid the first breach, although they dispute how it was calculated. This resulted in a significant cut in transfer spending, with no new signings in January.

Thelwell wrote on Everton's website: "January was a transfer window we approached with pragmatism, in the knowledge there was unlikely to be a great deal of activity taking place," He added: "Ensuring we operate in a way that protects us for the future has been a key priority from my first day at the club."

He also said: "It isn't possible to change direction quickly within the constraints of PSR, but what has been evident over the four transfer windows in my time at Everton has been an ongoing focus to make the club more sustainable." He concluded by saying: "In that time, a net receipt from player trading of more than £60million, a wage bill steadily and consistently trending in the right direction and outlay on agent fees vastly reduced continues to demonstrate our plan is being adhered to."

"Our football strategy is a long-term plan which we must remain focused on, even when the short-term reality can be incredibly challenging."

Everton's 10-point deduction has left them in the relegation zone with 19 points. However, Thelwell believes that manager Sean Dyche can lead the team to safety for the second year running.

"The scale of the progress made under Sean's management is clear when you reflect that, at this same point of the 2022-23 campaign, we had 18 points with a goal difference of minus 18," he added.

"A year on and we've doubled the number of victories, scored 10 more goals, and conceded four fewer."

"Our confidence in the work being done at Finch Farm means we are looking forward positively to our remaining games and our ability to secure the points we need in the face of the most unprecedented of challenges."