Is Steve Walsh’s future at Everton dependent on how Cenk Tosun adapts to the Premier League?
Sam Allardyce puzzled Everton fans by keeping Cenk Tosun on the bench for the entire game during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The £27 million January signing has endured a rough start to life on Merseyside but, with Everton leading 3-0 with 20 minutes to go, Allardyce refused to give him a run-out.
There’s a long way to go before Tosun starts repaying that hefty transfer fee and one man who should be particularly invested in his success is Director of Football Steve Walsh.
The former Leicester City scout oversaw the £150 million recruitment drive in the summer but so many of his pre-season signings have failed to make the grade.
The pressure must be on Walsh and if the Turkey striker goes the same way as the likes of Michael Keane – who the Goodison Park club are already willing to sell, according to The Mirror – Davy Klaassen or Sandro Ramirez then you wonder whether the Toffees could part ways with him this summer.
It’s worth noting that it’s very early days for Tosun, and a fast-and-furious start to life on Merseyside doesn’t automatically mean he is a waste of money, but if he hasn’t found his feet by the time the season finishes then Everton owner Farhad Moshiri might well be tempted to send Walsh on his way.
According to The Mail, Walsh has spent £239 million on Everton transfers since taking the job 18 months ago and, considering how the Toffees are 18 points adrift of the top four, it can only suggest that the club hasn’t seen a good return for the money overall.
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