Everton will face huge financial difficulties if they fall out of the Premier League and believe upcoming clashes with Wolves and Newcastle United are ‘absolutely vital’ to their survival.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who report the Blues do not have significant relegation clauses in first-team contracts. Players will be subject to a reduction in their wages, should the Toffees drop into the Championship. But the scale of any decreases is not substantial.
Everton carrying their current wage bill into a season in the second-tier may be disastrous for the Merseyside outfit. The Toffees have the largest payroll outside of the top-six clubs, with Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Jordan Pickford and Richarlison netting over £100k-a-week.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin also earns close to six-figures per week, with Everton chiefs never expecting they would face a relegation battle. So, parts of the Goodison hierarchy now fear financial disaster after announcing £140m in losses in their latest set of accounts published.
Everton view Wolves, Newcastle clashes as ‘absolutely vital’ for their survival
Everton believe Frank Lampard can still guide the Goodison Park natives to Premier League safety this term. But club chiefs also accept they face a crucial period in coming weeks that may define if the Merseyside outfit will play in the top-flight or Championship next season.
Everton particularly believe their upcoming home matches with Wolves and Newcastle will be ‘absolutely vital’ to their Premier League survival. The Toffees host Wolves this Sunday, and welcome the Magpies to Merseyside four-days later before a 17-day pause in games.
The Blues were scheduled to visit relegation rivals Watford on March 20 and host Crystal Palace on April 16. Those matches are now postponed, but were due to break up a tough run against top-four chasing sides West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Lampard’s men also visit another side aiming for a Champions League berth in Arsenal on the final day. Their only remaining games with current bottom-half teams are Newcastle, Watford, Leicester City and Brentford. Only the Toon and Bees are at Goodison Park.
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