'Catastrophic' - Finance expert: David Moyes fights against 'worst-case scenario' at Everton
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Ben Palmer
Thu 28 August 2025 20:00, UK
Everton have come close to disaster several times in recent seasons and will be aware that catastrophe is only ever one season away.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who explained to Football Insider that the Toffees’ spending this summer has come as a result of the threat of relegation.
Everton finished 13th last season, but only after David Moyes came to the rescue following a dismal start to the season under Sean Dyche.
And in the three seasons prior, the Toffees were mired in relegation scraps, points deductions from the Premier League, and a glut of overpaid and underperforming signings ruining any chance of progress.
However, the Friedkin Group purchased the club from Farhad Moshiri and have since steadied the ship, reforming the club’s previously blasé approach to the transfer window.
This summer, the club have made astute signings, scooping up young talent with high resale value down the line, and Jack Grealish.
But with memories of final-day escapes from relegation still lingering, Everton will be more aware than most of how perilous the Premier League can be if you arrive to a new season unprepared.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Funnily enough, that is exactly what Moyes has accused Everton of being: unprepared.
The club have spent over £100million on signings [transfermarkt], but the former West Ham boss still wants “five or six” new players [Sky Sports].
Speaking to Football Insider, Plumley explained that whilst the Toffees will be desperate to avoid more financial problems, the perils of relegation are what have spurred on their busy transfer window so far.
Credit: Imago
He said: “A lot of these clubs are still wary of the worst-case scenario of one bad season.
Wolves have got off to a really bad start, and struggled last season and could struggle again.
“It only takes one bad season, and nobody wants that, certainly not in Everton’s position, given what’s happened over the last few years, moving into a new stadium and coming out of that ownership challenge plus PSR deductions.
“What you absolutely don’t want is a catastrophic season, so it may be there’s been a little bit of pressure as well to say we absolutely have to stay in this league, and we’ve got to go and try and compete in it.”
In a move to potentially satisfy Moyes and one that could move them a step further from relegation, Everton are interested in Florentino Luis.
The former Portugal Under-21 international has made 181 appearances for Benfica, having come through their academy, whilst also spending time on loan at Monaco and Getafe previously.
Credit: Imago
However, Everton will face competition from Burnley for the 26-year-old who featured 43 times for Bruno Lage’s side last season.
Luis has fallen behind Richard Rios and Enzo Barrenechea in the central-midfield pecking order at Benfica and could be enticed by the proposition of playing in the Premier League this season.