Paul Joyce: Uncertainty 'Swirls' at Everton as Dyche & Thelwell go without contract extensions

Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell would both have been rewarded with contract extensions at Everton already under normal circumstances, according to Paul Joyce.

The Times journalist reported via the paper’s website on 15 August that the fact both have been allowed to enter the final 12 months of their current deals “points to the uncertainty that swirls above them”.

The ownership situation at Goodison Park remains unresolved after Dan Friedkin pulled out of a deal to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri last month.

That decision was partly a result of uncertainty over money owed to previous buyers 777 Partners [The Esk, 20 July], who themselves failed to complete a takeover throughout last season.

Now, David Ornstein has reported (15 August) that part-Crystal Palace owner John Textor is the latest to be granted exclusivity over a deal.

John Textor latest to attempt Everton takeover from Farhad Moshiri

Dyche and Thewell might not be perfect but as things stand at Goodison Park the club can ill afford to lose them.

There is surely little appetite to get rid of either but while it remains unclear who is going to be signing the cheques moving forward the decision may have to be left until the last minute, although leave it too late and other clubs could see fit to poach them.

Without a viable takeover on the horizon it is difficult to see too many good-quality candidates coming forward to step in if the two were allowed to leave.

Despite his detractors Dyche managed to overcome a host of distractions to successfully steer Everton clear of relegation for a second time, more comfortably than his first season despite a pair of points deductions.

Thelwell has, on paper at least, strengthened the squad through the five signings he has made this summer, and has held off interest from Manchester United in Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, Moshiri is unlikely to be in a position to commit to either if he is on his way out in the near future, and giving long-term deals to the key men could feasibly affect a takeover if the new owner has an eye on appointing his own people.

Textor is clearly committed to investigating the possibility of buying the club after also being in the running before Friedkin won the previous race.

But as his 45% holding at Selhurst Park has still yet to be sold there are major hurdles to clear [Paul Brown, 9 August] before he even thinks about tackling the complications at Goodison itself.

In other Everton news, a midfielder in La Liga is on the Toffees shortlist and a move before the deadline is possible.

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