Should Everton supporters have needed confirmation that they’re very much on the back-burner for the Friedkins, then the evidence is mounting up.
After David Moyes revealed last week that he’d never spoken to the Everton owners since their arrival two years ago, it seems it’s a very different story in Rome.
Over there, the American owners are more heavily involved – including visually – and it’s no different this week as AS Roma return to the Champions League.
Dan travels to Istanbul
Romagiallorossa report that Dan Friedkin has travelled to Istanbul for the ‘historic occasion’. They state that the American ‘does not want to miss’ Roma’s return to the Champions League, something Everton can dream of for the future.
The Roma president is landing in Istanbul right now. He will then watch the clash with Fenerbahçe this evening in person.
Roma Giallorossa’s information is that he has decided to ‘personally stand by the team’ on a ‘night of special significance’ for the entire Giallorossi community. He will watch the match from the stands. He’ll also likely attend a pre-match dinner, and celebrate Roma’s return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence.
His presence is ‘far from trivial’. The Champions League was a major objective for the American owner’s project. They state that Friedkin travelling is him ‘demonstrating the ownership’s support’ for Gian Piero Gasperini, the squad and the management in general.
It’s both a ‘gesture of support for the team’ but also a ‘symbolic image’ for Roma’s upcoming return. He very much ‘wanted to be there in person’.
It’s a very different approach to the one he’s taken at Everton. Not only has he never spoken to David Moyes, he and the Friedkin group have remained quiet around various topics. That includes their recent decision to put Everton up for sale/seek a minority investment.
He was also absent when Everton opened the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Indeed, he is yet to appear at the stadium despite it being a major milestone in the club’s history. But he is willing to travel to Istanbul for Roma and has regularly been seen at the Italian club meeting with the manager and squad over the years.
Basketball Totti battle
It’s not all sunshine in the Italian capital, though. Indeed, there is a potential row with Roma legend Francesco Totti building.
That comes after the former forward decided to decline a role at Roma. Reports have suggested that was because he would not be given enough say at the club.
He has instead taken up a role at the basketball team Maxima. They are the direct rivals of the Friedkin backed venture BC Roma.
So, a basketball derby is shaping up in the capital as both sides are preparing to join the NBA Europe league.
There’s also been an issue over Totti’s return ahead of the club’s centenary. Siamo La Roma report that he had been close to an agreement for that event, but the situation has now stalled, and, for the moment, no deal is in place.
His absence from that would be major, to say the least, and there is a potential row building up behind the scenes over that, and the new basketball rivalry.
At least Everton can’t rival that drama.
