Everton fans, if there’s any consolation, you’re not in this alone. In fact, if you want any confirmation of the incompetency of the Friedkin ownership, you have supporters at Roma.
Solo La Roma provide the evidence today and the ‘paradox’ of Roma’s transfer window this summer. While Everton were a mess – culminating in that deadline day debacle – Roa are also not happy.
Everton’s peculiar interest
The website first focuses on Jamie Leweling. They state that just as negotiations for the German were underway, Everton emerged as competition. That raised eyebrows given both are owned by the Friedkins.
Everton’s interest was seen as peculiar at first, before then being seen as the ‘clearest snapshot’ of a transfer market that saw doors repeatedly slammed in Roma’s face.
For the second consecutive season, they have ended the window without signing the right-footed left winger that Gian Piero Gasperini wants. It has become a ‘recurring refrain’ cross transfer window.
That’s despite it being the primary area needing reinforcement for a starting line-up that finished third in Serie A last season.
The summer has seen the Italian side linked with everyone, from Mason Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville to Jamies Gittens and Malick Fofana. Gasperini has even claimed they’ve negotiated with 30 different players.
Everton familiarities
Doesn’t that sound eerily familiar for Everton? It certainly mirrors their summer-long search for a right-back, which saw them linked with numerous signings. They eventually signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles, though.
The similarities don’t stop there. Roma have finished the summer with 20 outfield players, although one of those is a player Gasperini says, ‘shouldn’t be burdened with significant responsibility’. The 20 is two fewer than Gasperini wanted.
It’s seen as less than ideal for a side who will also compete in Europe next season. That will require a squad rotation every three days. Over at Everton, David Moyes has been left with 18 senior players.
Roma, though, have come out better than their counterparts. They’ve at least seen €100m of purchases and no key players sold. Everton lost Iliman Ndiaye, didn’t replace him and left their squad extremely short.
They’re in a worse position than Roma, but the Italians are not happy either. The similarities between the two should raise eyebrows, though. It’s a little too coincidental.
