Everton’s drop down the Premier League table will cost the club millions of pounds in merit payments.
At half time in their penultimate game of the season, the Blues were leading Sunderland thanks to Merlin Rohl’s deflected strike. At that moment, they sat in ninth place separated from eighth and a place in Europe on goal difference alone.
Then came the collapse.
The second half capitulation against Sunderland, combined with defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, left the Blues in 13th. The same position they occupied at the end of last season. The same position they would have finished the previous season without points deductions.
The financial hit
As well as costing the club a shot at a return to Europe, the slump down the table will lead to a significant reduction in merit payments, the hundreds of millions handed out to clubs depending on where they finish.
The figures for this year haven’t been confirmed. But over the past two seasons, each extra place has been worth around £2.7m.
Last season, ninth placed Bournemouth earned £31.9m. Thirteenth placed Everton took in £21.2m. A difference of £10.7m based on where Everton stood at the break against Sunderland.
This year, the disparity is expected to be even wider. The Athletic projects the gap between ninth and 13th will be £15m.
Fifteen million pounds. Lost across the final 135 minutes of the season.
The European dream that died
Europe had appeared within reach after the demolition of Chelsea in March. Seven winless games followed. Now Everton will not be one of the eight English sides in Europe next season, nine if Crystal Palace win the Europa Conference League this week.
David Moyes said a lack of European football hindered Everton’s efforts in the transfer market last summer. He will now face the same challenge over the coming months.
Monday night football returns
Another challenge will be the anti social scheduling Everton will once again be subject to. As one of the clubs outside Europe, their schedule will have the flexibility to place them on Monday night duty.
They’ve occupied that slot seven times this season. It has felt like a contributory factor to the club’s poor home form and initial struggle to settle at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The bottom line
Ninth at half time against Sunderland. Thirteenth at the final whistle against Tottenham.
A collapse of 135 minutes. A cost of £15m.
No Europe. Reduced merit payments. Monday night football. And a transfer market that just got harder.
Everton’s end of season implosion wasn’t just embarrassing. It was expensive. And the effects will be felt for months to come.
