Welcome back to Talking the Blues Podcast with Andy and George Costigan, After an enforced absence it’s fantastic to be back and Everton as ever, don’t fail to provide a great deal to talk about.
An enthralling match at Bramhall Lane, a bewildering close to the transfer window and as ever Moshiri’s antics give us plenty to chew over. There’s a detailed and passionate response to the prospect of 777 becoming investors just after the hour mark!
Thanks for all your best wishes and thanks for listening once more.
As ever, Talking the Blues is available on all major podcast platforms, links to which can be found here
Categories: Everton finances, podcast
I think we all know we’ve got problems at right and left back, but I think these problems can be sorted. The big issue in terms of where we are going as a team is the midfield. If we want to have an effective style of play and want to move forward, I’m sorry to say, but we need to take Doucoure out of the side. I love him, but he makes us chaotic in midfield. He’s did a brilliant job keeping us up last season, but if we want to develop, we need a Maddison-type player. Sadly, it’s not Garner, although he has a role to play. But I really hope that player is Dele Ali. He could help stitch it all together. But, to your point about a Dyche, will he allow this to happen?
Good comments Grant. Thanks mate
Enjoyable, though an obviously disturbing listen especially towards the end, addressing the prospect of 777s dark shadow over the club. This should have everyone sharpening their pitchforks and firing up the torches as not only are they way down the sports capital pecking order, they fail to do what they say. The old expression comes to mind “Be known for the company that you keep” though with a long list of Russian Oligarchs also in the shadows, we can only hope some common sense will prevail. Also excellent point about the impact our financial position has on the North Liverpool Docks and regional investment projects, if this doesn’t fire up journalists, politicians and local communities (even those sniggering behind red chiffon curtains at our plight) then I’m not sure what will.
Paul
One of the best TTBs ever. So much good info to chew over. Loads to worry about too. I drove 444 miles yesterday from Brighton to Sheffield (and back) with my son to watch Everton. On the way, we questioned the wisdom of it. When Danjuma scored in front of us and we were part of that explosion of joy, that was the answer. They drive me mad but I love Everton.
One of the best TTBs ever. So much good info to chew over. Loads to worry about too.
Hi fellas, great podcast, great analysis. Far too much to comment on here in one go!!
Firstly, a point of order please Mr Chair!!!!
We all need to start referring to Deli as Deli. His association to the name Deli Ali was dropped due the awful issues raised by his disclosure and his biological family and name.
Secondly, I think the best way to sum up EFC on the pitch is by taking a little of everything said by all. Paul’s analysis of the game was good but both Andy & George made some good observations too. I think with the amount of player turnover Dyche needs time to reevaluate the qualities of the squad. Whilst they can’t all be on the pitch together, having O’Neil, Harrison, Danjuma, Beto, DCL and the current midfield players along with the potential for Dele to return wouldn’t suggest a long ball game to me at all.
That brings me back to Dele. With what must be regarded as his second debut and a 5/6 game cameo to prove his worth on the horizon, we must remember his current contract is up at the end of this season. That complicates the picture further. We may be holding back some of the recent funds to pay his initial £10m fee and his extortionate wages (if all goes well) – all well and good but if his contract is up and he doesn’t want to stay on that’s a total waste of £10m.
I hope there is some good will here and Dele does what’s right by the club that took the risk, has given him considerable support through this period and continues to do so. I hope we get Dele back and he just signs a great deal to protect his value and the clubs investment if sold on. There is a real opportunity to protect all parties IF he does come good.
#dontgambleefcon777 is my new tag line. We can’t allow this to happen, I don’t believe it will but who knows. Due diligence, the state of their investment in other clubs and their ownership of the current U.K. Basketball league are a beacon to our future. Having read the articles on 777 one or two phrases made me shiver – they were quoted as saying they see the potential for monetising the investment fans have in their club – that’s bloody scary! Capitalising on the investment made by fans in their football team needs to be exploited. That’s also scary. I can see how that translates to a season ticket price at BMD.
I appreciate it might be true, I appreciate other investors may want to do the same thing but to have the arrogance to say it in in such bold terms is terrifying. If it comes on the back of sound investment, sound business decisions and growth then everybody wins. 777 track record suggests this won’t be the case.
MSP must be nurtured. I’m not for lining the pockets of investors but their obvious skill, talent, expertise and reputation just scream out at anybody with an ounce of common sense. I’m sure there are others we haven’t yet seen but they have maintained a footprint at EFC whilst making a tidy profit too. They must be “stroked” into putting a deal together to buy Moshiri out and pacify the lenders.
Thanks again fellas.
Regards
Keith
Or Dele even 🤣😂🤣
Great to hear you again, obviously especially Paul. Stay well. A bit of a request that opinion this week, albeit I think we were very unlucky on Sat and despite being poor at Villa and at times in the home matches, with that bit of luck could easily be sitting on 7 or even 9 points! Small margins!
The request. Would it be possible to list as many of the opening tracks that have been used as possible? Personally I think it would make an excellent playlist. Thanks
Hi James. May take some time but yes of course!
Cheers, much appreciated
Hi All,
I enjoyed listening to your views regarding on and off-the-field issues!
I have a question for Paul. What might it cost, currently, to buy the club? Not just in terms of monetary value, but also in process?
As a board member of a UK company, I am all too aware that cash flow and cash reserves are the extra costs in the current equation. I wonder if Moshiri would even contemplate selling (I am not aware of his financial standing other than EFC seems to have no cash reserves), or is he only interested in seeking investment? If there are any interested parties, a potential buyer might have much to gain in purchase price from holding off at present as FFP judgements and poor performance on and off the field drives down the price. However, the long-term costs involved in rebuilding the playing staff from a possible relegation would be heavy. In addition, the lack of core skills in our current management team would make assembling a board that is fit for purpose hugely challenging.
Our current situation feels like one desperate gamble by the owner. You cannot help but wonder what his original motives for buying the club were. Worrying times.
Interesting podcast. But if 777 is the only game in town where do we go from there?
MSP have bailed out, why would any other decent investor be any different?
Unless we can attract serious “Saudi style” investment with an open cheque book I can’t see a way out of the mess we’re in – the numbers are truly terrifying compared to what we were looking at 20 years ago.
Hi Paul – I enjoyed the podcast; and am happy that you are on the road to recovery.
I have a question for you re. Moshiri’s exit plan. To me, he has had enough, wants out, and doesn’t care what he leaves behind. I agree with what you said in a recent podcast re. if he sells now he arguably crystallises his loss at the worst point, but can’t help but feel that he may just cut and run, if the opportunity arises. Therefore, my question is – could he potentially sell the stadium to a developer and call in his shareholder loans (I believe that he may have suggested previously that he would write these off, but……if he told me the grass was green I would go outside and check)? I presume the fact that he has appointed himself on the “interim” board would prevent something like this happening – but hope that you can calm my mounting paranoia in this regard.
The nightmare scenario is the stadium ends up owned by someone else with us as tenants, happened to Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.
Hi Paul,
Is there a case to be made for Chinese Investment in Everton Club?
Here are a few thoughts – be interested in your perspective.
All the best
Rod
As talk abounds of new investors circling Everton football club, couldn’t a powerful case be made to sound out potential interest for Chinese investment in Everton FC? In doing so, the economic and cultural benefits to both China and the city of Liverpool could be explored….
Economic Opportunities:
1. Investing in EFC would provide Chinese investors with an opportunity to fully tap into the global football market. The popularity of the English Premier League, presents immense commercial potential, attracting sponsors, advertisers, and merchandise sales on a global scale. Chinese investment would open doors to a vast and passionate fan base, facilitating market expansion and revenue growth.
2. Bilateral Trade: Chinese investment in EFC could stimulate bilateral trade between the UK and China. As Liverpool has a rich history as a trading port, this investment would strengthen economic ties, facilitating the exchange of goods, services, and investments between China and the city. It could also foster collaboration in sectors beyond football, such as technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
3. Tourism: Everton’s football heritage, coupled with Chinese investment in the city’s original 1878 club, would enhance the city’s appeal as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors. The allure of watching their favorite team play on British soil, combined with exploring Liverpool’s cultural landmarks and experiencing its vibrant atmosphere, would attract a significant influx of Chinese tourists. This, in turn, would bolster the local economy by generating revenue for hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.
4. Job Creation: Chinese investment in EFC football club would spur employment opportunities in various sectors. Beyond the football club itself, infrastructure development, hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors would experience growth, leading to job creation for local communities. This investment would contribute to Liverpool’s economic regeneration, transforming it into a vibrant hub for commerce and leisure.
Cultural Opportunities:
1. Cross-Cultural Exchange would be enhanced both on and off the field, fostering mutual appreciation and respect between the Chinese and Liverpool communities.
2. Football Passion: China’s growing passion for football aligns with the city of Liverpool’s deep-rooted football culture. By investing in Everton, Chinese investors would tap into the shared passion for the sport, creating a bond between Chinese fans and the local community thereby strengthening the relationship between China and Liverpool.
3. Cultural Heritage: Liverpool’s cultural heritage, including its maritime history, music legacy, and architectural treasures, would be further preserved and celebrated through Chinese investment. Funds injected into the city’s football club could be used to support local cultural initiatives, such as music festivals, art exhibitions, and heritage preservation projects all of which would provide significant media exposure to China. The opening of BMD in 2024 also provides a fabulous opportunity for Chinese investors to obtain stadium naming rights and Premier League global visibility.
4. Media and Entertainment: Chinese investment in Everton football club would boost the global reach of both Chinese and UK media and entertainment industries. The increased exposure of the club could attract international broadcasters, opening avenues for collaboration and cultural exchange in the realms of film, television, and digital media.
Hi Paul,
Great to have you back – great session.
All the best
Rod
Thanks Rod. Much appreciated mate
Hi Paul
Welcome back; we missed you. The ownership situation with Moshiri is extremely unclear (at least to me). He has ~94% of the shares so he controls EFC, unless the covenants and cashflows that he is facing gives effective control to the debtors, principally R&MG. In that case, although he may not wish to sell and crystallize a huge loss, he may be facing no viable alternative.
I am sympathetic to you and Andy and George talking about the importance of Moshiri’s legacy and the significance of the new stadium to North Liverpool. However, I am pretty sure that Moshiri only cares about the money, and he is scratching around now at the bottom of the barrel, and has come up with 777, having exhausted any less dubious alternatives. Again, R&MG seem to have him firmly under control.
As for 777, I suspect their motivation is, like Boehly, that an EPL football asset will appreciate, notwithstanding what adverse events befall them on the pitch and elsewhere. They probably have raised funds and need to invest. Despite their site saying they are 100% employees owned, they must surely be heavily leveraged on debt to invest speculatively in such low grade risky assets.
I do not believe that Moshiri’s altruism will come to the fore and he that will pass control of his billion pound investment to other (less incompetent) hands. He is cashing out while he can. And the only investors willing to offer cash for such a challenged asset are likely not going to be investing for the long term.
If we want to stop Everton becoming a vulture capital kick ball, the fans somehow need to offer the shareholder (Moshiri) a better alternative than the option his considering now. As in all negotiating theory, that would require a) assembling a more attractive proposal and b) diminishing the value of his current option.