Difficult summers for both of TFG's flagship clubs

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Being part of a multi-club ownership model was always going to take some time to get used to for Evertonians.

It’s different for a team like Manchester City, who are, without doubt, the top of the tree at The City Football Group.

But when it comes to TFG, Everton and Roma are, arguably, clubs of similar stature.

Roma have certainly had more recent success, and they have won a trophy under TFG, winning the Conference League in 2021-22. They finished in the Champions League places in Serie A last season, too.

And much of their qualification for Europe’s elite club competition owed to the fact that, in January, the people in charge at Roma were brave and decisive in the transfer market.

Donyell Malen arrived on loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to make the move permanent. Malen went on to score 13 league goals and propel Roma into the top four. That was 5 more goals than anyone else managed in that time in Serie A.

Gian Piero Gasperini — an extremely demanding, older coach, a bit like David Moyes — urged TFG to be more present, and it seems they listened. Claudio Ranieri was dismissed from his director role, and Ryan Friedkin was on the ground in the Italian capital for much of the back half of the season.

TFG want their two flagship clubs to be run separately, and “locally”, as Everton CEO Angus Kinnear has put it.

But it is hard not to look at the drive Roma are showing, albeit from a stronger position when it comes to having Champions League football to offer, and wonder why that is not seemingly being replicated as much at Everton. Or at least, there’s not yet evidence of it.

That being said, it has hardly been plain sailing for Roma.

For much of the past two weeks, they had been in talks with West Ham over a move for Crysencio Summerville. The winger had impressed last season and then again at the World Cup. Roma made several offers and seemed close to striking an agreement at around the €55M (£45M) mark. A reasonable fee, especially in this market.

Then, out of the blue, Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League rushed in and agreed a £60M deal with West Ham, and Summerville has chosen the riches of the Middle East over the history and culture of the Italian capital.

Roma also reportedly missed out on Mason Greenwood — albeit, the fact TFG were willing to consider a move for him perhaps tells its own story — and as it stands, they have not had any incomings this summer, beyond Malen’s move being made permanent.

It has not been for a lack of trying, but like Everton, it seems there are some “failures in some departments” — a phrase Moyes coined last summer amid his frustration at a lack of movement in the market.

Roma also need to sell. Manu Koné, a top-class midfielder — as he proved at the World Cup with France — is their big asset and is expected to leave. There has been interest from Manchester United as well as big teams across the continent and, yes, Saudi Arabia.

I was going to write this is where Roma’s situation differs from that of Everton’s but, I can’t really be sure anymore. Because really, what are Everton waiting for on some of their targets? The ideal player, at the ideal age and at the ideal price, to fall out of the sky? It doesn’t work that way.

And while I am sure that significant work is under way, patience is wearing thin among the fanbase and one can’t help but wonder if Everton, too, need to sell before they buy.

I will stress, clubs must be used to selling and they must be good at it. If an offer comes in for Ilimian Ndiaye, and it starts with a £7, then I’d be open to it. You have to be.

But are Everton waiting for that offer for one of their better players to come in before they commit more money on outgoings? That just can’t be the case. We’ve had far too much of that in recent years. There are other players that need to be moved on and should be getting actively pushed towards an exit (respectfully, of course) in order to create funds.

It seems it could be that way at Roma. That they can’t go the extra mile for a player like Summerville because they need to sell first. Even with the Champions League income to follow later this year.

Questions will no doubt be asked of TFG by fans of both clubs — it is getting well into the window now; there is just over five weeks of it left. As it stands, both fanbases won’t be happy.

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Karl Jones 2 Posted 24/07/2026 at 10:23:47

Worst owners ever. The fact that Friedkin has never been to Liverpool says everything...

Hopefully they'll be gone in a couple of years and the next lot have a bit of ambition.

Andrew Merrick 4 Posted 24/07/2026 at 11:06:41

I recall some speculation when our takeover happened that Roma fans would likely erupt if Everton proved to be TFGs favorite club.

Maybe a bit of attention-grabbing fan noise on matchdays is called for at the docks. Our silent owners might take some notice?

Andrew Ellams 5 Posted 24/07/2026 at 11:10:57

Andrew, I honestly don't think they'd care.

We're a line on a spreadsheet.

Geoff Lambert 6 Posted 24/07/2026 at 11:35:08

Ask Dan to pilot a plane for us, and just before take-off, tie a banner with TFG OUT on it. And fly up and down the Mersey.

Paul Hewitt 7 Posted 24/07/2026 at 11:40:17

TFG has finally got the club on a sound financial footing. The commercial side is miles better than before they came in.

And Dan Friedkin hasn't been to the new ground yet, so what? I don't care if he never steps foot in the place, ever.

Annika Herbert 8 Posted 24/07/2026 at 12:29:06

Well, all that should really help us on the football side of things, Paul.

Trophies here we come.

Winston Williamson 9 Posted 24/07/2026 at 12:57:27

Actually, increasing the commercial side of the club is crucial towards achieving the player signings all supporters crave. Without increasing our revenue, our budget will remain at the level where we are bargain shopping.

As dull as club finances are to some supporters, we don't have a magic money tree. Increasing the club's commercials will enable bigger transfer fees, higher wages etc…Check our revenue in comparison to other clubs and you'll see why we achieve what we do…

Agreed, more strategy is needed in player trading, but the current owners took over a sinking ship. Give it time.

Eric Myles 10 Posted 24/07/2026 at 13:27:08

Winston #9, yes, with all these new fangled financial rules being introduced to stifle competition and not allow 'small' teams to compete, the only way to beat the system is to out game it.

Friedkin is a major player in the Toyota world in USA and so will have the ear of Toyota HQ.

Get Toyota to sponsor us, sign a Japanese player, and get Toyota dealerships worldwide selling Everton shirts.

Oh, and make a Royle Blue option for the fucking cars... make it standard even!

Anthony O'Sullivan 11 Posted 24/07/2026 at 13:41:56

They are focusing on getting the business right. Which has been a basket case for decades.

Everton having a good start last year and being relatively safe (although we flirted the bottom a few times) meant they didn't have to make any big moves on the pitch. They could focus on moving on players (is it almost 30 players left in two summers??)

The commercial side of things is much better. Bigger more lucrative sponsorships, more non-football use of the stadium etc all helps.

So, while we are in a better place, I still feel we are letting golden opportunities, that we may never get again, slip by. Case in point was that Champions League spot that was ours for the taking if we just tried a little.

My other worry is it is so easy to waste money. If we sell a big name for £70M. Will we go all out and get a marquee signing. Or try to spread it around. Let's not forget Beto and Barry cost nearly £60M between them. So it's easily wasted.

Mihir Ambardekar 12 Posted 24/07/2026 at 13:58:55

I know it's irritating and baffling why our new owners haven't even visited the new stadium. But definitely they have a plan, improving our financial side and making things stable for us.

We are far better financially as compared to 2-3 years back. We will surely have a better squad compared to last season.

Andrew Merrick 13 Posted 24/07/2026 at 14:17:14

Some good sensible posts here, of course we can't write blank cheques.

But can the recruitment team deliver? We have to hope so...

Derek Knox 14 Posted 24/07/2026 at 14:33:56

Paul @ 7, maybe he is saving up for a toffee (rip-off) donut ? :-)

Tim Taylor 15 Posted 24/07/2026 at 15:41:57

"TFG has finally got the club on a sound financial footing. The commercial side is miles better than before they came in."

It was so close to total collapse before them -- existential threat even -- so that buys them a lot of time from me.

Jay Harris 16 Posted 24/07/2026 at 16:59:05

Seems to me they are steady Eddies just like Moyes and therefore "Risk averse". In a league that is driven by getting the top players, that is not a strategy for success.

There are numerous players who would have improved our squad that we could and should have wrapped up ages ago:

Wan-Bissaka; Harry Wilson; extend the 1-year option on Gana Gueye; resolve Ndiaye one way or the other; Maeda; Fatawa; Trafford etc etc.

And get rid of McNeil, Patterson, Bambi and other failures or no-hopers. Other teams are stealing a march on us while we dither.

For fuck's sake, identify your target (should have been done over the last 12 months) and go for it.

If it doesn't happen, move on to the next target.

We can't rely on another season where Spurs, Fulham, Nottm Forest and Leeds finish below us. They are all improving faster than us.

Ian Bennett 17 Posted 24/07/2026 at 17:02:49

Read Gana is going Saudi. Been a great servant.

Derek Knox 18 Posted 24/07/2026 at 17:26:39

Ian @ 17,

I have to agree with you there, mate. Gana has been a tremendous player for us in both spells. Very rare it works out as a player or manager making a second comeback.

However, age has caught up with him, not that he was the quickest player, but younger opponents are, and it showed in certain games. Wishing him all the best, for whatever football future he has!

Mike Gaynes 19 Posted 24/07/2026 at 17:44:33

Eric #10, yes, Friedkin has the second-largest private Toyota distributorship in the USA, but he and Toyota aren't likely to work together on sponsorship deals. The reason is that Toyota corporate has been trying to buy him out for decades, and he has refused to sell. Almost all the other US distributors sold out, but not Friedkin. He apparently doesn't want them in his business except as a product supplier.

That may be why our sponsorship deals so far have included companies like Pepsi and Budweiser and Heinz, but not the obvious Toyota.

Nicolas Piñon 20 Posted 25/07/2026 at 03:09:21

I was at the World Cup final. My uncle invited me and we had in the back seat the Fiorentina President, Giuseppe Commiso. I said hi before the game and bla bla bla. He didn't seem to know that much about football really.

Hope TFG aren't this kind of owner as well. They should be so informed if they want to take Everton forward. I'm not killing them off, just sayin'.

Also I got to see Materazzi on the streets at the Upper East Side. Pretty silent guy didn't like being recognized at all.

Paul Griffiths 21 Posted 25/07/2026 at 05:09:56

You're from Buenos Aires, right, Nicolas?

What did you think of Argentina's performance? Seriously, is there criticism in the country of the tactics, performance -- first shot in minute 119 -- constant fouling, and then the after-match scenes?

Please don't answer if it is uncomfortable to do so and, of course, I understand where your allegiances lie. I'd be fascinated to hear your views.

All the best,

Paul

Nicolas Piñon 22 Posted 25/07/2026 at 06:14:48

Mainly gratitude, Paul.

Lots of players arrived injured to USA so it was always going to be the hard way.

We expected more in the final of course but the journey (with the emotional wins and beating England in semi-finals) was very positive overall. So no criticism, thus far.

Terry Downes 23 Posted 25/07/2026 at 06:54:18

Every pre season is the same the window opens and it's linked with linked with linked with everyone with a pair of boots just to keep the fans quiet. In reality, we rarely sign anyone until the last week of the window... Are we really that skint we're trying to save on wages until the last minute?

As far as I can remember, the last time we got players in early, we sort of qualified for the Champions League till Collina fucked us over? It's mind-boggling how the club gets away with the same every season and we fall for it everyday clicking on the website in the hope we've actually signed a player just for a change but no nothing to see.

It's the hope that kills yer while the club take the piss... but hey ho, what do they care about us fans?

Tony Abrahams 24 Posted 25/07/2026 at 08:04:40

Very intriguing reply, Nicolas, because it explains a lot about the mentality of a footballing nation that have been in several World Cup finals, and have been World Champions on three separate occasions.

England had Argentina exactly were they wanted them but, because of poor decisions by the coach and because they still lack that real winning mentality, they lost to an inferior team, who simply had more desire to win the game.