Im surprised with the mixed reviews being posted about Walsh. It has always struck me as odd as their is little tolerance amongnst supporters at Everton in football administration positions.
With a week to go until his final report card is in. Its been impressive piece of management from the our footballing godfather.
While the obvious attention is on recruitment, Lookman looks like a real gem. But for me the most impressive and presume the most difficult thing has been to clear out excess not contributing players. Essentially taking non contributing assets taking millions out of the club, putting them to work at other clubs, raising their profiles, getting other clubs to pay their wage and getting a loan fee in. It all might seem like minor business, but considering the players im sure finding good opportunities for them wasn't easy.
Now that all well and good, but when you actually analyses what this means for Everton its significant, the space in the squad, the saved wage, the potential for a future transfer fee. Chelsea has shown that if you can get your non playing assets put to work and make them less of a burden on your own club it can be a separate business that can raise 10s of millions for the club. Walsh may be at the beginning of this process.
One of the things that has struck me is the coordinated way our transfers have been done so seamlessly. We havnt signed or got rid of someone until the squad position was vacated or filled. Niasse to Lookmman and Cleverley to Snchederlin.
My feeling is this and may be the summer transfer window are going to be the most challenging for Walsh, given the dead weight in the squad but hes dne brilliantly to regulate it to the clubs advantage. With a week ago still and you would think movement still to happen both in and out, early report card is that he has been brilliant.