Everton have been forced to offload some of their prized assets in recent years as they seek to balance the books.
And, ironically enough, it has still not been enough to avoid one points deduction already this season, with potentially more to come.
This unrelenting cycle of producing a top player, selling him to a far richer club and then having to build back up from nothing is exhausting, but with PSR such is the nature of the Premier League now.
Competition is far from promoted, and as such we have had just six different winners of the title since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, with only one being from outside the recently coined ‘big six’.
One of those sales that Everton were forced into was Richarlison, who joined Tottenham Hotspur after essentially saving the club. His exit was widely accepted by the fanbase, who felt his play had merited that step up.
Anthony Gordon, however, did not quite receive that same level of restraint, yet has still been lauded from Micah Richards for his form and conduct.
What Micah Richards said about Anthony Gordon
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the former Manchester City full-back was effusive in his praise for Gordon, who has enjoyed a fine season with Newcastle United.
The Everton academy graduate joined in January 2023 for a mouth-watering sum of £45m, and whilst Richards admitted that was a lot to live up to, he thinks his play has merited such a figure.
He noted: ‘A year ago he was at Everton and things were up and down. He was treated as though from Everton fans, if you want to go, then go. Then he was linked with Chelsea for big money and everyone was saying he’s not worth anywhere near that money. Then he goes to Newcastle and performs after last year being player of the tournament for the 21’s and just focuses on his game.
‘That needs a lot of praise because that shows character, that shows that even in difficult times you can overcome them and believe in your ability. I have to give him credit for that.
‘To go to a big stage and still perform against Brazil, it might not be Brazil of old, but to have the character to do that I just thought, yeah, fair play to you.’
Everton had to sell Anthony Gordon
Although he had not shown even the slightest signs of becoming the goalscoring winger he has developed into on Tyneside whilst at Everton, admittedly conditions there were hardly ideal for him to fulfil his potential.
However, even if there was an inkling, there would have been little the Toffees could have done once interest grew.
After all, such was their perilous financial position at the time, a big sale was needed even after the departure of Richarlison the summer prior.
This is exhibited through the fact that this season they have still been dealt with a deduction, despite offloading the 23-year-old for such a huge fee.
In his final six months with Everton, Gordon had scored just three Premier League goals. Now, as we creep into April, he has nine and a further six assists, an admirable return.
His development has been impressive, but the manner and timing of his exit, leaving his boyhood club in the lurch during a relegation dogfight, will forever leave a bad taste in the mouths of Evertonians.