Few singular obsessions in football are proving as expensive as Everton's desperation to appoint Marco Silva as their manager. They evidently pissed off Watford in their efforts to snaffle Silva from their payroll last season, and as a result paid a kind of Silva Tithe on the fee for Richarlison this summer. They also had to pay an even graver price before that, appointing as they did Big Sam to save them from relegation.
According to The Telegraph this morning, the punishments are going to keep on coming. Silva was pursued aggressively by Everton last season, and while Watford didn't allow their manager to leave, they sacked him when they deduced that he had been distracted by the Everton offer.
The Premier League have launched an independent investigation into the entire farrago, with Everton facing the possibility of being charged of illegally tapping-up Silva. If that is proved, they may face a points deduction in the Premier League, although more likely is substantial compensation being paid to Watford.
Given the scope of the investigation leading figures at Everton, including owner Farhad Moshiri and board members, may have to hand over phone records to establish the extent of their contact with Silva.
The clubs met in April with the Premier League in order to solve the situation, with Watford adamant that Everton's approach for their manager ruined their season. Watford were reportedly assured at this meeting that Silva would not end up as Everton's manager.
Remind us how that turned out?
