BLUES HIT BY £140M COVID COST
Carlo on Lamps: A load of my former players have gone on to become top managers and I always knew that Frank would be one of them
EVERTON have posted record losses of almost £140million because of the damaging impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The Blues, owned by Farhad Moshiri (below), released their annual financial results yesterday, with an increase in losses losse of almost 25 per cent ce on last year. The Everton calculations suggest the financial impact of Covid-19, in terms of o match-day income, in deferred TV payments paym and other commercial streams, cost them almost £70m in lost revenue.
The figures also showed an investment of £113m in the playing squad in the 2019-20 season, which added to the losses.
CARLO ANCELOTTI admits that the prospect of facing his former player Frank Lampard in the Goodison dugout makes him feel old.
The Everton boss says there is a long list of his proteges who have gone on to become topclass managers... and he always knew that Lampard would become one of them.
Chelsea manager Lampard has admitted he learned lots from Ancelotti but on Merseyside tonight they go head to head in a story of the Blues – a massive game for both clubs.
Italian veteran Ancelotti, who has managed European powerhouses like Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, said: “I have a long list of players who became managers – starting with Didier Deschamps (manager of France), who was my player for six months.
“I have Pirlo (in charge of
Juventus), ) Gattuso ( Napoli), l) Shevchenko (Ukraine), all the way through to Frank. It seems I am getting old but, if I help them to be a better manager, it is good for me.”
Everton, with just one win in their last six matches, desperately need three points tonight to stop the rot but Ancelotti knows that will be a big ask against a gaffer like Lampard.
“When I was at Chelsea I thought that some players had the quality to be a manager and Frank was one of them. Tactically he was really really good, and really serious and professional,” said the 61- year- old (above, with 42-year-old former England star Lampard).
“John Terry had the same characteristics. I have to say that the English players were really strong on the professional aspect, including Frank and John, and also Ashley Cole and Joe Cole. They were all top, top professionals.
“Frank is doing really well. He has a fantastic squad and a fantastic team and he is doing really well. Chelsea are tough opponents but I am pleased and happy to see him again.”
Everton, who since early October have beaten only Fulham, will be without James Rodriguez, who Ancelotti is refusing to risk after a calf injury prevented him from training all week.
But the Italian is adamant the Mersey men can still lower Chelsea’s colours tonight.
“Chelsea are in a really good moment and we need a fantastic performance, but my assessment is that we are able to compete,” he said.