Everton supporters are desperately craving success in the near future, with the club only registering one top-half finish in the Premier League during the last seven seasons.

The hierarchy have also spent a pretty penny during such a period, as just shy of £500m has been splashed on additions to help bolster the senior ranks.

However, such moves have evidently failed to have the desired effect in England’s top-flight, as seen by their inability to push for a European place in recent seasons.

One addition in particular demonstrates the club’s failures in the transfer market, with one former player unable to provide the goods during his time on Merseyside.

What went wrong for Gbamin during his time at Everton

During the summer of 2019, Everton completed the £25m signing of midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz in an effort to strengthen the core of the senior squad.

The Ivorian was seen as a transformational addition for the Toffees seven years ago, but it’s safe to say his time at Goodison Park was nothing short of a disaster.

During his first three seasons on the books on Merseyside, the now 30-year-old only managed to make eight senior appearances after a torrid spell with injuries.

Hamstring, Achilles and ligament injuries saw him miss 98 matches during the aforementioned years, which worked out to 622 days on the sidelines through injury.

To try and regain his fitness, Gbamin spent various time out on loan with the likes of Trabzonspor and Dunkerque, but it wasn’t enough to catapult him back into the senior ranks.

As a result, the midfielder would depart on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, subsequently bringing his dreadful five year period on Merseyside to an end.

£25m spent for just eight senior appearances has undoubtedly made him one of the biggest wastes of money in the Toffees’ history - undoubtedly contributing to the club’s struggles in recent years.

Everton's modern-day Gbamin may be emerging

Everton’s move to the Hill Dickinson last season has provided the platform for the club to compete at the very top level, but the supporters have often asked for backing in the transfer market.

Huge funds have been wasted in recent years, but it’s crucial the club make shrewd investments in the near future if the club are to have any chance of mounting a charge for European football.

David Moyes has been crying out for added reinforcements in recent years, but there’s no denying the manager has been let down by the board in recent windows.

However, the hierarchy completed a swap deal with Crystal Palace this summer, which saw Dwight McNeil leave the club and Brennan Johnson arrive in the opposite direction.

The deal for the two attackers cost a reported £21m, but such a fee appears to be a huge waste of money, especially after the Welshman’s first few outings on Merseyside.

The 25-year-old has made two appearances in the Premier League since such a move, with the winger starting the weekend’s draw with Manchester United.

His stats from such a showing showcase his immediate struggles on Merseyside, which ultimately led to his moves away from Tottenham Hotspur and the Eagles.

Johnson was replaced after just 66 minutes during the 2-2 draw, subsequently registering fewer touches than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford - showcasing his lack of impact in the final third.

He also failed to complete any of the crosses and dribbles he attempted on Sunday, whilst losing 80% of the duels he entered during the stalemate last weekend.

The winger’s display off the bench against Bournemouth the week prior was just as disappointing, as the forward failed to register a single shot on goal during his 28-minute cameo.

Although he’s only a handful of games into his career on Merseyside, it’s safe to say that the winger is already on borrowed time as the supporters are disappointed with his impact.

He’s showing signs of being able to deliver the goods within attacking areas, which could see him fall into the same category as Gbamin in being a huge waste of money on Merseyside.