Tony Bellew might have knocked out among the most feared fighters in his sport, however the former WBC cruiserweight world champion is feeling “petrified” of this weekend’s huge recreation with Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Fellow Premier League strugglers Leicester Metropolis drew 0-0 with Newcastle United on Monday evening, which suggests Sean Dyche’s males do at the very least have survival in their very own fingers.
‘Bomber’, although, who KOd Ilunga Makabu within the largest struggle of his profession at Goodison Park to win the WBC cruiserweight world title in 2016, nonetheless isn’t feeling too assured in regards to the final recreation of the season.
“I’m completely petrified,” Bellew tells FourFourTwo. “It’s nothing uncommon being petrified as Everton fan, however I’m completely scared to demise.”
The Toffees are one in all simply six English golf equipment by no means to have been relegated from the Premier League since its formation in 1992.
Nonetheless, the five-time FA Cup winners have flirted with the drop on quite a lot of events, final season being a kind of, after they completed 4 factors above the drop zone.
A fortnight in the past, the person from Toxteth was feeling reasonably extra optimistic after his beloved Blues had put 5 previous Brighton on the Amex Stadium.
Nonetheless, after getting “pumped” by Manchester Metropolis and scraping a draw at a “very poor” Wolves – the equaliser of which got here within the 99th minute – Bellew is as soon as once more fearing the worst.
“I’m very downbeat, shall we embrace – it’s simply so laborious,” he provides, earlier than launching right into a rant in regards to the membership and the place he feels it’s all gone improper over the past six years, and for the reason that “sensible” David Moyes’ departure a decade in the past.
“The revolving door of managers has been occurring now for six years – it’s a joke,” he says. “I’m fed up. I’m so sick of blaming managers. Everybody must be held extra accountable.
“You couldn’t write it. Everton Soccer Membership has spent one of the best a part of £600 million and from the minute they began spending that to the place they’re now, they’ve obtained worse. It might solely occur to Everton.
“You promote your most prolific striker, Richarlison, and don’t change him and heigh-ho, guess what, right here we’re once more.
“When you hold shopping for gamers who’ve been relegated, you’re going to finish up getting relegated your self.
“So that you go into Sunday pondering, this has been coming for some time. I’m simply praying this isn’t the 12 months it occurs.”
Two groups from Everton, Leicester and Leeds will be a part of the already-relegated Southampton within the Championship subsequent season when the ultimate whistle goes on Sunday.
Everton, who at present sit on 33 factors, know victory towards the Cherries will safe their Premier League standing, and a draw could possibly be adequate.
Ought to the Toffees draw their remaining match, they are going to be counting on different outcomes to go their manner within the two different key relegation matches – Leicester (31 factors) versus West Ham and Leeds (31 factors) versus Tottenham.
And though Everton are favourites to remain up, Bellew has been rigorously planning what he’ll do ought to his membership fail to do the job.
“If Everton Soccer Membership go down, nobody is ever going to see me ever once more. I’m on the primary area ship out,” he says.
“I simply couldn’t take it. I’m genuinely not joking. I might simply transfer to Portugal, it’s obtained sufficient golf golf equipment. I’ve already noticed a spot in Vilamoura.”
