Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders whether foreign investment is the best way to solve Everton's problems.

Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, has cried out for investment in the club after seeing falling either further behind their Premier League rivals. A poor showing in the transfer window, coupled by the influx of foreign wealth in the league, most notably at Man City, led Kenwright to warn fans that there are hard times ahead for the club.

"I am a pauper when it comes to other chairmen. I want this club to have a billionaire owner, but it's not me and I apologise it's not me," Kenwright said at the clubs EGM, as reported in The Guardian.

"I can't go on every year as I have been doing, borrowing for transfer funds for David Moyes, and I have tried to find alternatives. If a new owner or board come in and don't believe this move is right then that is up to them, but I can't see an alternative.

“This has been the worst summer I've ever known in the transfer market and it will only get worse. The takeover at Manchester City means things will get even worse for Everton."

Kenwright may be a pauper in relation to others, but are fans not happy that he has remained loyal to the club and, in all fairness, played a huge part in the clubs slow climb up the Premier League table? He may not have the financial clout to challenge for the top four, but is there not something important about having a human element to the club’s board, especially in the modern era?

Yes, Everton were abysmal in the transfer window, but are fans really that annoyed with Kenwright that he needs to act so sullenly? Fans protest about Kirkby on the premise that it would see the club lose part of its heritage and, despite the obvious financial gain of an increased capacity, the clubs history plays an important part for fans of all ages. Surely, the ownership of the club is an extension of that?

Everton fans only have to look across Stanley Park to see the problems that foreign owners have brought about at Liverpool. And look at Newcastle; a change of board has resulted in nothing but trouble and chaos. If new owners came in, fans can almost certainly guarantee that a new stadium will be on the cards. And why shouldn’t it be?

If some mega rich businessmen want to invest in the top players, then surely they are entitled to want to parade them in front of as many fans as they can. The truth is, Everton will probably finish 7th or 8th at best this season and will struggle to overtake the likes of Villa, Spurs and Man City, obviously, in the near future unless they receive investment that enables them to challenge these clubs for transfers.

But at what price is a bit of loyalty and a human touch at the club? Or do fans not care about this? Is success at any cost worth selling the club to foreign owners who know nothing about the game or the club’s history just see Everton as a potential money maker?