The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left Everton in a precarious position, following sanctions from the UK and EU on the club's main sponsor Alisher Usmanov, leading to the suspension of the club's dealings with his businesses.

What's the news?

While the squad, or the plans for the new stadium, reportedly haven't been affected by the sanctions of Usmanov, the Daily Mail have reported that clubs could look to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding their financial situation by potentially luring key players Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jordan Pickford for potentially cheaper than what they would usually be worth.

Transfermarkt rate the trio at just under £113m, with Richarlison being valued at £49.5m, Calvert-Lewin at £40.5m and England number one Pickford at £22.5m, but Everton manager Frank Lampard will surely be desperate to not sell any of them on the cheap, if at all.

Too valuable to the club

Brazil international Richarlison, who is interesting the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, has had a direct involvement in seven Premier League goals this season, having played just 17 games. He has also been thoroughly impressive with his work rate on the pressing side of his game, ranking in the top 3% among forwards for pressures per 90 (21.96) across Europe's top five leagues and continental competitions.

Meanwhile, England striker Calvert-Lewin - who is reportedly catching the eyes of Newcastle United and Manchester United - is a unique talent, standing at 6 foot 2 but possessing superb athleticism with a phenomenal jumping reach. That is evident in the fact that he ranks in the top 11% for aerial duels won per 90 with 4.9, as well as ranking in the top 19% for expected goals per 90, with 0.56.

Finally, Pickford - who has been a transfer target for Tottenham recently - is among the top 18% for saves per 90 with 3.3. The 27-year-old has kept 47 Premier League clean sheets since joining the Toffees from Sunderland back in 2017 for £25m.

The trio are not just Everton's three most valuable players according to TransferMarkt, they are also among their best performers of the season according to WhoScored. Indeed, Calvert-Lewin leads the performance rankings as per the website's metrics, a strong indicator of his importance at Goodison Park.

Should Lampard need to sell them in the summer for potentially far less than he feels they are worth due to the issues surrounding Usmanov, the 43-year-old could be headed for his first big disaster in charge of Everton, given how chastening it could be to lose such a crucial trio for cut-price fees.

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