Everton's football season under manager David Moyes unfolded as a narrative of two halves, starting with hopeful aspirations for European competition before a disappointing downturn in performance. Despite substantial financial outlay and securing a mid-table position for the second consecutive year, the club's path forward, especially concerning player acquisitions and squad depth, remains a subject of considerable discussion. This review examines the pivotal moments and strategic decisions that shaped their recent campaign, highlighting both successes and areas needing urgent attention.
At one point last season, Everton found themselves in a promising position, fueled by the impactful performances of loan signing Jack Grealish and newcomer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Their offensive lineup, featuring Thierno Barry and Beto, also began to find its rhythm after initial struggles. A decisive 3-0 victory against Chelsea in March propelled them to eighth place in the Premier League, just three points shy of a Champions League spot with merely seven matches remaining. This ignited fervent hopes among supporters for a return to European football. However, this promising trajectory took an unexpected and dramatic turn. The team's momentum stalled, failing to secure a single win in their subsequent matches, marking their longest winless streak since Moyes' return in 2025. A 2-2 draw against Brentford in April signaled the beginning of a sharp decline that saw Everton's performance plummet into the bottom three during the latter part of the season. They were one of only three teams, alongside relegated Burnley and Wolves, to not register a victory in this critical period.
The stark contrast between two 13th-place finishes under Moyes' leadership underscores the complexity of Everton's recent seasons. When Moyes rejoined the club 18 months prior, the team was precariously close to the relegation zone, yet managed to secure a comfortable 23-point buffer from the bottom three. Following this, the club made a record net outlay of £97 million in the summer transfer window for the 2025-26 season. Despite this significant investment, they once again concluded the season in 13th place, albeit with one more point. Leon Osman, a former Everton midfielder, views these consecutive mid-table finishes as a sign of progress and stability, especially considering the club's tumultuous history of financial irregularities, points deductions, and relegation battles. He noted the initial strong start under Moyes, which continued for over a year before the late-season dip. However, he maintains that overall progress was made, contributing to the desired stability.
Moyes, now 63, has frequently highlighted the difficulties of competing with the Premier League's highest spenders, with Everton ranking 15th in net spend over the last five years among current top-flight teams. This financial disparity is further illuminated by the successes of Bournemouth and Brighton, which, despite spending considerably less (Bournemouth even turning a profit of £81 million from player sales), achieved higher league positions (sixth and eighth, respectively). The club's move to the cutting-edge Hill Dickinson Stadium was envisioned as a new beginning. Yet, Everton's home performance last season, with a mere 1.2 points per game, was the lowest for any team inaugurating a new stadium in Premier League history, contrasting sharply with their strong away form that placed them in the top seven. Osman attributed some of these struggles to injuries, particularly the loss of Grealish in January. Everton's win rate significantly decreased from 45% with Grealish to 22% without him, emphasizing his crucial role. Osman observed that Moyes, known for his intense management style, oversaw a small squad that ultimately couldn't sustain its performance until the season's end. He anticipates Moyes will see out the remaining 12 months of his contract, noting that the current focus is not on relegation, a testament to Moyes' impact.
The recruitment strategy at Everton remains an ongoing challenge, particularly when compared to the successful models adopted by clubs like Bournemouth and Brighton. Under the previous owner, Farhad Moshiri, eight players acquired for £20 million or more departed without any return. While the Friedkin Group's subsequent focus on youth, with nine new signings last summer, has seen some promising talents like Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall succeed, others, such as 20-year-old winger Tyler Dibling (£35 million from Southampton) and left-back Adam Aznou (from Bayern Munich), have struggled for game time or are yet to make their Premier League debut. Striker Thierno Barry, 23, despite leading in aerial duels, showed inconsistency in front of goal, while midfielder Merlin Rohl, 24, eventually impressed after a slow start. With Grealish potentially returning on loan, albeit with a high weekly wage of £200,000, and Iliman Ndiaye linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, Everton faces critical decisions. Former player Leon Osman, who made his debut under Moyes, expressed a desire to keep Ndiaye but also acknowledged the potential to reinvest if a suitable offer arises. He would welcome Grealish back only if the financial terms are favorable to Everton. The reliance on young talent is evident in recent acquisitions like Hayden Hackney, 24, and Tyrique George, 20, but these younger players collectively played significantly fewer minutes than those at other Premier League clubs. The departure of experienced figures like Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, coupled with James Garner's injury, further strains the squad, placing Moyes in a paradoxical situation where he must depend on young players he seems hesitant to fully trust. Osman believes these youngsters must prove their capability and earn their spots, hoping that with time, players like Dibling and George will progress, thereby strengthening the squad's overall reliability.
