The ECHO looks at the burning issues facing David Moyes as he prepares for the return of the Premier League this weekend
David Moyes conducts a pitch inspection during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
David Moyes conducts a pitch inspection during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Everton’s international stars will begin to filter back to Finch Farm following the final tranche of fixtures on Tuesday night.
From established figures like Jordan Pickford - who is expected to sign his new contract with the club later this week - to starlets such as Tyler Dibling their return will allow for preparations for Saturday’s match with Manchester City to step up.
David Moyes is unlikely to reveal his ambitions for the next run of Premier League games before more international action in November, but he will be hoping to build on what has been a positive start to the campaign by the Blues. These are some of the key issues that require thought.
How to play without Jack Grealish
The first dilemma to deal with is the absence of Jack Grealish. The 30-year-old has been exceptional since he joined Everton on loan from Man City. After his four assists earned him a career first Premier League player of the month title in August, he ended the last set of games with that emotional stoppage time winner against Crystal Palace.
Moyes will be unable to call upon his playmaker at the Etihad, however, given he will be ineligible to face his parent club. This is a good opportunity for some of his attacking colleagues to step up and show Everton are more than a one-man show and one player who could benefit is Iliman Ndiaye. The winger scored from the left side of midfield when Everton earned a credible point in this game last season and could return to that spot at the weekend - potentially creating another chance for Tyler Dibling on the right. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be available after his one-game suspension for picking up five yellow cards.
Beto or Barry?
While some thought will be given to the creative setup, with Carlos Alcaraz having impressed from the bench against Palace, there are also questions over who they will be attempting to supply.
The battle to lead the attack has been an ongoing theme of the season so far, with neither Beto nor Thierno Barry making compelling cases to win favour. Beto does at least have two goals to his name and did show last season that, when he hits a run of form, he can be highly effective.
What is not helping either forward is the chopping and changing - it feels as though now is the time to make a decision on one of the forwards and let them have a series of games to try and find their confidence.
Encouraging confidence even under pressure
Whomever Moyes backs, it is clear some of Everton’s younger stars are lacking confidence. Barry and Dibling are yet to have a breakout moment for their new club, while Adam Aznou has not played a minute of Premier League football, with Moyes believing he is not quite ready. Alcaraz has had moments this season but is another young player who has found opportunities hard to come by.
Unlike previous years, Everton have a squad with genuine talent and quality in reserve. Moyes appeared reluctant to turn to his bench at times in the last run of games but with difficult fixtures coming up he will need his full squad in position to contribute. Barry, Dibling and Alcaraz will all be in contention to start on Saturday and the challenge for Moyes is to ensure those who get exposure do not feel under too much pressure and those who do not get a start get the best chance to make a positive impact that could be the catalyst for their development in Royal Blue.
Assessing the full-back options
An area where there does feel there is room for improvement this season is fullback. On the left, Vitalii Mykolenko has been dogged by injury. On the right, Jake O’Brien has continued to do a good job for his team but the balance of the side clearly suffers without a specialist on that side of the defence.
Moyes may well persevere with both given how well the pair have done for him since he returned in January. But after Seamus Coleman played almost a full game for Ireland at the weekend - having performed admirably in this match last season - and with Nathan Patterson over the injury problems that hampered his pre-season, it does feel like Moyes has options to explore on the full-back front, including with Aznou too. Everton have been good this season but the limitations of the team have been clear. Full-back is an area where some experimentation might be worth considering.
Getting key players fit
Finally, one of the frustrating elements of the season to date does have the potential to serve as a positive in the coming weeks. For all the progress that has been made, Everton have quality that has so far not been used this season.
Michael Keane has been excellent but a return to fitness for Jarrad Branthwaite would allow Moyes to consider a different approach at the back. The 22-year-old’s pace makes stepping up the pitch easier and could allow Everton’s attack to become more coherent.
Meanwhile in midfield, Merlin Rohl only has a short cameo against Aston Villa to his name. Everton lack depth in the middle and if work can be done to get Branthwaite and Rohl’s seasons underway in the coming weeks, that would provide a major boost.