Optimism was the word that surrounded Everton as they started life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium hoping that recent relegations battles, Profit and sustainability and ownerships troubles was a thing of the past as they move to the Liverpool waterfront.
Everton currently sit 13th in the league after 11 games played but should they be doing better or is it a true reflection of where they currently are, when you consider the task at hand?
The rebuild
The summer was a bit messy with the club in an unusual position where they had numerous first team players out of contract and four players returning to their parent clubs, which mean their squad was bare thin.
The club also had to face the adaptation of new owners settling in alongside a reshuffle in its leadership group which meant that the club was behind compared to other teams.
In recent years the club have been forced to sell key assets so they don’t face any sanctions with psr, but this summer was the first time that Everton could have an opportunity to spend and build on the positive end they had towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, where the club only lost four times in 19 games.
David Moyes rebuilt his side with the additions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City. Striker Thierno Barry came in following a successful season at Villarreal, proved all to be good business and would improve Everton’s firepower going forwards as the 2024/25 season the Blues were the lowest goalscorers, apart from the three teams that got relegated.
Just after 11 games David Moyes finds his side on 15 points, five points of the relegation zone and five points of third which highlights shows tight and competitive the Premier League is this season. With the players at Moyes’s disposal should he be doing better and start trusting his squad?
The flair of Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye has adapted to his new role in the side occupying on the right and has blossomed as he’s scored five goals and assisted one so far this season. The 25-year-old scored the first goal at the Hill Dickinson as Everton started life at their new home with a 2-0 victory.
Despite the Senegalese being Everton’s dangerman soon alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye will both be departing for the Africa Cup of Nations which could cause David Moyes some problems.
Players struggling for minutes, so does Moyes need to trust his squad?
Tyler Dibling was sought after all summer by the club and was signed for a fee of £40 million, but has struggled for gametime with his only start coming against Crystal Palace, which he was substituted at half-time for Carlos Alcaraz.
The teenager has been a used substitute for five games so far this season, including the last three.
Having had a successful loan spell in the back-half of the season Carlos Alcaraz could feel hard done by with the Argentine struggling to get minutes with the 22-year-old only starting twice so far and in the last three games has only played 11 minutes in total.
The main hindrance for Everton has been the striker dilemma with Beto and Barry only having one goal between them. When either forward has started a game often they’ve been replaced at half-time.
Against Fulham it was the first time Evertonians seen a glimpse of what the Frenchmen can offer, with the 22-year-old thanking the Blues for the reception he got via Instagram.
For years now, the full-back situation has been an issue for Everton. Centre-half Jake O’Brien originally came in when David Moyes returned but it’s a position which needs addressing.
The Freidkin Group have given contracts to key players such as Jarrad Branthwaite, who is regarded as Everton’s main asset, Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
James Garner who has impressed this season Everton is out of contract, alongside Vitalii Mykolenko are both out of contract and the Freidkin Group will hope to protect their assets like they’ve done with Branthwaite and Pickford.
James Garner impressed
The 24-year-old has been one of Everton’s key consistent performances so far this season and his versatility has been key for the Blues as the former Manchester United graduate has excelled while playing on either flank.
Garner scored Everton’s second against Brighton which was the club’s first official game at the Hill Dickinson. David Moyes has spoke highly of the midfielder saying he’s getting closer to getting talked about for England due to his performances.
What’s next for the Toffees ?
After the international break Everton face Manchester United at Old Trafford, a place which has notoriously been difficult for the club. For David Moyes January could be a good opportunity to see what they can do in the transfer market to solves some potential issues, however this could be dependent on where the club is sitting in the league.
Everton will hope to continue on the current trajectory and that there season is a calm one as they still adapt to their new home.