The Blues boss has watched Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall develop into a central player for Everton
Everton Manager David Moyes is present during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St. James's Park in Newcastle, England, on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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David Moyes believes Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is capable of making a late charge for an England call-up if he can find the form he started the season with.
The 26-year-old was central to Everton’s 3-2 victory at Newcastle United on Saturday and created the late winner when he surged through the Magpies’ defence and crossed for Thierno Barry to bundle in.
Moyes, who has repeatedly pushed for James Garner and Jack Grealish - before his injury - to be given a chance by England, believes Dewsbury-Hall's display at St James’ Park represented a return to his best after injury ruined his Christmas. And while the Blues boss acknowledged the playmaker faces tough competition if he is to catch Thomas Tuchel’s eye, he believes he might not be far from being in contention.
Speaking ahead of Everton’s midweek game with Burnley, Moyes said: “I don't think Kiernan's far off the England squad. I think if they had a B international, which we used to have in years gone by, then I think Kiernan would certainly be in the mix for that.
“I think the people who play in these roles, higher up, it could be from Eberechi Eze to Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, there's actually a number of players who play a similar type position who would all be looking to and try to get in that role.”
Dewsbury-Hall has been Everton’s most influential signing of last summer, with Moyes prizing the skill, mentality and experience of the former Chelsea and Leicester City midfielder.
Tuchel was in the stands for the highlight of his season, his curling matchwinning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in November. That was one of five goals for the club, his most recent coming in last month's win at Fulham.
A serious hamstring injury, suffered on his first return to Stamford Bridge, led to a seven-game absence that hurt Everton across Christmas and new year. His return coincided with the season-ending foot fracture of Grealish, who he had formed a mesmeric connection with.
Asked how far off the England side Dewsbury-Hall could be ahead of the World Cup this summer, Moyes said: “I don't think he needs to go too far, I think with better players [around him] he'll be a better player.
“I think we've lost a little bit of the connection with him and Jack Grealish. I think they have a really good understanding of how to work together and how they can receive the ball and play to each other.
“That was a big part of our first four months. And then Kiernan getting injured… by all accounts he's not a boy who's had loads of injuries and I think it took him back a wee bit that he picked up an injury and he was a bit upset because when he got that he was probably on the verge of being our top goalscorer.
“Kiernan had a feeling that he could get close to 10, so I was hoping that was going to be the case, but he missed quite a big chunk of games during the Christmas and New Year period.”
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