From tactical flexibility to positional mastery, the German midfielder’s willingness to adapt across the pitch offers David Moyes a versatile weapon to solve Everton’s depth concerns this season.
Everton midfielder Merlin Rohl has already played in three positions during pre-season, and even more during his time at the club overall.
Rohl completed his move to the Toffees this summer, with his loan deal turning permanent after Everton avoided relegation from the Premier League.
The German youth international struggled to cement himself as a guaranteed starter in David Moyes' side last season. In reality, it was difficult to find a space for him, and he ended playing in a host of different positions.
Heading into the 2026/2027 campaign, it's unclear where Rohl is going to fit in, but Moyes might have a plan...
Speaking after Everton's game against Bolton at the weekend, where Rohl lined up as a right-wing-back before later moving into midfield, the 24-year-old discussed the multiple different roles he's been playing.
Rohl confirmed that he's been training at right-back, on the wing, and in various different positions during his time at the club.
“I train everywhere. Sometimes I train at right-back, sometimes on the wing. Sometimes you need to think about, OK, when you're right-back, 'I want to train a little bit for my crossing. I want to train a little bit on this touch.
"Then you need to have a good balance to train everything. But in the end, you need to be a good footballer to play on the pitch. No matter what position, you just need to be calm on the ball. That's what I'm trying to improve as much as possible so that it doesn't matter which position. I'm always going to be a footballer that is capable of playing on this level. That's my goal."
Moyes is clearly trying to see if he can test out Rohl in different positions, and I think that's okay...
Looking at Everton's potential setup for next season, it's hard to put Rohl into one of the positions.
I can't see him starting as one of the deeper two midfielders, while he's going to struggle to displace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the attacking midfield position.
I don't believe Moyes is trying out Rohl at right-back in order to utilise him there as a permanent option. I think we're trying to find his 'Rohl' in this side (get it?).
Testing Rohl out in various positions allows us to see if he can become that utility man for us. Someone capable of stepping in at right-back, on the wing, or in the middle of the park.
Having a player like that on the bench can be invaluable. It also allows us to, perhaps, not buy two right-backs this summer, knowing we have Rohl, Jake O'Brien, and James Garner as cover.
It might not be absolutely ideal for Rohl, but with injuries, he's still going to get plenty of opportunities. Rather than just having a central midfielder there struggling to get minutes, this could allow him to play more regularly.
Maybe Rohl wasn't the right signing in terms of the profile Everton needed, but now that it's been done, they are clearly trying to find a solution.