A look at the changes to the starting 11 that David Moyes could make for Everton's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace
After being denied victory in stoppage time in their final pre-season friendly against Lille, Everton are back in action at Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday when they host Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League fixture. The Blues will be determined to start their second season on the Mersey waterfront with a victory, just like they did against the Eagles’ bitter rivals Brighton & Hove Albion in their opening game of 2025/26.
England number one Jordan Pickford made his return against the French side after his record-breaking exploits for the Three Lions at the World Cup. Despite Mark Travers having started all the previous friendlies, Pickford will be set to get the nod in goal for a 146th consecutive Premier League appearance, stretching back to the 2-1 win at Southampton on October 1, 2022.
At the time of publication, Everton have still failed to sign a new right-back. Merlin Rohl, a midfielder by trade, has started there in two out of the last three matches with Nathan Patterson, the club’s only natural option remaining in the position, having got the nod in between against Newcastle United, although the Scotland international still looks surplus to requirements.
At present, Rohl – who has enjoyed an encouraging pre-season – looks to be the most likely candidate, but we cannot rule out centre-back Jake O’Brien, who has spent the best part of the past 18 months there, reprising his role as a 6ft 6in square peg in a round hole against his previous English club.
Although he has impressed when having been picked in his favoured position in the heart of defence, the towering Republic of Ireland international is struggling to get minutes there when James Tarkowski – who continues to wear the captain’s armband – and Jarrad Branthwaite are both available, so if he isn’t selected at centre-back, he could well be on the bench alongside Michael Keane.
While looking far from convincing over the summer, Vitalii Mykolenko still looks like a shoo-in at left-back though due to a dearth of alternatives. However, Adam Aznou has at least shown promise when given opportunities of late, particularly going forward and he put a chance on a plate for fellow substitute Brennan Johnson against Lille that the debutant should have scored from.
Christian Norgaard could make the No.6 position his own this season as he looks to make up for a season spent mostly on the bench at Arsenal, but the former Denmark international, who has been drafted in as a replacement for Idrissa Gueye, is yet to figure as yet for Everton, so with Player of the Season James Garner currently out injured and Tim Iroegbunam also sidelined, there is an early opportunity for Harrison Armstrong and another summer signing Hayden Hackney to build upon their fledgling partnership in the engine room – so long as Rohl isn’t moved in there.
Charly Alcaraz provides a further option in the centre of the park, but it seems unlikely that he will get the nod there or in a more advanced central midfield role where Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is established, or out wide where he can also play, but there are now plenty of options.
Iliman Ndiaye has started the last two matches and looks in pole position to occupy one of the winger berths, leaving Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling and Everton’s latest recruit Johnson to battle it out for the other one.
Up front, Thierno Barry has enjoyed an impressive pre-season whereas Beto has not, so the Frenchman looks poised to get the nod to spearhead the attack for the opener.