Everton are less than 24 hours away from beginning their 2026/27 Premier League campaign, with Crystal Palace heading to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The eve of the new season brought a revealing press conference from David Moyes, who addressed Everton’s transfer position, the ongoing search for a right-back and an injury list which will affect his selection tomorrow.
There was also movement in the transfer market, plenty of build-up to the Palace game and some rather less complimentary assessments of Everton from two former Premier League players.
Here is the pick of Friday’s news and talking points from ReadEverton.
Moyes admits Everton are ‘limited on funds’
The biggest news of the afternoon came from Moyes’ pre-Crystal Palace press conference.
Everton have identified several possible right-back additions, but Moyes admitted the club are currently “limited on funds” as they attempt to complete their squad before the transfer deadline.
The manager also confirmed Christian Nørgaard, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are unavailable through injury, further reducing his options ahead of Saturday.
Moyes discussed Merlin Röhl as a possible solution at right-back and also offered his thoughts on new signing Hayden Hackney and captain James Tarkowski.
Read more: “We’re limited on funds” — six things Moyes revealed before Palace
Everton open talks over Liam Delap
Everton’s search for attacking reinforcements produced another potential option on Friday.
The Blues are in talks with Chelsea over Liam Delap, with the former Manchester City striker emerging as a possible addition to Moyes’ squad.
Delap would provide another option through the middle as Everton continue to assess opportunities before the window closes.
Read more: Everton in talks with Chelsea over Liam Delap move
Everything you need to know for Everton v Crystal Palace
Saturday finally brings competitive football back to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Our full match guide has the key details ahead of Everton’s Premier League opener, including the latest team news, kick-off time and broadcast information.
The injury situation has complicated Moyes’ preparations, but Everton have home advantage as they attempt to begin the campaign with three points.
Read more: Everton v Crystal Palace: Team news, match details and how to watch
Everton’s opening-day record makes uncomfortable reading
Everton’s history stretches back to the very beginning of league football, but their recent record on the first weekend is one Moyes will be keen to change.
The Blues have lost each of their past four Premier League opening fixtures and have failed to score in all four.
Our look through Everton’s opening-day history goes back to their Football League beginnings in 1888 before examining the Premier League era and some of the club’s most memorable starts.
Saturday also carries a little extra significance: for the first time, Everton will begin a league season at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Read more: Everton’s opening-day record makes grim reading before Crystal Palace
Everton and Palace share plenty of history
Crystal Palace are hardly unfamiliar opening-weekend opponents.
Saturday will be the third time Everton and Palace have met in the opening fixture of a Premier League season, while the clubs have built up a lengthy head-to-head record stretching well beyond those encounters.
We went back through the meetings between the sides ahead of their latest contest.
Read more: The history of Everton v Crystal Palace
A call to arms for Hill Dickinson
Tomorrow is also about the atmosphere.
Hill Dickinson Stadium is no longer new. Everton have already completed their first season there, and Saturday brings the first opportunity for the ground to host the opening fixture of an Everton league campaign.
Our message to those heading to the game was simple: make it count.
A strong home record will be central to any ambitions Everton have of improving on last season, and that starts against Palace.
Read more: Your call to arms, Evertonians — Hill Dickinson needs to roar tomorrow
Tarkowski on his ‘proudest moment’
James Tarkowski will begin the campaign with the added responsibility of captaining Everton.
The defender has described being handed the role as the “proudest moment” of his career as he prepares to lead the Blues into the new season.
Moyes made it clear on Friday that the armband does not guarantee Tarkowski his place, but his appointment underlines the standing he has developed within the squad.
Read more: “Proudest moment of my career” – Tarky
Cundy calls Everton Premier League ‘makeweights’
Not all of Friday’s discussion was quite so positive.
Jason Cundy delivered a particularly dismissive assessment of Everton on talkSPORT, describing the Blues as “makeweights” in the Premier League.
It is a view likely to raise a few eyebrows on Merseyside as Everton prepare to begin another campaign under Moyes.
Read more: Cundy brands Everton “makeweights” of the Premier League
Ashley Williams labels Everton ‘boring’
Former Everton defender Ashley Williams also had his say.
Williams described the Blues as “boring”, adding another talking point on the eve of the season.
Whether Everton can provide a rather more entertaining answer on the pitch against Palace is now the more important question.
Read more: Everton are “boring” — this time coming from a former player
Why Dewsbury-Hall wears tiny shin pads
And finally, something considerably lighter.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has explained the reason behind his minimal shin pads, providing one of the more unusual Everton stories of the day.
It may not influence Saturday’s result, but it offers a glimpse at one of the habits of a player who will have an important role to play this season.
Read more: Dewsbury-Hall’s real reason for going minimal on shin pads…
All eyes on Saturday
The previews are written, Moyes has spoken, and the summer speculation can briefly take a back seat.
At 3pm on Saturday, Everton’s 2026/27 Premier League season begins.
There are still questions over the squad and business remains to be done before the transfer window closes. For 90 minutes tomorrow, though, attention turns to Crystal Palace and the opportunity to make a winning start at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026 / 27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
Everton have two bids for Guela Doue rejected by Strasbourg
Everton have two bids for Guela Doue rejected by Strasbourg
“We’re limited on funds” — six things Moyes revealed before Palace
“We’re limited on funds” — six things Moyes revealed before Palace