Kevin Nolan worked alongside David Moyes at West Ham United and despite a disappointing end to the transfer window, he is still backing the Scot to lead Everton into Europe
Everton's Scottish manager David Moyes looks on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Everton manager David Moyes looks on during his side's 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
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David Moyes 'wouldn't have been too happy' about the chaotic end to Everton's transfer window. But the Blues boss is still being backed to lead the club into Europe this season.
That is the verdict of former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United midfielder Kevin Nolan, who was part of Moyes' coaching staff at West Ham United when they won the Europa Conference League and were regulars in European football.
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear made it clear before the start of the season that Europe was the target for the club this season.
But Moyes has been left hamstrung by a transfer deadline day that saw Iliman Ndiaye sold for £65m to Manchester City - for whom he starred in their derby win at Old Trafford on Sunday - and Beto, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson also allowed to leave.
While the Blues sealed the season-long loan return of Jack Grealish, and the £4m signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the dramatic collapse of Folarin Balogun's big-money move from Monaco has left the Blues boss with just one senior striker in Thierno Barry and just 18 senior outfield players for selection.
And Nolan said: "I think £100m went out and only £4m came in at Everton. Having worked closely with David Moyes, I know he wouldn’t have been too happy about that.
"But he’ll get on with it, he’ll keep the belief that the squad he’s got can still get to where he wants. He’ll have his own targets, and I believe he’ll be pushing them as high and hard as they can to get Everton back into Europe.
"Have they been dealt a blow? Perhaps not a fatal one, but it’s a tough ask when you’ve only got one recognised striker in the building, just in case something happens to him..
"They signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who scored with a wonderful finish on debut and played at right-back, which was a problematic position for them. I think they’ll be okay, provided they avoid injuries. They lost Jack Grealish, who was playing really well for them last year, so if they can keep Jack fit and the rest of the squad healthy, I believe they can have a really good, strong, solid season, which is what you’d always expect from a David Moyes side."
The Blues have started the season strongly with Saturday's 0-0 draw at big-spending Tottenham Hotspur extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.
They welcome Wolves to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday for a Carabao Cup third-round (7.45pm) and if they progress, and then beat newly-promoted Ipswich Town at home in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm), that would represent an excellent first seven games of the campaign.
And Nolan, speaking to BettingLounge, added: "My prediction at the beginning of the season for Everton, before the transfer window ended, was that they’d reach the top eight. That hasn't changed because I know what David Moyes and his staff can produce, having been a part of it myself.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United, interacts with Kevin Nolan coa prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham FC at London Stadium on April 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
David Moyes (right) and Kevin Nolan (left) during their time together at West Ham United (Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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"I believe they have the best opportunity to achieve that. I’m going to put my neck out and say I believe they can reach the European places next season, though it’s going to be a tough ask.
"They’ll need to manage injuries and suspensions along the way, but if they can maintain a clean bill of health, I think they can match anybody on their day and certainly get to where David wants them to be, which is in those European places."