REUTERS/Action Images/Alex Morton
After a mixed summer of business, it was difficult to know what to expect from Everton this season. Optimistic fans entered with the expectation of another European push, whilst those with a more pessimistic outlook took aim at The Friedkin Group over their transfer failings.
Five games into the campaign, those more pessimistic fans are beginning to be converted into Everton hopefuls.
REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
The Toffees have won two of their opening five games and are yet to taste defeat. It's a start which matches their European ambitions and whilst life is still good, David Moyes has a big decision to make about his frontline.
How Moyes could get the best out of Everton's attack
It's telling of Moyes' managerial experience that he has managed to guide Everton to such a solid start following such a disastrous end to their summer transfer window.
Before anything, the Toffees lost star man Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City and received Jack Grealish in return.
REUTERS/Phil Noble
They suddenly found themselves in a position to splash the cash and turned to Folarin Balogun as a result. It should have been a routine deal, but Everton fans will be the first to admit that it's never quite that simple.
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Everton's summer signings Previous Club Fee
Merlin Rohl Freiburg £18m
Tyrique George Chelsea £18m
Hayden Hackney Middlesbrough £16.5m
Christian Norgaard Arsenal £7m
Ainsley Maitland-Niles Lyon £3m
Brennan Johnson Crystal Palace Swap
Jack Grealish Man City Loan
Eventually, Balogun became disrespected by Everton's delays and cancelled the deal himself in shock fashion - leaving Moyes with just one striker in the form of Thierno Barry.
It should have resulted in a tough start. Instead, Barry has been in better form than ever, Tyrique George is proving worth every penny out wide, and Everton are on track to qualify for European football.
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
There is still a way for Moyes to improve things ever further, though.
Everton's new Gerard Deulofeu is waiting in the wings
The name Gerard Deulofeu almost strikes a direct hit to the heart. A reminder of age. The urge to reminisce about a player who took Merseyside by storm. It feels rare that such individual quality blesses the Premier League these days, as output understandably takes priority.
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Perhaps it's about time that changed. Players like Deulofeu made English football must-see - something set-piece coaches and corner kicks never will. It feels absurd that he only scored eight goals in an Everton shirt. After all, his legacy reflects that of a cult hero and not someone who failed to hit double figures.
His quality outside that output boosted those on Merseyside and Moyes has the chance to inject similar quality into his side.
Waiting in the wings, he has Tyler Dibling watching on from the bench.
The young winger hasn't had it easy since arriving from Southampton last summer, but a recent performance against Wolves in the Carabao Cup proved exactly why he deserves a chance in the Premier League.
REUTERS/John Clifton
Like Deulofeu, the former Southampton man cannot be summed up by his output. He's only been involved in eight senior goals across his time at St Mary's and Everton. Instead, it's his individual quality which would reward those at the Hill Dickinson. That's what Moyes' attack is currently missing.
Moyes has had his doubts about the 20-year-old, but even he couldn't help but dish out the praise following Dibling's performance against Wolves in the cup.
The manager said: “I’m smiling when you mention his name now. Prior to that, I might have been a bit… those emojis which go down. But I’ve got the opposite ones now, I’ve got those ones which are clapping and smiley eyes.
"So I think Tyler Dibling at the moment is just beginning to show us a little bit of what he’s got. And, you know, you guys are watching the games as well, so you should be seeing what I’m seeing… this is looking much better than what you showed us last year."
“Suddenly, we’re beginning to see somebody who’s got more development in him, beginning to look as if he’s getting closer to it, so let’s hope that can continue.”
An assist against Wolves capped off an excellent display, in which Dibling completed seven take-ons, the most on the night, and won 13/19 of his 19 ground duels. He was aggressive, tricky and direct - three traits that Everton fans last saw in Deulofeu.
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