David Moyes
via Reuters
It's Tyler Dibling who has been in the headlines at Everton over the international break, and, after an exciting couple of outings this month, rightly so.
David Moyes has admitted that he is now smiling when thinking about the 20-year-old hotshot, who is yet to fulfil his potential on Merseyside since arriving from Southampton last summer.
Dibling turned heads with an exciting performance against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup and the feeling is that the winger could be the man to spark the Toffees' attack into life. However, it is perhaps another rusty Everton man who could be the revelation this season.
Brennan Johnson forgotten in Everton transfer debacle
Brennan Johnson
Brennan Johnson
Much was made of Everton's poor transfer strategy in the forward roles following a calamitous deadline day at the start of September. The Toffees allowed both Iliman Ndiaye and Beto to leave the club, while failing to see through the signing of Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco.
The feeling was that David Moyes would have to load the goalscoring burden on Thierno Barry. Despite a prolific start to the season, that would be a big ask for the 23-year-old, who has blown hot-and-cold since joining Everton.
In all the transfer fracas, it was often overlooked that Moyes' side had signed a forward with 26 Premier League goals to his name. That is, of course, Brennan Johnson.
The 25-year-old arrived from Crystal Palace in August, with Dwight McNeil moving to Selhurst Park in a swap deal. The Welshman had failed to score in 26 appearances for the Eagles and was in need of a change of scenery.
Johnson has since made seven appearances for Everton and looks to be getting more and more confident. Just as Dibling impressed against Preston North End, so did Johnson with a goal and an assist.
The forward failed to score against Crystal Palace, but found himself in good positions. On international duty with Wales this week, it's been a similar tale.
Johnson fluffed a free-kick in the first half but, rather than let it get to him, bounced back and went on to create a brilliant chance for teammate Connor Roberts.
Brennan Johnson can flourish as confidence returns
Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace)
Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace)
It's no revelation that Johnson is a confidence player. When the forward feels valued and at the races, he can be a gamechanger. What's promising for Everton fans is that, in recent weeks, the player is showing glimpses of that.
In 2024, Johnson went from Spurs scapegoat to goal hero under Ange Postecoglou - going from having to deactivate socials due to online abuse to scoring four in four. Speaking earlier that year, Postecoglou had said: "His goalscoring record was pretty decent before. I just think you look at a player differently and it takes time. In those kind of areas, there is a lot more pressure on new signings because they invariably get measured in terms of outcomes like goals and assists, but his general play was always very good for us.
"I think now he's found a bit of confidence and consistency and understanding of how we play and he's getting the rewards which is great.
"He's still a young guy and we bought him with very much an eye that whatever he does this year there's definitely a lot more in him, and when you see improvement that encourages us even more because it makes you think that if we invest the time in him even more he's going to be a super player for us."
Those words should be music to the ears of Everton fans. Johnson is in a similar position on Merseyside now as he was in London then.
In recent weeks, the forward is starting to showcase moments of feeling at home and it's not a minute too soon. An in-form Johnson can be a star player at Everton this season.
James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko (Everton)
James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko (Everton)