Gareth-Barry-Everton
Everton have slipped under the radar slightly so far this season, but the international break is the chance to put them in the spotlight. The Toffees, after five Premier League games, are unbeaten and only outside the top four on goal difference.
After a difficult summer, which saw Iliman Ndiaye join Manchester City in a £65m move that he may be regretting around about now, David Moyes is continuing to prove his worth.
Even after Everton failed to sign a striker on deadline day and watched on as Folarin Balogun walked away from a medical at the club and headed back to Monaco, Moyes has guided his side to an impressive start.
REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
There could still be plenty more improvement to come too, especially if the midfield continue to find their feet.
Why Everton's midfield can push them into Europe
Defence has been Everton's best form of attack so far this season. The Toffees have conceded just three goals and kept three clean sheets.
The return of Jarrad Branthwaite has unsurprisingly played a huge part in that and the backline deserves a lot of credit. But so too does the midfield.
It's arguably where Everton's biggest strength in depth lies. Moyes has James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, summer signing Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong to call on. They are all quality options and, more importantly, they are young options.
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Once Hackney finds his feet, in particular, Everton will have one of the most impressive midfields outside the top six. It could even see them break into that top six.
So far, Moyes has been hesitant to rush the former Middlesbrough man into the side - handing him just one start. Not even the stubborn manager will be able to deny the 24-year-old's quality for too much longer, though.
After all, this is a player who recovered possession more than any other midfielder in the Championship last season.
championship midfield numbers
Meanwhile, if Moyes is looking for experience to match up to his youthful midfield, then he has the next Gareth Barry just waiting in the wings.
Why unseen star can become Everton's next Gareth Barry
There was once a time when an experienced Barry was standing next to a young midfielder on the rise in Ross Barkley.
Gareth-Barry-Everton
The academy graduate was explosive, had an eye for goal and could win possession back comfortably just like Hackney. He was the complete package next to someone with the experience to help that talent.
Now, many years later, Christian Norgaard has a similar job at Everton. In a young midfield, the former Arsenal and Brentford man has the job of adding composure, experience and know-how - just like Barry did.
REUTERS/David W Cerny
With Norgaard on his way back from injury to hopefully feature for Everton for the first time after the international break, it could also open the door for Hackney.
Moyes will rarely throw young players into a side from the get-go, but he could finally hand Hackney his chance next to the experienced Norgaard. When looking at the Dane's time at Brentford, it's easy to see why that may be the case too.
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League stats per 90 Norgaard 24/25 (Premier League) Hackney 25/26 (Championship)
Minutes 2,829 3,314
Tackles 2.51 1.85
Pass success 82.7% 86.5%
Recoveries 6.14 5.57
Duel success 55.3% 47%
At his best, Norgaard would keep up with Hackney and add a bit more steel when it comes to duels. That could be Moyes' biggest concern. Should he throw the young summer signing in without experience next to him, then his duel success could cause issues.
Norgaard's role does not need to be extensive on Merseyside. Barry started 23 games in his final Premier League season at Everton, but he was still more than effective. The Dane can play the same role as the Toffees' young midfield continues to develop.
This is an Everton side on the rise and Norgaard's return will only help Moyes' pursuit of European qualification in the coming months.