David Moyes is risking fan fury amid strange Tyrique George change at Everton
After making an exciting start to the new season, the picture has somewhat changed for Tyrique George at Everton.
The youngster came into the current campaign as a permanent Everton player, after the club renegotiated with Chelsea after his loan move to the club in 2025/26. That renegotiation meant Everton paid a bit less up front.
And Tyrique George began the season in the starting XI, and put in a number of impressive displays. His big highlight came against Manchester United when he rifled in an equaliser at the near post.
In recent weeks though, George hasn’t really built on that. And it’s mainly because he’s not really been afforded the chance to.
What’s your honest position on Thierno Barry at the moment? 10 big chances missed in the PL, but six goals across all competitions. It's fair to say he divides opinion at Everton, but Dewsbury-Hall is a fan…👀
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Gary Oakley – Everton FC/Everton FC
He's raw but there's something there. Just needs to start converting a few more chances. Great finish the other night
I like him. The most worrying thing would be if he wasn’t getting chances. Facts are, he is often in the right position and never gives up Too hugely important attributes. I just hope the third - finishing - comes soon
Surely the issue is not Thierno Barry but simply that there is no viable alternative
Tyrique George needs more minutes for Everton as Moyes turns attention to others
All of a sudden, George finds himself back on the bench at Everton.
He didn’t start for Everton in the last two games against Hull City and Ipswich Town, with Brennan Johnson preferred both times on the right side.
And before the game with Ipswich, Everton played against Wolves in the Carabao Cup third round. George was also on the bench for that game, with Tyler Dibling given the nod to start.
So that’s Everton’s last three games in all competitions that George has been on the bench – and that is slightly concerning. Especially because the man ahead of him, Johnson, is not standing out.
It feels strange that David Moyes has demoted him to the bench after such a bright start to the season. Currently, he ranks third in the Everton squad for shots per 90 (2.7), and created the third-most chances (7). He is also top of the pile for successful dribbles per 90 (2.4). These numbers just underline what a bright start it has been.
He was playing with such confidence, and arguably George was one of Everton’s best players in the opening weeks. The goal against United felt like it could be a catalyst for him to push on even further. And yet, Moyes has now halted his momentum.
It would perhaps be understandable if Dibling was the reason for George going back to the bench, with fans clamouring for him to get more chances, especially after his lively performances against Wolves and Ipswich.
EFC Mastermind Ep.4 🧠 Contestant: Tyrique George 🔵 Specialist subject: American hip-hop 🇺🇸🎤 How many questions can Tyrique answer correctly in one minute? 👇 https://t.co/HCCfZyduhg
— Everton (@Everton) October 7, 2026
But Johnson has started the last two Premier League games for Everton and offered very little. On international duty for Wales he lacked impact, and against Hull he was barely in the game. Leon Osman recently suggested Johnson was getting too many minutes at the expense of others and many will feel that George is the much better option right now.
Moyes now has to be careful. He has a young player with huge potential on his hands with George and he cannot let him slip into the shadows. Given how small the squad is, surely this won’t actually be the case.
This weekend Everton have Chelsea at home, and this is a good opportunity to get him back into the team. George will have the bit between his teeth playing against his former club. He may play with a point to prove, and it would be better to have that from the start rather than off the bench. Johnson has not done enough to retain his starting berth, so George not replacing him would be both baffling and frustrating.