David Moyes has urged his Everton side to stay ruthless as they prepare to welcome Chelsea in a crucial clash between two teams currently locked on points near the top of the Premier League table.
While the Blues remain one of only three unbeaten sides in the top flight, consecutive stalemates – most notably the frustrating draw at Hull – have left supporters longing for sharper edge in the final third. Moyes acknowledged that resilience alone will not be enough if European ambitions are to be realised this season.
“Ultimately, it’s really nice when you say you’re unbeaten, and we’ve had to show a bit of resilience in some of the games… But we need to get some more wins. We should have won the game at Hull, and some of those big misses were part of that.”
Backing Thierno Barry Through the Growing Pains
Much of the media spotlight fell on 23-year-old striker Thierno Barry. While the French forward has caught the eye with his work rate and movement, statistics highlighting a high number of missed big chances have sparked debate across the Gwladys Street and online forums.
Moyes addressed recent behind-the-scenes footage showing Barry visibly emotional regarding missed opportunities, offering staunch backing while demanding clinical progression:
“I was very emotional about the misses, let me tell you! I don’t do social media, but if you’d seen me, I would have been in bits. We all know the players care. Getting used to the Premier League for a young striker is not easy. We took a gamble bringing him in, and he is still learning and improving. I’d like him to score more, but I’m pleased with the way he’s moving forward.”
Contract Talks and Ownership Chatter
Off the pitch, talk of potential ownership changes and Moyes’ own managerial contract continue to simmer in the background. Moyes brushed aside any suggestion of boardroom distractions filtering down to the dressing room, pointing to Leicester City’s famous title-winning campaign as proof of what tight-knit squads can achieve.
On his own future, Moyes remained relaxed:
“There’s been plenty of talks happening through the summer. Maybe the way things have gone at the moment is just a little bit of a lull… but it’s not the most important thing to me. I just want to keep trying to drive Everton on and build them up.”
Team News & Selection Dilemmas
Moyes also delivered crucial team news ahead of the weekend:
Jarrad Branthwaite: Suffered an early dead leg in the previous match and has been monitored closely through the week, though remains a central pillar.
Vitaliy Mykolenko: Progressing well and has “a chance” of featuring against Chelsea’s dangerous flanks.
Christian Nørgaard: Still working his way back to full fitness. Moyes indicated he has “a wee bit to go” before being ready to start, though could be utilised from the bench.
Left-Wing Battle: Tyrique George is pushing hard for starts, keeping Jack Grealish on his toes in an increasingly competitive selection fight out wide.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Rebounding into peak form against his former club, with Moyes hailing his growing importance to Everton’s midfield productivity.
Key Takeaways
Turning Draws into Wins: Moyes accepts that being hard to beat is valuable, but converting dominance into three points is essential to sustain any European challenge.
Striker Faith: The coaching staff remain firmly behind Thierno Barry, recognising the immense burden on a young lone frontman in the Premier League.
No Ownership Excuses: Players and staff have shut out off-pitch speculation regarding club ownership and contract extensions.
Defensive Fitness Checks: Mykolenko is in contention, while Branthwaite’s knock is being managed; Nørgaard remains short of full starting readiness.