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Leon Osman says Everton have a player who looks like he hasn’t played in a year
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Everton’s current squad is noticeably thin, and any addition is welcome. But Leon Osman isn’t convinced by what he has seen from one player who played against Chelsea.
It was another strong showing as Everton were beaten by Chelsea, but there was a lot to like about the performance, if a little underwhelming. The positives ranged from keeping Chelsea’s main threats at bay, being unlucky to have conceded twice, while the squad also looked a lot healthier.
This was compounded by Christian Norgaard finally making his debut for Everton, reaching match fitness. But it was a display that he won’t be keen to repeat, needing massive improvements.
How important will Christian Norgaard actually be for Everton? Should he become a regular starter?
I agree, but Saturday was NOT the time to start bedding him in
I think he’s going to be a very serviceable squad player, but I’ll be shocked if he overtakes Garner, Armstrong or even Hackney in the pecking order
Was so good before that Arsenal move… understandable but silly, hope he’s back to becoming a regular and yeah, I can see it
Leon Osman questions Christian Norgaard’s selection
Norgaard really struggled against Chelsea, looking miles off the pace of the game and failing to make much of an impact in midfield. But most of this is likely attributed to a lack of fitness.
Reacting to the performance, Leon Osman has told the Outside the Box Pod that he couldn’t believe how poor Norgaard looked and that he is getting minutes ahead of Hayden Hackney.
“I wonder if David Moyes had another look at his substitutions, whether he’d make the same ones. I’ve been calling out for Hayden Hackney to get a lot more game time. And he was actually unused.
“Norgaard came on and looked like he hadn’t played for a year. Which is inevitable because he hasn’t played, that was inevitable.”
Moyes’s lack of trust in Hackney is becoming a problem, and fans are getting increasingly frustrated by the young midfielder not getting more game time, despite his performances deserving further opportunities.
If Norgaard continues to be prioritised, there could be an issue for David Moyes, who is already rubbing plenty of fans the wrong way with the lack of victories he is coaching Everton to right now.
Norgaard hasn’t played much football in 12 months
Osman’s comments are entirely fair because Norgaard actually hasn’t really played in 12 months, it isn’t a stick to beat him with, it is a fact.
C. Nørgaard
Everton – Premier League (2026 – 2027)
Appearances 1
Minutes Played 19
Average Rating 6.30
Since leaving Brentford, Norgaard has only played 1059 minutes of club football, with 1040 coming last season for Arsenal. Of which just 101 minutes were in the Premier League, meaning it would be virtually impossible for him to be match fit right now.
He had played just 45 minutes since April, and it will absolutely take time for him to reach the levels he showed in a Brentford kit 24 months ago.
For context, Norgaard was fantastic during his last season at Brentford, scoring five and assisting four, playing 34 times, and being their captain. If Everton can get this Norgaard, then he will end up looking like a really good signing.
David Moyes admits he expected Norgaard isn’t ready
Speaking during his pre-Arsenal press conference, Moyes admitted Norgaard isn’t as close as they thought he was.
“I think when we brought him on, we realised he’s a little bit further away than we all had hoped.
“But we expected that. We didn’t think he’d be fully firing until probably the next international break, if we’re being honest.
“He’s had no real pre-season with us, he’s probably had about seven days training.
“Christian was the first to come to me and say he’s sorry about it and he’s realised he’s a bit further away than we probably all thought.”