Everton full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles with David Moyes inset
Everton full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles with David Moyes inset
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 29-year-old started on the bench for the third consecutive game on Monday as the Toffees beat Newcastle United 1-0 at St James' Park.
Everton signed Maitland-Niles from Lyon for around £4million on transfer deadline day and he had enjoyed a fantastic start to his career at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The former Arsenal man netted a screamer to rescue a point against Manchester United on his debut, and he would start the next five games.
Yet a couple of slips in concentration have seen him lose the faith of Moyes, who can be a hard man to work your way back in under.
We have completed the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a permanent transfer from Olympique Lyonnais for an undisclosed fee.
Welcome to Everton, Ainsley! 🔵
— Everton (@Everton) September 1, 2026
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been 'unfortunate'
Hull City's opener against Everton last month came when Maitland-Niles mis controlled a ball forward and gave it away just outside his team's penalty box.
The next week, he would be beaten on the outside by Jorrel Hato in the build-up to Chelsea's opener.
"I think he's just fallen out of favour. Against Chelsea, he came off after 55 minutes because he got caught out two or three times in the first half and again early in in the second half," King told Football Insider.
"So, whether that was enough to think, 'okay, let's give the other kid a chance here. We've got the cup coming up and the Arsenal game coming up.'
"I think it's just a tactical thing as well. He was unfortunate to be involved in a couple of things which the manager and the staff didn't like.
"So, if there's a chance to leave him out and see what his reaction will be when he does bring him back. He's only just signed a three-year deal in the summer.
"This is football. One minute you can be the best player in the world and the next minute you can be rubbish, and that reflects on the way supporters react to you as well."
David Moyes' frustrated stars
Unfortunately for Maitland-Niles, he has now entered a group within the Everton squad that struggle for opportunities.
The likes of Hayden Hackney, Tyler Dibling and Carlos Alcaraz seem to impress when they do get the rare chance, but this never leads to further chances.
Moyes has his favourites, and he seems absolutely resistant to change in his starting line-up.
And to be fair, it has worked of late. Everton have beaten Newcastle twice within a week and will look to keep the momentum building.