David Moyes will be hoping to replicate his first spell in gaining Champions League for Everton.
It seems like a long way away now, but Moyes achieving Champions League football is obviously not unheard of at Everton.
The Scotsman did it in 2004/05 but, unfortunately, got knocked out in the qualifying rounds the season after.
The Toffees boss wants that to be the ultimate aim from his second stint with the club, as Everton are already looking at Champions League targets.
This isn’t something that can be considered in the short-term, but Martin Keown thinks otherwise.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Martkin Keown makes astonishing statement about David Moyes’ Everton
Evertonians will be happy with the start under Moyes, but they will laugh you out of town if the Champions League gets a mention.
The Toffees still need to regain their status as a top club in the Premier League, as otherwise, targets like Rayan Cherki will move to bigger clubs.
Well, Keown thinks he’s found the formula, as speaking to talkSPORT (24/03/25), he has compared Everton to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest, who find themselves in the European spots unexpectedly.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
“If we look at the end of last season, Forest actually finished below Everton. Both teams were deducted points, and we look at the squads, the squads have been pretty much the same that finished last season, that started this season,” Keown said.
“Change of manager for Forest, and look what’s happened, they’re third in the table. Now, Everton, you could argue, could’ve achieved better. They have done under Moyes.
“At the start of the season, Everton proved they were better than Forest because they finished above Forest with pretty much the same squad.”
READ MORE: Armando Broja opens David Moyes’ eyes with eight-word message after masterclass for Albania
A solid transfer window could see a Forest-like season for Everton
It’s asking a lot, but taking into account the turnaround in ownership at Everton and the opening of the new stadium, every sign is pointing to the Toffees getting back to where they belong.
The owners are making all the right moves, as even The Friedkin’s bringing back Moyes was a masterstroke.
Now, what they need to do is have a solid transfer window by letting go of the dead wood and bringing in Premier League-level talent.
A way of looking at it is the way of Forest, who looked into big clubs letting go of players who have ability but wouldn’t make their squad, such as Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
It will be interesting to see what route the owners take, but there will be no pressure on them to achieve Champions League anytime soon.