In the first of a three-part series, Blues correspondent Joe Thomas takes a look at Everton's goalkeepers and defensive unit and the issues Moyes needs to resolve this summer
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Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien warm up prior to Everton's game at Crystal Palace. The pair could form a formidable partnership at the heart of the Blues' defence but Branthwaite is likely to attract interest over the summer (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien warm up prior to Everton's game at Crystal Palace. The pair could form a formidable partnership at the heart of the Blues' defence but Branthwaite is likely to attract interest over the summer (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Everton are set for a major summer overhaul.
Led by David Moyes, the incoming CEO Angus Kinnearand others, the Blues will head into a period of transition on and off the pitch, with a new-look squad set to be built for the new era that will begin with the move to the new stadium.
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With 15 senior players out of contract there is a lot to do over the coming months. Here, the ECHO looks at each star and the dynamics at play - starting with the defensive unit.
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Goalkeepers - why mess with a good thing?
Few have done more to ensure Everton have stayed afloat over recent difficult years than Jordan Pickford. The 32-year-old has been essential to the club staying in the Premier League and consistently reminds supporters of his importance to the Blues’ fate.
His saves from Cesar Azpilicueta and James Maddison were as valuable as any goal scored in either of those relegation fights, while a string of huge stops - including the penalty save from Anthony Gordon and his late heroics against West Ham United - prevented Everton from becoming overwhelmed during a bad autumn this season.
Pickford is settled and has been able to protect his position as England number one while at the club. He is under contract until June 2027 and is a key pillar around which a new team can be created.
While Pickford is integral to Everton, most who discuss his success reflect on the strength of the unit around him.
Joao Virginia has proved an able deputy who has enjoyed his experiences in cup competitions after cementing the #2 spot. He made his debut in the empty stadiums of the pandemic before heading out on a series of loan moves.
Eighteen months ago his ambition was to play in front of Everton supporters and he has since achieved that - keeping clean sheets home and away against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last season.
Virginia is out of contract at the end of the season but the club has an option to extend it. Asmir Begovic, who is gaining experience as a pundit, is also out of contract. He has been identified as a leader in the dressing room by David Moyes.
Virginia and Begovic offer reliable and inexpensive opportunities to maintain stability in an area that has seen change of leadership - with Alan Kelly, Billy Mercer and, following the appointment of Moyes, David Lucas taking the role of goalkeeping coach.
The need for answers at right back - and for competition for Mykolenko
The most emotional question is over the future of Seamus Coleman. In some ways it is the easiest to solve, too. Moyes quickly rekindled his close relationship with the full-back he so famously signed for just £60,000.
Coleman is now a veteran and, at 36, has been held back by injuries this season. When he has played - for instance in the draw at Manchester City over Christmas - he has shown he is still capable. But his real strength is in his role behind-the-scenes. Moyes is keen to retain that as the squad makes the transition to the new stadium, a move the manager is concerned about managing.
Coleman has completed his coaching badges and acknowledged a desire to move into management after he helped oversee the FA Cup match with Peterborough United after the departure of Sean Dyche in January.
Coleman will get the opportunity to be a major part of Everton next season, though whether he takes it - and whether it is in the dressing room or in a backroom role - remains to be decided.
Whatever happens to Coleman, Everton’s right back situation needs resolving. It has long been a problematic area as Coleman and Nathan Patterson have struggled with injuries. This feels like a big summer for Patterson, who has had promising spells since signing from Rangers but has been held back by his body. He is yet to end a season injury free while at Everton so the first step in him being able to stake a claim for a future role is sustaining his fitness long enough to be properly assessed.
For much of this season, Ashley Young has been a solid if imperfect option on the right. His versatility, experience and leadership are all valued at Finch Farm but at 39 and with Everton requiring long-term solutions on both sides of the defence, Young could leave when his deal expires in the summer.
An issue for both Young and Patterson is that Moyes has sought to play centre back Jake O’Brien on the right, despite not having played there nor having started a Premier League game before Moyes’ return. O’Brien has kept his place in the starting XI and Everton are nine unbeaten in the league with him there. He has also scored twice in that run.
On the left, Young has been cover for Vitalii Mykolenko but Everton want to address this position. Competition and cover for the Ukraine international is viewed as essential - a reminder of why has been provided during this international break. The thigh issue suffered last weekend threatens to be the fourth injury in 12 months to require him to miss games.
Could Branthwaite be Moyes’ new Declan Rice?
At centre back, the future is dependent upon the future of Jarrad Branthwaite. The 22-year-old is expected to attract significant interest again this summer and, while the completion of the takeover by The Friedkin Group has strengthened Everton’s finances immeasurably, the club will still be pragmatic should a bid be made that comes close to their valuation of the player.
Moyes views Branthwaite as an up and coming star he could build Everton’s rise around in the same way he developed West Ham around the growth of Declan Rice. But a big sale would hold value for Everton, not just for the financial boost it would offer but also because of the additional PSR room it would create for the club as it looks to invest in an overhaul this summer. Should Everton wish to keep hold of Branthwaite a new contract that better reflects his value to the club would have to be considered.
Everton will either have the opportunity to build around one of Europe’s most promising defenders or the financial boost his sale would bring. They also have a potential replacement in the squad in O’Brien. The towering centre back has yet to play in his best position but Moyes insists he sees his future there. While caution is needed - Branthwaite will not be easy to replace - O’Brien has been unphased by his introduction to the first team and played left centre back, Branthwaite’s position, for Republic of Ireland, this week. The prospect of the pair becoming the long-term centre back pairing is an exciting one, should it be allowed to materialise.
Also in the mix is James Tarkowski, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract next season. The first signing of director of football Kevin Thelwell’s tenure is his most successful, the centre back a resilient presence at the heart of the defences of Frank Lampard, Dyche and now Moyes. Tarkowski will be influential again next year.
Michael Keane and Mason Holgate appear likely leave in the summer. Keane enjoyed a strong run in the team at the start of the campaign and capped off his displays with two goals - including the stunner in the win over Ipswich Town. He has had interest from England, Italy and the US over the past year and is likely to seek first team football. Holgate is on loan at West Bromwich Albion and has spoken of a desire to fight for a future there. Having also spent last season away on loan, he is expected to leave when his contract expires.