David Moyes will know the players he brings into Everton this summer will have to be perfect for The Friedkin Group’s project.
The difficulty of doing that is clear with Everton failing with so many aspiring stars in the past, but no one did transfers like Moyes did.
Now back at Everton, the Scotsman can look to replicate his next Tim Cahill, Kevin Mirallas, or Mikel Arteta.
This will be a hard task, but with Everton looking set to have a healthy summer budget, the chances of landing one game-changing signing are high.
A lot of players’ chances of succeeding at Everton rest on being nurtured by Moyes, and one target who could join had a prediction made on him by the Toffees boss.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
What David Moyes has already said about Everton target John Stones
With an exciting summer in place, there will surely be no more exciting arrival than the return of John Stones.
Stones is back on Everton’s radar with the centre-back likely to leave Man City this window, nine years after he left Goodison Park for £47m.
This would be a transfer expected to happen if the 31-year-old leaves the Etihad, with Moyes nurturing the player in his time at Everton.
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Moyes signed Stones for £3 million from Barnsley in 2013, and when he left three years later, he made a prediction about the England international.
Speaking in a press conference in 2016 after Stones joined Pep Guardiola’s side, Moyes made a claim that has no doubt come true.
“Players like Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka… he’s in with some really good players who know how to defend well, but John is different, he’s very comfortable on the ball, which gives the side a good starting point,” Moyes said.
“They like to start games from the back, but John will go on to big things, I’ve no doubt about that.
“He’ll develop and he’s made one or two mistakes which have cost him, but obviously he’s going to go on and play for England for a long time.”
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Moyes on if Stones would make for ideal Jarrad Branthwaite successor at Everton
A return for the Barnsley-born hero would make for an astute piece of business.
Stones is highly appreciated in Manchester and has flourished in his time there, and Moyes would be gaining a winning mentality in his side.
Guardiola called Stones ‘incredible’, but Moyes clearly saw his future being this bright; however, there might be questions whether he would make for a strong Jarrad Branthwaite replacement.
It’s been made clear that Branthwaite could join Chelsea, and Everton will be scrambling for a replacement, but after Moyes previously said Branthwaite trumps Stones, it’s hard to see an improvement.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 24/25 Premier League John Stones – 24/25 Premier League
Games played 30 11
Pass accuracy % 82.9% 91.3%
Duels won % 63.4% 69.2%
Aerial duels won per 90 2.22 1.32
Tackles won 20 2
Recoveries 93 22
Of course, the difference in games played is stark, but could this be an indication that Stones’ injury record is a risk for Everton?
The loss of Branthwaite would be detrimental to Moyes’ plans, and although he might not fancy Stones as much as the 22-year-old, he would no doubt welcome the City star back with open arms.