Many pre-season predictions tipped Everton as outsiders for Europe. The tide appears to be turning and The Toffees have begun looking up the table rather than over their shoulders under David Moyes. However, it was hard to argue with **Gary Neville**’s Monday Night Football assessment that yesterday evening’s starting eleven would be that of relegation standard, if not for the Scotsman’s stewardship.
With Vitaliy Mykolenko and Jarrad Brantwhaite set to come back and [**Jack Grealish](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/08/18/everton/1230876-leeds-united-1-0-everton-everton-player-ratings.html)**working his way to full fitness after a stop-start pre-season, Everton’s first eleven will improve. The detrimental effect that a few injuries have had on the squad, however, is clear evidence that The Toffees are far from prepared for this Premier League season. Replacing the eleven senior players who left this summer looked a tough task and once again Everton’s campaign has kicked off with gaping holes in the squad.
A defensive-minded midfielder, a right-back and a natural right-winger is the bare minimum before the deadline, whilst an experienced striker and another left sided central defender would be an added bonus. Moyes said at the start of the window, ten signings were needed, which would suggest another four could be on their way.
Recent periods of financial struggle suggest that this careful recruitment process should be championed, however, failed negotiations with Kenny Tete and a disparity in Everton’s and **Southampton**’s valuation of Tyler Dibling cannot dictate the success of this window. Now is the time to pull the trigger on right sided players and a partner for Idrissa Gana Gueye, even if these players were not first choices.
Beto Will Frustrate
The Portuguese ended last season in fine goalscoring form, silencing critics with 9 goals in his last 17 games. Beto is a powerful runner and often finds himself on the end of good goalscoring opportunities. The fan favourite, however, has a distinct lack of presence in helping his side progress into the final third.
Often misprofiled as a target-man, due to his 6 '4 stature, Beto’s slack control and inability to use his presence to protect the ball led to wave after wave of Leeds United attacks, particularly in the first half. A 38% aerial success rate ensured any method of playing into the frontman failed. Beto is primarily a striker who works off madness rather than method, springing into life in fleeting moments and popping up with the odd goal.
When these moments do not come and the opening day against a newly promoted side ends with a solitary touch in the opposition area, fans are reminded of the many facets of Beto’s game that are missing.
Moyes seemingly signed off on the sale of Beto earlier this summer, whilst trying to tie Dominic Calvert-Lewin down to a new contract. The Scotsman then bemoaned the former Udinese man’s inability to bring teammates into play in pre-season, despite backing him ahead of new signing Thierno Barry on the opening day. Goalscorers are difficult to come by in the premier league and it is no secret Beto knows where the back on the net is, however, if he wants to continue to spearhead Everton’s attack, Beto needs to be useful irrespective of his goals.
Talented Tim Needs A Loan
We probably knew this one already. Despite reactionary responses, Tim Iroegbunam is a very talented footballer, albeit, not ready for the Premier League. An adept ball carrier, energetic and a good presser, the former Aston Villa man was not as bad yesterday as many reports suggest. Too many times however, he was caught ball watching and allowed runners off him to break lines and penetrate the Everton low block.
Finding himself in the heart of the midfield, amongst uncertainty regarding his own future, this is the second year in a row Iroegbunam has begun the season as a starter in a squad not yet complete. Though Gueye’s quality cannot be overstated, he often leaves his position to go pressing and also struggles to dictate the tempo of a match, he is simply not that type of midfielder.
With the burden of defensive discipline and ball progression left heavily in the hands of the 22 year-old making just his eighth Premier League start, it was no wonder he looked like a deer in the headlights at times. If the rumoured championship loan to Sheffield United comes to fruition, I have no doubt the young midfielder will have a successful career. For now though, this responsibility is too much, too soon.
Width Down The Left Is Essential
More of an observation than a criticism. Mykolenko, Branthwaite and Adam Aznou’s injuries left Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Everton’s solitary left-footed outfielder, leading to a complete imbalance and predictability in possession. James Garner performed admirably in his unfamiliar left-back role, nullifying a dynamic Dan James and Jayden Bogle duo.
With Michael Keane to the right of him and **Iliman Ndiaye**’s tendency to drift infield, ahead, ball progression was non-existent down the left though and was only combatted by clumsy recycling of possession through the back four, or hopeful aerial diagonals for Jake O’Brien to contest.
One of the three aforementioned injuries healing may fix this, but in the meantime one option could be a begrudging switch to the back 3 that did not serve Everton so well in pre-season. Dwight McNeil's delivery, comfort at holding width and running numbers suggest he could be a useful makeshift wing-back option off the left, whilst Garner has experience playing as a wide-midfielder, or fullback on the right. With three senior centre-backs and a full crop of midfielders currently available, Everton are now more prepared to use that system than they were in July. Moyes, therefore, might not be as concerned with the switch as performances against Bournemouth and West Ham in the United States suggest he should be.