Everton manager David Moyes seems to be taking inspiration from Manchester City’s treble-winning side in 2023.
David Moyes wants to return Everton to Europe and to do that, there will need to be a late influx of signings.
“We had an incredible time at West Ham and winning a European trophy,” Moyes told the BBC in June. “But now back at Everton, I’ve got to try and set the same sort of sights for Everton as well.
“In the early parts of my career when I was Everton manager, we did get to Europe quite regularly and it has to be, I feel as if it has to be a target for us.”
With that said, Everton are exploring deals to sign Nathan Ake, Tyler Dibling and Yves Bissouma, which indicates there could be a change in tactics on the horizon.
Everton manager David Moyes.
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David Moyes could be about to unleash Pep Guardiola’s tactic at Everton
With Everton targeting a move to sign Ake, it indicates Moyes may be about to make a major tactical change.
Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are a very settled centre-back pairing, so Ake would likely sign as a left-back.
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That would then mean the entire back four is made up of tall and physical centre-backs, which is a tactic that helped Manchester City win the treble in 2023.
Guardiola went with a flat back four of Ake, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and John Stones, who often inverted into the midfield in possession.
Ake, Branthwaite, Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien would certainly be a defensively resolute defence for the Toffees, though, it would mean new signing Adam Aznou would have to be benched.
The benefits of playing four centre-backs
Manchester City conceded just 33 goals in the 2022/23 season when they played with four central defenders.
That was the fewest of any side in the Premier League, joint with Newcastle United, so it’s clearly a methodology that works.
French Football journalist Julien Laurens, writing for ESPN, explained why it’s a tactic that works so well.
“At the heart of this innovation is a desire to defend better. Centre-backs are pure defenders; they don’t have the defensive compromises of full-backs, who are often converted wingers.
“If your centre-backs have the technical quality and some decent pace, they are perfect for what Guardiola is putting together.
“Fielding four of them means more balance, more solidity and more stability. City don’t risk getting exposed because none of that quartet is tempted to go forward too much.
“And this setup enables Guardiola to use Stones in midfield, bringing an extra body to the part of the pitch where the game very often is decided.”
Indeed, Everton would have to ensure they have sufficient quality in the midfield and attack to create enough chances, as it would limit the full-backs from overlapping.