Jose Mourinho on the Fenerbahce bench and Viktor Lindelof in circular inset
(credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media/imago)
Kyrenia Shipillis
Tue 26 August 2025 19:40, UK
Victor Lindelof could end up causing Everton more problems than he solves.
Things are looking up for The Toffees in the market and on the field.
Loanee Jack Grealish stunned spectators during Everton’s win over Brighton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. As far as christening new stadiums goes, Everton’s display against Brighton was certainly one to remember.
But while David Moyes breathed a sigh of relief, he could now take another deep breath as Everton look to land Lindelof as a free agent.
Everton manager David Moyes smiling.
Moyes will be pleased with his team’s performance (Credit: Imago)
Jose Mourinho has said Victor Lindelof can be ‘bullied’
Everton have identified Lindelof as a cost-effective option to strengthen their squad this summer.
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The defender departed Manchester United at the end of the season and is looking for his next challenge.
Lindelof made almost 300 appearances for Man United during his eight years at the club
The defender was part of the incredible Swedish squad who reached the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals
Lindelof was signed for Man United in 2017 by Jose Mourinho who coached him before he was sacked in December 2018.
Mourinho has praised Lindelof’s rapid pace, but observed that he is also missing a very important trait.
In quotes provided by Sky Sports on 29 September 2019, he said: “As Gary Neville was saying and totally right, Lindelof is very, very good in some aspects of the game.
“But he can be bullied in the one-on-one in the box, he’s not especially good in the air, and Maguire has that kind of presence and physicality that is very, very important.”
Being good in the air and successfully engaging in physical battles will be important for Everton this season. The Premier League is one of the most physical leagues in Europe, and the Toffees will want to be threatening going forward while remaining solid at the back.
As a result, this could raise questions about whether Lindelof would be the best fit.
What was Everton’s defensive record last season?
Despite the mediocre Premier League finish, the Toffees had one of the leading defences in the top flight last season.
Everton kept 12 clean sheets, coming in at 17th for the number of expected goals conceded. Meanwhile, Everton were third for interceptions per match and fourth for successful tackles.
Goals conceded per match 1.20 per 90
Expected goals conceeded (xG) 46.9 per 90
Clean sheets 12
Interceptions per match 9.10 per 90
Successful tackles per match 11.4 per 90
Everton’s 2024/25 defensive stats in the league [FotMob]
With only one goal conceded in the league thus far, it is clear that Moyes is determined to improve this record.
As a result, with such a strong defensive record, Everton will be looking for defenders who can add to this.
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