David Moyes looking concerned with Jake O'Brien and Nathan Patterson behind him playing for Everton
Josh Edwards
Wed 18 February 2026 7:10, UK
The arrival of a new right-back has to be one of the top priorities for Everton in the summer transfer window.
Between now and the end of May, David Moyes will be concerned about nothing other than ensuring his side can pick up as many points.
However, once the campaign is all said and done, there’s a lot of recruitment needed to see the Toffees progress, and the arrival of a new right-back is one of two clear priorities.
Everton have utilised Nathan Patterson and Jake O’Brien in that area throughout the campaign, having lost Seamus Coleman to injury.
But stats show why replacing them is going to be crucial.
Everton home ground Hill Dickinson Stadium with stat of Premier League home wins in 2025-26 season
Credit: Imago
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Teams are evidently targeting Everton’s right side
O’Brien, in particular, has looked lost when played at right-back, though very little blame can be put on him for that, given the fact that he is a centre-back by trade.
However, there’s very little excuse for Patterson, who hasn’t looked paritcular voncing on the occasion he has featured this season.
But signing someone to specialise in that position is going to be key, as it is left-sided forwards who are creating the most xG against Everton this season, as opposed to any other area of the pitch.
And it’s a similar theme for players creating xA against them.
Most xG Conceded this season in the Premier League by position:
Strikers – Bournemouth
Right Wingers – Burnley
Left Wingers – Everton
Attacking Mids – Sunderland
Centre Mids – West Ham
Right Backs – Burnley
Left Backs – West Ham
Center Backs – Burnley
Penalties – Brentford pic.twitter.com/DzCFipMqok
— FPL Meerkat (@FPLMeerkat) February 17, 2026
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Anton Stach, Adrien Truffert, Luke Shaw and Ryan Sessegnon are among the players who top the xA list against the Blues, all of whom typically feature on the left side of their respective teams.
However, while addressing that concern is going to be key for the Merseysiders in the summer, that is still not their biggest priority.
Everton still have one other position to bolster before addressing right-back concern
It goes without saying, but if the Toffees don’t sign a striker in the summer, they may as well call it a day in terms of achieving success anytime soon.
While Thierno Barry has shown flashes this season, neither he nor Beto have shown that they are capable of leading the line for a Premier League side with aspirations of European football.
Keeping goals out at one end is one thing, but that will still mean very little if they can’t score them at the other end, which has been a major issue all season.
Everton are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season, and until a clinical finisher is brought to Hill Dickinson, that will remain true.
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