David Moyes looks highly likely to change his formation at Everton next season, or even to end the current campaign.
Something seems to be happening at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Glaswegian quite randomly utilising a 3-4-2-1 during the second half of the recent 1-1 draw against Leeds, almost as if he was testing it out.
That is not the only piece of evidence there is to suggest David Moyes is plotting a change in shape, as some intriguing transfer links emerge.
Should David Moyes play with a back three and wing-backs more regularly for Everton?
Here's an XI the manager could go with after the switch-up vs Leeds… 🤔
A custom graphic showing Everton in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Credit: GRV Media
It would be no surprise whatsoever if David Moyes implements the 3-4-2-1 formation permanently at Everton
Not only did the 62-year-old see some success with the 3-4-2-1 shape as Everton fought back from a goal down to claim a point against Leeds, but The Friedkin Group seem to be on the hunt for wing-backs too.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy was strongly linked to Everton during the winter transfer window and is thought to still be a target for the summer. Interestingly, the former Arsenal man has played exclusively as a right wing-back for Genoa this season in a 3-4-3 formation.
Now, the evidence is beginning to stack up, as fresh reports claim that Everton are scouting Daniel Svensson of Borussia Dortmund, who has been playing as a left wing-back under Niko Kovac this season.
Everton’s current options, such as Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson, are more traditional full-backs with little experience of the wing-back role.
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It should be noted that Leeds were all over Everton in the first half of that 1-1 draw, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost made it 2-0 when hitting the post. It suggests Moyes felt that particular game was going to go against his side, so he possibly viewed it as a free hit to trial the 3-4-2-1 formation he hopes to implement next term and saw a positive return.
Leeds might have actually inspired David Moyes
Coincidentally, Leeds themselves decided to change formation midway through the season.
Daniel Farke switched his side to a 3-5-2 formation at half-time of a 3-2 defeat against Manchester City back in November, with Leeds trailing 2-0.
It had an instant impact. Leeds were level by the 68th minute, and could have even won the game before Phil Foden netted a crushing winner in the 91st minute.
If you are David Moyes, who would be your starting right-back for the remainder of the season? 🤔
Everton need more in attack from their full-backs
A comparison of Jake O'Brien and Nathan Patterson's goal contributions for Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/George Wood.
Leeds then embarked on a seven-game unbeaten run largely using their new formation, so that moment at the Etihad Stadium could well have inspired Moyes to change his system as well.
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