David Moyes on about to substitute on Merlin Rohl
Credit: Imago
Jacob Raw
Wed 29 April 2026 17:10, UK
David Moyes seems to think that Merlin Rohl will benefit from not playing games of football with Everton.
The Toffees signed Rohl on loan from Bundesliga side Freiburg last summer, and most looking in from the outside would think that he will return to Germany this summer.
However, the Blues are now set to sign the midfielder permanently after triggering a clause in his loan contract, as they have inevitably secured their Premier League status.
Moyes has made fewer changes to his side than any other Premier League team this campaign, with 22.
Rohl has barely played for Everton, and the Toffees boss will now surely be starting to get on supporters’ nerves.
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What has David Moyes said about Merlin Rohl?
Rohl’s transfer seems to have backfired up until now, but there is still hope for the 23-year-old on Merseyside.
However, that means that Moyes will need to play him, but the German has only made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season.
Area of game Stats
Matches (starts) 12 (2)
Minutes played 358
Pass accuracy 73.9%
Duels won 45%
Rohl in PL
There are other players that Moyes seems to have controversially abandoned in spells or over the duration of the season, but Rohl is right up there, and the Everton boss has now made more excuses.
Moyes said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo: “Merlin, we like. Merlin could have easily been involved in some more games and played a little bit more time. It’ll do him no harm to have sat back for the best part of the season and looked at it.
“The team has been doing pretty well, so they’ve [the wider squad] not been required that often. It’s always the ones who are not in who are the ones who you think can do a better job, so it’s one of those things.”
Merlin Rohl's goal involvements for Everton this season.
Credit: Breaking Media
Though some may suggest Rohl hasn’t done enough when he has played, for Moyes to sit there and say that, it feels like he is lying.
Everton fans would rather he said the truth, and in no way will Rohl develop by sitting on the bench all season long.
Why Rohl only now looks headed for loan next season
Everton have made some questionable decisions this season with recruitment and with the players that they already have.
Take Harrison Armstrong for example, a player everyone knew would suffer for minutes after Idrissa Gueye’s return to AFCON, as the Blues failed to secure another loan exit to Preston for some reason.
Everton’s 2-1 loss to West Ham has put a dent in their hopes of achieving a spot in a European competition next campaign, which would have benefited the wider squad.
If the Toffees don’t qualify for one of the three UEFA competitions, then it feels like Rohl could be sent out on loan, which again, would highlight that Moyes has been gaslighting fans the whole time.
Moyes deserves an award for it.
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