Everton have reached the end of a strange season, only missing out on a place in Europe by four points but still ending the term in 13th place, one point better off than last year.
Progress? David Moyes' side failed to win any of their final seven Premier League games of the season, far too leaky at the back. The loss of Jarrad Branthwaite to yet another injury played into the malaise.
David-Moyes
Fans are frustrated with Everton's style of play, summed up on that bitter final day away to Tottenham Hotspur, who escaped relegation after a feeble effort from the visitors.
Change is required, even with technical director Angus Kinnear pointing toward the firm steps taken in the right direction over the course of the campaign. Now, though, Everton need something of a stylistic evolution.
Everton learn bid could be accepted for Championship star
Everton's laboured playing style has frustrated fans, but Moyes might point toward injuries to key playmakers such as Jack Grealish as hindering his side in that regard.
Still, the days of fighting against relegation are well in the past now, and the Blues have the chance to take another step forward by securing the right summer signings.
In midfield, Everton could benefit from some more fluency and quality on the ball, and Moyes and Kinnear appear to have landed on the perfect target.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are among the myriad of English outfits to have joined the race for Middlesbrough captain Hayden Hackney, who is expected to leave Teeside this summer after the club failed to secure promotion to the Premier League.
hayden-hackney-middlesbrough-championship
Boro hardly want to sell, but given that Hackney has just one year left on his current deal, selling him makes sense, with a £25m price tag in mind for suitors to meet. Submit an offer of that amount and he will likely be yours.
Everton would only be too happy to pounce, but Nottingham Forest are pushing to complete a deal, with further Premier League interest anticipated.
Why Hackney could be Everton's new Garner
Sometimes, those young prospects fostered out in the Championship can go on to become superstars in the Premier League. James Garner is a testament to that.
Everton midfielder James Garner
The Englishman, dismayed after missing out on Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, once flattered to deceive on loan with Watford, then thriving for Nottingham Forest. Now, he's a sensation, picking up the Toffees' Players' Player of the Season award.
Hackney is not quite as developed as his countryman, but he too has earned acclaim this season, winning the Championship Player of the Year, so stylish and influential at the heart of midfield.
His playmaking ability and athleticism does offer a shade of two of Garner at the heart of Moyes' Everton system, but there's a strong case to be made that Hackney is the more fluid when on the ball, capable of splitting lines apart with crisp and smooth distribution.
The pair could thrive together for Everton next year, with Moyes illustrating a desire to move toward a more expansive ball-playing structure with Hackney pulling the strings.
League Form Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Apps (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels (won)*
He's been described as a "special player" by analyst Ben Mattinson, who drew attention to his range of passing while outlining a steely defensive skillset that will serve him well when settling into Premier League life.
There is a reason that so many sides are lining up to snap up his signature this summer, and Everton would pull off a blinder if bringing him over to the Hill Dickinson for only £25m.
Hayden-Hackney-Boro
Garner has come on leaps and bounds under Moyes' management, and the wizened Scot could pull off a similar trick with Hackney, all the while growing his system into something that the fanbase can get behind.
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