Everton have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their season even though they endured a chaotic and shambolic end to the summer transfer window
Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner during Everton's draw with Tottenham Hotspur
Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner during Everton's draw with Tottenham Hotspur(Image: (Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images))
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has reiterated that Everton will continue to rise above the negativity that followed the club's shambolic end to the transfer window. And the midfielder sent a clear message to those who believe the side is simply battling to avoid relegation this season.
Failed deals and ill-timed sales has left David Moyes with just 18 senior outfield players after the window closed, turning excitement into bewilderment for Blues supporters. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jack Grealish did join the Blues, but Beto, Tim Iroegbunam, Nathan Patterson and Iliman Ndiaye all departed, while Folarin Balogun walked out on a move to the club.
Some reacting to the developments suggested that Everton might now be battling to avoid relegation to the Championship.
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But reacting to those remarks when asked about the team's target for this season, Dewsbury-Hall said: “Definitely not what I’m seeing from the outside of just staying up.
“Definitely not that. I’m very confident and I know the lads in the dressing room are quietly confident. We’ve got a lot of quality in the squad – and a lot of know-how and experience, hundreds of Premier League appearances.
“I know we’ve got a smaller squad but we’ve got a lot of quality, a lot of very good players.”
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Before he continued: “All of the signings who have come in are very good players and they’re going to offer something different.
“Ainsley’s settled in very quickly. He’s a good player and you could see that from the first session he had with us. Very tidy on the ball.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Harrison Armstrong during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates after scoring for Everton against Manchester United
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“The other lads who have come in are equally as good. We’ve made good signings and I know all of them will make an impact this year.”
And on shutting out the outside noise, the midfielder added: “They’re the things we can’t control. Nothing is going to be perfect in football and it never is.
“We can only control what we can control and that’s to put in the best account of ourselves as we can when we step over the white lines.
“In the start of the season, we’ve done that. We’re making sure no outside noise is affecting anything and we’ll continue to do what we’re trying to do.”
Where do you think Everton will finish this season?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on as he inspects the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton from Chelsea last summer and has since become one of the club's most important players.
The 28-year-old last year pledged his international allegiance to England despite years of efforts from the Republic of Ireland to call him up.
Although he is yet to be capped by the Three Lions, he made the long list for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
And when asked if he feels like his first cap might come this season, Dewsbury-Hall said: “Yeah, I’m hoping so. You get the provisional squads which I’m in every time now. That tells you you’re close.
“I believe in my ability. I know if I can show what I know I can do, it’s inevitable at some point. I want to put it in the manager’s head, so he knows it’s not really an option. So, if I can do that, maybe I’ll be lucky and get one!
“With all due respect, I wouldn’t be waiting for England if I didn’t think I could play for England. I’m more than ready to show what I can do, and it’ll be up to [the manager] at the end of the day."
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