A look at the changes to the starting 11 that Everton could make for their home game against Chelsea
Christian Norgaard before the match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026
Christian Norgaard before the match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
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David Moyes could have some big selection dilemmas to make as Everton face Chelsea in their next match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).
The corresponding match last season was arguably the Blues’ best of the campaign as they triumphed 3-0 on March 21 to move within three points of a Champions League qualification place. Unfortunately, it also proved to be a high watermark for Moyes’ men as they subsequently failed to win any of their last seven fixtures and plummeted down the table to finish 13th.
This time around, Everton will be hoping that Vitalii Mykolenko is fit to return. The club’s only recognised left-back had been an ever-present up until the 2-2 draw at Hull City but having been forced out of Ukraine’s last three internationals, he missed the trip to MKM Stadium.
If the 27-year-old does make it – and Moyes said before the visit to East Yorkshire that Mykolenko had “a chance” – then Jarrad Branthwaite, who deputised for him, could return to centre-back alongside captain James Tarkowski at Michael Keane’s expense. Transfer deadline day signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ place could be under threat though, even though he, like Mykolenko on the other side, is the only natural in the right-back berth.
Although the £4million recruit from Olympique Lyonnais put in the cross for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser, either side of that, he hardly covered himself in glory for both of the Tigers’ goals. Looking for a bit of extra protection in front of the back four, Moyes might also decide to hand another summer signing Christian Norgaard his debut in the number six role.
The former Denmark international is yet to feature since joining from Arsenal but was included in the matchday squad for the first time at Hull where he was an unused substitute and with another week of training under his belt, could potentially replace Harrison Armstrong, or even James Garner.
The centre of the park looks to be a rare congested area within the Blues’ squad though with Hayden Hackney, who did get on – after being taunted by Hull fans for Middlesbrough’s defeat in the Championship play-off final, who sang: “We saw you crying down Wembley Way” – also providing an alternative option.
Missing a sitter then slotting home a more difficult chance with ease, Thierno Barry’s place looks secure as the only striker in the squad and the same goes for Dewsbury-Hall in the attacking midfield berth after he netted Everton’s first goal and teed up the second.
However, there are options if Moyes wanted to shuffle his pack out wide as while Jack Grealish and Brennan Johnson are the incumbent starters, neither set the world alight at Hull – other than his disallowed goal, the Wales international was very quiet – so Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling could both be pushing to be given a go.
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