Everton's squad is stronger than last season, but key weaknesses remain unaddressed, and progress may depend on breakout years and fitness. A journalist who attended every Everton friendly this summer assesses the squad.
Winners of the summer
Thierno Barry has had a good summer, scoring three goals and providing an assist, and appears to have done enough to start as the forward against Crystal Palace. He remains raw and clumsy at times, but the link-up play has been promising.
Merlin Rohl has been used in multiple positions—right-back, wing-back, right wing, and central midfield—and has generally performed well. He may not start in the first-choice XI, but he is a handy squad player.
Harrison Armstrong has started six of seven friendlies and looked comfortable, even against Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi. Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling have also had confidence-boosting summers, with George scoring against Newcastle United.
Has the squad improved enough?
The squad is definitely better than the one that ended last season. While Everton lost big characters like Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, neither was essential to on-pitch plans. Gueye, now 37, was not a true defensive midfielder, and the signing of Christian Norgaard provides positional discipline and an anchor in front of the defence.
Hayden Hackney adds depth and youth, but he may not displace Dewsbury-Hall or James Garner. Brennan Johnson is a substantial improvement over Dwight McNeil on the right side, and his arrival could ease pressure on Tyler Dibling.
Everton's weak spots
Right-back remains unresolved, with no new signing yet, and it is almost certain Rohl or Jake O'Brien will start there against Palace. Left-back and striker questions persist: Vitalii Mykolenko's attacking limitations hurt last season, and Barry will need a hot start to alleviate doubts about firepower.
At the end of last season, priorities were right-back, defensive midfield, right wing, left-back, and striker. Norgaard and Johnson address two, but right-back, left-back, and striker remain unchanged.
What worries me?
Improvement relies on breakout years from Dibling, George, and Barry, and on fitness for Branthwaite and Norgaard. Mykolenko has not looked as solid as in previous years. Moyes' contractual situation, with less than a year left, could become an issue during a dip in form, especially with Eddie Howe available.
The rest of the transfer window
Tim Iroegbunam is likely to leave, possibly to Hull City. Nathan Patterson is unlikely to stay, and a replacement must be signed. Beto is one to watch, with offers possibly entertained and a loan forward arriving. Jack Grealish remains a possibility, though less likely given options out wide. Loan interest in Aznou and Armstrong is possible, but they should stay.
The aims for this season
The aim must be a top-half finish and genuine cup competition. Everton cannot argue progress without a better finish than 13th. Stability and a reduced fixture list should be exploited, and cups must be taken seriously. The Friedkin Group has improved finances but competitive ambition remains unclear, though they have a track record of late transfer-window statements, so a surprise cannot be ruled out.
