David Moyes believes Everton still have work to do in the transfer market. Speaking after the 4-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston North End, the Blues boss stressed: “I still think we’re short in the squad.”
Moyes also dealt with speculation over the future of Jake O'Brien by suggesting the centre-back does have a role to play this season.
Three additional players
Everton have signed five players this summer, but given two of them - Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl - ended last season on loan with the club, his view is that he has three additional players, in Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson.
With Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye having left on the expiration of their contracts, Dwight McNeil departing in the swap deal that saw Johnson arrive from Crystal Palace, and Jack Grealish’s loan having ended, Moyes is of the view his squad is one player down on last season - when it was already one of the smallest in the Premier League.
Need to continue to make additions
Asked at Deepdale whether he felt he needed more signings, the Scot said: “I think we definitely need to continue to make additions, that's for sure. We thought our squad was quite thin last year and at the moment, I think we're still one down, if my numbers work out.
“We're one down from where we were even last year. So I still think we're short in the squad. I still think we're short in quality in some places. I need to try and add that.”
Everton remain on the hunt for a right-back, while the club has remained in contact with Grealish and Manchester City over a potential return for the playmaker, who is now the subject of interest from clubs like Aston Villa and Sunderland.
Outgoings and O'Brien
The Blues are also likely to be open to outgoings, with Nathan Patterson not deemed a solution to the longstanding right-back issue despite being the only specialist in that position in the squad.
Beto's future is also uncertain and he ended the Preston game as an unused substitute and made a point of giving his shirt away to a fan after the final whistle. Like Patterson and Beto, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam are in the last year of their deals, though some include a club option to extend.
Moyes was asked about another unused sub, O’Brien, amid reports the club would be willing to listen to offers for the defender. Asked about his situation, Moyes said: “Just the same. No problem, I’ve chosen at the moment not to use him, but he’ll be used in plenty of games, no doubt.”
