Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas has been present at every club friendly this summer. Here, he shares his thoughts on the squad and the challenges for the season ahead.
Winners of the summer
Thierno Barry has had a good summer and has done enough to be the starting forward when Crystal Palace come to town. Three goals and an assist and plenty of nice link-up play point to a summer in which he has matured on and off the pitch. He is still raw and, at times, clumsy, but he has given reason to be hopeful he can build on his debut campaign.
Merlin Rohl has been Moyes' utility player, performing well in right back, wing back, right wing and central midfield. He doesn't start in the first choice XI but is a handy squad player who can be trusted in a range of positions. Harrison Armstrong has started six of the seven friendlies and not looked out of place, even coming up against Morocco wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi. Honourable mentions go to Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling, who have had confidence-boosting summers.
Has the squad improved *enough*?
The *enough* is the important word because this squad is definitely better than the one that ended last season. While Everton lost some big characters at the end of June, they didn't lose anyone essential to what they want to do on the pitch this season. Seamus Coleman is a massive loss in the dressing room, but his powers on the pitch had waned. Idrissa Gueye was missed when injured, but Everton needed to move on from him given he is about to turn 37.
The signing of Christian Norgaard makes sense, providing fitness does not become an issue. Norgaard is positionally disciplined and offers an anchor in front of the defensive unit. The Johnson deal is a substantial improvement, with Johnson able to dovetail with an emerging Dibling to improve the right side. However, Hayden Hackney adds depth but doesn't move the dial in terms of what the squad can achieve this season.
Everton's weak spots
There is still no right back, a position with the biggest potential upside. It remains unthinkable that it will not be addressed this summer, though even if a signing is made before Saturday, it is almost certain Rohl or Jake O'Brien will start there against Palace. There remain questions over left back and the strikers. Vitalii Mykolenko's attacking limitations hurt Everton last season, and up front, Barry will need a hot start to alleviate doubts over firepower.
At the end of last season, the priorities would have been right back, defensive midfield, right wing, left back, striker. Of those, Norgaard deals with defensive midfield and Johnson improves right wing. But there is no new right back, no real change at left back, and up front, the hope is that players who were up and down last season can be more consistent.
What worries me?
Everton may be stronger than last season but improvement relies on some players having breakout years and a little bit of fortune. If Dibling, George and Barry can build on promising signs, Everton will be much stronger. If Jarrad Branthwaite can stay fit, he will make Everton substantially better. If Norgaard can play most of the season, the side should have a better structure.
My frustration is the areas where Everton could have made real, tangible improvement quickly are yet to be addressed - right back, left back and up front. I do worry about Mykolenko, who has not looked as solid over the past few months. I also worry about whether Armstrong and O'Brien will get the opportunities they deserve. Moyes' contractual situation is problematic and will emerge as an issue whenever there is a dip in form.
The rest of the transfer window
I suspect Tim Iroegbunam will leave, with Everton finding a sale useful. Nathan Patterson is unlikely to still be at the club come September. Beto is one to watch, with one year left on his deal and Barry having overtaken him. Liam Delap is still available and Moyes does like him. Jack Grealish could still happen, but chances may have diminished. Loan interest in Aznou and Armstrong is possible, though I wouldn't accept offers.
The aims for this season
It has to be to finish in the top half and to genuinely compete in the cups. Everton cannot argue progress has been made without a better finish. I think Everton have a solid core and should be able to push for the top half and potentially Europe. The intention should be to exploit the stability Everton have and the reduced fixture list to their advantage in the league and cups. There can be no excuse for not taking the cups seriously.
I think the jury is still out on the Friedkin Group's ownership. They have done much to improve the financial standing but their competitive ambition remains unclear and the failure to land a right back is worrying. However, they do seem to understand the value of transfer window PR, with a track record of big arrivals at Roma. It would be foolish to rule out a late foray designed to raise excitement levels.
