Former Everton defender Richard Dunne believes David Moyes would want reassurances from The Friedkin Group (TFG) before signing a new contract with the club. Moyes signed a two-and-a-half-year deal when succeeding Sean Dyche in January 2025, with the Blues just one point above the relegation zone at the time.
Since then Everton have been on a resurgence and are currently unbeaten this season. However, the club endured a shambolic end to the transfer window, leaving Moyes with only 18 senior outfield players and one recognised striker in Thierno Barry.
Dunne backs Moyes for new deal
And while Dunne believes Moyes deserves a new deal, he also thinks the Scot will want assurances from TFG that he will be backed in the transfer market.
He said: “I don’t think anybody could do much better with the squad and the resources he’s got there. There are some really good players in the squad - there’s just probably not enough of them.
“If you look at Everton over a long period, they’ve been scrapping around the relegation zone and fighting those types of battles, whereas under David Moyes it never feels like they’re going to be in that territory.
“It looks like they’re always looking forward and always in with an opportunity to push on and get into those European positions, but they probably fall short because of the size of the squad.
“He definitely deserves a new contract, but he’ll also want some reassurance that the owners are going to back him and give him funds in the transfer market to take them from mid-table up to a Europa League position they can challenge for.”
Grealish return a bonus
But amid all the talk about Folarin Balogun walking out on a move to the Toffees on deadline day, Jack Grealish returned on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old reunited with Moyes after a successful stint on Merseyside last season, during which he became a fan favourite.
And Dunne, speaking via OLBG, believes: “It’s very important that Everton got him. When you lose a player like (Iliman) Ndiaye, and you haven’t got a centre-forward who scores regularly, it’s important to have someone else who can chip in with goals, which Ndiaye was and hopefully Grealish will be.
“Once he’s back fit and a hundred percent, the fans will see the best of Jack again. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. It’s just a matter of time - getting him back in the side, getting him playing regularly and getting him creating chances.
“He will add something extra to Everton, because he’s a player the Premier League respects, I suppose, and defenders are wary of the situations he can cause when he has the ball.
“Maybe they take a step backwards at times, and that gives a little bit of space to other players around the pitch. He’s going to be a really popular signing with the fans, of course, but a real bonus to Everton throughout the season.
“He’s one of the players who can win points on his own. Throughout the season he’ll be worth a lot to Everton.”
