Everton have made a strong start to the season despite a frustrating summer transfer window that left manager David Moyes conceding his squad had been weakened. The Blues sit sixth in the Premier League, behind a potential additional Champions League place on goal difference alone, and have reached the League Cup quarter-finals, where they will travel to Fleetwood Town next month.
They have done so with just 18 senior outfield players, after several transfers failed to materialise and four players departed on deadline day. The failure to sign a striker, especially when Beto's exit to Fiorentina was sanctioned, was particularly frustrating.
Moyes reflects on a difficult window
While proud of his current squad's efforts, Moyes has bemoaned how the summer unfolded. Speaking before facing Coventry City, he said: "I feel we could have probably been doing better if we hadn't lost some players in the summer."
"I think it would have kept us right and amongst it. It was disappointing when we lost some of our best players because it would have definitely helped us and given us a real chance of continuing to do it," he added.
Not including the semi-retired Seamus Coleman, seven senior players left Everton over the summer. Idrissa Gueye moved on at the end of his contract, eventually signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Diriyah, while Dwight McNeil departed in a swap deal with Crystal Palace for Brennan Johnson. Beto, Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye and Nathan Patterson all left on transfer deadline day, with the Blues' sales bringing in a combined fee of £103.25m. Adam Aznou also left on loan for newly-promoted La Liga side Malaga at the end of August.
How the departees are faring
Idrissa Gueye joined Al-Diriyah on a one-year contract at the start of August and has made 10 appearances, captaining his new side for the majority. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 loss to NEOM SC. Diriyah, promoted via the play-offs last season, sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League after winning four and drawing three of their 12 league games.
Dwight McNeil has endured a challenging start at Crystal Palace, who are bottom of the Premier League. The 26-year-old has made 13 appearances in all competitions, with his only goal contribution an assist in a 4-0 Europa League win over Lech Poznan. He is yet to complete 90 minutes and will hope to fare better under a new manager after Pierre Sage was sacked following four successive league losses.
Adam Aznou joined Malaga on loan at the end of August but missed three games with an adductor injury. He has made five appearances, starting Malaga's last three La Liga games before the November international break, but was sent off for a second bookable offence in a 2-1 home loss to Racing Santander. He is yet to taste victory, with Malaga rooted to the bottom of the table.
Beto returned to Italy to sign for Fiorentina in a £15.4m deal on deadline day. The 28-year-old is yet to score and has started just two of his 10 appearances, though he did claim an assist on his full debut in a 4-2 win at Venezia. Fiorentina sit 15th, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Tim Iroegbunam has been Everton's most successful departee, joining Hull City in a £22m switch. He has made seven appearances, scoring his first Hull goal in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, and has helped the Tigers sit 13th.
Ndiaye's big move and Patterson's quiet start
Iliman Ndiaye started the season in the Everton side and scored on the opening day in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. He moved to Man City in a £60m deal on deadline day and has made 11 appearances, recording four assists but no goals. He has started seven of his eight Premier League outings for Enzo Maresca's side, establishing himself as first-choice in the absence of the injured Antoine Semenyo. City, who won their opening seven matches, head into the break in second after three successive losses, with Arsenal leading the table.
Nathan Patterson left for Torino in an £850k deal and is yet to start for his new club, limited to five substitute appearances. His longest outings have seen him introduced at half-time in a 1-1 draw with Bologna and a 2-0 defeat to Frosinone. Torino sit 11th in Serie A.
