David Moyes has confirmed he has held talks over a new contract at Everton, but discussions have gone quiet due to the situation the club currently finds itself in. The Scot, who returned to Everton in January 2025 and is in the final year of his deal, was speaking to preview the Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Club owners The Friedkin Group announced earlier this month that they were exploring the possibility of selling their controlling interest in the Hill Dickinson Stadium outfit. Earlier this week, Christian Purslow told the US group that giving Moyes a new deal would be a wise move that brings stability.
Moyes agrees with Purslow on stability
Moyes agreed with the comments made by the former Aston Villa and Liverpool executive. He said: "What I would say, I would agree with Christian Purslow, about stability because stability at any football club is really important."
"It is probably a thing at this club in recent years that has not been in place. I have actually felt over the past year and a half or so under The Friedkins there has been a real sense of stability. A better feeling and I think there has been better media coverage of Everton than there has ever been in the last year and a bit."
"The stadium has been talked about loads and loads, and being manager and being around a long time, I do think the managers are a big part of stability, but we are also in a world where managers change very quickly as well."
Contract talks and recent form
Asked if there had been any developments on a new deal, Moyes replied: "There has always been developments and talks have taken place, things are a bit quiet at the moment and I’m guessing it is more to do with the situation we are in just now."
Everton were beaten for the first time this season when Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory last Saturday thanks to Pedro Neto’s second-half double, at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Blues return to action against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
Harrison Armstrong praised
Harrison Armstrong will head to the Emirates Stadium as a man in form. Armstrong has started all seven of his side’s Premier League games so far this season following a summer in which he was nearly sold to Nottingham Forest.
Oliver Glasner's side made a bid of £40m plus a potential sell-on clause for the England youth international but Blues supporters made their feelings known on the deal before, during and after the draw with Bournemouth. That reaction prompted The Friedkin Group to perform a dramatic U-turn less than 24 hours after news of the deal broke.
Moyes is delighted with the progress the youngster has made so far this campaign. "He's a really intelligent boy for his age and he's got a lot of football intelligence," the Everton manager said. "He's so adaptable for us and he easily takes in information for us. He's absolutely stepped ahead of where we thought he'd be. I'm on at him about getting goals and assists, playing forward more often. Harrison's done really well and he's maturing."
Patience for young players
Moyes has also called for patience regarding Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney starting matches. He said: "My history would suggest - Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Tim Cahill - all those ones who came in might've had to wait a bit of time before they became first-team regulars. I'm not saying these players have to do that. But hopefully, they develop as well as those boys did. When they come on, hopefully they can show what they're capable of."
