- Everton need a right-back, a midfielder, a winger and a striker this summer
- Moyes has spoken of needing “lots of new players” — the squad data backs him up
- The window opens in three weeks. The World Cup ends in five. Time is short
David Moyes said it himself – “lots of new players.” Not one or two. Lots. The question now is which ones matter most, and in what order. Here is our ranked list. Feel free to argue.
1. Right-back – not a priority, an emergency
We have been here before. Several times, as it goes. Seamus Coleman has now gone after seventeen years, Nathan Patterson never convincingly nailed it down, and Jake O’Brien – a centre-back, lest anyone forget – spent the better part of two seasons being shunted out of position to cover a gap that should have been filled long ago.
BBC Sport put it plainly after the defeat at Elland Road on the opening day last season: Everton desperately need a new right-back – just for starters. Moyes would not disagree. The Hackney situation makes the point well enough on its own. Right-back is the first call of the window. It has been the first call of several windows, which is precisely the problem.
2. Midfielder – maybe more urgent than you think
This section has moved since we started writing it. This morning, Everton officially confirmed they are still in talks with Idrissa Gueye’s representatives over a contract extension — his current deal expired at the end of June and he did not make enough Premier League starts this season to trigger the automatic renewal clause. At 36, and heading to the World Cup with Senegal, nothing is guaranteed.
The Athletic reported back in April that Everton had already accepted internally they needed to reduce their reliance on a player closer to 40 than 30. That acceptance has not yet translated into action. If Gueye goes, Everton need a midfielder.
If he stays, they probably still need one. James Garner is excellent, but he cannot do it alone, and Tim Iroegbunam is still developing. Ngal’ayel Mukau of Lille keeps cropping up as a name that fits the profile – young, athletic, proven in Ligue 1. Whether Everton actually move for him is another question entirely.
3. Winger – maybe. Contingent on Grealo and Tyrique
This one hinges on what happens with Grealish and Tyrique George. If both return, fine. If one or both do not, Everton have a real problem on their hands in wide areas. Dwight McNeil’s future adds yet another variable.
Moyes confirmed at his end-of-season press conference that both situations would be resolved in the summer. That is all well and good, but contingency planning costs nothing and Everton have a habit of being caught without one.
4. Striker – most debated, least urgent
There is always a case for a striker. Always. But with Thierno Barry still finding his feet and the right-back and midfield issues representing genuine structural weaknesses, spending the bulk of the budget on a centre-forward this summer feels like the wrong call. Beto is Beto.
Fix the foundation. The goals can follow.
Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live he wants to add quality and a different style to this squad. He is right. The order in which he does it will say everything about whether this window is a serious one or another summer of good intentions and late business.
Six weeks. Four positions. Clock is ticking.
