---
title: "Moyes makes telling Merlin Rohl admission after Everton tactical switch"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/david-moyes-merlin-rohl-everton-versatility-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-10-19T06:35:35Z"
modified: "2026-10-19T06:36:56Z"
---

# Moyes makes telling Merlin Rohl admission after Everton tactical switch

**David Moyes has offered another insight into Merlin Rohl’s growing importance at** [**Everton**](https://readeverton.com/) **after using the German in two different roles against Chelsea.**

Rohl was preferred to Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George on the right for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the Hill Dickinson before later switching to right-back. Moyes has since explained that the original decision was partly tactical, with Everton expecting Pep Chavarria to start on Chelsea’s left.

“We actually expected Pep Chavarria to play at left-back for Chelsea,” Moyes [told the Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-boss-david-moyes-admits-34778669). “We thought that with his attacking work and what was required, the person who we thought would be best to work against him would be Merlin Rohl in that position.”

Chavarria was ultimately left out of Chelsea’s squad, with Jorrel Hato starting instead, but the change did not make Rohl redundant to Moyes’ plans.

## Rohl gives Moyes another Everton option

When Tyrique George replaced Ainsley Maitland-Niles early in the second half, Rohl dropped to right-back – and Moyes felt the 24-year-old improved after the switch.

“Merlin has played wide right, he’s played right-back, so he’s done both roles for us,” Moyes said. “I thought he probably did better when he actually went to right-back because he put in a couple of really good crosses for me in the second half.”

That versatility could prove increasingly useful to Everton. Rohl has already been used at right-back this season despite being primarily a midfielder, while the Chelsea game showed Moyes is also prepared to deploy him further forward when the tactical demands are there.

Everton ultimately lost their unbeaten Premier League record as Pedro Neto scored twice after the interval, but Rohl’s role provided another glimpse of how Moyes intends to use him. Rather than being tied to one position, the Germany international is increasingly emerging as a utility man alongside Jimmy Garner.

***For all the latest Everton news, analysis and updates, visit our** [**Everton news page**](https://readeverton.com/news/)**.***