- Dewsbury-Hall has six goals in the Premier League this season.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leads Everton for most Premier League goal involvements (9)
- The midfielder has covered the most ground in a Premier League game for the Toffees 14 times this season
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton last summer and has cemented his place in David Moyes’s Everton side as they continue to push for Europe.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will face his former club Chelsea on Saturday in the form of his life. The 27-year-old midfielder has already scored six Premier League goals this season, double his combined tally from three previous top-flight campaigns with Leicester and Chelsea. His three assists also mark a career high.
The move to Everton has given Dewsbury-Hall regular playing time and a defined role, something he struggled to find at Chelsea. With eight games remaining, he is thriving at the heart of David Moyes’ side as they push for European qualification.
‘He Has Given Me a Lot of Freedom’
Dewsbury-Hall credits David Moyes for unlocking his game. The Everton manager has deployed him in a central attacking role behind the lone striker, a position that allows him to influence play across the pitch.
“He has given me a lot of freedom to play on the pitch,” Dewsbury-Hall said while talking to Opta Analyst. “I don’t really feel like I’m restricted to one thing. I can drop deep and collect the ball and drive from deep, but I can also be in and around the box, trying to get into the box to score and create chances.”
The contrast with his experience at Chelsea is striking. Under Enzo Maresca last season, Dewsbury-Hall was often deployed in a deeper midfield role. At Everton, he is trusted to roam.
“I just feel like he’s given me that confidence and belief to trust in my abilities. It’s helping my all-round game in terms of attack and defence. I want to be that all-round midfielder, and I think the way that we play contributes to that.”
Different style, different role, different Dewsbury-Hall
Dewsbury-Hall also noted the difference in approach between Moyes and his former manager at Chelsea. While Maresca prioritised possession-based control, Moyes favours a more direct, aggressive style.
“[Moyes] is a bit more like: let’s get the win, let’s be aggressive, let’s play forward and stuff like that, and maybe not have the ball as much as Maresca did,” he said.
The impact of a changed role is evident. Dewsbury-Hall leads Everton in goal involvements this season with nine. Only two teammates have created more chances than his 27. Playing in a settled side has helped too. Everton have used just 22 players in the Premier League this season, fewer than any other club, allowing relationships to develop naturally.
“It’s good, the fact that we’ve got a smaller squad, so I’m used to playing with similar players. The more you play with them, the more comfortable you get with each other’s traits, so it’s definitely a positive.”
Chelsea test awaits Dewsbury-Hall and Everton
Now he faces Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium, a club where he was one of 39 players to make a competitive appearance last season. At Everton, he is one of the first names on the team sheet. While European qualification is within reach, Dewsbury-Hall believes the club is built for it.
“It would mean an awful lot. I’ve spoken to a lot of players who have been here for many years, and since the summer when I signed, I’ve seen the fans, the fanbase and the atmosphere. It is a club that’s built for Europe. It’s about us now taking that responsibility and saying, ‘The stepping stones are there, let’s take it on.'”
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