After a challenging tour of the United States, Everton appears to be finding some momentum as they prepare for the upcoming season. Following losses to Bournemouth and West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series, a gritty 2-2 draw against Manchester United in Atlanta marked a positive turn for manager David Moyes and his team.
While pre-season is focused on building fitness and tactical unity, Everton managed to identify some encouraging signs from their performance at the advanced Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team demonstrated improved fluidity in attack, particularly through Iliman Ndiaye, and showed greater competitiveness in midfield, coupled with a more robust defensive setup.
With club vice-captain James Tarkowski back from injury and Jake O’Brien taking on the right-back position, Moyes had access to most of last season’s defensive unit, which previously ranked among the top defenses in the league. The hope is that Jarrad Branthwaite will soon be ready to return to training after a precautionary thigh injury kept him from the tour.
Despite feelings of frustration regarding the club’s lack of summer signings, Moyes seemed more optimistic following the match against United. He noted a decrease in defensive worries and looked forward to potential transfer developments. There is an expectation for further business before Everton’s final home friendly against Roma this Saturday, as they gear up for the new season.
The club has already added four players this summer—midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, striker Thierno Barry, goalkeeper Mark Travers, and left-back Adam Aznou—with a total investment of £55 million. However, the original goal for summer acquisitions was between eight and ten, highlighting current challenges in the transfer market.
The managing team’s recruitment process is navigating the complexities of new ownership and has seen some obstacles, especially given their lack of European competition that hampers their appeal compared to rivals. Significant efforts to land key players such as right-wingers Francisco Conceicao and Johan Bakayoko fell short as they signed with other clubs.
Everton has faced difficulties in strengthening their squad, compounded by injuries that have affected multiple defenders. The need for depth is becoming increasingly evident as they prepare to start the season against promoted Leeds United on August 18.
While the initial results from the U.S. tour created anxiety regarding squad depth and readiness, the atmosphere is somewhat brighter after the draw with Manchester United. Moyes aims to have a competitive first XI prepared, though the urgency for further reinforcements, particularly in attack, remains clear.
The transfer window is expected to heat up in its final weeks, where deals often materialize as clubs work to finalize their squads. Everton fans remain hopeful that the club will make the necessary signings soon to support a successful campaign ahead.
Given the complexity involved in rebuilding a squad, there is a silver lining as some players return from injury, which could enhance the team’s cohesion and effectiveness. Optimism surrounds the potential for Everton to create a robust squad that thrives in the highly competitive Premier League setting.