Everton Football Club currently finds itself in dire straits after having dropped two straight matches. On Wednesday night, they lost 2-1 at home to West Ham, and last weekend, they sunk to a dreadful 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at home. The team, as I’ve argued, is a train wreck and it’s obvious they need reinforcements. Manager David Moyes has been up front about it, saying the squad is not prepared to begin the season without further additions.
The defeat at the hands of West Ham only increased worries related to club’s depth and ability to perform from within. Despite having invested £54 million this summer on four new signings, Everton’s current roster appears insufficient to face the challenges ahead. The new Premier League season hasn’t even started and Moyes is already prepared to pounce. He understands that the club is in need of “at least five or six players” to increase their prospects of doing well.
Recent Transfers and Departures
This summer, Everton has been quite active in their attempts to re-shape their squad. One of those newcomers is forward Charly Alcaraz from Flamengo, who they signed for £12.6 million. On top of that, the club added Villarreal striker Thierno Barry for £27 million and Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers for £4 million. They’ve brought in Bayern Munich youngster Adam Aznou for £10.4 million.
Yet, these acquisitions follow a series of major exits for the large player. Everton released five senior players after their contracts expired, including key figures like striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. That mixture of new signings and old departures has left them with a paper-thin squad, something Moyes is well aware of.
“We’ve got huge priorities as far as where we would like to try and buy the players if we could do,” – David Moyes
Even with the investment in new talent, Everton’s squad depth has been further tested by injuries. With starting center-backs Jarrod Branthwaite and James Tarkowski both unavailable against Bournemouth, the injury crisis hit the back line hard. Moyes expressed concerns over the lack of numbers in his squad, stating, “We’ve got a numbers situation as well, we’re short in numbers, so there’s a bit of both.”
Preparing for Upcoming Fixtures
Everton will open their new campaign at home to Leeds United. This exciting game is set for Monday Night Football, August 18. This fixture is the perfect chance for the visitors to right a few wrongs of their last fixtures’ display and get back on some positive and necessary momentum. Only six days after that, they’ll host Brighton in their first-ever match at their new home.
Nonetheless, Moyes continues to warn against premature over-expectation among his team ahead of these key fixtures. It’s a difficult time for the team, as well. We’re just not prepared to be good enough for this competition or to be open and starting the Premier League season. Indeed, the pressure is already piling on Moyes to get more new faces through the door who will instantly help the team turn around their current fortunes.
“It’s why you always attempt to get your players in early if you can because you’d rather have that,” – David Moyes
The manager’s candid statement further highlights the need for a properly assembled roster as they head into a loaded 2023 campaign. Everton have plenty of cause to panic over closing signings in these final hours of the transfer window. Their aspirations are higher — they want to build a consistently competitive team.
Challenges Ahead
As Everton navigates this challenging period, Moyes emphasizes the need for quality acquisitions to enhance the squad’s performance. He stated, “We’re trying to get the pieces we really want first, and that’s what we’ve been fighting to do.” The club’s ability to attract new talent amid its current struggles will be crucial as they aim to avoid a repeat of last year’s difficulties.
Everton’s ownership and management is under a lot of pressure to move quickly and decisively, if at all. The potential ramifications of not doing so could threaten their survival in the top flight.
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