Everton enter the 2026/27 campaign with a renewed sense of stability under David Moyes, but the scars of last season’s spectacular collapse remain fresh. The Toffees sat three points off Champions League qualification in late March before failing to win any of their final seven matches, slumping to a 13th-place finish. A summer of sensible, targeted recruitment has addressed key weaknesses, yet glaring holes at right-back and centre-forward persist. Moyes has been cautious about setting European targets, insisting his squad must first prove they can sustain a challenge across a full season. This is the definitive guide to the current Everton squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: David Moyes
Tactical Philosophy: Moyes has evolved Everton into a side capable of front-footed, proactive football when personnel permit, but the foundational principles remain defensive solidity and structural discipline. The Toffees defend deeper out of possession, prioritising compactness in central lanes and forcing opponents wide. In possession, Moyes favours quick vertical transitions through midfield rather than prolonged build-up phases, with an emphasis on getting the ball into the box early for his forward line. The manager has publicly acknowledged his side’s wastefulness in front of goal, noting after the Ipswich victory that “21 shots and two on target, that’s not any good.”
Preferred Formations: 4-2-3-1, with the capacity to shift to a 4-3-3 depending on opponent and game state. Moyes has experimented with Brennan Johnson and Jack Grealish operating as inverted wide threats behind a central striker.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Everton’s summer recruitment was characterised by modest fees and Championship-proven talent, befitting a club operating within financial constraints while still recovering from previous ownership excesses. The sales of Iliman Ndiaye (£65m to Manchester City) and Beto (£14.58m to Fiorentina) generated significant funds, but reinvestment was measured rather than lavish.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brennan Johnson | Winger | Crystal Palace | Player swap (Dwight McNeil) |
| Merlin Röhl | Attacking Midfielder | Freiburg | £21.7m |
| Tyrique George | Left Winger | Chelsea | £18m |
| Hayden Hackney | Central Midfielder | Middlesbrough | £16.5m |
| Christian Nørgaard | Defensive Midfielder | Arsenal | £7m |
| Ainsley Maitland-Niles | Right-Back/Midfielder | Lyon | £3m |
| Jack Grealish | Left Winger | Manchester City | Season-long loan |
The headline addition is Brennan Johnson, acquired in a straight swap for Dwight McNeil, though the Welsh international’s £35m move to Crystal Palace in January had fallen flat. Merlin Röhl’s permanent arrival from Freiburg followed a loan spell last season, while Hayden Hackney represents the latest chapter in Everton’s proud tradition of plucking Championship talent and polishing it into Premier League performers. Hackney led the Championship in line-breaking passes through opposition midfield and defence over the past two seasons. Christian Nørgaard brings Premier League experience and leadership in midfield, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles addresses the long-standing right-back void following Séamus Coleman’s retirement. Jack Grealish returns on a season-long loan after his previous spell was cut short by a foot injury in January.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford (#1): The England international remains Everton’s undisputed number one, his shot-stopping and distribution providing a reliable foundation. Pickford has started every league match this season, keeping one clean sheet.
Mark Travers (#12): The Republic of Ireland international provides capable backup, offering solid coverage in cup competitions.
Tom King (#31): A veteran third-choice option providing depth between the posts.
Defenders
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (#2): The summer arrival from Lyon offers versatility across right-back and midfield, addressing a position that has plagued Everton for years. His Premier League experience with Arsenal adds valuable know-how to the back line.
Jarrad Branthwaite (#4): The crown jewel of Everton’s defence. When fit, Branthwaite transforms the Toffees’ defensive ceiling, allowing them to defend higher up the pitch and carry the ball out from the back. His injury record has been a persistent frustration, but a full pre-season has raised hopes of a sustained run. The 24-year-old has been recalled to the England squad, a deserved recognition of his quality.
Michael Keane (#5): The experienced centre-back provides reliable squad depth, his aerial presence and positional discipline making him a capable rotation option.
James Tarkowski (#6): The veteran defender remains a commanding presence in both boxes. Tarkowski’s long-range strike led to Everton’s opening goal against Ipswich, his willingness to step into midfield and contribute offensively a valuable asset.
Jake O’Brien (#15): The Irish defender offers physicality and versatility across the back line, capable of filling in at centre-back or right-back.
Vitalii Mykolenko (#16): The Ukrainian is Everton’s only established left-back, a testament to the squad’s lack of depth in wide defensive areas. His tenacity and recovery pace make him a reliable option when available, but cover is perilously thin.
Midfielders
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (#8): The creative engine of Everton’s midfield, Dewsbury-Hall’s set-piece delivery and progressive passing make him central to Moyes’ attacking plans. His wastefulness in front of goal against Ipswich frustrated the manager, but his overall contribution remains vital.
Christian Nørgaard (#23): The Danish international brings Premier League experience and defensive solidity to the double-pivot. Nørgaard has barely trained since arriving injured, limiting his early-season impact, but his quality is undoubted when fully fit.
Hayden Hackney (#30): The summer signing from Middlesbrough has made an immediate impression, with BBC Radio Merseyside describing him as “quite electrifying on the ball” and possessing “every attribute.” Hackney’s line-breaking passes and late arrivals in the box offer a dynamic threat from midfield. He is targeting double figures for goals and assists.
James Garner (#37): The academy graduate has developed into a reliable midfield presence, his energy and technical quality making him a Moyes favourite. Garner missed the start of the season through injury but remains a key figure when available.
Merlin Röhl (#34): The German attacking midfielder signed permanently after a loan spell last season. Röhl managed only one goal in 2025/26, and the pressure is mounting for him to deliver on his potential.
Harrison Armstrong (#45): The 19-year-old academy prospect has impressed in pre-season and early Premier League cameos. Moyes has praised his maturity, noting he “has not looked out of place in the Premier League.” With Garner and Nørgaard managing fitness issues, Armstrong has a genuine opportunity to establish himself.
Charly Alcaraz (#24): The Argentine midfielder provides creative depth and tactical flexibility in advanced areas.
Forwards
Jack Grealish (#10): The marquee loan signing returns to Merseyside after his previous spell was curtailed by injury. Grealish scored twice and provided six assists in 20 appearances last season, winning Premier League Player of the Month for August. His creativity and ball-carrying from the left flank give Everton a genuine match-winner.
Brennan Johnson (#22): The Welsh international arrives via the Dwight McNeil swap deal, offering pace and direct running on the right flank. Johnson’s time at Tottenham and Crystal Palace has been inconsistent, but Moyes’ track record of revitalising attacking players offers hope of a resurgence.
Thierno Barry (#11): The young French striker has shouldered the goalscoring burden in the absence of a senior alternative, scoring five goals in five matches including the winner against Ipswich. Barry’s finishing remains raw, but his movement and work rate have impressed.
Tyler Dibling (#20): The former Southampton winger endured a difficult debut season but has shown signs of confidence returning in pre-season. Dibling’s direct dribbling and final-third flair offer a different dimension to Everton’s attack.
Tyrique George (#19): The Chelsea academy graduate signed permanently after a loan spell, providing youthful energy and technical quality on the left flank.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: James Tarkowski
The veteran defender has assumed the armband following Séamus Coleman’s retirement, his experience and commanding presence making him the natural choice to lead the dressing room.
The Leadership Committee: Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall provide leadership across all thirds of the pitch, bridging the gap between management and squad.
Homegrown Quota Check: Premier League rules mandate that each 25-man squad contains no more than 17 non-homegrown players, meaning at least eight must qualify as homegrown. Everton’s squad includes homegrown talents such as Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, Harrison Armstrong, and Michael Keane, ensuring compliance with registration requirements.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Everton’s summer transfer strategy was shaped by the club’s ongoing financial constraints, including the impending £40m compensation payment to Burnley over their 2021/22 relegation and the largest financial penalty ever imposed on a Premier League club. The sales of Iliman Ndiaye and Beto provided essential funds, while the free transfer of Nørgaard and the loan arrangement for Grealish represented cost-effective solutions.
Contract Red Alerts: David Moyes enters the final year of his contract, and talk of an extension has gone quiet. The manager’s future will depend heavily on results this season. Several key players, including Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner, will attract interest if Everton fail to demonstrate progress.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: Harrison Armstrong is the name on every Evertonian’s lips. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder provided two assists in pre-season against Newcastle and has impressed Moyes with his composure at Premier League level. Tyler Dibling, after a difficult debut campaign, has shown signs of recapturing his confidence and could prove “like a new signing.” Adam Aznou, a young defender, has also featured in early-season squads.
Notable Out on Loan: Everton’s loan departures include academy prospects seeking senior experience, though specific names remain limited in available sources.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Thierno Barry (First Choice) / Jack Grealish (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall / Jack Grealish.
Corners & Crosses: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is Everton’s primary set-piece deliverer, his in-swinging corners creating the chance that Barry converted before VAR intervention against Ipswich. Jack Grealish offers an alternative from wide areas, while James Tarkowski’s aerial presence makes him a target for dead-ball routines.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Everton’s unbeaten start to the season has provided cautious optimism, with the Toffees sitting fifth after five matches. Thierno Barry’s goalscoring form has eased concerns about the lack of a senior striker, while Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to fitness has transformed the defensive unit. The arrival of Jack Grealish adds creativity and star quality that was sorely lacking last season.
Yet the squad remains dangerously thin. The official squad photograph exposed Everton’s depth problem, with Moyes working with approximately 18 senior outfield players. A right-back and a centre-forward remain urgent priorities, and the failure to land Folarin Balogun on deadline day leaves Barry as the sole recognised striker. The collapsed move for the Monaco forward, who underwent a medical before changing his mind, was a significant blow.
The lessons of last season linger. Everton sat fifth in late September 2025 before collapsing to 13th. Moyes has refused to discuss European qualification, insisting his players must prove their durability over the full campaign. The fixture list offers a challenging autumn, with trips to Chelsea and Arsenal looming after the international break.
If Branthwaite stays fit, if Barry continues his scoring run, and if Grealish rediscovers the form that made him a Premier League Player of the Month, Everton possess the quality to challenge for a top-half finish. But the margin between progress and another disappointment is razor-thin. Moyes knows better than anyone that at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the only currency that matters is results.
