After a season that saw them blow a Champions League spot and finish 13th, Everton targets consistency and European qualification.
Everton enters the 2026-27 Premier League season with a new sense of stability, largely due to a sensible recruitment strategy. However, the club’s ability to avoid a repeat of last spring’s significant slump could critically test manager David Moyes’s enduring resolve and ambition.
Last season began with renewed hope, promising more proactive football and a clear departure from the intense relegation fears of previous years, especially after their move to Hill Dickinson Stadium. For much of the campaign, this promise was fulfilled, with genuine progress evident on the pitch.
Yet, a dramatic collapse towards the season’s end transformed perceptions, placing considerable pressure on Moyes to demonstrate undeniable progress in his second full season back at the helm, according to reporting by The Guardian - Football.
Moyes Faces Scrutiny After Europe Dream Crumbles
The 2025-26 season offered a tantalizing glimpse of European football before a late-season capitulation. On March 21, Everton stood just three points shy of a Champions League qualification spot, having delivered a standout performance against Chelsea at their new home stadium.
However, the club then failed to secure another victory for the remainder of the season, ultimately tumbling to a 13th-place finish. This mirrored their position from the previous campaign under Sean Dyche and Moyes, managing only one additional point but with a worse goal difference.
While European qualification might have been an ambitious goal for a team adjusting to a new stadium and significant player turnover (losing 10 players due to contracts and loans), the opportunity was undeniably there, and Moyes’s squad ultimately let it slip away.
Everton's Modest Yet Crucial Transfer Strategy
With last summer’s upheaval behind them, improved midfield options, and young players gaining a year of Premier League experience, European football is now seen as a more realistic aim. This hinges on filling several critical gaps within Moyes’s squad.
A significant upgrade for the limited center-forward options, currently Beto and Thierno Barry (though Barry showed promise in pre-season), is deemed essential. Similarly, finding a successor to the departing Séamus Coleman at right-back is crucial, a search described as "Everton’s very own Odyssey." Central defense also remains a key area of concern from last season.
Everton’s transfer window has been characterized as "sensible rather than a sexy one." A key acquisition could be Brennan Johnson, acquired in a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil. Johnson’s move to Crystal Palace from Tottenham in January had stalled, with Palace willing to absorb a considerable loss on their original £35 million investment just seven months prior.
If the 25-year-old Wales international can replicate the form he displayed at Nottingham Forest or his 18-goal season for Spurs in 2024-25, he could prove to be a bargain, addressing multiple needs in Everton’s attacking line.
Financial Penalties and Owner-Fan Relationship Dynamics
The repercussions of former owner Farhad Moshiri’s tenure continue to affect the club. Everton has been ordered to pay nearly £40 million in compensation to Burnley following the latter’s relegation in 2021-22. The club is appealing this "can-of-worms verdict" by a Premier League independent disciplinary commission, as well as the largest financial penalty ever imposed on a Premier League club.
Despite these significant financial burdens, Everton claims the latest punishment has not impacted their transfer plans for the summer. Meanwhile, many season ticket holders have faced above-inflation price increases, with some instances seeing almost a 10% rise. The club has also extended its sponsorship deal with Stake, despite UK government pledges to regulate unlicensed gambling operators in sports.
The Friedkin Group (TFG) has successfully brought much-needed financial stability to Everton. However, fans have yet to fully connect with the low-key ownership, who are rarely seen attending matches. Chief executive Angus Kinnear’s comment that the hierarchy was "happily dissatisfied" with the first season at Hill Dickinson Stadium further alienated supporters, who interpreted it as an acceptance of mediocrity. Kinnear clarified his statement, emphasizing TFG’s determination to eradicate financial instability and regulatory threats, stating, "the progress is clear but we have not achieved anything yet."
Moyes's Future and Breakthrough Talent Hopes
David Moyes, who turns 64 in April, clearly maintains the drive to rebuild Everton. However, a poor start to the season could severely test his willingness to confront critics, especially with the Scotland national team job still open, where he is seen as an ideal candidate to succeed Steve Clarke. Discussions regarding a contract extension for Moyes have reportedly gone silent since the disappointing end to last season, which cost Everton a shot at Europe and brought his team selections under intense scrutiny.
Moyes is known for preferring a settled squad; Everton made the fewest changes to their starting XI of any Premier League team in 2025-26. This trend is expected to continue if the squad largely remains the same, though injuries could pose a significant challenge.
Attacking midfielder Tyler Dibling, acquired from Southampton for an initial £35 million, was once touted as a breakthrough talent for last summer. However, his debut season on Merseyside was largely uneventful. Dibling, the most expensive signing of Moyes’s second tenure, started only four league games and played no minutes after the 2-0 victory over Burnley on March 3, a situation Moyes openly expressed frustration about in training.
The longest World Cup in history is not expected to significantly burden Moyes’s squad, with only three players involved and just Jordan Pickford featuring after July 1. Pickford, England’s undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper, received familiar criticism for his performances against Ghana and Argentina despite his overall tournament display. Iliman Ndiaye started once for Senegal and was substituted in the 73rd minute during their 2-0 lead against Belgium, a match they eventually lost 3-2. Nathan Patterson, whose future at Everton is uncertain, participated in all three of Scotland’s group stage matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Everton's final Premier League position last season?
Everton finished the 2025-26 Premier League season in 13th place, the same position as the previous campaign, with only one more point but an inferior goal difference.
What were the biggest transfer needs for Everton this summer?
Key transfer needs for Everton included an upgrade at center-forward, a successor to Séamus Coleman at right-back, and reinforcements in central defense to strengthen the squad.
Who is considered Everton's potential breakthrough player for 2026-27?
Tyler Dibling, an attacking midfielder signed for an initial £35 million, is considered a potential breakthrough player despite a disappointing debut season where he started only four league games.
How has the Friedkin Group impacted Everton's stability?
The Friedkin Group has brought crucial financial stability to Everton, though their low-key ownership style and comments from CEO Angus Kinnear have led to some friction with the fanbase.