Everton are keen to sign a new striker and have made Youssef En-Nesyri of Fenerbahce their priority for this window.
While The Athletic claims that “Everton’s interest in En-Nesyri is not at an advanced stage and they are yet to make a formal bid for the forward”, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano suggests that the Blues have already sent an offer for the Moroccan international.
“Everton send official bid to Fenerbahçe for Youssef En-Nesyri on initial loan with €20m buy option. Negotiations underway,” he posted on X.
The 28-year-old spent four years with Sevilla and scored 73 goals in 196 appearances for the Andalusian outfit, helping them win the Europa League twice. He signed for Fenerbahce in 2024 and has scored 38 goals for the Turkish club, including seven in 15 Super Lig matches this season.
En-Nesyri is currently representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. He has made 91 appearances for his national team so far, scoring 25 goals. He famously scored the only goal of the game against Portugal to send Morocco through to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It was the first time that an Arab and African team made it to the last four of the World Cup finals.
The Toffees’ struggles in front of goal have been well noted this season. Both Thierno Barry and Beto have scored three goals each so far this season.
Signed from Villarreal for an initial £27.7m this summer, Barry scored his first goal for the club in early December but has two goals in his last three Premier League matches.
Beto, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order and has come off the bench in the majority of games. He finished last season with eight Premier League goals – seven of which came in the second half of the campaign – but he’s yet to replicate that form.
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Posted
15/01/2026 at
07:13:01
His scoring record is a world apart from Coco and Dumbo.
Shame on our recruiters who decided that Barry was worth buying for a good £10M more than this fella. And he knows how to take a penalty, Coco and Dumbo.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
07:15:22
Keep rolling the dice to find a goal-scoring forward. En-Nesyri came on as sub in the Afcon semi-final, he didn’t look anything different to what we already have.
It’s the way we supply the forwards that is the problem, but Moyes doesn’t see that. A right-full back is a priority.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
08:11:02
Well one thing we do know, is he can take a penalty!
Posted
15/01/2026 at
08:25:40
I agree, Mal. Although I have lost faith in our current two strikers but just adding a striker with the way we supply them is not going to solve our goal-scoring problems.
Putting that blame totally down to Moyes is for me a bit simplistic. Moyes’s job is to use his players to the best of their abilities. He did that when he came in after Dyche.
Our players (with some exceptions) play slow pedestrian football, when in possession, allowing the opposition to set up defensively. That includes Grealish who in my opinion slows down the game too much.
Fine if we are winning and need to hold onto the ball to defend a lead. But this slowing down of play results in no passing options through midfield, so we send hopeful balls in to our strikers and expect them to convert all the chances.
Until we get technically better and creative midfield players like Xhaka, then we will be able to play open attractive football. Then we can consider changing our current manager.
His mandate is to steady the ship and stabilise our position in the Premier League rather than our perennial relegation fight.
Once we start building a team with technically gifted players, then we move to next phase. Hopefully that may start next season but, for the moment, although bitterly disappointed with recent results, we need to be patient in this building process.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
08:44:33
If we go with what we’ve got up front this season, then we’ll finish below 13th in my opinion, an opportunity missed massively.
When you look at the clubs above us, nobody is saying Brentford etc are in transition this season, so why do we happily pass up every season??
Get what you can in this month, if there are opportunities to strengthen this side, then damn well do so… it’s about time our scouting team started earning their corn.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
08:49:41
This business should have been done weeks ago. The club knew it was at bare bones, and instead they’ve dicked around and done nothing.
We had winnable fixtures, and we’ve spunked them away.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
09:02:31
Didn’t this guy say he only wanted to play in a warm climate…?
Calum Wilson on a short-term loan more likely imo. Not happy with his lack of game time at West Ham.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
09:42:15
“This slowing down of play results in no passing options in midfield.”
A truly gob smacking statement.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
09:46:54
Rob (6),
If this guy was identified as the prime target, then we had to wait until his participation in the Afcon was over.
I don’t think it’s entirely unreasonable for the manager to have expected significantly more from the bare bones in the meantime.
I would still prefer recruitment of a better right-back to be the prime deal for this window, whatever happens.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
10:34:48
If it’s a loan to buy, then what’s not to like?
The lad has a good scoring record, pace, height, and from last night, he can take a penalty! That’s got to be an improvement on what we have!
Thiago came from the Belgian league and he did us, Mateta didn’t cost much either, there are bargains, so let’s see how it goes.
If you are not happy, then maybe we could approach Man City for Haaland and see what comes of that?
Posted
15/01/2026 at
10:39:19
Doesn’t matter who the forward is, without supply of good quality crossing or defence splitting passing, we will still struggle to score enough goals.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
10:50:18
We should all know, Everton are still buying from Netto, no real money.
If Barry, Dibling etc were any good, they would not be at our club, the top teams would have hoovered them up.
That’s reality, and some Everton supporters need to understand this: it will take years for Everton to climb to the top of the greasy pole. There are too many hurdles put in the way to protect the top clubs.
For example: Why is Sky constantly showing Man Utd games? They are not one of the elite anymore, they are an ordinary team… but money goes to money.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
10:53:06
We need somebody who can hold the ball up as well as score goals.
The two we’ve got do neither.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
10:53:27
The question is, why on earth would Fenerbahçe agree to a loan with option to buy at £20M for a half-decent player?
Let’s face it, they’re no mugs. So, if we’re getting a good deal off them, you have to ask ‘What are we missing here?’
Posted
15/01/2026 at
11:01:23
Again, it’s nonsense that we can’t attract good players.
Again, we are a bigger club than Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton… yet they have no issues finding good players?
This age old “we are Everton, we can’t attract good players” burns my head out! We can, so stop spouting bullshite.
It’s about good recruitment and actually making good players better when they arrive.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
11:08:58
I think those who are saying that the lack of crosses into the box doesn’t help the strikers, are hitting the main reason for the lack of goals.
Yes, chances have been missed by Beto and Barry but also by other members of the team. How is it Beto had a good spell of scoring goals last season but not this season?
He was running onto early and quick passes from the midfield, not sure if he has had many chances like that this season.
There has been too much hoofball, mostly senseless hoofball, from Pickford and other defenders. Is it them playing like this off the cuff or under orders from Moyes and his coaching team?
Moyes, to me, is culpable for the way we play. When we’ve played differently in some games this season, quickly and aggressively, we have done a lot better. A lot of luck is needed as well to win some games.
I think we need more than a striker to get more goals; wingers and full-backs with pace are essential and I make no secret of the fact that I think Grealish is a liability… a lot of the time outdoing any good he provides.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
11:13:23
Kev 14. Could be a loan fee involved.
At 28, this lad should be ready to go, loads of international experience which should help him adapt. £20M isn’t much, seems a low opening offer to me.
They will want to cash in while the player’s stock is high and he’s in his prime, something Everton need to start doing also.
.
Calvert-Lewin would’ve got us a huge fee few years ago.
We will probably end up paying someone to take McNeil, Keane will leave for free, isn’t Mykolenko on the last year of his contract?
Beto won’t command much compared to the outlay in transfer fee and wages. I don’t even wanna think how much we’ve paid per goal we’ve had out of him!!
Posted
15/01/2026 at
11:14:33
Dave,16.
100% correct. They are playing under instruction from Moyes.
Any player going against any instructions he gave them would be out on their arse.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
11:44:20
Jim @ 15, we can attract good players, its not just good players we need its the very best we have to get to become a danger to the usual top clubs.
How many already top class players — the ones the top clubs would put straight into their first team — have we ever attracted even when Moshiri was splashing his cash around?
Lukaku is probably the closest to a top-class player when we signed him, but I don’t think he was rated as good then as he proved to be.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:02:15
Can I take a minute just to put an alternative case as opposed to what Jim Bennings at post 16 and Dave Abrahams at 18. Firstly I know both these guys are like me are long time supporters, so they always talk a lot of sense.
Jim says “Can we stop spouting this bullshit about Everton unable to attract good players?” Well, Jim, Moyes himself said that the club had gone after a few players who said without European football they weren’t interested. Also, let’s accept that, if you are a player, going to a club that has spent the last 3 seasons fighting relegation is hardly enticing.
Dave quite rightly says “Moyes along with his coaches is culpable of the way we play.” I absolutely agree. But then you go on to say in some matches we have started some games quicker and aggressively. Again, I am in full agreement but isn’t that quick closing down and being aggressive also down to Moyes?
I think you are being overly critical of Grealish; unlike most of our players, he keeps possession and doesn’t give the ball away. He has laid some chances on a plate for our strikers that they haven’t taken.
Also, in the last few games, he hasnt had Dewsbury-Hall making runs into the box, and finding runners is something he does well.
I am very critical of his goal return, as is the manager, and considering how many touches he has in the opponent’s box, he should score more.
But, with him being able to keep possession in the opponent’s half, if he had a decent striker he could deliver passes to, he would be even more effective.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:15:52
Brian @20.
Second paragraph, spot on!!
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:17:27
Don’t Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford also shop at Netto.
They seem to find bargains.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:21:32
Brian (20),
Yes, of course Moyes deserves credit for those games when we played quicker and aggressive and I’ve given Moyes that credit especially when we won at Man Utd with 10 men, the Bournemouth win and the Forest victory.
Regarding Grealish, I am sticking to my criticism, he has good but little spells in a lot of games but that’s what they are: little spells; he is conserving his energy a lot of the time.
There are plenty of times he holds onto the ball then passes it and doesn’t follow up for a pass or move into a position further forward to receive a pass back.
I’ll repeat again, for the wages he is on, he should be doing a lot more and taking over the game instead of being on the outside looking in.
I don’t care who is paying his wages, he’s not earning them. The last straw was him getting sent off with two yellow cards in the space of 3 minutes — a seasoned professional acting like that.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:23:05
Grealish has contributed directly to 10 of the 23 goals we have scored in the league (2 goals and 8 assists). He likes to cut inside, as does Ndiaye (4 goals and 2 assists).
That should create space for our world-beating full-backs Mykolenko and O’Brien to trundle forward and ballon crosses across the 6-yard box. Waiting to get on the end of those imaginary crosses would be deadly striking duet Beto and Barry (aka Legs Akimbo), who would both contrive to miss the ball completely and end up face down in the grass.
But Jack’s the liability?
Posted
15/01/2026 at
12:45:04
The likelihood is, if he was going to Brighton, Brentford etc. it would be £5-10M.
Everton? £20M. If he is in that category and without recruitment skills, knocking bet he will be shite.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
13:22:20
Neil #4.
If we keep changing the forwards with the same results, then that says to me something else is amiss.
I quite like Barry, he puts himself in good positions and I believe he can finish, so I would persevere with him.
I think Beto is frustrated, and although he gives his all, he just hasn’t got the touch or gets in the right positions to have any impact.
So, it could be one out, one in, with En Nasyri on loan and Beto leaving.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
13:26:31
His wages are irrelevant, Dave. They were set 5 years ago, when he was a £100M player.
Man City extracted their value from him in winning the trophies that they have. They aren’t arsed anymore.
The key question for us is: What is the cost of the package to bring him to Everton, and does that represent good value?
He is not the player he was. He is also not a rapid winger in the Kanchelskis style. He’s a slow winger, that cuts inside, or a quick burst and clip into the box. Pace slow, quality generally good. Think the opposite of Aaron Lennon.
If he accepts sub £150k per week and sub £20M transfer fee, he is likely to be here next season. But for god’s sake, put some pace in the team.
We are slow thinkers and slow legs in much of the team.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
13:49:10
I’m not against this at all; but i’ve been thinking for some time that we need two quick full-backs to change how this team plays, and actually create the chances.
But they need to be able to defend as well! A Baines clone at left-back and a right-footed one for the other side. Easy!
We will have to replace Gueye at some point, and that will be a critical transfer, as Silva found out.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
13:54:46
Ian (27),
Well, Jack’s wages might be irrelevant to some but, if I was playing for Everton and I was in Garner’s or Ndiaye’s shoes, I’d be livid comparing my wages to his.
As a supporter, I’m wanting a lot more out of him for what he gets. Would you want him here next season and think he would be good value for his £150k a week wages and a £20M transfer fee?
I don’t think you would… and for how many years would his contract be for? As you say — he’s not the player he was and I think he’s going downhill fast. Man City knew that and that’s why no top club came in for him and he came to Mugs Wanted United.
Steve (24), you usually talk a lot of sense, not sure if you are in this instance.
I won’t deny his two goals — they all count, no matter how they go in… but these eight assists? Can you list them so I can see if I agree with them.
The James Garner goal v. Brighton will be one of them and that will be the first one I disagree with — let’s see the others.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
13:58:28
The lad looks legit, sign him and Wilson or recall Sherif. Then fuck off Beto or Barry or both….
Our whole team will look better when we have an actual elite level striker. Can’t wait! Give him what he wants
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:07:57
With the possible exception of When James Rodriguez had conditions to suit and was enjoying his football, we have played the most pedestrian football in the Premier League since Osman, Baines and Pienaar were strutting their stuff.
Those pointing the finger at Jack Grealish for slowing the game down, claiming it results in no passing options, have properly got this arse about face. He can be annoying when he doesn’t shoot, but he is a rarity in this parish: Somebody who has the confidence and the ability to put his foot on the ball and try to be creative.
For at least 45 minutes of each home game, I sit behind Grealish, pretty much seeing what he sees and, in terms of movement, I can tell you he doesn’t see a great deal.
His game is about drawing 2-3 opponents. He is trying to make space for a teammate to run into. The problem is, his teammates are playing within the constraints of a Moyes rigid system. Most are scared to break ranks and offer a run. So, faced with no option… he has to go backwards.
When people like Dewsbury-Hall or Garner move into the space created by Grealish’s hold-up play, he finds them and we are suddenly in business… but that doesn/t happen often enough. Especially when one is played deep and the other is playing right-back.
Grealish’s game does not ruin Moyes’s rigid system; it suffers because of it.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:14:08
Cenk Tosun was banging them in in Super Lig as well.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:16:35
Arouna Kone anyone?
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:25:22
Welcome to Everton. The Strikers Graveyard.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:27:03
Jack Grealish is simply not fit enough.
The lad looks like Homer Simpson when he tries to sprint.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:44:17
We need a change to uplift the season but, quite honestly, I am skeptical about any signing until they start producing the goods.
We have had many strikers since the first tenure of Moyes and many have flopped. Lukaku was probably the only one to have any consistency.
Beto and Barry have shown very little to worry Premier League defenses and of course Everton, having very little spare cash to make a serious offer for a really quality striker at this time, may have to try someone like this guy.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:45:01
The movement is non-existent, I’ll agree with that.
But which players are you expecting movement from? Dewsbury-Hall? Yep. The rest don’t have it in their game.
O’Brien, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, Barry, Beto, McNeil etc. They play like trees, and always have done.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
14:56:18
Can’t believe some fans are slagging of Jack Grealish… unbelievable! He is head and shoulders above anyone else in that team.
We can always go back to Harrison!
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:09:21
Dave, I do want more from him, and I am concerned that we would be buying a fading star who could look poor in 12-24 months time.
In defence, I would say he would look better if the defence played 30 yards further forward, had an overlapping full-back to the left of him, and a striker who could score. Never mind another couple of midfielders who can shift the ball, or a right winger with pace to stretch the pitch.
He has created a lot of chances, but he can’t be blamed if our strikers can’t convert them. He is top 3 in the Premier league for chances created with 38. Only Doku and Fernandes have more this season. So more than Foden, Saka, RS etc.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:23:41
People slagging off Grealish don’t really understand football.
We knew when we were signing him that we were signing a player who was not the one doing the marauding runs of 5 years ago, we were getting the football brain and that’s what he’s given us, look at the stats for that.
Like when players like Pirlo, McAllister, Gough, Sheringham aged 30 plus were head and shoulders football brain wise ahead of the rest of his team mates.
If he has pace around him people wouldn’t notice him “slowing the game down” as they say.
Sadly we don’t.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:41:22
Ian, yes, it’s the personnel not the system that is the biggest problem. You can pass and move til your blue in the face but, if your full-backs are Mykolenko and O’Brien, you aint gonna be setting the world alight going forward.
We need to be patient, we couldn’t address all of the problems in one window but, hopefully, we do get a couple of good full-backs in the summer and, if we do, I think our game goes to a new level.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:44:28
The priority to me, and we have needed it for the last couple of seasons, is a right full-back.
Since Coleman started to slow down and had more consistent injuries, we have moved players around to cover this position without any success. Mykolenko on the left is not the greatest at defending but manages with experience and can support the offense.
At right-back we have had no one who specializes in this position and has been a general weakness all of last season and the start of this season. Patterson offered experience in this position but is not of Premier League standard.
Getting our players back from Afcon will help the overall performance but will not solve the obvious problem in the team. The opposing managers prepare against this position that is our major weakness and have had success so far this season.
I agree we have various injuries but we still have not solved the weakness at right-back.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:48:37
Darren. 31
Perfect summation.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
15:56:33
As poor as Beto and Barry have been, I’m not sure Haaland would have done much better given the abject way we’ve been playing recently.
That said, Beto looked briefly worthy of the shirt last season when we tried playing to his strengths with balls played through for him to run on to. I imagine Barry would like similar service.
Can anyone speculate as to why Moyes has seen fit to stop even trying to occasionally play that way? It makes no sense to me.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
16:02:00
Jack Grealish is one of the most talented players we have.
He’d be much better though if he didn’t have a big pie arse and could run.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
16:03:34
I agree totally with Darren, Grealish is class and needs class around him.
Our tactics are based around poorer than average players who don’t pass and move, and a goalkeeper who has a penchant for thinking he can accurately ping a pass over 200 yards away.
You only have to look at our stats for possession. At best, we have got 50/50 but in the majority of games we get less than 35% possession and I think most of that possession is because of Grealish and the two centre-backs passing backwards and forwards to each other.
Like James Rodriguez, we won’t see the best of Grealish until we bring some better quality in.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
16:35:13
I love it that £20M is considered cheap/good value. The world of football is obscene.
Agree with all those who identify the woeful lack of service and supply as the primary problem.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
17:07:41
Pass; too old, too dear.
Agree with Neil’s post at 4 above. Calum Wilson on a short term loan would probably be better business… but he would have to bring his own ball supplier with him!
Posted
15/01/2026 at
17:21:27
Grealish must be sick of giving the ball to Mykolenko in a good position, only to see him shit himself and give it back to Jack, it’s silmar with Ndiaye on the right and to an extent Dibling.
There’s no options. The full-backs don’t have the ability to beat a man or the quality to put good balls in. I think a left- and right-back would make such a difference to our attacking play.
Aznou looked like he could be that type of player on the weekend, it must be his defensive side that needs work because he made Mykolenko look like the novice.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
17:26:06
Darren (31),
I don’t doubt you are in the perfect position to see what Jack does with the ball. More importantly, you see what he does when he hasn’t got the ball — not an awful lot and I think you said recently it’s very important what a player does when he hasn’t got the ball.
What’s to stop him finding space after he passes the ball or even finding space to receive the ball? Mostly he passes the ball then stands still instead of getting back into the game. Watch him when an Everton attack breaks down and the opposition move onto the attack; he takes an age to get back onside.
He’s got a football brain, no doubt, so why doesn’t he use it more often? I think his lack of movement is down to his lack of energy and is one reason I think he wouldn’t be played in an inside position — he be knackered by half-time.
He is not value for money now… God knows what he would look like in a couple of years time! I hope we have the sense not to waste money giving him a new contract.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
17:27:06
Mike 38,
We as fans have every right to slag off Grealish. His idiotic behaviour getting a red card was immature, selfish and a total disregard for supporters.
As a mature professional, he should know better. I for one was very pissed off with him.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
17:38:38
Mark #32 exactly. When I read we were being linked with Youssef En-Nesyri, what I wanted to check was the stats between Cenk Tosun and him.
Youssef En-Nesyri, 28 years old, 38 goals, 8 assists in 77 appearances. (1½ seasons for Fenerbahce) Goal 46 involvements in 77 games. It’s 1 in 1.7 games.
Cenk Tosun, 26 years old back then, 64 goals, 13 assists in 145 appearances. (3½ seasons for Besiktas before his move to Everton). 77 goal involvements in 145 games. That is 1 in 1.9 games.
If we only look at stats and not other factors, Youssef En-Nesyri is slightly ahead.
Would a 26-year-old Tosun do better than Barry and Beto today? Statistically speaking, yes. He had 9 goals in 50 games for us… Nothing exciting, but he’s got better numbers as it seems.
If En-Nesyri can do a little better than Tosun. Given the circumstances, and if it’s going to be a loan deal, that would improve things slightly, as the rebuilding of the squad continues.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
19:05:22
If this allows us to move one of the others out then of course we should do it.
I recall En-Nesyri as being able to create his own shot in his national appearances. The Premier League is tough but I still think, at 28, he likely has the repertoire to bag more than a few.
Posted
15/01/2026 at
19:12:47
So I’d imagine he’s off to Spurs then…
Posted
15/01/2026 at
21:35:46
Will we ever sign a fast forward! Too similar to what we have.
I’d much prefer Callum Wilson on an 18-month deal. I know he’s not rapid but he’s wily and a great finisher. I think he would be a massive upgrade for us… as long as he could keep fit.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
02:48:44
If we don’t start creating more chances, it really doesn’t matter who we have up front. Forwards need opportunities, we rarely create any.
Any forward joining Everton currently will be living off scraps. The long, “hump it as far as possible” tactic isn’t working.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
06:39:33
Dave
We’re not in total disagreement. I believe Grealish does have good movement. He is not a passer and mover like say… Steven Pienaar, but he is always available and he can always be found.
Of course we can’t know if he lacks the energy to run in behind instead of always coming short, but I suspect you are right. I don’t think he has the biggest engine.
I also agree with you about the dangers of paying a huge fee for him. Some players fall off a cliff when they get into their thirties and I don’t see Jack as being a Gary Speed or a Gordon Strachan. He is clearly somebody who loves to entertain, but how long will that love last when it starts to hurt?
I remember agreeing with you when an article came up here claiming he had made a ridiculous number of chances, but I have noticed you have continued to be very critical of him since. Maybe that article still rankles for you, but Grealish is a smashing player and I would rather concentrate on what he can do than what he can’t.
Bravery comes in different forms and it takes a very brave character to put his foot on the ball in the midst of a high octaine Premier League match. He isn’t slowing attacks down when he does this. He is simply looking for the best options. All too often, there isn’t any.
We haven’t had enough proper footballers here in recent years, Dave. Having seen some of the greats, you will be more aware of that than most.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
07:51:53
Nobody makes more space than Grealish, especially in the second half when we are attacking the big end.
Sometimes I actually think he plays within himself, conserving energy for the second half when we attack the big end, but that might just be because I sit on that side of the pitch.
I see a player who is always taking up positions that make him easy to find, to help try and get us attacking.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
08:09:51
Grealish takes the ball in any situation, regardless of whether he is doubled or trebled up on. Always with head on a swivel, looking for the pass.
He draws defenders to him. That, obviously, leaves us at a numerical advantage when attacking. We just need the manager to allow numbers to get forward to take advantage of the space created.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
08:37:34
Any forward joining Everton currently will be living off scraps. The long, “hump it as far as possible” tactic isn’t working
We just need the manager to allow numbers to get forward to take advantage of the space created.
The forward needs to create for himself. Neither is capable of it. Neither forward creates any assists, as their game is limited to heading only. it would seem.
More creativity will be in the team when the personnel is back. Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Garner, Armstrong are five creative players who will create chances. This will negate the need to play long ball. Patience is required until players are fit, and the squad has more depth.
The manager might be holding them back, but again, the current personnel don’t help the situation. O’Brien and Mykolenko don’t, cant go forward. When they do, the quality is dreadful.
Keane and Tarkowski can’t play a high line — see the Brentford game. So again that factors into the decision-making of the manager. Push out and leave gaps, or play tighter and be hard to beat. Away and home performances tell you that the team can do one, but not the other.
Back-up players like McNeil don’t get forward. He’s scored some decent goals, and set pieces have been decent. But he isn’t going to be a player that adds pace, technical ability and quality to our play. You can add Alcaraz, O’Brien, Mykolenko to that as well. Dibling and Rohl seem way off it currently.
On paper, this is our most progressive side. It isn’t amazing, lacks back-up to maintain that quality. It still has Ndiaye on the right, no proper right-back, an inexperienced left-back, a goal-shy centre-forward, and a 36-year-old centre midfielder:
Pickford
Garner
Aznou
O’Brien
Branthwaite
Gana
Armstrong
Dewsbury-Hall
Ndiaye
Barry
Grealish
Would it win a cup? Nope. Would it beat many teams away that are top class? Nope. But it would appear the manager is the problem when he is shuffling a pack of cards, where half aren’t good enough.
The team rebuild is way off. We need at least another 5 top players in it who you’d be proud to watch, to get to anything near respectable. And that’s still miles off the top teams that win trophies.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
09:09:32
The usual stuff on here about the manager and style of football.
Just to say that, statistically, we have played less long balls this season than some teams that are regarded as having pretty good seasons — Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Brentford. In fact we are 7th in the list and about on a par with Man Utd, Bournemouth, Leeds and Forest. So about average in fact.
In the matches I have seen this season, when we have our creative players on the pitch and are pressing at home, we tend to play it on the deck. The problem is, we are not that good at it, especially if we have players missing, and especially if we go behind.
As others have said, we will need a few more windows of really good quality signings to progress and be able to play a more attractive style. What I would say, though, is that we are already playing a more attractive style than under Dyche, at least when we have our creative players available.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:08:46
Darren (57) Darren Ive been very critical or wary of how good Grealish is since the first home game of the season against Brighton when he did next to nothing in the first half but the then I realised KDH was playing, he had done the same as Grealish, but he passed the ball, nothing special but decent, to Jack and he beat a man and put a good ball across the goal and Ndaiye who lashed it home.
The second half was much the same until he got the ball held onto it then slid it back about 4 yards and James Garner from outside the.penalty area smashed the ball past about three defenders and into the back of the net—— this was claimed as an assist — fuck that I thought — thats an assist.
Since then Ive seen KDH claimed as a great player when he looked very ordinary to me except for his last five games when he does look like a very good player and I hope he keeps it up.
You are right about players putting their foot on the ball and waiting for the opportunity to make the right pass, James Garner does it as well as an enormous amount of work throughout the game, good players know when to make a pass great players know when to make that pass seconds before they receive the ball.
I realise Im in the minority when it comes to rating Grealish but I think some more are having second thoughts about good he is for Everton— Ill change my opinion when I see Jack changing the way he plays for us or puts a lot more into his game.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:17:40
You probably know Dave that I have suggested Grealish should be tried Ia a central role. I think he has definitely got the nous to play there and would have 360 degree passing options.
Like you, my only concern would be has he got the stamina such a role would require.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:23:53
Dave @ 62, sorry I missed your reply earlier on Grealish.
I judge him on his output in terms of goals and assists, but agree his contribution to the team could be greater. He has looked tired over the last month, probably due to the number of games he has started this season compared to previously with City.
As Darren says, his strength is receiving the ball, looking after it, drawing opponents and flicking it off to runners. He is also a master at drawing the foul. The issue is he doesnt have the runners in the current side now Dewsbury-Hall is injured.
Overall, I think he is a pleasure to watch. And I can count on one hand the number of Everton players I have can say that about over the last 30 years!
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:32:41
On another topic, I think Angus Kinnear should be fired into the Mersey from a cannon if he fails to sign a right-back this month.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:41:01
Steve (64), All I can say Steve is we all see players differently but agree we havent had a lot of very good players to look at and Jack is definitely not one of them for me— I think regarding his tiredness like all players hes had the international breaks plus he had a good break when we played City and hes had another two weeks since his last game so he should be raring to go tomorrow.
Overall he has good moments, some very good ones but nowhere near enough— I hope he rams my criticism down my mouth tomorrow he really is due for a great game nearly 5or 6 months by my reckoning!
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:47:46
Peter 61
I Agree with your post and also agree with Steve in post 65. Whether we improve the squad in this window or in the summer, I hope Moyes gets to say who he wants and not our recruitment team. I genuinely feel when all our players are back fit and when we get a decent striker this team will be able to compete with most of the premier league. Add to the fact that in Harrison Armstrong we have a really classy player who will just get better and better in the coming years. So a decent full back and striker and I am optimistic about next season. Also Aznou will also improve and be pushing for a place in the team.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
10:51:06
Laurie (63) Well Laurie I think Jack might have impressed in that position a few years ago but did Pep at City ever use him in that position or even Villa I think he has always been played on the wing albeit with the licence to roam— I think his roaming days are over, his body is not up to it— like Wayne when he came back his best days were behind him.
Best wishes and good health Laurie as always.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
11:44:53
Ian @ 60, that’s not too bad a line up. It’s also a line up that Moyes would never, ever, select.
Far too adventurous for someone with a defensive mindset.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
12:01:08
Not sure on that, Annika. Most are unavailable.
If McNeil, Mykolenko, O’Brien at right back, Tarkowski & Keane, are regulars next season, then we are going nowhere.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
12:43:36
Is KDH ready for Sunday?
Hard game. Our best chance is to use the forrest game to show that away we can play on the counter.
A few players need a performance after these last few games and should be up for it.
We could drop to 15th or go as high as 9th.
Shows the opportunity missed in the wolves and Brentford matches.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
13:06:57
According to the Echo Dewsbury-Hall is ahead of “the other two” in his rehab.
Given that both Branthwaite and Coleman are doing light training I would assume that Dewsbury-Hall’s return is imminent, if not sooner.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
13:10:14
There was no sign of Dewsbury-Hall in the team training videos. Didn’t they say he would be back in training by the end of the month…?
I see Roma have bought Malen from Villa. TFG not totally opposed to January transfer business then.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
13:29:56
I wouldn’t be rushing Dewsbury-Hall back for this game, on paper it’s a damage limitation game for us.
They are on a roll and we are at 6s and 7s, but then again hope springs eternal and all that. Our lot keep suprising me, they do well when logic says they wont and fail when favourites.
I think Villa’s bubble will burst before very long though; let’s hope it starts on Sunday. Fair play to their manager Emery he is getting the maximum out of his team although they have a few world class players in Martinez, Rodgers and Tielemans with Watkins on fire too.
He’s managed to put a strong squad together somehow so fair play to him.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
13:39:54
Moyes just confirmed only Grealish back for the Villa game in his presser (on live now).
Posted
16/01/2026 at
14:24:33
Aston Villa have recently been added to the list of teams that regularly beat us. I can’t see us getting anything on Sunday but it’s the hope that kills us.
Why are we continually so bloody slow to act in the transfer window when every one of us knows exactly what types of player we are desperately missing?
Posted
16/01/2026 at
14:57:06
Looks like one of TWebbers favourite managers, Oliver Glasner available from the Summer.
Will he solve all the problems, I wonder, if Everton enticed him to come???
Posted
16/01/2026 at
15:23:47
There definitely appears to have been a breakdown in transmission with regards Glasner and Palace.
An ambitious coach fighting against a prudent know their place type of club, or is it a manager who has had a good 18 months suddenly thinking he’s much better than he his?
Stick with Moyes, the river is getting calmer and that’s exactly what you need to steady a ship
Posted
16/01/2026 at
16:02:51
Our new owners are at it again, spending money on transfers.
Donyell Malen Aston Villa, joining Roma, 26, 7 goals this season, an immense upgrade on our Mutt and Jeff duo. Roma have a loan then buy option. Even Ferguson is leaving Roma for Wrexham.
Tammy Abraham wants to come back to the Premier League, Villa are after him. Mateta, Palace, told he can leave. So the strikers are out there, just like the Aliens, but our Davey, he don’t believe in them.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
16:08:47
Tony 78.
Glasner was offered a new deal last summer, but he confirmed on Friday he had informed chairman Steve Parish he would not sign a new contract in October.
He’s told the players he’s going… Man Utd? Maybe us? 😁
Posted
16/01/2026 at
16:13:54
Glasner, Alonso, Potchettino, Tuchel, perhaps Howe, Iraola and Franks.
There may be a lot of managers looking for a job this summer.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
16:55:49
Put money on Glasner going to Manchester…
Although which club?
Posted
16/01/2026 at
17:03:25
“So the strikers are out there, just like the Aliens, but our Davey, he don’t believe in them.”
Paul, I share your frustration but how do you arrive at that conclusion?
Posted
16/01/2026 at
22:29:14
Mark 83.
How do I arrive at a conclusion that strikers are available? Um, by naming the strikers that are available…
Donyell Malen. Evan Ferguson, Tammy Abraham. Mateta. Oh and the bloke we are supposed to be after to replace Mutt and Jeff. Who were bought to replace the striker we let go. Who is better than the two who… Oh well, you know the rest.
Posted
16/01/2026 at
22:39:54
No, I meant how do you assume that our Davey dont believe in them?
Posted
16/01/2026 at
22:42:33
Steve 81.
I can Slot another in but I can’t remember his name.
Posted
17/01/2026 at
03:41:52
Steve Brown 81: Glasner, Alonso, Potchettino, Tuchel, perhaps Howe, Iraola and Franks.
Steve mate, the only one on that list who I could imagine joining us is a sacked, humiliated, despondent Frank.
The timing of Glasner’s statement fits perfectly with Carrick’s appointment until the end of the season. The first four on your list Steve are absolutely out of our reach mate.
Posted
17/01/2026 at
05:04:00
Mind you, I could see that barcodes saying Auf Wiedersehen Pet to Howe, if the women and men in suits and robes decide that things are not really progressing.
Posted
17/01/2026 at
21:41:43
Aston villa have apparently bid for this lad. So that’s that then.
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