Assessing Everton’s Upcoming Rebuild
It’s an exciting time at Everton as the Toffees prepare to move into a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. The Blues have played at the iconic Goodison Park for more than 130 years but are now set for pastures new. Many fans are feeling hopeful and optimistic after a particularly difficult time in recent campaigns which saw Everton battling relegation.
Following years of poor decisions at the top of the club, the Toffees now have the chance of a real reset and manager David Moyes will be plotting a return to the top half of the table for one of the grandest clubs in English football. This article will look at how the land lies and what needs to be done ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Target for Next Season
When Moyes’ took charge at Goodison Park for the first time back in 2002, Everton were down at the wrong end of the table after a tumultuous decade through the nineties. However, as one of the most successful teams in the history of the top division, the Blues are more used to competing in the upper echelons and Moyes took them back to battling for a place in Europe while also guiding the club to the 2009 FA Cup final.
This time around, fans will be predicting a similar push and confident the Moyes can take them back up the table. If you are a seasoned bettor or a relative novice exploring how to back the Toffees for a top ten finish, you can visit Betway to assess a range of odds and wagering options around Everton ahead of the new season.
While supporters will be patient, many have the faith in Moyes to build a squad capable of upsetting the modern big boys while challenging for a place in European competition. While it may not be an immediate return to the Europa League, the Toffees could have enough for getting the better of clubs like Crystal Palace and Fulham and finishing between eighth and tenth next time out.
Chance for a Reset
Players on big wagers who have failed to perform have been a major issue for Everton. Due to the salaries, those struggling in a blue shirt have been difficult to shift and so a lot of deadwood in the squad has hindered the Toffees in recent seasons.
However, thanks to smart work by the departing Director of Football Kevin Thelwell together with player contracts simply running down, Moyes and the recruitment team will have a relative blank canvas to work with heading into the summer and the new season.
As many as 15 players are set to see their current deals end this summer and it remains to be seen who will be kept on. While Michael Keane is one of the players expected to leave, Abdoulaye Doucoure could stay on reduced terms while supporters are keen to see Idrissa Gana Gueye sign an extension, his form has been so good since rejoining the club from Paris Saint-Germain.
Club captain Seamus Coleman may well move into a coaching role while Ashley Young will have turned 40 before the new season kicks off. There are plenty of decisions to be made at the top level regarding who stays and which players are thanked for their service but allowed to exit.
Key Players
Everton have a number of key players who will be vital to the club taking a giant step forward next season and the new stadium at Bramley Moore. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is one of the most important members of the first-team having earned the Toffees a massive amount of points since signing for the club in 2017. The England number one has produced a number of fine saves to keep the Blues in games and will be a key cog in the Moyes machine.
At the back, Jarrad Branthwaite is one of the best young defenders in world football and has forged a solid centre-back partnership with James Tarkowski. Branthwaite presents Everton with two major positives as he will either star at the back for the Blues or he will be sold for mega money which the club can reinvest back into the squad. With Real Madrid a possible future destination and one some sport lovers will have backed via Betway, fans believe the centre-back is set for the very top of the game. Everton’s progress may not be swift enough to match his talents but the fact he is a current Toffee puts the club in a strong position going forward.
Importance of David Moyes
The return of Moyes has steadied the ship at Goodison Park and settled the nerves. Unbeaten in nine of the eleven Premier League games he has managed since his comeback, Everton appear clear of the drop zone and so there should be no worries about another relegation fight come May.
Though the club has changed since Moyes left for Manchester United in 2013, he knows the fanbase inside out and is aware of what they expect to see from an Everton side on the pitch. With prior knowledge, this will save the manager time and help him when it comes to key decisions of which there will be hundreds to be made this summer ahead of the exciting and historic move to the new stadium.