Well… The Blues have got off to an impressive start to the season. David Moyes is working his magic. In fact, since the beginning of May, no other team has picked up more points in the Premier League than Everton (16 out of a possible 21). It is the stuff of dreams for Toffees everywhere!
While Everton have won all of their first three competitive games down on the waterfront, the talk of the town around these parts seems to be a certain loanee from Manchester City… Jack Grealish, what a player. From being a small fish in a big pond under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, to being a big fish in a small pond down on Merseyside. In fact, give him free reign of the whole Mersey and I reckon he’ll still manage to convert some chances.
The man is gifted, and under Moyes is able to play free flowing football, enough to get even the most pessimistic Evertonian turning their head! During his first month at Everton, he is leading the chart for the most assists in Europe’s top five leagues. To be honest, all of the signings the Blues made this summer have looked promising. The Friedkin money has started talking, and I like its language.
Here is a summary of the Blues summer transfer window:
Arrivals: Carlos Alcaraz (following successful loan spell since the beginning of the year), Theirno Barry (Villarreal CF), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Tom King (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Merlin Röhl (SC Freiburg), Tyler Dibling (Southampton), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (on season long loan from Manchester City).
Season long loans: Harrison Armstrong (Preston North End), Tyler Onyango (Stockport), Isaac Heath (Accrington Stanley).
Full list of departures: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Neal Maupay (Olympique Marseille), Abdoulaye Doucouré (NEOM SC), Mason Holgate (Al-Gharafa SC), Ashley Young (Ipswich Town), João Virgínia (Sporting CP), Asmir Begovic (Leicester City), Youssef Chermiti (Rangers FC).
The backline has looked sparse on paper, but remained strong in practice… Here are the latest injury updates:
- Adam Aznou – It is expected he came to Merseyside nursing an injury, and he has recently started to step up his recovery as he played 80 minutes with the under-21’s in a cup game at the beginning of September.
- Jarrad Branthwaite – Still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in pre-season. The defender is not expected to return to full fitness for a few more weeks at least, but is stepping up his recovery at Finch Farm.
- Nathan Patterson – Continuing to nurse hernia symptoms as reported by David Moyes. This has ruled him out of league and cup action, and while it was speculated he would be loaned out/departing in the transfer window, he remains at Everton.
- Vitalii Mykolenko, Seamus Coleman, and James Tarkowski have all returned to league and cup action following injuries sustained within the last few months.
The first international break has taken place just three weeks into the new season and we’ve had our first set of Blues shining on the international stage.
Jordan Pickford kept two more clean sheets in both of England World Cup Qualifiers, taking him to 7 clean sheets in a row. England have not conceded for 630 minutes while Pickford has been in goal. Jake O’Brien played a full 90 minutes, helping his team come from behind and rescue a point, against Hungary. He also played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland, during their 2-1 loss to Armenia.
Both Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye played the full 90 minutes of Senegal’s 3-2 victory over DR Congo, while Gana Gueye remained an unused sub and Ndiaye played 83 minutes before being replaced, in their 2-0 win over Sudan. Finally, Beto featured in both World Cup Qualifiers for Guinea-Bissau, making a start in the draw against Sierra Leone, and coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Djibouti.
Some ‘Young Lions’ have been shining on the international stage too. As Tyler Dibling provided a crucial assist in England U21s win over Kazakhstan, in the UEFA U21 Euro Qualifiers. While Harrison Armstrong is coming in clutch for both club and country, in a set of England U19 friendlies. He came off the bench to score a late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Spain and hit the back of the net in the opening minute in the 4-1 win over the Netherlands.
Everton’s successful start to the 25/26 campaign has been rewarded with Premier League nominations… Goal of the Month (August) for James Garner (vs Brighton) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (vs Wolves). David Moyes has also been nominated for Manager of the Month (August), for his consistent results and overall performances. Jack Grealish has today been announced as the Player of the Month (August).
While Grealish, Garner, and Dewsbury-Hall are receiving their kudos, I also believe Iliman Ndiaye should be praised for his relentlessness in front of goal. Plus, scoring the last Premier League goal at Goodison Park and the first at Hill Dickinson. As well as this, Michael Keane has been massive in defence and deserves to be noticed for his constant outstanding performances and overall start to the season. If I was the one submitting players for awards, I would give Seamus Coleman a shout for being able to play a full 90 minutes against Mansfield, given his injury history. While the man bleeds Royal Blue, he is also made of some pretty tough stuff!
We look ahead to Aston Villa (H) on Saturday 13 September, followed by the first Merseyside Derby (A) of the season… Will the Hill Dickinson stadium continue its good luck charm as the Blues remain unbeaten at home this season? Will the derby provide as much controversy as last season? No one has the answers yet… but I for one, am excited to find them out!
Long may the upwards trajectory of the club continue… Come on You Blues!
Signing off,
Lauren Briscoe
Check out our Everton FC Matchday Guide for places to eat and drink pre and post match.
This article is great! It’s packed with exciting transfer news and player performances, giving fans a clear picture of Everton’s strong start. The updates on international breaks and awards are especially thrilling. Can’t wait for the upcoming matches!