David Moyes's team has shown promising signs in pre-season, with Thierno Barry impressing in particular. However, the club's spring slump last season has left a sour taste, and a continuation of this trend could test Moyes's appetite for the fight. Everton were three points off the fifth and final Champions League qualification spot on 21 March, but they slumped to 13th on the final day of the 2025-26 season.
The club has lost 10 players following the expiry of their contracts, and they are still searching for a new right-back and centre-forward. Brennan Johnson, who struggled at Crystal Palace, could be the answer to their attacking problems, but it remains to be seen if he can recapture his form. Moyes loves to keep a settled side, and Everton averaged the fewest changes to their starting XI of any team in the 2025-26 Premier League.
The club's off-field picture is still recovering from the consequences of Farhad Moshiri's calamitous ownership, with Everton ordered to pay almost £40m in compensation to Burnley. They are appealing against the verdict, but the financial penalty has not affected their transfer plans. The Friedkin Group has brought financial stability to the club, but fans have yet to connect with the low-key ownership group.
David Moyes turns 64 in April, and it will be interesting to see if he retains the appetite for a fight with his critics in the event of a poor start. The Scotland job remains available, and Moyes would appear the ideal candidate to succeed Steve Clarke. The manager's contract extension has gone quiet, and it remains to be seen if he will be given the chance to rebuild Everton on a stronger footing.
Everton's next step is to complete their transfer business, with a few glaring holes in Moyes's squad still needing to be filled. The club's quest for a new right-back and centre-forward is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if they can deliver on their promises.