Everton‘s 2-2 draw at Hull City illustrated a number of issues that David Moyes has to contend with, not least the uncertainty surrounding the ownership, with the Friedkin Group placing the club up for sale after less than two years.
The Toffees may be fifth in the Premier League after six games, but Moyes needs more from his side if they are to defy the odds and gain a seat at the European table.
In spite of ownership uncertainty, expect changes to be made in January – especially in attack and out wide. After all, the likes of Brennan Johnson are already showing they may not cut the mustard in the long run.
Why Johnson could already be in trouble at Everton
There’s no question that Johnson has been scapegoated over the first few months of the season, but the mounting criticism isn’t really unjust – even if Johnson might have expected a bit more support out wide when swapping London for Merseyside with Dwight McNeil.
Moyes has long been hesitant to unleash younger squad members from the start, but with Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George breathing down Johnson’s neck,
Johnson is not guilty of one or two poor performances, dotted here and there, but instead lacks a any kind of confidence and has laboured now for Tottenham and Crystal Palace and Everton without stringing together anything resembling a purple patch.
|
Brennan Johnson’s Premier League Form |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
25/26 |
26/27 |
|
Matches (starts) |
34 (19) |
6 (4) |
|
Goals + Assists |
2 + 1 |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches* |
20.6 |
20.5 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
0.7 (0.1) |
0.8 (0.1) |
|
Accurate passes* |
7.4 (66%) |
7.3 (71%) |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
1 |
|
Key passes* |
0.6 |
0.8 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.3 (31%) |
0.2 (50%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
1.6 |
2.5 |
|
Def. contributions* |
1.9 |
2.5 |
|
Duels won |
2.2 |
1.7 |
It’s early days, but it’s already clear that Johnson has a lot of work to do before he can safely say he has returned to the kind of level which saw him score 19 goals for Spurs across the 2024/25 campaign – the last of which was the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United.
However, Johnson is probably being scapegoated for his shortcomings this season. He’s not the only one struggling, with a man of greater importance yet to get going this season.
No one is talking about how bad Everton superstar has been
Johnson came close to scoring for Everton at the weekend. Though many are unconvinced, Moyes is persisting with the 25-year-old on the right wing, perhaps because of his experience and combative defensive approach.
Johnson is still integrating, but we can’t cut Jack Grealish the same slack right now, with the England international yet to take flight after returning to the Hill Dickinson for a second successive loan spell.
Grealish, however, has flattered to deceive so far this season, inefficient, albeit active, against Hull.
Everton podcast host Ian Kroll has voiced his frustration over the focal creator’s early-season form. “His talent isn’t in doubt, but his preference to slow play clashes with a team whose strengths lie on being direct in transitions.
Grealish has created two big chances and has looked tidy on the ball. However, he has only completed 25% of his dribbles in the Premier League this season, lacking the progressiveness that has for so long formed a fundamental part of his skillset.
Last season, the silky playmaker proved a menace for Everton, claiming the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for August and racking up two goals and six assists before a cruel foot injury curtailed his season in January.
But Moyes wanted him back, and with Ndiaye sold to Man City, it’s crucial that he steps up and performs.
It does feel that Everton’s gameplan this term has been to hoof it to Grealish and hope for the best. There needs to be more variation and nuance, allowing the former City superstar to play a more fluid and natural role in the Evertonian machine.
Grealish’s form this season could make or break the Moyes project. For him to fire on all cylinders, some changes need to be made.
