Priority Number One
Long overlooked and left to chance, the right-back spot at Everton has become a point of pain for the team and supporters alike. Moves are afoot but how far are the club prepared to go to address this acute need?
Séamus Coleman’s departure from Everton this summer has been notable, not just for the Irishman’s impressive longevity with the club but also because of how he came to symbolise through his absence the Blues’ almost comical failure down the years to adequately address their right-back problem.
Once he had broken into the first-team following his now-legendary £60,000 transfer from Sligo Rovers, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Blackpool and cut his Premier League teeth as a right winger, Coleman had cemented himself as the undisputed first-choice right-back for Everton by the time David Moyes’s first spell as manager was coming to an end in 2013.
Tony Hibbert’s career was practically done at this point but save for utilising the likes of Phil Jagielka as a makeshift full-back or, fleetingly, blooding Tyias Browning from the academy, Coleman had no natural right-back as an understudy throughout Roberto Martinez’s tenure.
That remained the case during Ronald Koeman’s only full season in charge at Goodison Park but while Coleman was usually available, it was seldom an issue. Until March 2017, that is. During an international fixture between the Republic of Ireland and Wales, Séamus suffered a compound fracture in his right leg in an ugly collision with Neil Taylor which sidelined him for more than nine months.
Koeman’s response to Coleman’s long-term injury was to draft in unheralded journeyman, Cuco Martina, as a free agent following his departure from Southampton and the Dutch-born player made 20 appearances in 2017/18 in Coleman’s absence before fading from contention.
If Coleman’s leg fracture had raised a red flag for either Steve Walsh or Marcel Brands, it wasn’t evident in the club’s recruitment over the next few years. Djibril Sidibé came in on loan in the summer of 2019 and made 18 appearances in his only season on Merseyside. Ben Godfrey was acquired the following year and together with Mason Holgate, he deputised for Coleman under Carlo Ancelotti. Again, nominal centre-halves playing at right-back.
With youth product, Jonjoe Kenny, unable to convince that he was a viable option, it wasn’t until January 2022, almost five years after Coleman broke his leg, that Everton finally signed a natural full-back on a long-term contract to, first, provide cover for the Irishman and, eventually if all went well, succeed him.
Unfortunately, Patterson’s time with the Toffees has been blighted by injury, poor form and, seemingly, a lack of trust from both Sean Dyche and David Moyes. Throughout his time with the club, as Coleman has advanced in age and seen his effectiveness and availability diminish, there has been a glaring need to sign a top-quality player for that position.
That need was acute 12 months ago but, facing an unprecedented number of departures from the first-team squad at the end of 2024/25 and having seen Jake O’Brien acquit himself well as a makeshift right-back over the second half of that Premier League campaign, Moyes was prepared to continue with the big Irishman as a square peg in a round hole, at least until the January transfer window opened.
Despite realistic avenues being open for Everton to take a run at European competition, the club’s ownership opted not to spend during the most recent winter window to sign a new full-back for the role (Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy was mooted as a target) and, with Patterson overlooked, O’Brien kept his increasingly uncomfortable and ineffective place for the rest of the season.
If nothing else, Moyes’s lengthy experiment brought home the importance of finally rectifying this long-neglected part of the side. If you can get Evertonians to agree on anything it’s surely that a right-back was the number one transfer priority this summer. Seven weeks on from the end of 2025/26, however, and almost a fortnight into the summer window the club don’t appear to be anywhere close to signing one.
Between those with their ear close to the ground and the relentless media speculation, though, there do appear to be some solid options, even if some are more likely than others. With Raoul Bellanova of Atalanta regarded as more of a right-winger or wing-back, talk has recently coalesced around four names.
Ben White (Arsenal)
Everton’s need for a right-back, White’s adaptability and experience ticking some significant boxes for Moyes, and the fact that the player is no longer a guaranteed starter at Arsenal have provided plenty of fodder for the rumour mongers this summer.
White’s pedigree as a centre-half means that he could also provide cover in that part of defence, which could be important if the manager can’t rely on the consistent availability of Jarrad Branthwaite, but that would simply mean O’Brien reverting to right-back at a time when many Blues want to see him cemented in his favoured central role.
29 in October and with a chequered injury record of his own, signing White would only seem to make sense if it’s in tandem with another right-back acquisition which, given the fact that he wouldn’t come cheap, either in terms of transfer fee or wages, makes him a decidedly less appealing option.
Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)
Signed as a hot prospect from Middlesbrough four years ago, Spence has only established himself as a first-team regular at Tottenham in the last 18 months or so. In between, however, he gained valuable experience with loan spells at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa.
Though notable for his speed, perhaps Spence’s best attribute is his ability to play both right-back and left-back to a similar level. With Everton also in the market for another option on the left side of their defence to push Vitalii Mykolenko, that kind of versatility could save them a transfer fee in a part of the team that isn’t as high on the list of priorities this summer.
The 25-year-old was, however, a member of a Spurs side that came perilously close to relegation this past season and, as such perhaps, his stock hasn’t been that high of late.
New Tottenham boss, Roberto de Zerbi, is reportedly open to letting Spence leave this summer which has heightened scrutiny of the player’s performances with England at the World Cup.
Criticised for his performance at right-back against DR Congo, Spence put in an eye-catching, swashbuckling display off the bench at left-back in the quarter-final win over Norway.
Assuming Everton are interested, the number of rival suitors and Tottenham’s asking price (rumoured to be around £30m to £35m) could prove prohibitive and force the Blues’ transfer committee to look elsewhere.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
The West Ham connection has been cited as obvious link to Moyes and Everton where Wan-Bissaka is concerned even though the DR Congo international was signed by the Hammers after the Scot left the London Stadium two years ago.
More pertinent is the versatile defender’s potential availability given that West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in May and could be open to offloading more of their first-teamers before their Championship season kicks off.
Having spent two years with Crystal Palace and six with Manchester United, Wan-Bissaka has a wealth of experience and offers defensive prowess even if his abilities going forward are less impressive. He has just four goals in more than 230 Premier League appearances.
As such, in moving for him Everton would risk having two very similar profile players in at left-and right-back at a time when attacking full-backs have assumed huge importance in the modern game.
Finally, the fact that he will turn 29 in November adds another question mark but if worst came to worst, there is no question that Wan-Bissaka would improve the Toffees’ team should he be the one they end up turning to.
Guéla Doué (Strasbourg)
The message on the proverbial “jungle drums” is that Doué is at the top of Everton’s list of right-back targets but, as was the case with Denzel Dumfries a few years ago, they are facing stiff competition from the Continent and a high valuation.
According to recent reporting by the likes of Paul Joyce in The Times, Strasbourg’s asking price for the Ivory Coast international is around £35m to £40m, with Everton unlikely to push beyond £25m.
In recent days, that two Milan clubs are said to have entered the reckoning alongside Paris Saint-Germain (where his brother, Désiré, already plays), offering Doué a more attractive destination and creating the kind of bidding war that would effectively sideline Everton as the Blues seek to maximise their budget.
If the 23-year-old is, indeed, the transfer committee’s first choice then that would explain their lack of activity regarding a right-back so far. Everton could be playing a waiting game and keeping one of the three players above as options should Doué prove beyond reach.
The fact that Everton lost out on a player of Dumfries's calibre (despite how close it a deal appeared to be for the Dutchman, PSR constraints arguably made a move for him impossible at the time) and passed up signing Tino Livramento under Rafael Benitez in favour of Patterson) might highlight the benefits of pushing the boat out for a top-class full-back when the opportunities arise.
That might be doubly true if the Blues are able to boost their spending power this summer by offloading the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and the unfancied trio of Patterson, Dwight McNeil and Charly Alcaraz for fees.
Whether the transfer committee is comfortable splashing out £40m on a player like Doué remains to be seen and, again, competition from elsewhere might render the conversation around the Ivorian moot but there is a strong argument that if Mykolenko is to remain the first-choice on the left, it behooves Everton to bring in a significant upgrade on the right if they are to improve in an attacking sense this coming season.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers12/07/2026 21:01:07
The right back position has been neglected for way too long with no succession plan in place to replace our Donegal warrior, the legend that is Seamus Coleman. As a replacement I quite fancy Newcastle' Livramento.
12/07/2026 21:27:06
In the past 6 months we have been linked with:
1. Spence (Spurs)
2. Bellanova (Atalanta)
3. Williams (Forest)
4. Sanchez (Seville)
5. Fisher (Norwich)
6. Seriki (Sheff Utd)
7. Kpakio (Blackburn)
8. El Ouahdi (Genk)
9. El Hilali (Espanyol)
10. Norton-Cuffey (Genoa)
11. Bogle (Leeds)
12. White (Arsenal)
13. Alebiosu (Blackburn)
14. Doue (Strasbourg)
15. Lewis (City)
16. Wan Bissaka (West Ham)
I reckon out of that lot, our likeliest new RB is either Lewis, Norton-Cuffey or Alebiosu.
12/07/2026 22:05:22
Actually in fairness I should probably have added Djed Spence to my shortlist of likely RBs.
I'd be amazed if it's Doue because he'll have more immediately attractive options. I don't think it will be White or Wan-Bissaka due to age and wages. If you're trying to build a squad for the next 5 years, you don't buy players who will sharply decline over that period - and at the same time commit to paying them £120k to £150k per week.
Spence (25) is on £87k per week - and it would just about be worth it to take him on (given he could give us about 7 years of service).
Norton-Cuffey (22) is very like Spence in any case but only on £15k pw and offers better long term value.
Lewis (21) is on £25k per week.
Alebiosu (24) is on just £7.5k per week.
TFG seem to be very (sensibly) focussed on value - hence these four being most likely in my view.
12/07/2026 00:18:26
The two older candidates, Wan-Bissaka and White, would be solid but unexciting additions to the squad. Neither of them look cheap with no potential sell-on value. White’s injury record adds a significant element of risk although he did feature in thirty matches in all competitions last season. Wan-Bissaka would appear to be the safer option.
The other two, Doué and Spence, would bring an uplift in flair and energy but appear to be well outside our current price range. While we might be prepared to pay £35-£40m for a forward we would surely baulk at doing so for a full back at this stage of the squad building process.
I hope I am wrong but my guess is we will ultimately settle for Wan-Bissaka as the safest option given the constraints of our financial situation.
12/07/2026 06:58:42
I would just point out that last Summer the situation was similar and Moyes said that Everton did not need another right back.Seamus was available last Summer, but really was not a serious contender for the position as the season proved.Patterson has did ok in some World Cup games.I do agree Everton need a right back, but are Everton actually looking for one? Don't be surprised at his first presser Moyes says we don't need one .Real Davy like.
13/07/2026 09:52:14
Moyes is boring and pragmatic but is not an idiot. He will know and understands the value of quality full backs - having seen it with his own eyes with Baines in particular.
The squad now is better than it was last summer and there are fewer competing priorities for our little budget to cope with.
We will get a RB - possibly two. We may get a LB. That will depend on availability cost and value - and possibly how Aznou is getting on behind the scenes.
The deals done so far this summer - across the market - are essentially confirmations of deals pre agreed or at an advanced stage when the window opened.
Things have now slowed down because the remaining deals to be done will be where players, agents and selling clubs have a few options and they are holding out for the best financial packages (and / or an approach from Champions League royalty). The World Cup has a bit of an impact too.
Transfer volumes will pick up again in about 1 month when selling clubs etc start to feel under more pressure to get deals done.
It’ll be frustrating in the meantime - as it’s entirely possible we are unable to confirm any further new signings until mid August.
13/07/2026 11:18:50
Spence could be wondering how much game time he’s going to get at Spurs following the arrival of Robertson.Plus Porro is starting games and playing quite well for Spain right now at the World Cup.I’d imagine that De Zerbi is going to want Porro and Robertson as his first choice full-backs this coming season.Yes,Robertson is now 33, but I think he’s got another couple of years left in him, and I don’t see him agreeing to move 200 miles to a club/team much inferior to the one he was at unless he’s had some assurances about how much game time he’s going to get provided he’s fit.
There are a couple of other things I’d like to ask as well, as I’m sure there’ll be people on here who know the answer!! Firstly, what other full-backs are currently at Spurs other than Porro, Robertson and Spence? Is Undogie still there? And secondly, have Spurs signed any full-backs this summer?
Spence could find himself about fourth choice come August, and at his age and stage of career, I can’t see him accepting that.Plus with Spurs not being in Europe there are going to be less opportunities for him to prove himself to De Zerbi if he’s not actually starting games in the first place.
I’m not totally convinced by Spence.As has been mentioned, his positional sense sounds a bit iffy.But I’d definitely far rather have him at right-back than O’Brien.I like Jake, but he’s a centre half, and that’s where he should be played.
13/07/2026 11:55:37
David, however it plays out at Spurs - Spence is probably surplus to requirements (they can use CBs and midfielders as full backs along with specialists. They have lots of options). He’s also in a purple patch and may never be as valuable (or good!) ever again. So it’s a good time to sell.
Given prices in the current market, something like £30m to £40m would seem about right. That’s what Newcastle paid for Hall and Livramento a few years ago. Anything less would be very cheap for that sort of player.
It’s a pretty modest price but it’s a big outlay for us (along with his wages) which is why someone like either of the two Arsenal academy graduates (Norton Cuffey or Alebiosu) or Lewis might be more likely.
13/07/2026 12:24:56
Very true Robert, in regard to the younger full-backs you’ve mentioned being on much lower wages than Spence and most certainly Wan-Bissaka!! Plus TFG seemingly focused on long term value.Mind you, would we actually need to offer Spence a pay rise? You said he’s on 87k per week? Well, I’m pretty sure 87k per week is going to go a lot further on Merseyside than it does in London!! I’d be pretty pleased about something like that if I was moving jobs from London to Liverpool!! 😊 But of course, Premier League football doesn’t work like that, unfortunately!!
13/07/2026 12:28:07
Robert#7
Hope you are right.
Update:
Aaron Lennon announced his retirement from professional football in June 2026 at the age of 35, after leaving Burnley in the summer when his contract expired. He has since moved into coaching with Leeds and doing some Media and Punditry.One of the better Spurs players we got.Good Luck.
13/07/2026 12:28:07
Robert#7
Hope you are right.
Update:
Aaron Lennon announced his retirement from professional football in June 2026 at the age of 35, after leaving Burnley in the summer when his contract expired. He has since moved into coaching with Leeds and doing some Media and Punditry.One of the better Spurs players we got.Good Luck.
13/07/2026 18:27:27
Jerome, he retired 4 years ago, mate.
I'd definitely take Spence as any decent Prem level RB immediately improves us, but I would certainly swerve White...not a natural RB, wrong, injury prone and massive salary.
Exactly the kind of signing that got us in trouble in the 1st place.
13/07/2026 18:38:00
Can we not hire a few Private Investigators to tail Brentford and Brighton's scouts.
If one of them looks more than once at a Right Back, buy him!
13/07/2026 22:10:13
For reasons which are not entirely obvious to me we have signed Merlin Rohl on a permanent basis ( I am aware that his loan included an option to purchase ). However, injuries and Moyes reluctance to play him meant we had little opportunity to see him play. When we did see him I saw little evidence that he can pick a pass, but he is very quick. Presumably he will also be behind Hayden Hackney for a midfield place, and I don't believe he is as good as Harrison Armstrong. So why not try him at full back ? After all poor Jake O'Brien had the job last season and he looks less suited to the job than Rohl.
13/07/2026 22:10:13
For reasons which are not entirely obvious to me we have signed Merlin Rohl on a permanent basis ( I am aware that his loan included an option to purchase ). However, injuries and Moyes reluctance to play him meant we had little opportunity to see him play. When we did see him I saw little evidence that he can pick a pass, but he is very quick. Presumably he will also be behind Hayden Hackney for a midfield place, and I don't believe he is as good as Harrison Armstrong. So why not try him at full back ? After all poor Jake O'Brien had the job last season and he looks less suited to the job than Rohl.
14/07/2026 03:23:03
David 15/16
Rohl wasn't an option to buy he was an obligation to buy
Provided we didn't get relegated
Shame we didn't see more of him as it's difficult to judge although he did have injuries
14/07/2026 08:14:08
The point with all of this is that we are not trying to assemble the best first XI and support squad we can for next season.
With our starting point and budget - that would almost certainly mean ending up with something like the 9th best squad - but a squad which will deteriorate over the next 3 years due to the age of the players and the cost of replacing them in a short timescale.
Players like Richarlison, Bowen and Wan Bissaka.
To put it another way, that sort of strategy might please fans for one summer - but would condemn us to never having better than the 9th best squad for the next 5 years.
That is why we have bought a player like Rohl who can be a useful versatile part of an improving squad for the next 5 to 10 years - as we build a squad which can be a genuine Champikns League contender.
14/07/2026 08:40:46
Robert#18
Youth Development is critical in this new PSR/SCR age. Moyes and Finch Farm will have to do better this season than they did last season.Such is the policy that the numbers must be telling TFG this is the way to go.But there is another side to the blade if youth brought in us not increased in value it can result in the lose of millions, which TFG are slow to cop onto it appears so far.
I see the Academy has a sort of a way been reshaped to get it producing more. Changing the Culture there will be a tuf job.
14/07/2026 19:43:52
Although I haven't checked, Spurs have reputedly bumped up Spence's asking price considerably following his performances in the World Cup which has put Everton off the idea and they have turned their attention to Norton-Cuffey. Apparently the deal has been agreed by both Clubs and the player and is progressing quite quickly.
What is live and happening now is that we are well on the way to signing Pape Gueye who is supposedly due at Finch Farm for a medical on Thursday afternoon/Friday morning and if he is okay he will be signing on the dotted line straight away. If that is right, there will be no hanging about and Gana's replacement will have been found.
All subject to confirmation of course..
14/07/2026 20:14:03
I reckon that may well be it for incomings except for any loans we are able to make towards the end of the window or if Barry goes to Leipzig which I think unlikely. I don't think Leipzig will follow up their interest in Barry, but if they do Moyes has a number of targets on his list and he will need to choose one and get him signed.
Outgoings, well maybe Ndiye, if someone comes along with silly money, or McNeil (I hope) as he is truly surplus to requirements.
15/07/2026 05:34:55
Peter, WHU were apparently interested in McNeill at the start of the window. Perhaps they still are. A newly relegated club may need to see who they offload before deciding what they can afford to spend, and on who.
Perhaps Glassner may still be interested. But he's at a different club with a different group of players. Hes still finding his feet there.
Anyway, it's early in the window, and clubs and players are still assessing their options.
In general, it feels like a strange window for us because we've got a lot of our business done early. The loan before you buy option seems to be a valid option for us with Rohl and George. With Hackney, perhaps it a case of getting in ahead of others, or positive planning and scouting.
15/07/2026 07:06:23
Lee#13
Meant to be a update on what he is doing now at Leeds 30 June 26 . He actually retired from football on the 15th Nov 2022, 4 years ago as you say.
15/07/2026 07:37:28
Chelsea and City have the best academies in the Prem and these have taken many years to put in place.
Ajax always used to work on the basis that a player must have completely mastered technique by age 8 - and from there the coaching is more about positioning and tactics.
We have a handful of decent players - Olayiwola, Nsangou, Doughty and Lucjancils are all regulars with England youth teams (or Poland) but the hard work needs to be done coaching and recruiting at much much younger age groups. This is a 5 or even 10 year project.
In the meantime we appear to be recruiting with Hutchison and Barrett already and Sol Gordon of Chelsea being on the radar (as he is for many other clubs)
15/07/2026 16:09:55
Whilst the current right back situationi the clear & obvious priority, there are othe key areas that need aressing in th summer:
A replacement for dithering Davey, although I fear our Texan owners are content in their comfort zone with Moyes & will infortunately give him another year. Moyes out as far as I'm concerned.
An experienced keeper as back up to Jordan Pickford.
Another centre back to bolster defensive options.
A new right winger shoul, as expected, Jack Grealish return to parent club Manchester City.
Address the loss of Idrissa Gana-Gueye. Another central midfielder too.
A pair of strikers.
Fight tooth & nail to keep Ndiaye at all costs.
No place for Beto, Michael Keane or Dibling so we can sell all three.
I estimate a transfer war chest of about £150M, so anticipate heavy use of the loan market to offset costs.
15/07/2026 18:30:02
AWB would be a great signing, a natural right back, and is good going forwards, would definitely improve our balance.
16/07/2026 16:48:18
I think you touch on an important point Danny. We need to be spending a serious amount of money just to stand still.
And I'm not sure we will spend anything like £150m net.
16/07/2026 20:07:32
If Peter # 20 is right (and no reason to doubt it) then Norton Cuffey would be a 4th player picked up for under £25m. If we continue hunting out value at low cost like that, then we may not need to spend a fortune this summer to be materially better.
Here's how it could all still shape up:
First XI
Pickford
O'Brien
Branthwaite
Norton-Cuffey (£22m)
Diouf (£32m)
Hackney (£16.5m)
Garner
Dewsbury-Hall
Fatawu (£22m)
Grealish (loan)
Delap (loan)
Second XI
Travers
Keane / Tarkowski
Harwood-Bellis (£20m)
Alebiosu (£9m)
Mykolenko
Armstrong
Rohl (£21m)
Alcaraz
Dibling
George (£18m)
Barry
That would be a £160.5m outlay (recouping fairly realistic £100m from the sales of Ndiaye, McNeil, Iroegbunam, Beto and Patterson). So a net spend of just £60m or thereabouts.
Obviously you can play around with different players. I haven't attempted to be particularly imaginative here - using only players we've been linked with, almost all British and almost all already playing in England (apart from Norton-Cuffey who is an Englishman playing in Italy).
The point is that if you shop in the right markets, for the right profile of player - you can quickly assemble a decent squad. Taken together this illustrative first and second XI would represent our best squad for a long time, capable of playing a completely different brand of football compared to last year.
17/07/2026 08:21:02
Jerome #23, no probs, mate.
I always liked him too, 100% effort.
17/07/2026 11:27:07
Apologies, but rather unrelated to any of the above I have just seen the prices for our Official home and away shirts for this season, unbelievable. I know it's all been said before but modern football has just become ridiculous. As our own Andy Burnham takes up the reins this week promising to deal with the crisis in family finances we and all other Clubs seem to operate in a different World.
My apologies again, but especially this week when England's best players and their over paid Manager were once again out played and out thought. So should I need ( I don't ) an over priced England shirt I will be able to buy it now at less than half price. I think I am a normal bloke but £30 is about right for a shirt for me, and if the Club started selling those we would raise enough cash to buy that illusive right back.
I suppose I am just wittering but honestly £115 for a football shirt ??.
18/07/2026 03:32:43
Lee#23
Yes he did put in honest effort every time he player, which contrasted with other players that where winging it.I always thought he was not treated well at Everton, having mental health problems, which where not identified early enough. He then came back but was dumped at the end of his loan period and the other players where kept on.I have tried to follow his career since he left.He seems to have try to keep going as he did when he played at Everton
David#30
That is the way it will be at Everton .The Commercial end will be making up for the non performing ,for years, Commercial end, with big job titles and Chief Executives running about with blue balloons as if they are doing something ,talking about Everton in the Community , which they had long left behind.
Shirts and Ticket prices are the easy option ,while developing the football side is hardwork and you need to know what you are doing to get increased income.Which is the real potential growth area at any Club.
The England set up was a similar template.You described their performance correctly.
18/07/2026 18:55:43
David # 30, I too find it pretty distasteful to see football shirts on sale for £115. Prices for pretty much everything have gone up markedly in the past 5 years - but even so. There's nothing particularly "nice" about football now unless you drop down the divisions. It is just a money making machine. As we transition back into a big club after many, many lean years it is only going to get worse.
19/07/2026 06:33:35
Robert, that's about 140 euros. Thats about a third of the cost of my day to day wardrobe.
Many jobs ago, I used to go to old Trafford once a season with work mates. It was pre mortgage and children and we had the disposable income. We would still gather up the cash during the year though and book through a travel company. It was a full weekend, Friday to Sunday and was affordable as we had saved up all year for a package. The seats were alway fairly decent too.
The last time I went, it was maybe ten years ago. Three of us went and booked a different way. The matcg ticket was nearly £100, and I was sitting on my own up in the clouds. I couldn't see a thing on the pitch. I ended up watching most of the second half on a TV in the concourse with a pint.
My point is, I would assume that decent seats will cost an arm and a leg, and that's before merchandise, travel, food and a drink of any description. When you're worrying about the cost, then a lot of the fun goes out of something that you should and could be able to do every weekend.
I think lower league football is far more affordable for most people. Affordable means being able to go to a game most weekends, to do something with you kids, your friends etc. It may also means enjoying your football.
19/07/2026 09:17:04
Well Djed Spence certainly had an excellent game at LB last night. He is obviously extremely fast and was not overawed by the occasion, getting stuck into France's superstar attackers - and taking the game to them by getting high up the pitch and forcing them to defend.
It's an interesting situation for a guy who has had a strange career until now, never really settling anywhere - and now, just when he's hit form in his mid-twenties - finds himself 2nd choice RB for Spurs behind (the also excellent) Pedro Porro.
I think the implications are (a) Spence and his agents will probably now expect a salary rise from here (i.e. to get past £100k pw), (b) Spurs may think twice about selling him - as he looks as comfortable at LB as he does at RB and (c) if he does go, I think he's probably now moved into the £45m to £55m price bracket (unless Spurs are desperate to sell).
Taken together, I suspect this all combines to mean he is not going to be our new RB.
I wouldn't be too downhearted though - since Norton-Cuffey offers a similar blend of aggression, pace and dynamism up and down the right flank. And aggression, pace and dynamism on the flanks is something we have been missing for many, many years.
19/07/2026 19:11:55
Pretty extraordinary game last night England V France.
20/07/2026 16:02:02
What about George Finney for RB who had a run out at RB against Dundee. He currently plays for the U21s and is an Academy graduate. How did he do against Dundee? Even taking into account Moyes aversion to youth Finney is a RB who has experienced a spell on loan at Ayr last season, I understand, and is generally thought to be a capable 'modern' full back.
I'm thinking that if we decide or can't buy our next RB that Finney might be the answer. I don't know anything much about him though so would welcome views from those who do know more.
20/07/2026 20:33:32
George, we will definitely buy a RB.
As for George Finney - good luck to the lad but this is the Premier League.
England youth scouts identify the best - the ones who stand a chance (and many of them don’t end up making it, the standard is so high).
Finney at 19 has no England youth recognition at any level.
At 19 he’s had 12 games in the Scottish 2nd division. I’ve never seen him
Play but you’d need to look like Cafu at that level to have a chance.
21/07/2026 09:57:07
‘We will definitely buy a RB’ based upon what evidence? Or do you mean sometime before 2050 rather than this transfer window?
Anyway, we should pull out all the stops for Spence. I watched a lot of him when on loan at Forest and he was an absolute live wire. Spurs was completely the wrong move for him.
Come on Everton splash the cash on DJ Ed Spence!
21/07/2026 11:14:38
Peter, we’ll buy a RB this window.
We just will.
Evidence is circumstantial of course because none of us really know what is going on at the club - but the credible rumour mills seem to show very strong interest in Spence, Norton-Cuffey and Lewis.
The hold up is presumably Spence’s unexpectedly good performances at the World Cup and the impact on wages and transfer fee.
But it does look like it will be one of these three.
If I am wrong and we get no new RB I will be (a) v pissed off and (b) give £50 to a charity of your choice.
21/07/2026 13:03:20
They will be trying now and last season to buy a right back but they have to be Prem. good enough. They wont buy one just for the sake of it, it's obviously proving difficult.
Moyes doesn't seem to rate Patterson at least up to now that is, maybe I'm a bad judge but he has played ok in what few chances he has had, all will be revealed in 6 weeks or so.
21/07/2026 13:57:41
I’m hoping that the new RB (like any new player) is considered Champions League good enough - or at least Champions League potential.
Otherwise I can’t see how we ever get in the Champions League.
21/07/2026 19:26:36
Abdul Fatawu has joined Ipswich for £20m.
It’ll be interesting to see how he does - because he looked like he would be a good signing for us (and the price is very low).
Oh well plenty more fish in the sea.
Aside from our RB issues, I think there’s still a good chance we’ll end the window with Delap, Grealish and Harwood-Bellis.
21/07/2026 23:51:04
Regarding the right-back situation, rumours circulating today on the Blue Boyz Network site on YouTube that Patterson could possibly be moving to Eintracht Frankfurt.Apparently some interest also being shown by clubs in Italy and Spain.Anyone on here heard anything??…If this actually did happen soon, then it may be an indication that we may be close to finally bringing someone in.Although I do think that we’d still have been looking to sign a right-back even if Patterson stayed.
I had high hopes for Patterson when he arrived.But for various reasons, it just hasn’t happened for him here.As the guy on Blue Boyz Network pointed out though, what probably hasn’t helped him is not having the chance to form a partnership as such with a player operating regularly in front of him in the wide right position.A Gary Stevens/Trevor Steven scenario hasn’t had a chance to develop.That’s something I hadn’t really considered, I must admit.But on the downside, the fact that our last three managers have all seemed very reluctant to play him unless they’ve absolutely had to, even when he’s been fit, is rather concerning.
22/07/2026 09:53:48
David, it’s hard to draw any conclusion other than Patterson isn’t very good.
The RS aren’t holding out hope for Calvin Ramsey - another Scottish RB bought around the same sort of time.
Man Utd didn’t blame themselves or their managers because Brandon Williams didn’t make the grade after a promising start.
The list could go on and on…
Poverty has made us desperate for every single player to succeed - but we’re no longer poor so do what all other Premier League clubs would do and move on.
22/07/2026 10:28:36
I agree Robert, I think it really is one of those situations where it’s best for all parties if Patterson moves on and attempts to progress his career somewhere else.He’s only 24/25 so he’s still got time on his side to make himself a decent career elsewhere, albeit at a lower level.As I said, the fact that Lampard, Dyche, and now Moyes were all very clearly reluctant to play him if other options were available definitely suggests he wasn’t up to the task of playing regular Premier League football.One manager not fancying a player can obviously happen depending upon circumstances, but when THREE managers are not willing to start you unless absolutely necessary, then what does that say??
I’m talking here though as if Patterson has already left!! But that does lead me to another point and question…what do people think we should be looking for in terms of a fee for him? Personally, I reckon anything between 5 and 10 million would be excellent, but would potential buyers be willing to go as high as 10 million for a player who’s barely played over the last couple of seasons? Very possibly not.
22/07/2026 12:31:43
Robert 39. Let’s hope so!
If not I would like to nominate the Adam Aznou Benevolent Fund for your kind donation!
22/07/2026 17:02:47
According to a Spanish outlet (Fichajes) Pape Gueye has now agreed personal terms with Everton so the delayed medical can be arranged I guess. Gueye seems to have been away following the World Cup which is maybe a reason why things slowed down.
The Clubs can now do whatever they need to do to finalise the deal subject to the medical thank goodness. I will still believe it when I see him with a pen in his hand!
Patterson's move to Germany seems to me to have stalled. Maybe they are having second thoughts which might well spoil our signing a RB. Who knows. I certainly don't.
22/07/2026 20:10:10
Imperative we sign a right back asap
That will free two players to play in their natural positions.
23/07/2026 07:12:42
I thought Patterson looked ok when he played.He looked more a right back than those that where make shift at times.Injuties didn't help:
Missed the start of the 2025/26 season with a muscle injury
· Suffered a groin injury in October 2025, keeping him out until December
· Had a minor hernia operation later that month
· By February 2026, he'd made just 8 appearances all season and had still not played 90 minutes
and the Managers deposited the need for a right back in Aug 2025.The use inverted wingers as defenders making the position a more a out and out Full back position, meaning inevitable errors come more into the equation.
A right back from Everton is not a good shop window look.
23/07/2026 07:34:35
Not deposited, depriorotised
23/07/2026 08:57:28
David # 45, it’s very difficult to attach a value to Patterson. He is not a young prospect. He’s 24 but barely had a run of games under any manager for any team - Rangers, Everton or Scotland.
For us, he’s basically failed to persuade any of 3 or 4 managers he is the answer to a glaring RB issue.
And now he has just one year left on his contract.
I’d have thought buying clubs might pay a loan fee and his wages - and then take him on a free next summer.
I’d be surprised if anyone paid a fee as high as £10m.
You could get a top performing RB from a lower cost league for that. And on lower wages too.
23/07/2026 09:59:10
Kieran Fitzgerald, why the xxxx would an Evertonian 'go to old Trafford once a season with work mates'?
23/07/2026 10:05:56
Robert Tressell - Aside from our RB issues, I think there’s still a good chance we’ll end the window with Delap, Grealish and Harwood-Bellis.
Wooooohhhhhhpeeeee.
Dear God, this will parachute us all to the hemispheres of unmitigated excitement.
No worries, Delap, Grealish and Harwood-Bellis are incoming.
Fasten your seatbelts for the ride.
I, for what it's worth, would not take any one of them, H-B perhaps grudgingly.
23/07/2026 11:14:56
That’s a fair enough perspective Paul. Sadly it is unlikely we will buy a player this summer who is a genuine Champions League standard talent right now. As with the likes of Anderson and Rogers such players cost more than £100m if sourced from the Premier League.
I suppose as the likes of Kroupi and Rayan show, big talents can still be sourced from low cost markets if you’re willing to speculate.
But this summer I expect the aim is steady improvement on a small patchy squad - rather than attempt anything spectacular with a small kitty.
I’m not sure that excites anyone really but at least it makes us more competitive and positions us for a better future.
23/07/2026 14:38:14
Paul @ 52. It was a weekend away on the beer, the football was secondary at best. I qas single, had a couple of quid and got on well with the lads. Not ideal as an Evertonian but it's the best answer I can give.
23/07/2026 15:53:59
As I mentioned at #20 above both Gueye and Norton-Cuffey are reported to be heading to Finch Farm for their medicals this weekend. A bit later than envisaged initially.
That is the info I've got anyway. Additionally Patterson has been in Frankfurt and passed his medical so that one seems as though it is done, all bar the shouting that is. Fee £9.2m plus £1.8m extras I am told. If accurate good business I think!
Expect the announcements on Sunday/Monday re the above movements if all goes as well as expected. Fingers crossed.
23/07/2026 17:15:39
Just a thought re the prospect of signing Delap. I have seen him a number of times and sadly never been impressed. I realise it's not easy to play centre forward and over the years we have had many who have tried and failed. But I wonder if Barry with a seasons experience behind him and sharing duties with Beto might work better ?
23/07/2026 18:20:18
Twelve months ago we signed the truly dreadful Barry, failed to retain DCL who subsequently enjoyed a successful season at Leeds and tried to sign Delap who thankfully decided upon Chelsea where he flopped.
I wonder why we should have any confidence that our recruitment team can find a decent striker since Lukaku arrived a mere 14 years ago.
23/07/2026 19:15:39
RE MY POST 56 ABOVE
I would like to say I am extremely sorry for the information that was posted in #56 as I was led up the garden path with that information. None of it is correct although we are reportedly active in all of those cases, but none of them have been concluded at this time. Maybe I believed it as it fell in with what I had been hoping for. Maybe it will still happen. But next time I'll wait for the photo on the Everton website before commenting.
23/07/2026 20:22:09
I wouldn't worry Peter # 59, some of these deals may yet happen. The market tends to be slow until about mid-August.
As for Delap, David # 57, I think he'd become quite a popular signing for us if it happened. He lacks polish and may struggle (initially) to get beyond about 12 goals. But he has a lot of attribute I think fans would like (aggression, workrate, determination etc) - and there's no reason why he can't (with decent supply) become the sort of player routinely getting about 15 or so goals with the odd 20(ish) goal season.
Obviously that is not amazing, but Arsenal won the title last season with a player fitting a similar description as their striker (Gyokeres).
23/07/2026 20:36:39
Increasingly uncomfortable may be the reality for so many of us watching the clock and waiting for the influx of quality in much obvious areas of concern. Distinctly average players are being traded for £20m-£30m by distinctly average PL clubs, whilst the top half of the table are paying circa £100m+ for what they want.
Frankly it's absurd, painful even disgusting, but that's the Premier League. If you want to compete you need deep pockets or an ability to find hidden gems in the nutty slack.
Deep pockets and ambition are only part of the recipe, for its increasingly clear that the much used term "stability" can in reality be seen for what it starkly means. Stagnation and decline.
I'm not saying we are looking at a relegation fight, but the gap grows huge between teams vying for Europe. Clearly Europe is not on the agenda in the season ahead. We don't have the squad quality or depth to make, it let alone compete in it if we did. Frighteningly the transfer values have escalated to a point where wholesale rebuilds cost outstrip most clubs ability to fund and this is undoubtedly where we find ourselves and exactly why David Moyes is still in charge. Shoestring. Not the detective, but the allegedly canny and pragmatic one. His transfer record does not inspire me to believe he has the last say, or if it does it seriously questions his judgement.
If we have the money why aren't we securing what clearly is needed in certain team positions! The questions have to be asked, who is making the calls, how much is enough to compete in Europe, just what is the 3 year plan of the owners for the club and does it include any actual first team ambitions or objectives?
So just what is the intent, the ambition and the gameplan to make it happen? "In Moyes we trust" is not and never will be a realistic or viable plan but if it was just what would are we left with if Scotland actually did turn his head?
I think the season ahead will be no different from the last, the maximization of profits and commercialisation of assets key to our footballing future. TFG are commercially brilliant in its focus but it's frighteningly out of its depth in understanding what makes us tick.
We are not on a fast track to football success, Tortoise and Hares. The gap gets wider every transfer window. In the world of football at the highest levels, stability is decline. Recovery needs money, ambition and skill in abundance. It also needs people at the top of their game at every background level, from data analytics to recruitment and manager, driving excellence, driving ambition. Give them the tools and money, state the objectives as a FOOTBALL club. Remember the key to success is the marriage of commercial success on and off the field.
23/07/2026 21:18:53
Christine, I get the fed-up ness - but there is a very realistic chance of making Europe next season. We were only 2 wins off that last season - and we've already signed 3 players. Any English team that makes Europe then instantly becomes well placed to win the competition too.
The market always slows down at this point - when selling clubs, agents and players bide their time to see whether bigger and better offers come in. As we get deeper into August selling clubs start to lose their nerve and the deals get done.
It's not just us. It's everyone.
And as for the £100m (+) deals, let's see which ones (if any) look like money well spent by the end of next season. Typically at least one of the Rich 6 (or is it 8 now?) manages to mess things up despite spending big.
Given our limited resources, I think it makes sense to hunt out quality and value in the £15m to £25m bracket as we have been doing. We can build up a very good squad that way.
23/07/2026 21:27:18
I keep expecting to see/read/hear that Iliman N’Diaye, has been sold but now the latest rumour is James Garner.
Pickford in goal, if Branthwaite stays fit, there’s another top player, plus the two I’ve just mentioned above.
It’s clear that we need to be signing a few more good players to complement the ones we have already got, but it’s concerning because a part of me thinks we will probably lose one of our better players to help bring in a few more players.
24/07/2026 05:07:50
Cheers Kieran, would doubtless have done the same myself
24/07/2026 05:18:05
Robert 54 - I suppose as the likes of Kroupi and Rayan show, big talents can still be sourced from low cost markets if you’re willing to speculate.
I had dearly hoped that we would be shopping in the levels/markets Robert where Kroupi and Rayan were spotted and picked up. It's all well and good taking a head recruiter from Man City but, as you say, he has previously been shopping in another hemisphere to us. Might have been better to have poached the Bournemouth bloke who would understand us and our needs and our possibilities much better, possibly.
Pushing it RT, three buys so far. At best one-and-a-half, as Merlin was nailed on obligatory and George was with us on loan.
24/07/2026 07:39:24
Anthony 63.
I read this morning Villa are interested in Garner.
Are Hackney and Papa Gueye his replacements?
The money we would get for Garner would cover both signings and still leave a profit for the owners.
24/07/2026 08:32:23
I'd be surprised if we do sell Garner - especially to Villa. They have already spent €100m on Joao Gomes to replace Tielemans and Manzambi to replace Rogers. They also have Onana, Kamara, Bogarde and McGinn.
Plus if Garner was really thinking about leaving then it was a strange move to sign a contract extension in January - when he could otherwise have been a very attractive free transfer for the Champions League contender clubs this summer.
I think the signing of Hackney and, if we do buy him, Gueye - just allows us to sell Iroegbunam and Alcaraz (neither of whom really contributed anything last season) - and possibly allows Armstrong to go on loan. That would leave us with 5 or 6 good players to compete for 3 central midfield spots.
24/07/2026 16:04:05
Garner couldn’t have went on a free transfer Robert, because Everton, had the option of another year mate.
Signing the new contract covered both the club and also the player, but hopefully he doesn’t leave because he has become a key player for us now.
24/07/2026 19:51:20
Yes, Tony - that means without signing a new contract he could have (a) left for free June 2027, or (b) probably left on a low cost deal (£30? ish) this summer. Both options would have given him a route to a bigger wage with a more "Champions League ready" club.
But the fact he re-signed is good isn't it? It seems to make it much more likely he will stay.
I am struggling a bit with the negativity on here.
Maybe people seem to have been working on the basis that a takeover and new stadium would deliver instant wealth and the ability to compete at the top again. Unfortunately that was never anywhere near likely.
But it doesn't stop us having a much better season 2026/27 (hopefully getting into Europe) - and it doesn't stop us over the next 3 to 5 years building up a Champions League quality squad.
24/07/2026 21:43:27
Fair enough Robert, but it still wouldn’t surprise me if he left. Hopefully not because I think we have got the nucleus of a good squad, especially if we can get in the right additions over the next few weeks.
I’m not holding my breath, probably because I’m not wasting that much oxygen on Everton, at this moment in time, and although a part of me understands your optimism or logic Robert, I just feel that the way we are currently operating is pretty deflating, akin to watching Michael Oliver, taking the sting out of the crowd, with some of his very contentious decisions.
A new ground should have brought a lot more optimism than I’m feeling, so hopefully your own enthusiasm is warranted🤞
25/07/2026 14:05:59
Robert, I take issue with your reference to negativity, in my eyes, looking at the situation I read the current situation thus, I might add it's not as a fan I write this perspective but as one who has, for many years, operated across many businesses with very wealthy owners at an executive level.
I read it thus..
1. TFG have commercially restructured the business of Everton Football club to maximize revenue, restructure finances and provide improvement in profitability in the next 3-5 years. Contrary to popular thought, they have no intention of selling the club at any point.
2. Local executives in the form of CEO are tasked with driving expansion and of course ensuring the club is sufficiently well run at the football end to ensure minimization of risk of relegation whilst gradual growth and progression is made to a stable footing.
3. The above point requires a manager who can achieve this without significant expenditure. David Moyes fits that bill having operated with financial rigor at this club before. He is motivated to do so and capable for the clubs needs at this time.
4. It would be expected that financial limitations and strict budgets will be adhered to, especially in transfers and the new squad ratio cost system. This will increase profitability by lowering expenditure to a level to ensure an increase in the value of the club and payment of a healthy dividend as it can.
5. TFG will not involve themselves in any way with the daily running of the club, it's communications with fans or media. To all intents and purposes it is not emotionally attached to the team or its fanbase, it is a business they own.
I could go on but you get the drift. It's not being negative at all, they are very successful in running business and I have no doubt the will continue to be so with Everton. After seeing the polar opposite in Moshiri, it's almost perverse to see.
TFG have as yet not even been to the new stadium. They are not fans of football but see sports as a mass entertainment business venture
A bit clinical but not negative but it depends on your expectations.
Mine were probably a lot of the above with a driving ambition to win. In truth that's what's so disappointing, the desire to excel on the pitch. If it was there we may have seen a more progressive manager or quality players, or at the very least a statement of ambition. Despite our significant commercial improvement we appear lacking at the true business end, the pitch.
For those saying give it time.. I point at those clubs ahead of us now in the Champions league or picking up silverware home and abroad, to a manager who thinks we may not be ready to compete with those who are not even regarded as our peers now..
So Robert, I want to see hope, commitment not "happily dissatisfied " whatever that translates to.. a manager and owner who aspire to better things. In one word. Give me Hope.
25/07/2026 15:16:59
Garner has had an operation today
25/07/2026 15:33:00
Christine,
I understand all of that, and yes I appreciate you have a commercial background (as do quite a few posters, I believe).
On your various points:
Points 1 and 4 are essentially around revenue and finances. Very sensible. The Deloitte Football money league 2026 shows our revenue is £234.0 - which is behind the Rich 6 and also Villa (£450m), Newcastle (£398m), West Ham (£276m) and Brighton (£238m). It is also shows we're more or less neck and neck with Palace (£232m) and just a touch ahead of Bournemouth (£218m) - with Wolves and Brentford close too (both £206m). So whilst the stadium gives us the look of a big club - financially we're not a big club. We're absolutely miles behind 8 clubs in terms of spending power in the transfer market - and have no bigger spending power than traditionally small clubs (and we've only recently caught up with them). It's therefore vital that we increase our commercial revenue to be able to a proper big club, rather than a pretend one. It will come but it will take time.
Point 2 - you might be right about the main aim being to avoid relegation but there's no evidence for this. It could equally be the case that TFG are aiming to build the squad with a view to Champions League qualification in 3 to 5 years. Neither of us know. But the latter would be logical if you're trying to optimise your investment. Your conclusion would be very illogical from a commercial point of view.
Point 3 - I think this gets to the heart of it. For so long as Moyes is in charge, a section of the fans can only assume the owners have no ambition. But that's more hatred of Moyes and everything Everton have become in the Premier League era than anything else. If TFG had extended Moyes' contract I'd be uncomfortable. But they haven't. He's only here for one more season - and in the next 12 months the overwhelming reason we won't be competitive at the top of the table is not Moyes, it's money. In fact for the next immediate stage of our development (i.e. getting into Europe) Moyes is a pretty good bet (okay, not so much the cups but definitely Europe).
Point 5 - I know a lot of fans are cross about the radio silence from TFG and they could certainly be more engaged. However, we've seen many owners over the years (not just Everton) with big talk and much of the time (as it was with Moshiri) it's a load of bollocks. More about vanity of the owner than about anything to do with real sustainable ambition. Fans lap it up of course - because it's what they want to hear - but it's often just an illusion (like the signing of broken / over the hill stars etc).
You're right that TFG aren't fans. That doesn't bother me. That's kind of how it works these days.
What interests me is that, as you say, TFG are a sports entertainment brand. And if I was in that line of work and had just bought Everton I would (a) as above, focus on increasing the global revenue and (b) seek out quality and value at low cost for a seasons in order to steadily improve the squad quality until (within 3 to 5 years) we're genuine Champions League contenders - and not plucky underdogs.
Early days of course, but this is precisely what TFG seem to be doing. There's certainly no evidence that they're not doing it.
As for clubs competing for the Champions League and picking up silverware, you'll note the extremely strong correlation between club wealth and success. Lots of fans seem to like to kid themselves that we're just waiting for a decent, brave manager - but that is a fairytale. What we are really waiting for is financial clout in the transfer market and a Champions League quality squad.
25/07/2026 18:12:49
Priority number one. Keep a clean sheet today.
Mission accomplished.
25/07/2026 21:52:35
I’m still waiting for the squad to be improved, and I’m definitely still waiting for a fairytale.
Glasner, would have done me, simply because I can’t ever recall a manager selling his best three players and then going on to deliver silverware, to a club that had never previously won a top honour, so maybe fairytales do exist if people believe in them strongly enough?
Moyes is Moyes, he offers stability, but he constantly downplays everything and this is not something that I had ever associated with Everton Football Club, or our fans, until a lot of them actually took pride in us allegedly punching above our weight, before we became plucky little Everton.
25/07/2026 22:09:16
More of the same by the looks Tony, not today of course, we can't glean much from the early pre season, just as we can't get excited over the 4-0 win last week.
Just in general, a miserable mood forming around the start of the season.
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12/07/2026 20:31:48
Ben White isn’t a natural RB so it’s a no from me and his injury record isn’t up to scratch so he’s probably the most likely one we’ll sign!
I’d take Djed Spence in a heartbeat, I think positionally he gets caught out sometimes but he’s got bundles of pace and gets stuck in and still has potential to get better, can’t see it happening personally especially after his performance against Norway which will probably have Spurs changing their minds about a possible sale.
Doué? I know absolutely nothing about him I hear Strasbourg want somewhere in the region of 35 mil or more so I can’t see us going for him at that price.
Wan Bissaka? Not a fan, just a standard RB who offers nothing going forward, decent defensively, bit like having an African Mykolenko on the right side. Apparently the Hammers want 15-20 mil? You must be joking I’d rather have Walker Peters even now at a cut price.
Keep your ear to the ground Everton!