£9m Everton player could soon play a crucial role for David Moyes despite exit rumours

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Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam turned in a strong performance against Fulham before the international break.

Everton went into the international break off the back of a victory.

The Toffees beat Fulham 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane found the net.

Everton will now travel to take on Manchester United on Monday, with David Moyes looking to take that Fulham performance into the trip to Old Trafford.

Moyes may be tempted to go with a similar line-up, which may just include Tim Iroegbunam.

Tim Iroegbunam could be crucial during the Africa Cup of Nations

Moyes tweaked his side against Fulham as James Garner moved to right-back and Iroegbunam came into midfield.

Iroegbunam really put himself about alongside Gueye, providing energy in a rare Premier League start.

There was nothing too flashy about Iroegbunam’s display, but he complemented Gueye well in the engine room.

Everton signed Iroegbunam from Aston Villa for £9million in 2024, in a deal which saw Lewis Dobbin head the other way.

The 22-year-old has now only started nine Premier League games for Everton, and hasn’t fully convinced many Everton supporters.

Moyes is easing Merlin Rohl into action, and that means Iroegbunam may play a crucial role during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Gueye will head off to play for Senegal in December, with their first game coming against Botswana on 23 December.

That means Gueye won’t face Arsenal on 20 December, and he could miss weeks of action.

Moyes will want to go with a midfielder he can trust in place of Gueye, and Rohl just isn’t there yet, as things stand.

Iroegbunam’s involvement against Sunderland and Fulham suggests that Moyes values him highly in midfield, and that could lead to a bigger role next month.

Tim Iroegbunam exit looks unlikely in January

Iroegbunam may believe that this is his chance to build some momentum at Everton and enjoy a run in the starting XI.

Reports from Football Insider earlier this week suggested that Everton would sell Iroegbunam in January.

That just doesn’t seem likely as things stand, with Moyes involving Iroegbunam in first-team action of late.

More midfield signings in 2026 would bring Iroegbunam’s future under the microscope, but he has a role to play at Hill Dickinson Stadium as January approaches.

A departure just doesn’t seem likely, especially while Rohl settles in, and Iroegbunam will now look to prove that he deserves a long-term future at Everton.