My final column of 2025 can only mean an assessment of where Everton is as a club heading into the new year, and of course, a look at the January transfer window and what’s needed.
Let’s start with the easy one, this time a year ago the club sat one point above the relegation zone, once again it looked like there would be another battle against the drop. Then the Friedkin Group made the change of manager, out went Sean Dyche and in came David Moyes.
This is a quote from me at the time of Moyes’ appointment, “David Moyes is the safest choice. Changing managers in this position is high risk. To have someone who knows the club inside out and can hit the ground running is a big plus. Everton need to get safe, I think he can do that”.
Indeed, he did, and some. Friedkin’s decision was the right one, and I believe they have another big decision to make again as we head into the new year.
Thankfully, that’s nothing to do with a new manager; in fact, that situation has turned out well for all concerned as Everton prepare to face Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
As someone once said, ‘It’s a funny old game.’
A look back at Everton’s 2025
No, the big decision which lies ahead is about the January transfer window, but more of that in a moment.
The last year has been one of progression under Moyes and the new owners. The club has seen stability return both on and off the pitch.
There have been some good acquisitions to the squad, Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, on loan, Jack Grealish and the promise of the likes of Dibling, Rohl and Barry, plus the potential of Aznou yet to be determined.
And the re-signing of Branthwaite, Keane and Alcaraz, together with the emergence of James Garner have all been largely positive after several years of disappointments.
The transition from Goodison to Hill Dickinson has gone as well as could be expected, despite a few understandable glitches and transportation issues not of the club’s making.
What do you miss most about Goodison Park after months in the Hill Dickinson Stadium? 🥺
The new stadium has surpassed all expectations so far 🔥
Moyes has also brought a sense of the club doing the right things again, something I also thought he would. He expects a level of performance from his players, even when the squad is depleted, as it was at Burnley.
He also expects a level of professionalism from staff and all associated with the club, which is evident when you visit the training ground.
Everton January transfer window prediction
However, he also expects to have the tools to do what he needs to do, and that brings me back to January and the transfer window.
Despite both he and CEO Angus Kinnear playing down the likelihood of much business being done in the next month, I believe there is a need to bring players in, namely a striker, a full back or two and another midfielder.
I know that’s easier said than done, but that’s what is needed, make no mistake, and the owners must realise that the promising work that has been achieved in the last 12 months cannot be allowed to slip with a weak second half to the season.
How many signings do you want to see made in January? 💰
A striker, a midfielder and a right-back… are we missing anything here?
If you are of the mind that it can’t happen, let me quote Mick McCarthy to you: “It can”.
Everton’s first 15-man squad is good enough to challenge any team on its day, of that I am in no doubt, but as we’ve seen recently with AFCON, suspensions and injuries, that can soon change.
And yes, if everyone is available, there is an argument about taking a cautious approach to the market, but the reality is suspensions and injuries will figure in the next 4 months; that’s a certainty.
The recruitment team need to be clever, signings need to be both short and long-term purchases, they need to make an immediate impact and have value beyond this season. As I say, easier said than done, I accept that, but done it must be.
Is there a better option out there for Everton instead of Nicolas Jackson? 🤔
The Burnley game showed once again a toothless trait to the side. It also showed that without the services of the three creative players, you know who they are, there wasn’t a lot to be excited about.
Thankfully, the defence is strong, and the point could well be valuable.
Signing off on 2025 with Everton
All in all, though, when Big Ben hits midnight on the 31st, I will reflect on a year that started badly but got so much better, we welcomed back an old friend, said goodbye to another, and hello to a new home. We had a moment of delirium with Tarky’s derby equaliser and fell in love with a Blue doughnut!
What 2026 will bring, who knows? One thing is for sure, it won’t be boring, not with Everton. Whatever is ahead, I wish each and every one of us who dare to call ourselves ‘Evertonians’ the very best and maybe, just mayb,e we end that awful 30-year wait for a trophy! Happy New Year!
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