Everton have already been given major boost ahead of Premier League opener, Leeds United won’t be happy

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The 2025/26 Premier League season is just weeks away, and Everton have a lot left to do in the transfer market to be ready.

Everton are exploring deals to sign Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Tom Fellows and even Jack Grealish.

So there are a lot of moving parts going on behind the scenes, with David Moyes not rushing and keen to get his business spot on.

Thierno Barry and Carlos Alcaraz are already through the door and there is hope that Tomas Soucek will be Moyes’ next signing.

At the moment, Everton’s starting line-up for the opening clash against Leeds United will be very similar to last season’s, which isn’t ideal.

However, they’ve already been given a boost as Leeds won’t be able to play their marquee signing.

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Everton boost as Leeds United signing suspended

Everton’s first game of the new 2025/26 Premier League season will take place at Elland Road, as they take on newly-promoted Leeds United.

It will be the first time fans are able to see their new statement signing Thierno Barry, who has joined in a £27m deal from Villarreal.

However, Leeds’ most expensive arrival of the summer, Jaka Bijol, won’t be able to feature as he has a suspension that’s carried over from Serie A.

That’s a major blow for Leeds, as Bijol has been brought in to add height to the side as he’s one of Europe’s best defenders in the air.

According to FBref data, the former Udinese centre-back ranks in the top seven per cent for aerial duels won per 90 compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.

That means the 6ft 5 Barry will be able to make his Everton debut against the far less physically imposing Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.

Barry should pin himself on Pascal Struijk or Ethan Ampadu

It will either be Struijk or Ethan Ampadu partnering Rodon in the Leeds back four, so Barry should look to pin himself against one of them.

Rodon, whilst not as tall as Barry, is strong in the air, whereas Struijk and Ampadu are known for their ability on the ball, rather than defensively.

Ampadu is actually predominantly a midfielder but played as a centre-back whilst Struijk was out injured, so there is a real opportunity for the towering Everton frontman to dominate in West Yorkshire.

Moyes and his coaches will certainly look at that individual battle and perhaps plan to get plenty of crosses and set pieces into the Frenchman.

An intriguing match awaits.