Everton’s recruitment last summer under Sean Dyche was actually really productive, as many of their new signings have become first-team regulars.
Iliman Ndiaye has become a fan favourite at Everton after a nine-goal season for the Toffees, with plenty of trickery and creativity on show, too.
Jake O’Brien has really impressed since David Moyes’ return, despite being played out of his favoured position.
Orel Mangala also enjoyed a successful loan spell before his season was cut short due to serious knee ligament damage.
However, there is one negative to come out of the window, as Everton failed to get a deal done for a player who’s now been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award.
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Long-term Everton target Scott McTominay nominated for Ballon d’Or
Everton were in talks to sign Scott McTominay from Manchester United last summer, with Sean Dyche a big admirer of the Scotland international.
However, the Toffees reportedly couldn’t afford to meet his £25m asking price, so he ended up joining Serie A giants Napoli, instead.
McTominay has since established himself as one of the best players in Italy, registering a whopping 19 goal involvements from midfield.
| Appearances | 39 |
| Goals | 13 |
| Assists | 6 |
The 28-year-old won Serie A’s Most Valuable Player award, as he helped Napoli to their second title in two years.
Now, according to Sam C, McTominay has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award, so it very much feels like a what-could-have-been transfer for Everton.
Everton set to have their very own Scott McTominay in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Whilst Everton will quite rightly rue the missed opportunity to sign McTominay, they will hope Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall can fill that void.
The Toffees are on the verge of signing Dewsbury-Hall in a deal worth in excess of £25m, so Moyes is finally getting his wish of a goal-scoring midfielder.
Moyes wanted a Marouane Fellaini-type signing in January, and whilst Dewsbury-Hall is evidently a different profile to the former Toffees star, he is a threat in the final third.
During the 2023/24 season, the left-footed playmaker netted 12 goals whilst laying on 15 assists to help Leicester City win promotion back to the Premier League.
Dewsbury-Hall also managed a respectable nine goal involvements for Chelsea last term, despite playing limited minutes.
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