Opinion

Whether Djed Spence or Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be the better Everton signing

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Everton have identified both Djed Spence and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as options to bolster their squad at right-back.

It is a position which David Moyes is in serious need of upgrading as Everton wave goodbye to veteran Seamus Coleman this summer.

Everton are showing an interest in Spence as Tottenham Hotspur have recently secured Pedro Porro down to a long-term deal.

After watching him for England vs Croatia, I’m convinced he’d be the perfect right-back signing this summer! 🔥

Djed Spence #25 of England makes his way out to warm up before the International Friendly match between England and Costa Ric
Credit: Getty Images/Eddie Keogh – The FA

Another big opportunity is on offer for the Blues as Everton eye Wan-Bissaka from West Ham following their relegation to the Championship.

Having played Jake O’Brien as the makeshift right-back throughout the 2025/26 campaign, Everton News has delved into which of these two targets could provide the bigger impact.

Djed Spence of England gestures during the FIFA World Cup
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images

What Everton lacked from the right-back position in the 2025/26 season

O’Brien has made it clear he wants to return to centre-back having spent around 18 months playing out of position.

Naturally, the 6ft 6in defender did not provide the attacking output Everton would usually demand from their full-backs.

Using Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert as the standard required for a Premier League full-back, it is clear just how limited O’Brien was in the attacking phase of the game.

DataMB comparison of Jake O'Brien and Adrien Truffert.
Credit: DataMB

The Frenchman trumped O’Brien in just about every attacking metric there is, which goes to show how much creativity in the final third of the pitch Everton are lacking from the right-back spot.

This is why signing a new right-back has to be at the very top of Angus Kinnear’s to-do list this summer.

Whether Djed Spence or Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be a better fit for Everton

Spence has impressed at the World Cup for England, where his versatility has been on full display having played at both right and left-back under Thomas Tuchel.

There will be questions asked as to how good of a fit his character would be under Moyes given some of the issues he has had with former managers.

What would you be doing with Nathan Patterson this summer if you were Angus Kinnear? 👋

Surely the writing is on the wall now?

Nathan Patterson of Scotland during the FIFA 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Morocco at Boston Stadium on June 20, 2026, in Foxborough.
Credit: Getty Images/MAURICE VAN STEEN / ANP

However, there is a clear upgrade that would be brought to Merseyside if Spence was signed.

Although Wan-Bissaka slightly edges Spence in the attacking metrics, the pair hold very similar qualities.

Where Spence massively outperforms Wan-Bissaka is his ability to carry the ball up the pitch. Not only does Spence hold speed that Everton currently lack from their full-back positions, but he has the quality to take the ball with him.

DataMB comparison of Djed Spence and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Credit: DataMB

Spence offered more than double the number of progressive carries as Wan-Bissaka did in an equally poor side last season.

The Tottenham man may not quite offer the same numbers as Wan-Bissaka in the ‘possession won’ metric, but Rio Ferdinand hailed Spence’s defensive ability.

“He is the best one-vs-one defender in the England squad right now. No one comes close,” he said.

Something that should also be taken into consideration is Spence is three years younger than Wan-Bissaka.

Naturally, that will likely mean he would cost more to prise away from Spurs, but it could prove a smarter investment as Spence could offer long-term coverage in the Everton defence.

An interesting decision for Kinnear and the Everton recruitment team awaits, with both players offering something Moyes currently does not possess in his squad.