A new era is set to begin this season for Everton. Led by club legend David Moyes, now well into his second spell in charge at the club, they will move into the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season, after giving Goodison Park its farewell at the end of last term.
Indeed, the Toffees will go into the 2025/26 campaign in excellent form under the Scot. Since taking over on the 11th January this year, he has managed 20 games, winning eight, losing just five and drawing the rest. The final three games of the season saw Everton pick up a maximum of nine points.
Moyes’ side will have to wait before they can take to the pitch at their new home. Their first game is away to Leeds United, with Brighton and Hove Albion the first opponent to play at their new ground in the Premier League.
With the transfer window still very much open, Moyes will no doubt be looking to recruit players across the pitch and strengthen his squad. Carlos Alcaraz is the only addition so far this summer, with his loan move from Flamengo turning permanent for an undisclosed fee.
So, who will be joining Alcaraz in signing for the Toffees ahead of a historic season? Here is a look at what Everton’s dream squad could look like in 2025/26.
The goalkeepers A new number 2 alongside Pickford
It will come as absolutely no surprise that Everton and England’s number one, Jordan Pickford, will be going nowhere this season. The 31-year-old is very much at the top of his game and was a standout player for his side last term.
He had an impressive record, conceding just 44 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets in all 38 games in the top flight. He is a trusted lieutenant of Moyes, who managed him at Sunderland in his younger days.
However, the goalkeeper stocks at Everton are thin on the ground. Backup options Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia have already left the club. Thus, they are reportedly targeting Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, as per Sky Sports. The South Coast side wanted £10m off Stoke City for Travers back in 2024, so it is safe to assume his price tag will be similar this summer.
The Irish goalkeeper played five times for the Cherries last season, pulling off this impressive save away to Aston Villa, before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.
There, he kept four clean sheets in 17 games. He would certainly add Premier League experience and be an astute number two to Pickford.
Full list of goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Mark Travers
The defenders Depth at full-back after key contract extensions
One of the best pieces of news so far this summer for Everton is that Jarrad Branthwaite signed a new contract. He penned a five-year extension and is a key part of the project under Moyes. His commitment to the club must delight Toffees fans, given all the speculation of a move away.
He will likely be joined at centre-back by James Tarkowski. The pair formed a key partnership at the heart of the defence last term, playing 32 and 34 games respectively, according to Transfermarkt.
As for depth at centre-back, Michael Keane also signed a new contract this summer, and Jake O’Brien, who played lots at right-back too, last season. Club legend Seamus Coleman also put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at Everton for another season, and Nathan Patterson is also an option for Moyes at right-back.
They are still looking for a new full-back, with £8.5m left-back Anthony Caci of Mainz ‘a serious target’ according to TEAMTalk. He can play either side, but has most regularly played as a left-back as per Transfermarkt, making 102 career appearances as a left wing-back or full-back.
Indeed, it certainly makes sense that Everton are looking for a new addition on that side, with Ashley Young’s departure leaving Vitalii Mykolenko the only left-back at the club. Caci, for a bargain price, could strengthen in that area.
Full list of right-backs – Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson
Full list of centre-backs – RCB (James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien); LCB (Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Keane)
Full list of left-backs – Anthony Caci, Vitalii Mykolenko
The midfielders Plenty of new faces in midfield
The middle of the park is where Everton will seemingly look to add great depth to their squad. Idrissa Gueye is another player to extend his contract on the Blue half of Merseyside, and he was a standout player for his side last season.
As per FBref, he made more tackles and interceptions with 181 and more ball recoveries with 194 than any of his teammates.
Tackles and interceptions
181
5.32
1st
Blocks
48
1.41
2nd
Ball recoveries
194
5.71
1st
Progressive passes
145
4.26
1st
Passes into final third
154
4.53
1st
Moyes would surely like to add another ball-winner in the midfield, which is why Wilfried Ndidi is a key target. GiveMeSport suggest a £5m fee would be enough to get the deal done, for a midfielder with 220 Premier League appearances to his name. As football talent scout Jacek Kulig said, he is a “beast” in the centre of the park.
James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are also options for Moyes in midfield. The pair made 23 and 21 appearances respectively in 2024/25, but there is certainly a lack of experience in that area.
That is why an ambitious move for Aston Villa captain John McGinn could be on the cards. BBC Sport say they are ‘interested’ in the Scot, valued at £14m by Football Transfers.
It will be a tough deal to do, with Villans boss Unai Emery said to be ‘in no mood to part with’ McGinn, but he would certainly add to all areas of the pitch. Last season, he scored four times, including a stunner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, and grabbed six assists.
As we now know, the Toffees have signed Alcaraz permanently, and he surely becomes the first-choice number 10 under Moyes. He contributed to five goals last season.
However, keep an eye on young Harrison Armstrong, who ‘appears in a position to press his first-team claims’, according to The Guardian.
Full list of central midfielders – Idrissa Gueye, Wilfred Ndidi, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, John McGinn
Full list of number tens – Carlos Alcaraz, Harrison Armstrong
The attackers Moyes' DCL replacement and two new RWs
One part of the forward line that seems sorted for the Toffees is the left wing. Their standout attacking player from last season, Iliman Ndiaye, will be vital again in 2025/26.
He scored 11 goals last term. The other player at Moyes’ disposal on the left is Dwight McNeil, who bagged five goals and assisted an impressive eight during the 2024/25 season.
On the other flank, the Toffees might look to make two new additions. The i Paper has linked two players who can slot in on the right, namely James McAtee of Manchester City for £25m, and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, who would cost upwards of £30m.
England under-21 international McAtee bagged seven goals in 27 games last term for the Citizens, as well as putting on a show in the Under-21 European Championship, which England won. He even grabbed an assist in the final. He can also play as a number 10.
As for Kubo, the 24-year-old played 52 times for Sociedad last term. He managed to score seven goals and grab four assists, playing mainly as a right-winger but also slotting in on the left at times, too.
Leading the line for Everton next season will be another new face, Thierno Barry of Villarreal. The Toffees have completed a £27m move for the 22-year-old French striker. Described as “menacing in the box” by football scout Antonio Mango, he bagged 19 goals in 41 games for the Yellow Submarine last term.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin now departed, that leaves Moyes with Beto, a man who bagged ten times across all competitions last season, and youngster Chermiti, who only played four games, as his options to compete with Barry.
Full list of right-wingers – Takefusa Kubo, James McAtee
Full list of strikers – Thierno Barry, Beto, Chermiti
Full list of left-wingers – Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil
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