Everton cannot afford to lose elite quality without prudent reinvestment, especially given their status as one of the Premier League’s smaller squads.
In the 2025-26 season, David Moyes utilized only 22 players, the fewest of any team in the league, while his 128 substitutions were also the lowest among managers.
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The club continues to concentrate a large portion of its recruitment efforts on developing young talent.
Central midfielder Hayden Hackney, 24, was acquired from Middlesbrough for £16.5 million in July, alongside 20-year-old winger Tyrique George, who joined from Chelsea for £18 million after spending the latter half of last season on loan at Everton.
Veteran Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is one of the latest players linked to addressing the right-back position, while 32-year-old Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard is reportedly set to join the team soon.
The average age of players signed during Moyes’ second tenure is under 24, which includes three players aged 20 or younger.
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However, players aged 21 or under contributed 1,088 minutes last season, placing Everton 17th in the Premier League in that regard.
The departures of Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye leave Everton with a combined total of over 600 Premier League appearances missing from the squad, which explains the interest in Norgaard. Additionally, key midfielder James Garner is expected to miss the beginning of the season due to groin surgery.
This situation puts Moyes in a challenging position where he may have to rely on younger players he seems hesitant to trust.
“They need to demonstrate their capability and earn their place,” said Osman.
“I’m optimistic that after a year and a better understanding of the demands required, players like Dibling and George will make progress, which will enhance the overall trustworthiness of our squad.”