Everton are entering a crucial phase this summer, not only in terms of recruitment but also in restructuring their squad contracts under manager David Moyes. We spoke to Will Rooney of LiverpoolWorld to gain insight into Everton’s contract negotiations, transfer priorities, and how the club is adapting its long-term vision under new leadership.
00:00Everton are entering a crucial phase this summer, not only in terms of recruitment but also restructuring their squad contracts under manager David Moyes.
00:12After a challenging campaign marked by rebuilding and transition, the club is focused on securing its core players while laying foundations for sustained progress.
00:23The Toffees face the complex task of balancing contract renewals, fresh signings and managing departures.
00:30An essential reshuffle as they aim to strengthen the squad and improve consistency in the Premier League.
00:36With the owners backing investment, Everton's ambition is clear to stabilise and build a competitive team that can rise up the table.
00:44We caught up with Will Rooney of Liverpool World to gain insight into Everton's contract negotiations, transfer priorities and how the club is adapting its long-term vision under new leadership.
00:55The aim is to build a squad that not only avoids past pitfalls but also pushes towards sustained progress in the Premier League.
01:04Yeah, I mean in terms of negativity, obviously that first half of the season, the way they started the season and then some of the injury problems they faced as well.
01:13And maybe the back end of Sean Dyja's tenure, he obviously did a fantastic job of keeping Everton up.
01:18But it didn't end the way that he probably would have imagined as well.
01:22So just a touch on a little, you know, negativities, disappointments, you know, and you touch on the home form there.
01:27It's certainly something they need to ensure that they put that good atmosphere into the new stadium straight away.
01:33Yeah, I mean, the first half of the season was tough, wasn't it?
01:36They didn't win the first five games, got beaten the open four, sort of picked up a little bit.
01:44But got a few draws around Christmas time, but it was on the slide.
01:50They looked like there was a malaise in the club, to be honest, around the players.
01:55You say there was a few difficult injuries that the tight was dealt.
02:00Like Dwight McNeil and James Garner picked up issues.
02:06Jared Branfway missed the start of the season because of his groin problem.
02:11He has James Tarkowski never looked quite fit.
02:14He was nursing an issue, but it was a difficult first half of the season.
02:19To be honest, I don't think Everton would have got relegated if Sean Dyke stays.
02:25I think the three teams below them were worse than Everton.
02:29I think they would have stayed up, to be quite frank.
02:31But it just needs a refresh, to be honest.
02:34Even thinking back to the cup competitions, going over to Southampton,
02:39a hole in the Carabao Cup, and then losing to Southampton away as well.
02:45Well, poor lacklustre.
02:51So, luckily, you know, supports are going to remember this season for David Moyes
02:57coming back and the way it's ended.
03:00And we'll touch on Sean Dyke.
03:02He deserves a lot of credit for keeping Everton up in his first season,
03:05taking over from Frank Lampard.
03:07Last season, 23-24, the points deductions.
03:14Everton would have finished 12th, I think, without the points deductions.
03:20That must have been difficult to manage internally as well.
03:23And David Moyes has said a few times that Sean Dyke left a lot of good things behind.
03:28He just needed a little bit of a refresh.
03:30Refresh someone coming in, maybe giving the players a little bit more freeing,
03:35not being as rigid.
03:38But, yeah, that's it.
03:40People come back in the season, it'll be the second half, people are remembering.
03:44And then just looking ahead, some of the rumours, the latest for Everton.
03:49Obviously, they were in the race for Liam Dillat,
03:51but it looks like his destination will probably be Chelsea,
03:54due to that release clause.
03:56But, I mean, to just be involved with a player like that,
03:59who could very much go to the top after a fantastic debut season,
04:02considering the Ipswich Town side he was in,
04:05that shows a lot of strength that Everton do have.
04:09They've got the new era, they've got the new stadium,
04:11they've got a manager who likes exciting talent
04:15and wants to get the best out of them.
04:17So there could be some positives from this summer window.
04:20Yeah, and, I mean, look, Liam Dillat has gone and spoken to Everton
04:25and that's credit for Everton for being in the race.
04:29When you're up against, you know, Chelsea, who are in Champions League,
04:31Newcastle, who are in the Champions League,
04:33they'll know that Everton are a club who are very much in the mark of players.
04:38There needs to be continuity as well, as David Moyes has said,
04:41and it's just a Garnaghy and Charlie Alcaraz keeping them, we'll help that.
