Everton have made a solid start to the season, even after falling to defeat against Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson on Saturday afternoon, but it’s clear now that this squad are not currently at the desired level.
Let’s expand on that. Last season, Everton were sitting pretty on the edge of European contention. After thrashing Chelsea in March, it looked like they might have done it, but they flaked away at the final stretch, leading chief executive Angus Kinnear to brand the campaign a “failure“, echoing the thoughts of owners the Friedkin Group.
The ownership’s subsequent decision to transfer list the outfit after failing to back David Moyes in the transfer window has turned pointed fingers back around, toward the powers that be, with the few pennies they did part with this summer failing to provide the manager with the right kind of support.
Take, for example, the ‘shrewd’ move to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon.
Why Maitland-Niles is proving a bad signing
Maitland-Niles’ debut goal against Manchester United was a thing of beauty, a humdinger from range which salvaged a point at the Hill Dickinson and reinforced the defiance of this Everton squad after a tough summer transfer window.
However, despite the one-time Arsenal youngster’s evident ball-playing qualities, he lacks defensive nous and has been caught out on the break a number of times already this season, struggling to contain the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jorrel Hato on Saturday.
It’s hardly surprising Moyes hooked him after only 55 minutes, failing to win any of his five ground battles and proving limited in attack.
Most of the time, he offers some form of attacking support, but in this, Maitland-Niles is almost the inverse of Jake O’Brien, who deputised out on the right for the bulk of Moyes’ second term at Everton, before dropping him ahead of the current campaign.
In Maitland-Niles, Everton do at least have a player who is ready to start regularly. However, fans don’t currently have the same confidence in another summer signing.
Everton have made an even worse signing than Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles isn’t providing Everton with bang for their buck – even though he cost a minimal transfer fee. The fact that Everton so desperately needed to fix their problems in the position and ended up with the 29-year-old moonlighter only adds insult to injury.
However, Maitland-Niles still offers something out wide, and it already looks like Christian Norgaard may struggle to offer the same kind of value in midfield, having joined the club from Arsenal for £7m in August.
Another bargain buy. A big well done to the Friedkin Group. And a big well done to Moyes, who threw the Danish veteran onto the pitch in the second half against Chelsea with his side chasing a lead. Not only did Norgaard make a hash of an Evertonian break, he got booked right from the off and continually ceded possession – actually losing the ball four times despite only taking 13 touches.
Supporters were almost incredulous in the stands. Hayden Hackney sat unused on the bench; having been signed from Middlesbrough for £16m in the summer, the 2025/26 Championship Player of the Season, the midfield maestro has not started since the opening game of the season, and it’s hard to see why Moyes thought Norgaard would have been a better option.
|
Christian Norgaard vs Chelsea |
|
|---|---|
|
Match Stats |
# |
|
Minutes played |
19′ |
|
Goals + Assists |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches |
13 |
|
Accurate passes |
8/10 (80%) |
|
Chances created |
0 |
|
Crosses completed |
0/0 |
|
Possession lost |
4x |
|
Succ. dribbles |
0/0 |
|
Ball recoveries |
0 |
|
Def. contributions |
0 |
|
Duels won |
0/2 |
Why did Hackney not start, let alone be introduced late on to add some oomph and creativity for an ailing Everton side? If Moyes is uncertain about the former Boro superstar, and instead values Norgaard ahead of him in the pecking order, we may have a big problem on our hands, especially when considering James Garner isn’t in the finest form in midfield right now.
Norgaard is a way away from proper fitness, the kind which could see him add some combative protection in midfield. Aged 32, though, there’s no guarantee that he will rediscover the kind of form which made him a mainstay at Brentford for so many years – especially after playing a bit-part role with the Gunners last year.
Everton need to make some changes over the coming months. They need signings like Hackney to start playing bigger roles.
There’s a player who might become a proper talent for this Everton side. Maitland-Niles and Norgaard, on the other hand, could both struggle to make something meaningful of their careers on Merseyside.
