Everton

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Everton's right-back position has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Everton' form.

We put your questions about that position in the squad to BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould.

Seamus Coleman turns 37 next month and is in his 17th season at Everton. He was signed by David Moyes during his first spell at the club and remains the manager's most trusted right-back, despite struggling to stay fit.

Replacing the Republic of Ireland international has seemingly proved impossible task. Eight managers between Moyes' two stints have failed to find an ideal candidate.

Nathan Patterson was brought in from Rangers by Rafael Benitez just 12 days before he was sacked in January 2022. At the time, he was touted as a natural successor but has failed to impress and came close to leaving this summer.

When Coleman has been sidelined, it has been a case of square pegs and round holes.

Ben Godfrey was moved from centre-back to plug the gap before his exit in 2024. Sean Dyche brought in Ashley Young but, at the age of 38, he was never a long-term solution.

The other option was midfielder James Garner. In September 2024, then-director of football Kevin Thelwell told me that with budgets tight, and Garner having won the Euros with England under-21s as a right-back, he was the backup for the foreseeable.

Now, Moyes favours Jake O'Brien who admits, while he is happy to cover, he still sees himself as a centre-back. The Toffees searched again this summer for a right-back but on deadline day, only German midfielder Merlin Rohl arrived.

For now then, Seamus Coleman - when fit - remains the manager's first choice in the position and it makes his £60,000 price tag in 2009 seem an even bigger bargain.

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Jordan Pickford continues to underline his importance for England, keeping a seventh consecutive clean sheet in the victory over Serbia.

That run equals his own record for an England goalkeeper in consecutive appearances - a mark he shares with World Cup winner Gordon Banks.

The seven clean sheets for Pickford have come up against Serbia, Andorra (twice), Latvia, Albania, Ireland and Greece. The Ireland and Greece games were under the stewardship of Lee Carsley, interim manager before Thomas Tuchel took over.

The Everton goalkeeper also kept a clean sheet for the Blues in their 2-0 win against Brighton.

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Early season international breaks can be welcomed by some clubs looking to reset after a poor start or - in Everton's case - act as a potential momentum killer after promising signs in the opening three league matches.

Such has been the exciting start to the season, Evertonians cannot wait for Saturday to roll round once again.

There is an air of enthusiasm, as there has been since the return to the club of David Moyes.

In our two league wins to date this season, Everton have not only entertained for periods, they have now assembled an attacking force that strikes fear into the heart of opponents.

Jack Grealish has rightly been singled out for praise. So often the catalyst in attacking areas, he has already achieved cult hero status among the fanbase.

His arrival has not only been successful for him, but for those around him - in particular, Iliman Ndiaye.

So often the talisman of the side last season, the Senegal forward was often targeted by the opposition in an attempt to nullify Everton in the final third.

With the attention seemingly centred elsewhere, Ndiaye has found more space and time to work his magic.

Now operating off the right-hand side, it has been encouraging to see him pick up where he left off last season. With two goals in the first three league matches, I would be surprised if he does not top the club scoring charts once more.

After a successful summer transfer window and the move to our fantastic new home, things apparently appear to be looking up for our club.

The simple fact that Evertonians cannot wait for the turnstiles to click open on Saturday is a clear indicator we are back to enjoying our football at last.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Everton are considering a move for 32-year-old free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but Rangers and Leeds United are also interested in the former England international, who left Turkish club Besiktas at the end of August. (The Boot Room), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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Throughout a rollercoaster past few years at Everton, Jordan Pickford has been a constant.

Most fans believe that without their keeper, they would be playing Championship football – or worse. When the club was at its lowest in recent years, it was the 31-year-old's performances that stopped the situation getting worse.

One such game was against Leicester in May 2023 when both clubs were fighting relegation. Without James Maddison's penalty being saved at the King Power Stadium, Everton would likely have gone down that season instead of their opponents.

It was a sliding doors' moment and Pickford was at the centre of it.

There's often a debate among the Toffees about who is the best keeper in the club's history - Neville Southall or Jordan Pickford? Southall is the Blues' record appearance holder with 578, plus he won two league titles, two FA Cups and a European Cup Winners trophy during his time at Goodison.

While Pickford does not have the trophy haul so far, he has succeeded for Everton in a much tougher era on the pitch and during a time while the club was run so poorly, it saw two PSR breaches, two sets of points deductions and eight managers.

As a result, the news those at the top want him to see his career out at Hill Dickinson Stadium is being met with celebration.

A rebuild is under way in other positions but to find another keeper on the same level would cost a fortune. And it is not just his talent that is worth something.

He understands what it takes to be loved by the Everton faithful and that is priceless.

Though he grew up in the North East, Jordan Pickford is treated by the blue half of Merseyside as one of their own. As his song in the stands starts; "He's a mackem, he's a blue, he's a toffee through and through."

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We asked whether you have fallen in love with Jack Grealish after Toffees fan Mike Richards said earlier on this page that common advice is often "never fall in love with a loan player".

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: Why not fall in love with a loan player that lights up the team and gets the crowd loving the game again? Whether he stays after the loan period or not, I'll always love Jack for knowing what it takes to win the hearts and minds of the Everton crowd. Players like that are few and far between. Guardiola's loss is our gain.

David: Let's not forget the boost this has given Grealish. He has his mojo back and I believe that means a lot to him. I feel he will drive better performances from other players and it would not be a surprise if he is our player of the season.

Andy: I don't think the question is whether we've fallen in love with him. It's now - are we willing to pay what it takes to keep him? The dream would be that he falls in love too and takes a pay cut to make the move. City's style of football doesn't deserve a player of his style and skill.

Everton fan Mike Richards discusses the transfer window on BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's been an exciting window for us. There's been money spent. There's been exciting players coming in and we look like a totally different football side.

"It's all about future-proofing, we've got the spine of a decent squad, with experience. But you've got to look towards the future.

"From a business perspective, you can argue big money's being spent on Tyler Dibling and players like that, but if they go on and have two or three good years at the club, then the price doubles anyway.

"That's what we need to say and do - be better. I still think there's room for improvements, but the new recruitment team came in fairly late at the back end of the window, so they haven't really put their stamp on things.

"I think that the signings are a good mix of youth and experience, and hopefully that leads to us being that bit better in the market in terms of making decent profit going forward and then reinvesting."

On new signing Jack Grealish: "Everyone always says don't fall in love with a loan player. I think it's far too late for that. We are all head over heels in love with him. He's some talent. He's some player. And hopefully, if this continues there will be cause to get him on a permanent deal in the summer.

"It puts more eyes on our football club because of the following that he's got. And we're going through this transitional period, with our new stadium, the manager being back for about six months or so and the fact we've spent quite a bit of money in the transfer market. This is the time when we really want to be getting eyes on our football club. And that's exactly what he does."

Listen to the full interview here

Have you fallen for Grealish? Tell us why here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has been answering your questions on Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Peter asked: I can't figure out why Tuchel has picked Marcus Rashford over Jack Grealish. How can this be justified on the basis of recent form?

Sami answered: Tuchel has clearly taken a shining to Rashford, hasn't he? Indeed, one of his very first decisions as England boss was to recall Rashford to the senior squad following a time in the international wilderness. Tuchel believes in the threat Rashford poses out wide.

In terms of Grealish, I don't think it will be too long until he gets a recall, if he continues performing at the level he has started the new season.

An issue might be that Tuchel, as I understand it, views Grealish as a central attacker of which the German has options - Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham among others - but he won't be able to ignore Grealish if his early form continues.

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The dust has just about settled on a busy transfer window for Everton.

In total, the Toffees brought in nine players for a total of about £110.9m based on reported initial fees.

Those incomings were:

• Tyler Dibling - Southampton

• Thierno Barry - Villarreal

• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - Chelsea

• Charly Alcaraz - Flamengo

• Adam Aznou - Bayern Munich

• Mark Travers - Bournemouth

• Tom King - Wolves

• Jack Grealish - Manchester City (loan)

• Merlin Rohl - Freiburg (loan - obligation to buy)

*All permanent unless otherwise stated

Heading the other way, Everton offloaded a number of players including Youssef Chermiti, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young.

Of all the summer incomings at Hill Dickinson stadium, who do you think will have the biggest impact?

Rank them here

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

With the arrival of midfielder Merlin Rohl on transfer deadline day, David Moyes has added nine new names to his squad, and while there was talk of a need for reinforcements, the Blues boss has already seen the impact his new faces can make.

It was clearly in evidence on Saturday at Wolves, when Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were again excellent, playing a huge part in a deserved away win. Crucially, Everton have now won both at their new stadium and away from home, a great response from that opening night defeat at Elland Road.

We will await to see if Rohl is involved straight away but he's another option in midfield, especially with highly rated Harrison Armstrong now continuing his development on loan at Preston for the rest of the season.

The international break has probably come too early now that Everton have found some momentum and confidence, but there is a feel-good factor at the moment. If they can beat Aston Villa in their next game, it will represent a really good start to the season.

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I recently argued a right-winger, a right-back, a defensive midfielder, and possibly even a striker were the bare minimum for Everton to start looking up the table.

Well, that's two out of four.

Alongside another seven signings, it has been a decent return for a club with the biggest rebuild required in the Premier League. If at the start of the summer, I had been offered the names we have signed (just look at that attacking line-up!), I would have been absolutely delighted.

This is a different Everton, with a new home, and a brighter future. Last season, it took until mid-October to amass the points we have now at the end of August.

Yet it is disappointing we have not added a right-back. That is a hole in the squad and it is a desperately sorry situation that Nathan Patterson has not been able to get out on loan.

Realistically, it would have been incredibly difficult to solve every position in this window, but that position really has been top of the list for quite some time. It seems the club want the right player now, not just who is available.

They also are not prepared to overpay for the sake of it, notably turning down deals for players with overinflated wages.

By the end, I think we have navigated a difficult window quite well. After all, it really is nice to not be worrying about PSR for a change and to have a bench that contains some genuine options.

Finally, a special mention for Jarrad Branthwaite's new contract, signed in early July. When one of your biggest prized assets signs a long term deal, what is there not to be pleased about?

Rating: 7/10

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German football expert Constantin Eckner believes new Everton signing Merlin Rohl will play more as an attacking midfielder for his new club.

The 23-year-old became David Moyes' ninth signing of a busy summer transfer window on deadline day. He signed on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy for £17.3m in 2026.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Eckner stated that while Rohl can play in a number of midfield positions, he does not believe he would suit playing defensively for Everton.

Eckner said: "It's tough to pinpoint what his best position might be - he has played a number of roles.

"I don't really think he should play as a number six in the Premier League just because he doesn't possess the physicality you probably need for it - especially with Everton, what they want to achieve and the battles they will be facing.

"I'm guessing he will be playing a more attacking role, and we will see from there.

"He's technically gifted, but is he a number 10? Not quite. I could see him playing there, though not just as the type of player to deliver key passes, but also someone who can make a run into the box and be a secondary option."

Listen to more from Eckner on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Everton's transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Pierre: I'm more than happy with the signings made this summer. Considering the mess EFC were in at the start of June (10 players left the club) I think Moyes has done exceptionally well to bring the quality players in that they have. It was never going to be fixed in one window, but more than happy with what's been brought in.

Tom: Happy with all signings, but we needed a right-back desperately. Jake O'Brien is doing a great job but he is a centre-back and we need that depth at centre-back.

Stephen: Once again we failed to sign a new right-back, a position that has needed to be filled for the last few years. Jake O'Brien did a great job last season filling the gap but we should have signed a replacement for Seamus Coleman! I wish Chermiti well and hope that selling him was not a mistake. Let's hope that Beto continues to improve, and the same goes for Barry - we need to keep them both free from injury, which is not the easiest of tasks at Everton!

Mark: Where's the right-back? Where's the goalscorer especially now with letting the young lad go to Rangers. Hope everyone stays fit, especially up front.

Steve: Great window, shame we didn't get a quality defender but attack looks great.

Tommo: A great window for us but we need a quality right-back with pace and all eyes are on Beto and Barry to see if we can avoid having to look for a new striker. If any of them can get 15 goals with contributions from the rest, then it could be an exciting season for us Toffees.

Tim: Generally an excellent window - top class young players brought in. Grealish has hit the ground running and is already a fan favourite. We've still got a defensive issue, especially at right-back. As much as we love Coleman, he is 37 and picking up niggly injuries more frequently. Patterson has never impressed during the brief spells between injuries. A miss on this front I'm afraid.

Paul: I personally am very pleased with the signings we've made. Rohl, the latest player to arrive, looks another exciting player to add to the squad of exciting prospects we've made this summer. Long may it continue.

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Jack Grealish's loan move to Everton appears to have been an immediate success, with four assists in his first three league games.

And we saw a small detail of his game in the form of his assist for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall during the victory at Wolves. After carrying the ball down the middle, moving infield, he played a deft, slightly chipped pass over a defender's outstretched leg.

It is a hallmark of Grealish's game that is rather atypical of traditional English midfielders and something seen more in South American players.

It's a tool - as author Jamie Fahey notes - used in small-sided futsal games, and becomes useful on poorer quality pitches, where the ball might get stuck or not carry as easily.

Given how compact defences are in the Premier League, players who can execute a scooped pass can progress the ball at times others would hold on to it.

Whether out wide or centrally, Grealish appears to be showcasing his natural flair and confidence once again.

Everton have completed the signing of Germany under-21 international Merlin Rohl from Bundesliga side Freiburg on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy in the summer of 2026.

The 6ft 3in midfielder joined Freiburg from Ingolstadt in 2022 and made 60 appearances, playing in several roles in midfield as well as deputising at left-back.

The 23-year-old becomes Everton's ninth signing of a busy summer transfer window.

"I'm really excited and full of joy to sign for Everton," Rohl said. "It's a big club, with great history and great fans.

"It's the right time for me to join Everton. It feels like a shifting point for the club. The future looks really good and I'm excited to be part of it."

Blues boss David Moyes added: "We're really pleased to bring Merlin to Everton.

"He's an exciting prospect who we've followed for some time, and we're all looking forward to working with him as we continue to build a squad and team at Everton."

What do you make of the summer business?

Is Moyes' squad now ready to make an impact this season?

Tell us here

Rangers have bought 21-year-old Youssef Chermiti from Everton for an undisclosed fee in the belief "he can develop into a top striker".

The Portuguese has signed a four-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

Chermiti came through the youth ranks with Sporting and, after he made 22 appearances, scoring three times in the 2022-23 season, he was sold to the Premier League club for a reported fee of £11.5m, rising to £14m with add-ons.

But he has since played just 24 times, only two of them starts, for Everton without finding the net.