Deadline Day Sales Strip Everton Attack Down to Single Senior Striker
Everton face an immediate tactical challenge after sanctioning £65m in forward line departures without signing a senior central replacement before the transfer deadline. David Moyes must now structure his attacking system around Thierno Barry as the squad’s only senior center-forward, forcing heavy reliance on wide creative additions to construct scoring chances.
How Everton’s Front Line Shape Adjusts Under David Moyes
With Iliman Ndiaye and Beto sold, Everton lost two primary runners who previously offered direct outlets in transition and physical targets inside the penalty box. The arrival of Jack Grealish on loan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles permanently gives Moyes ball-carrying capabilities in wide and midfield positions, but the missing central depth restricts direct passing into the penalty area. This setup leaves Barry to handle the physical work rate of pressing opposing center-backs and holding up the ball during long distribution.
David Moyes
coachMoyes has relied on a compact defensive shape and controlled transitions since returning to Goodison Park. Everton gathered four points from their opening two Premier League matches of the 2026/27 campaign using that structured approach, but the sudden reduction in forward personnel limits how the team can refresh its attack or adjust tactics late in games.
| Metric / Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Senior Center-Forwards Remaining | 1 (Thierno Barry) |
| Attacking Sales Revenue | £65m (Beto & Iliman Ndiaye) |
| Collapsed Deadline Transfer | £40m (Folarin Balogun) |
| Moyes Record Since Jan 2025 | 59 Matches (22W, 18D, 19L) |
| 2026/27 League Start | 4 Points (2 Matches) |
The on-pitch adjustments come alongside communication distance within the club hierarchy. Moyes has had zero direct dialogue with owner Dan Friedkin during his 20 months in charge, working instead through chief executive Angus Kinnear and Rishi Majithia. After a late £40m move for Folarin Balogun collapsed over medical and deal structure concerns, the coaching staff must navigate the upcoming fixtures with an extremely thin central attack.
Everton
clubData provided by Football Insider.