Everton sign £60m Tottenham gem and Newcastle midfielder in £430m dream XI - if new rumours are true
How Everton could lineup next season if they have a successful transfer window
Next season marks a new beginning for Everton and not just in terms of stadium following the move from Goodison Park to Bramley-Moor dock but also in terms of ownership as the Friedkin Group looks to breathe new life into a football club that has suffered from its fair share of difficulties both and off the pitch in recent years.
There’s been points deductions, managerial changes, unsuccessful big money signings, and plenty of relegation scraps in recent seasons on the Blue side of Merseyside which fans will hope to put behind them with a familiar face in David Moyes now preparing to put his stamp on the Toffees team for a second time.
The first Moyes era saw the club finish inside the top four, reach the semi-finals of the League Cup and the final of the FA Cup while also qualifying for Europe on four separate occasions. Moyes will have ambitions of achieving similar feats once again in his second stint at the club while also trying to add to his trophy haul after guiding former club West Ham United to Conference League glory in 2023.
There are few more experienced at navigating a transfer window in the Premier League than Moyes and in his first summer back at Everton he’ll hope to assemble a team that can challenge at the upper end of the league table. But what will Everton’s starting lineup look like by the 2025/26 season if Moyes gets his dream targets over the line? Here we take a look at the Toffees’ projected team for next year.
Goalkeeper and defence
Jordan Pickford has been a huge success at Everton since his arrival in 2017. The England shot-stopper has racked up 316 appearances across all competitions since arriving from Sunderland and remains one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s modern history.
At right-back, it seems’ unlikely Seamus Coleman will be starting regularly for another season at 36, while Nathan Patterson has had his battles with injuries and is likely to be competing for a starting spot with a more experienced name. We feel Everton could look to utilise the free agent market and sign Tariq Lamptey from Brighton, with TEAMtalk crediting the Blues with interest.
At the heart of defence Everton will look to do everything they can to retain the services of Jarrad Branthwaite as the youngster strives to make England’s World Cup 2026 squad while alongside him remains the ever-reliable James Tarkowski, who has proven a shrewd addition since coming in from Burnley. Meanwhile, at left-back 25-year-old Vitaliy Mykolenko is expected to retain a starting position.
Midfield and attack
Abdoulaye Doucoure has insisted that he will not take a wage cut to stay at Everton in an interview which hints that he could be on the move this summer. This leaves Everton with a void to fill in the middle of the park and one player that could be considered is Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff. The Magpies academy graduate has struggled for first team action this year and could be targeted by the Blues as he approaches the final year of his contract, according to talkSPORT.
Elsewhere, Moyes has a history of signing midfielders that are good in the air and could be reunited with a familiar face in Thomas Soucek, who is not thought to be a part of Graham Potter’s plans. The Czech international could offer the club a similar threat to that of Marouane Fellaini in the past. Ahead of the pair in a central attacking midfield role is likely to be playmaker Ilman Ndiaye, who has won plaudits for his performances this season.
In the wide areas, Dwight McNeil is likely to continue to play on the wing and will be looking to rekindle some of his early season form. On the other side, could be a marquee addition in the form of former fan favourite Richarilson. The Brazilian, who left the club to join Tottenham in 2022 for £60m, has been linked with a loan back to Merseyside with a potential obligation to buy, as per Sky Sports.
Leading the line, amid Leeds United’s interest in Beto, could be Ipswich Town star Liam Delap. He’s fired in 12 goals for the Tractor Boys this term and has a release clause of £30m after relegation. He’s the subject of interest from several sides including Newcastle and Man United but Everton could offer the player first team football and have put their name in the race by speaking with Delap’s representatives, according to Football Insider.