Everton struggled mightily in their season opening game at Leeds United and injuries to key defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko – as well as backup left back and new signing Adam Aznou – had a big part to play in the defeat at Elland Road. With James Garner forced to deputize as a stay at home left back to neutralize the threat of pacy Daniel James, the Toffees looked lost on the pitch.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference earlier on Friday ahead of a historic first game at Hill
Dickinson Stadium for Everton, manager David Moyes started off with a squad injury update and the news remained pretty grim on the afflicted fullbacks corps.
“Jarrad is on the way but not fit, neither is Mykolenko – and Nathan Patterson is not fit, either.
“Aznou has trained today for the first time, so we’ll see how he goes.”
The Toffees failure to sign a right back for years now is a constant source of bemusement for the fanbase, and when asked if the club were getting closer to making any signings, Moyes said –
“I’d like to say yes [there has been progress] but that yes might mean that you’re going to push me for more answers than what it might be – but I have to say I think we’re trying to make way to get more players in. We’re trying to do so.
“We’ve been disappointed that we’ve missed out on other players which have chosen not to come or, for different reasons, have not been able to make it – but I think there are quite a few managers saying the same thing in the Premier League.
“But, yes, I think we’re trying to make progress at the moment. Will it come off? I couldn’t guarantee that – but we’re definitely trying to move on.”
Note, barely hours later the news broke that Everton and Southampton were close to an agreement for young star Tyler Dibling for £42 million per year. However, despite him being the club’s eighth signing of the summer, there have been a number of targets the Blues have missed on, and Moyes pointed out the elephant in the room.
“Absolutely, Europe – European football. “I’ve had a chance to manage at a club (who have qualified). If you’ve got European football, you attract a different level of player, you’re more attractive.
“We’ve got to build up an awful lot of trust with players and maybe agents and different things to show that we’re a club moving in the right direction and positive. I think our ownership have come in and helped us.
“Obviously, they’ll give us a chance to spend more money and look as if we’re going to build. But I believe the better players want European football, most of them, or a lot of them do.”
Moyes also took a minute to remember the club’s former chairman, the late Bill Kenwright, who got the process started many years ago of the club moving away from Goodison Park to a bigger ground.
“We’re all really looking forward to the new stadium. It’s something that’s been on the horizon for so long, and it’s now here.
“We hope we can get used to it as quickly as we can. Everyone knows a new stadium is never that easy, but it’s something we’re really excited about now.
“I think Bill (Kenwright) would take more pride than anybody. It’s really sad that he’s not here because he put so much work into it.
“For many generations, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for, and Bill Kenwright played a big part in getting that going.”
