Everton faces squad depth issues after chaotic summer transfer deadline

Everton concluded its 2026 summer transfer window with a roster of only 18 outfield players despite a two-year effort to restructure the squad. The club added seven players, including Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George, Merlin Rohl, Christian Norgaard, Brennan Johnson, Jack Grealish Grealish, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Manager David Moyes now faces a threadbare roster due to a lack of depth at the striker, left-back, and right-back positions. A move for Folarin Balogun collapsed on deadline day following medical concerns and concurrent negotiations for Joshua Zirkzee. With Adam Aznou out on loan, the club remains reliant on Vitaliy Mykolenko at left-back with no clear alternatives. The club must navigate the remainder of the year with this squad before the January transfer window opens.

• 6:00 AMYahoo Sports — Everton’s 2026 Summer Transfer Window Recap – Shambolic Deadline Day throws future in peril