Everton

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss David Moyes says a teenage Wayne Rooney was "the last of the street footballers" in the English game.

During Moyes' first spell in charge of the Toffees, he gave the striker his professional debut at just 16 years old.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show about his first thoughts on the player, Moyes said: "He was a cheeky Scouser but also an unbelievable talent.

"We were saying: 'He can't be that good at that age.' I was actually getting a lot of criticism from the media because we had other good centre-forwards at the time. Kevin Campbell Tomasz Radzinski, quite a few others - Big Duncan [Ferguson] was still around and trying to get Wayne in the team wasn't easy, because they were senior players.

"A couple of times I had to play him off the left in the early days, but I say this to the young players: 'Often you don't get the big gig in your team where you play.'

"The talent Wayne had was the bit which we found really difficult because he was also physically equipped to play in men's football, which was really, really strange for someone so young.

"But he was a brilliant talent. We used to talk about street footballers in this country. For me, Wayne was the last of the street footballers, or certainly the last of the ones I know of."

Moyes also touched on how he felt when he first took the Goodison Park job back in 2002.

"I had a brilliant opportunity to manage Everton," he said. "At that time, I had been getting offered quite a few jobs to go to other Premier League clubs.

"I went to see Sir Alex [Ferguson] a few times about [other] jobs that had been offered and he said: 'No, I don't think you should take that job.'

"I had the chance to become Manchester United assistant manager before that as well and it didn't pan out, so when Everton came along it just felt right at the time."

Find this episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on YouTube, external, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

The first episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Everton focuses on defender Gary Ablett, who played for both Merseyside clubs, and former Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta.

Arteta made 209 appearances for the Toffees between 2005 and 2011, winning the player of the season award twice and being an integral part of David Moyes' teams that qualified for Europe on two occasions.

"He's very much in the news as Arsenal manager these days and many outside of Everton often forget he played for them, but he was there for quite a while," said Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns.

"Massive fondness for him. He was probably one of the best players I saw growing up - technically gifted. He came in initially on a loan from Real Sociedad, it was one of the underrated bargain signings Everton made under David Moyes.

"It was at a crucial time in the 2004-05 season when he signed on loan in the January and that is when Everton went on to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

"They were missing a little bit, Thomas Gravesen had departed, so they needed a little bit in midfield to carry them home. The rest as they say is history. He went on to get some incredible moments in an Everton shirt.

"He was just one of those who provided that little bit of magic really and he inspired one of the great Everton chants."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Explore more Everton content on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are still weighing up whether to trigger Tyrique George's option-to-buy clause this summer following his loan spell from Chelsea.

The 20-year-old forward's future remains unclear, as does the value of the option, although it could be in a similar ballpark to the £22m fee agreed with Fulham on deadline day last summer.

George made just one start in 11 appearances at Hill Dickinson Stadium but, at times, looked impressive from the bench.

When asked about his future and that of Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish last week, Everton boss David Moyes replied: "At the moment, they go back to their clubs and we'll take it from there.

"As the summer goes on, we'll decide what path we're going to take on both of them. We like Tyrique, obviously we like Jack a lot – but we've not got an answer [yet].

"We've enjoyed having Tyrique here – he's been an excellent boy and his work-rate and everything has been excellent, so we're happy with him."

Chelsea have been looking to sell George during the past two transfer windows and would be likely to consider suitable similar offers in future.

The Stamford Bridge club still need to raise funds through player sales because of their Uefa settlement agreement and, as an academy graduate, George would represent pure profit in the club's accounts, increasing the incentive to sell the homegrown winger.

Multiple sources have denied rumours that manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to George, or any other player, before the new season to assure them they are part of his plans.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on who Everton should sign from the relegated Premier League sides Wolves,Burnley and West Ham United.

Here are some of your comments:

David: Try for Jarrod Bowen, maybe El Hadji Malick Diouf, swerve on Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Maxime Esteve from Burnley a good signing. Not sure about any Wolves players, didn't seem to have much fight in them. Hwang Hee-Chan as a back-up to a much-needed new front three.

Steven: Gotta be Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, he looks dynamic and obviously Bowen would be a great addition but his age and how much they would want might be a no-no.

Gary: I would say Wan-Bissaka at only £10m. Bowen won't leave unless he would like to carry on playing international football. David Moyes has got to add a right-back and a decent striker. Thierno Barry and Beto, I fear, won't cut it if we qualify for Europe next season. Yet I do think Tyler Dibling and Wan-Bissaka or Summerville on the right side and Iliman Ndaiye on the left if we don't sign Jack Grealish. We also need a CB and LB. Squad depth at the moment is a real problem and we need to add pace and creativity, along with the signing of Tyrique George, which would be really good.

Theo: I think we should sign Summerville from West Ham, he was their best player.

Antoni: We need pace, creativity and someone who could slot into the first team immediately. Summerville and Bowen from West Ham and Mateus Mane from Wolves must be up there on the wishlist for Everton's decision-makers this summer.

Ciaran: Esteve and Zian Flemming from Burnley. Diouf from West Ham.

Rich: I think Wan-Bissaka would be good for a cheap option and, not that I agree, but no doubt Moyes will try for Tomas Soucek. I'd like Mane from Wolves but so would most clubs! I don't think many other players would improve us, only add cover. Majority of the current squad should be covered with new additions to improve us.

Martin: Should've signed Bowen before LAST season. Typical Blues. Will have to pay as much or more for him now and he's a year older. Recruitment has been abysmal for a decade.

Wayne Rooney returns to Everton to sit down with David Moyes and the pair revisit the debut, the transfer saga and the moments that shaped both their careers.

Listen to the full show below, or on BBC Football YouTube when it airs at 17:00 BST, as well as iPlayer, or BBC Sounds

Episodes drop every Friday & Monday morning

BBC Radio Merseyside are doing an 'A to Z of Merseyside Sport' for both their Liverpool and Everton pages on BBC Sounds throughout this summer.

It will be a combination of the sport team, fan contributors and guests, with big interviews also coming soon, exploring the impact of people, places and much more.

For Everton's letter 'A', they focus on Gary Ablett, one of those who made the direct trip across the park and Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard who became one of the best players of David Moyes' first spell in charge.

Hit play below to hear the first episode in full or listen on BBC Sounds here

Subscribe to Everton's BBC Sounds feed here

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...

Everton's season feels like a mixed bag in all honesty and I was tempted to go with the 3-0 home win over Chelsea, as it was an emphatic performance and a real moment that Hill Dickinson Stadium felt like it was encapsulating the Goodison atmosphere.

However, I will pick the game against Crystal Palace at home. Trailing 1-0 at the break, James Garner was then booked quickly followed by a yellow for David Moyes. It started a feisty reaction much like those at Goodison Park when fans felt a sense of injustice. What followed was a fightback that got the stadium rocking and saw Jack Grealish poke the ball over the line in the 93rd minute.

I am told residents over the River Mersey in Wallasey heard the roar of celebration!

The season has been a success/failure because...

Chief executive Angus Kinnear has now infamously described the feeling around the season as one of being "happily dissatisfied" and it didn't land well. A European finish was there for the taking but the defeat to Sunderland on the final home game of the season left the majority feeling deflated.

While the ambition was always to finish clear of any trouble after four relegation battles in a row, aspirations were raised so much that it felt like a failure to miss out on the Conference League. Everton ended the campaign winless in the last seven games and that feels like a failure to capitalise on what could have been a grand finish.

The unsung hero of the season is...

James Garner. I am not sure if he is unsung on Merseyside but he possibly doesn't get the headlines others get nationally. His stats for Everton have seen him consistently performing at a high level and he tops the list in the Premier League for successful tackles and interceptions, plus is second for assists. He also got an England call-up in March and won player of the match on his debut in the friendly with Uruguay.

Signing a new deal with the Toffees that runs until 2030 was a key piece of business by the club and I think the 25-year-old has been really unlucky to not be called up to the England squad for this summer's World Cup, especially as he has not only been successful in midfield for Everton, but at right-back and left-back.

If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future it is...

The manager, simply because ultimately the buck stops with him. Moyes admitted to me that last summer was hard going with recruitment as players didn't want to join Everton because of previous issues. While some fear he has taken the club as far as he can, it is worth remembering the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish joined because of him.

The pressure is now on though for Moyes to have a summer of decent recruitment and start the season well in August or the noise around the job he is doing will get even louder, very quickly.

The major club issue or talking point lurking is...

The lack of a trophy. It is fair to say the Friedkin Group bought a mess of a club in December 2024 and it took some time to unpick the financial chaos left behind. Now though, the Toffees are secure and the fans will expect success.

The Friedkin Group also own Roma and have already won the Conference League with the Italian side. It is 31 years since Everton lifted a trophy and the need for silverware is massive. The exits in both the FA Cup and League Cup in the third round hurt the supporters and they would give anything for a cup run this coming season.

The reason for hope going forward is...

The spine of the team is there. Jordan Pickford is again England's number one going to the World Cup and is loved by the supporters for his world-class ability. Jarrad Branthwaite's hamstring issues restricted his appearances all season and that had a detrimental effect - keep the defender fit and it'll make a huge difference next season.

Garner and Iliman Ndiaye are players others would love in their sides, plus Dewsbury-Hall is finding his form in an Everton shirt. Add in some quality signings and there is a reason to be hopeful next season; especially if the feeling of disappointment on missing out on Europe can be used as the incentive.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

David Moyes is facing scrutiny from Everton supporters for his tactical decisions throughout the season, says podcaster Mike Richards.

Richards, who presents The Unholy Trinity Everton Podcast, believes Moyes' game management was a key factor in how the Toffees failed to take advantage of their positive position in the Premier League.

"The final seven games have been awful," Richards said. "We put ourselves in a fabulous position after that Chelsea game, a 3-0 win, then they had a long three-week break with the internationals and FA Cup [fixtures], and since then we got three points out of seven games. It's simply appalling to be honest.

"Trying to put your finger on one thing is really hard. The manager being persistent with the same back four was a big issue. Not having Jarrad Branthwaite was a big issue. Not having a player like Jack Grealish who can control games, and when you're under pressure alleviate it by winning a free kick or what have you.

"There were a lot of different factors, but I think the biggest thing that sticks out was sticking with that back four.

"We know the full-back issue has been an issue for a long time so put Jake O'Brien inside with James Tarkowski, put James Garner at right-back, do something a little bit different. Bring in Tyrique George on the right or left-hand side. Just do something different so the fans can see you've seen there's an issue there and you're trying to address it.

"So that's where the manager is coming under a little bit of stick at the moment and you can see why fans are questioning his position."

Click play above to hear the full chat or listen on BBC Sounds here

The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Dear Seamus,

There's not many players that I – as a 41-year-old man – would write a letter for, but you aren't just any player.

It's hard to believe that over 17 years ago, you rocked up to our club as a raw 20-year-old, no doubt with a head full of dreams, mixed with inevitable anxiety. Little did we all know, an Evertonian was born - and a great one at that.

With yourself on the right and Leighton Baines on the left, between you both, you transformed the position of full-back and you allowed us to dream.

The attacking aggression, met with defensive solidity is very much what we now see the majority in your position play like. If only we had someone in the same mould now.

Loyalty is something that isn't only rare in life, but even more so in football. I'm sure at times it would have been easier to have jumped ship, but not only did you commit to our football club, you led it like one of us. You epitomised what it means to be a Blue.

In recent years, the gratitude Evertonians have for you has been taken to new levels. Despite struggling with serious injuries, your duty as both captain and an Evertonian never diminished. Reports of how you reminded players of what they were fighting for are widespread. You fought. We fought.

You got us and in turn, we loved you. Your passion was unrivalled. Your decency unmatched.

Ending your time at the club – without a trophy – feels almost unforgivable. A few nears, but plenty of fars. It highlights even further how you put club over career. Love over honours.

Next season will feel strange not seeing you in and around everything. It will feel even stranger if you pull on new club colours. It is somewhat softened, as we know you'll be back one day soon, when you embark on your coaching journey.

Thank you will never be enough.

The best £60k spent in Premier League history.

All the best,

Mike

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United will face Everton in a pre-season friendly at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on Wednesday, 12 August (kick-off 17:15 BST).

The fixture will be an opportunity for both teams to step up their preparations just before the 2026-27 Premier League season starts on Saturday, 22 August.

It is set to be the first summer friendly between the two sides since the Barcelona Cup final in 1924, when the Toffees triumphed.

In addition, it will be Newcastle and Everton's first visit to the 101-year-old venue, which is in the heart of the Scottish capital and has a capacity of 67,144.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: "An exciting test against Premier League opposition at a historic venue will play an important part in our pre-season preparations.

"I'm sure our fans will bring a special atmosphere to Edinburgh, giving the players a massive lift as we build towards the new campaign."

Everton manager David Moyes said: "Pre-season is an important period for the players and the staff - so a fixture like this, in one of the most iconic stadiums in the country, will help us continue building.

"This fixture gives Evertonians the chance to come together, enjoy the occasion and get behind the team in what should be a really good day."

The Athletic FC's Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland grades the Blues' season after they finished 13th and missed out on European football.

"I gave Everton a C-minus. Even a couple of weeks ago it probably would have been a fair amount higher but I just think this was a huge opportunity missed for Everton this season," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"The squad we all know is flawed, but they had, particularly after the Chelsea game, a real opportunity to get into Europe. To make significant strides forward.

"Ultimately, they didn't take them and I think that is mainly on them. We can point to refereeing decisions here or there but I think it is mainly on the people in the building, including in the dressing room, so really disappointing end to the campaign with no wins in the final seven [matches].

"After Chelsea, Everton were on 46 points. Had they got eight more points, in the final seven games, they would have made Europa League, so that's why [the grade] can't be any higher for me."

On the future of manager David Moyes, Boyland said: "The end of the season raised significant questions over the direction of travel.

"Questions are going to be asked, particularly if the same mistakes keep on being repeated.

"You can remove a manager but can you fix the recruitment side? Can you fix some of the mistakes that have been made on the pitch?"

Tyler Dibling signed for the club from Southampton last summer and has struggled to make an impact in his first season.

"Don't sign a £40m winger in Tyler Dibling if he is not going to develop and play," Boyland added.

"The price tag does play a role, it was also the fact that we had all seen Tyler Dibling play for Southampton last year and most of us had been so impressed by what we had seen."

Listen to the full conversation by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

4/10 - Everton are looking backwards when this club should be moving forwards. It's not really to do with the football either. It's to do with a state-of-the-art new stadium, new owners wiping significant debts and starting to behave more like a modern-day football club off the pitch, which is crucial for survival now. - something, apparently, we should all just be grateful for.

Best moment and why?

Probably that sunny opening home win against Brighton.

Player of season and why?

James Garner - it's a shame for players like him, who have put the work in so diligently, to not be rewarded with European competition.

Biggest disappointment?

Missing out on Europe when it was firmly within our grasp.

What needs to change this summer?

Our CEO lauds stability but all the fans see is stagnation. The attitude of this club needs to massively change this summer. It's not acceptable for management to use the excuse that Everton "aren't ready" for European football when Sunderland were playing in League One four years ago.

Squad management this season has been awful and the points tally has capitulated through sheer exhaustion. Eight players have played 2,500 or more minutes, the most of any side in the Premier League. Three out of four of the finishing defensive line against Tottenham played in the 2022 survival game against Crystal Palace.

Major hope for next season?

A pair of new full-backs, but regardless of who Everton purchase, if the manager stays the same, I would not be convinced they would get on the pitch. David Moyes has an aversion to playing any youth - proven by the lack of minutes for Adam Aznou, who in his only cameo in the FA Cup came on and won a penalty, then was never seen again.

A new stadium, financial stability and ambitious ownership should be the beginning of progress, not the excuse for standing still. Things will go sour very quickly next season if this is not recognised.

This is your Everton page. Bookmark it and come back for news, fan opinions, punditry and reporter insight, audio clips and more.

If you're on the BBC Sport app, press the bell icon at the top and select news alerts. And don't forget to 'follow' if on the app or signed in on a browser to start seeing more Everton content.

Everton are targeting DR Congo full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 28, in a £10m move following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Enzo Maresca, who has been linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, wants to give England midfielder Jack Grealish, 30, the chance to revive his City career after a season on loan at Everton. (Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Everton midfielder James Garner says the Toffees have had a "progressive season" despite a "disappointing" end to the campaign.

David Moyes' side failed to win any of their final seven Premier League games to drop from European contention to a 13th-place finish, culminating in a limp final day defeat at Spurs.

"Disappointing," Garner said post-match.

"A bit of a slow game really, they didn't create much. It felt quite comfortable in the game but at the same time we didn't really create anything either so there was just one moment in the game and it fell their way.

"Very disappointed. To finish the last seven games without a win isn't good enough.

"Overall the season has been much better, our best in the last four or five years, so there are positives to take, it's just the last seven games we need to improve going into next season.

"There's progress. We've won a lot of big games against big teams so it's definitely a progressive season from the last few."

Garner himself has played every minute for Everton this season, and is content with his performances despite missing out on England's World Cup squad.

"I'm really happy," he added.

"This has probably been my best season. I've been injury-free for every game and every minute so from a personal level I've really enjoyed it. There's more to come - I just need another season like this if not better.

"Getting a taste of it for the first time was a dream come true but a lot of top level players missed out in this team. It is what it is, just got to keep going and it's only going to motivate me."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 12th

A funny one, this. Everton were in position to reach Europe with a few weeks of the season to go, but a late collapse left supporters very frustrated with manager David Moyes and his players.

Jack Grealish played his part before a season-ending foot injury, but the workload heaped on Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall eventually took its toll.

An average season with none of the relegation worries of previous years, but home form was poor in Everton's magnificent new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The biggest mystery? The complete disappearance of 20-year-old Tyler Dibling following his £40m move from Southampton last summer.

It will be intriguing to see what approach club owner the Friedkin Group takes this summer.

What I said in August: "Manager David Moyes is hoping to build on the revival he inspired in the second half of last term."

Check out the rest of my review here

We asked for your views on Everton's defeat at Tottenham on the final day of the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Tim: A tepid display from Everton as they limp over the line for yet another defeat. Changes were effective but came much too late. Time to change the manager and clear out the dead wood.

Nigel: A really poor performance. I feel sorry for the West Ham supporters, we just didn't turn up. David Moyes, not good enough, this has to change before next season or we will be in a relegation fight.

Paul: Awful end to the season. A complete let down on where they could have finished for the fans. They need to take a good hard look at themselves if they want to improve on 13th next year. Desperate for a striker but also to start winning games they should. Lost too many games they should have won because of lacklustre play. Overall a poor season of mediocrity.

Image source, Getty Images

Ian: When any team needs a win - just give Everton a call. They'll oblige and are 100% guaranteed to tamely roll over and meekly surrender. Totally predictable outcome from the mighty Blues.

Magnus: The team never played with enough intensity or creativity to challenge a nervous Spurs side. Possession was poor, attacks lacked structure and energy, and we looked reactive rather than ambitious. There was not much riding on the game for us, but matches like this still show character, and too many players looked short of pride and hunger. While Moyes has restored stability, performances like this reinforce the feeling that he is not the manager who takes us back to European football.

Gary: A season that looked promising at the beginning of 2026, ended poorly. We need a striker urgently or we'll be in the bottom half of the table again.